Commercial aluminium doors are the most fit-for-purpose products for buildings that are not dwellings and with high traffic, Shops, schools, offices, leisure centres and other public buildings, use commercial doors for their durability, strength and long-term reliability. These heavy-duty doors are also specifically designed to withstand constant everyday use while ensuring enhanced security, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal. We’ve created a complete guide on how to buy commercial doors, where you can use them, the types, the extensive range of available hardware, design options, and their compliance with relevant regulations.
Why you should use commercial aluminium doors
The significant difference between commercial aluminium doors and doors in our homes, is a design and construction designed to withstand the substantial numbers of users. The doors in our homes might be used 10-20 times a day. A door in a shop can be used hundreds of times and a door in a large school thousands of times a day with large numbers of pupils using the doors every day.
Their solid mechanical construction, reliable operation, strong and robust handles and locks make commercial aluminium doors the perfect door for high-traffic buildings. That is why you won’t see typical domestic front doors in anything other than the home.
The other benefit of commercial aluminium doors is their flexibility in design. One design of door can create doors of all types in buildings. Main entrance doors, fire-exit doors, access control doors, plant room and storage doors, security doors and even automatic doors. These are just some of the many uses possible with these strong and reliable aluminium doors.
Commercial doors come with quality aluminium with a thermal break where needed, a substantial choice of colours and can use virtually any type of glass, aluminium louvres or aluminium panels.
Types of Commercial Aluminium Doors
Commercial doors don’t fall under exactly the same standards and regulations as domestic doors and depending on their use, you can get both thermally broken and non-thermally broken versions. You can get single doors, double doors and doors with side or top panels. The doors can also be integrated with screens and aluminium curtain walling. Commercial doors typically come in the following types:
Centre hung commercial doors
Centre Hung Doors: Centre hung doors are a popular choice for commercial applications. They feature a door closer that is hidden within the frame with a low threshold and can be designed to open either inwards or outwards. With the addition of a stop, they can also be configured for single-action operation. Centre hung doors provide a seamless appearance while offering easy access and reliable performance.
Anti-finger trap commercial doors
In environments where safety is a top priority, centre hung anti-finger trap doors are widely used. These doors have a rounded stile on the hinge side, which helps prevent fingers from getting trapped. While not a legal requirement, they are commonly installed in schools, shops, and buildings with diverse user demographics to ensure a higher level of safety for all. Their design is otherwise the same as centre hung doors.
Rebated doors
Rebated doors are designed to close on a rebate and feature a fixed overhead door closer. Although they are not intended for frequent daily use, they find their purpose in plant rooms, bin stores, and boiler rooms. Rebated doors provide a secure closure for areas that require limited access.
Commercial Door Hardware
The hardware options available for commercial aluminium doors are extensive and can be tailored to meet specific requirements. Commercial doors can serve as main entrance doors, fire-exit doors, access control doors, and enhanced security doors. From advanced locking mechanisms to access control systems, the hardware ensures that commercial doors perform multiple functions seamlessly. This versatility allows businesses to optimize security, accessibility, and operational efficiency. The below functions are suitable within the same commercial door system.
Entrance doors are available with a substantial range of locks and handles, designed to either keep the door open at all times for everyday use and provide functional large and easily-identifiable handles for users not familiar with the building. Or you can get doors that latch shut every time where you want to control who enters the building. A good example here are doors to apartments, where you don’t want anyone to walk into the block, other than residents. These often work with buzz entry systems, key fobs, or keypad locks.
Fire exit doors are another popular use for commercial aluminium doors. Fire exit doors are not fire resistant doors. Instead they are designed to provide immediate exit through the doors in the event of a fire or other emergency. Typically these are fitted with panic bars or push to exit handles, designed to be instantly usable even by people unfamiliar with the building or its layout.
Access control and security doors add another barrier to doors with access control. They are designed to keep the door securely shut at all times. Banks use commercial doors with added magnetic locks, allowing access only to authorised users. High security buildings such as shops selling luxury goods use enhanced security doors to control who enters the store. Offices use these doors to secure areas where sensitive information or equipment is not accessible to every user.
Compliance with Regulations
Commercial aluminium doors meet the rigorous standards outlined by several regulations to ensure accessibility for all users. They comply with British Standard BS8300, which sets out design guidelines for buildings to accommodate users with disabilities. Additionally, commercial doors adhere to Approved Document M, which provides specific guidance on meeting accessibility requirements in buildings. Furthermore, the Equality Act emphasizes the need for inclusive design, making it essential for commercial doors to enable comfortable access for individuals with varying abilities.
Handles, closers, closing strength and speed, hardware for people with visual impairments and mobility needs are all available to make commercial doors fully compliant and create better accessible buildings for all.
Contact us today for commercial aluminium doors, supply only or supply and install
Commercial aluminium doors are a reliable and robust solution for buildings with high traffic. Their durability, enhanced security features, and compatibility with various architectural designs make them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. With extensive hardware options and compliance with accessibility regulations, these doors provide the functionality, safety, and convenience required for modern commercial environments. Our Exlabesa commercial doors are some of the best and most reliable on the market, designed for any building that is not a dwelling.
Commercial aluminium doors are designed to integrate seamlessly with various architectural elements. They can be installed alongside shopfronts or curtain walling, enabling their incorporation into glazing systems and overall building design. The design options include both thermally broken and non-insulated doors, catering to specific insulation requirements. The glass options are extensive as well, ranging from laminated security glass to solar control glass, obscure glass or panels, and even aluminium louvres for plant rooms. Additionally, commercial doors can be automated as hinged or sliding doors, providing convenience and ease of use.
Contact us for more information on the best doors for your building and how we can help improve its security, performance and functionality.