Which doors should I choose for my commercial property?

When you are thinking about doors for your commercial property, there are a number of factors that might influence your choice. Design and material have an impact on the overall look and feel of a building. Other points are the use the building is put to, security and insulation.

One of the main considerations is the fact that a commercial door will be opened and closed many times per day, compared to a domestic door which will only be used a few times at most. If you tried to use a domestic door in a commercial setting it would quickly fail. The hardware, hinges, locks and handles are also much more robust for commercial applications.

uPVC and Aluminium doors are often used in high traffic areas as they are robust, long lasting and easy to clean and maintain. Ideal for shops as they can accommodate large glass panels and can easily be used with the latest high security locks and automatic opening systems. They can be double glazed for energy efficiency and can be adapted to open inwards, outwards or both.

Composite doors, GRP over a timber core can incorporate thermal breaks, making the inside of a door warmer than the outside, and will still be able to have security locking and hinges fitted. Available in many styles and colours composite doors are ideal for buildings requiring a more traditional looking door style combined with modern standards of energy efficiency and security.

Wooden Doors are most often used internally in commercial properties and in fire rated door openings as they provide a low cost way to meet the applicable fire rating.  They also have good acoustic insulating properties making them ideal for office use.

Whatever material you choose for your doors there are other options to think about. Finger Guards designed to prevent hands becoming trapped can only be fitted to certain styles of door, so if children use your building frequently this may influence your choice. Part M of the Building Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act both require building owners to make “reasonable adjustments” to business premises to make them accessible. Doors are a key part of this and you may need to consider this when selecting doors. It’s worth bearing in mind that “disabled” does not just mean somebody in a wheelchair, sight, hearing, and learning disabilities can all impact ability to access a building.

As part of the overall design of a building correct choice of doors is essential so consider what is best for your building and it’s use. In a multiple occupancy building commercial doors may be more appropriate in public areas for instance. Restaurants, offices, schools, doctor’s surgeries and other public buildings all have high traffic flows of widely differing types of people.

We hope you have found our guide to doors useful. Do give us a call if you need some further help.

Categorised in: Property Management

This post was written by Express Property Services