Page 7 - Dominic Anderson

Businesses in colder climates face unique challenges when it comes to their entrances. This is especially true during the winter months, when cold and inclement weather are at their peak. The right commercial door improves energy efficiency, durability, and overall comfort. 

At CDF Distributors, we know how to select the proper commercial doors for harsh weather conditions. There are many options available, and we’ll explain which ones are tailored to your business's needs.

An insulated metal door is a commercial door built with a steel exterior and an insulating core. It is often made of polystyrene. This design improves energy efficiency and adds strength compared to standard hollow doors.

• High R-Value: These doors offer superior insulation, helping to maintain indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs.

• Durability: Steel construction withstands harsh weather conditions and frequent use.

• Customizable: Available in various styles and finishes to match your building's

Every year, businesses in the U.S. lose nearly $45 billion to theft. While some incidents happen during operating hours, most occur when businesses are closed. Even more alarming, an estimated 56% of burglaries involve forcible entry, proving that many standard commercial doors can be bypassed with ease.

Protecting your property starts with reinforcing your entry points. A strong, secure commercial door can help prevent costly losses and give you peace of mind. Below, we’ll cover five practical ways to reinforce your commercial door and safeguard your business.

No commercial property is completely immune to break-ins. By strengthening your doors, you create a serious obstacle for criminals and reduce the likelihood of forced entry. Even simple upgrades can save you thousands in damages and lost inventory while protecting your employees and customers.

To keep your business compliant and protected, it’s also important to understand building code laws

Since the 1940s, technology has significantly improved the manufacturing process of commercial hollow metal doors. The manufacturing process involves nine steps before a metal door is shipped to a job site for installation. First, the process begins with the raw materials. The standard material for a commercial metal door is galvanized steel.

Galvanized steel is a steel surface that has received a galvanized coating, which has been annealed. Galvannealed steel starts with a galvanized coating, where the steel is dipped in zinc to protect it from rust. After coating, the steel is heated (annealed) to allow the zinc to bond with the surface. The result is a corrosion-resistant matte finish that holds paint well.

Steel shaping for commercial doors involves several key steps:

• Large steel sheets are cut down to the required door size.

• The sheets are bent and formed into the outer shell of the door.

• Reinforcement channels are shaped and

Selecting the right warehouse doors is more than just a design choice. It directly impacts your facility’s productivity, safety, and security. A high-quality warehouse door should open smoothly, stay secure after hours, and meet the unique needs of your operation. At CDF Distributors, we make it easy to find durable and affordable doors for warehouses, factories, and commercial buildings.

In this guide, we will cover the key factors you should consider when buying new commercial doors, including foot traffic, safety, measurements, and environmental conditions.

The amount of door traffic in your warehouse determines the type of door and opening mechanism you will need.

• Low-traffic doors that open once at the start of the day and close at the end do not need to prioritize ease of operation.

• High-traffic doors that open 50 to 100 times daily require smooth functionality to maximize workflow.

For office spaces, break rooms, or high-traffic interior areas,

Different commercial door locations call for various materials and features. For example, interior commercial doors do not require the same level of durability and security as external doors. Your back exits should provide security for your building and an easy way for occupants to leave the premises. Let’s look at a few examples of the best door options for back exits.

There are many different door varieties to choose from, from wood to metal to glass. While glass doors or doors with glass inserts are an attractive option for the design of your business, glass is generally not a suitable material for backdoor exits. 

Back exits are often not visible and can be a tempting place for thieves and unauthorized visitors to break in. In fact, nearly a quarter of break-ins in 2025 happened through the back door. Glass, by its nature, is more vulnerable than other types of doors. For these back exits, it is best to choose a material such as metal, wood, or another solid material.

One of your worst nightmares as a business owner is to watch your building go up in flames. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think (approximately 10% of insured small businesses!). Research shows that between 2008 and 2017, more than 100,000 nonresidential fires were reported every year and led to about 95 deaths, nearly $3 billion worth of property damage, and 1,200 injuries.

Quick Summary: Fire-Rated vs. Non-Fire-Rated Commercial Doors

Fire-rated commercial doors are tested assemblies designed to resist fire, smoke, and heat for a specified period (20, 45, 60, 90, or 180 minutes). Non-fire-rated doors are not tested to these standards and are typically used where building codes do not require fire protection. Fire-rated steel doors generally offer the highest fire-resistance ratings, while fire-rated wood doors are commonly used in corridors, offices, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Commercial fires can spread fast if your building isn’t fireproof. This is why

Commercial entry doors are more than just access points. They are the first line of defense for your building. Whether you manage a retail store, office, school, or financial institution, installing entry doors that comply with building code requirements is essential for safety, accessibility, and security.

In an emergency, entry doors also serve as the primary method of exit. If they are not up to code, you risk endangering occupants and violating compliance laws. Below, we will break down some of the most important building code laws that apply to commercial doors and why they matter.

Building codes vary by state, city, and municipality. While there is no single global law, many jurisdictions adopt parts of the International Building Code, which is published by the International Code Council and updated every three years.

Chapter 10 of the International Building Code, titled Means of Egress, covers critical details such as:

• Minimum door sizes and clearances

Take a look at nearby schools and commercial buildings. You’ll notice stronger doors are now the norm. Your business deserves security that goes beyond durability. That’s why more facilities are choosing the Forte Defendr Door. They’re built to resist forced entry and protect against active threats. Mass shootings are on the rise in the United States. It’s more important than ever to consider your building’s safety. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of these crimes. You should have door systems in place to defend your property and the people inside. 

All business owners and event venue operators should be prepared for the "active shooter" scenario. CDF’s Forte Defendr Door offers enhanced protection compared to standard commercial options.

Every school and business should prepare for the possibility of an active shooter incident. Preparation means more than drills. It means installing barriers that can actually hold. Authorities recommend

Are you preparing to open a business or upgrade your existing storefront? Choosing a new commercial door is a great option. There are numerous door design options to choose from, including residential-style doors. However, residential doors are a less-than-ideal solution for your property. There are numerous differences between commercial and residential doors. The main differences are material, security, appearance, durability, and cost. 

Here’s why you should choose a commercial door over a residential door for your business.

Commercial doors typically offer better security than residential doors. For one thing, they’re larger. Therefore, they can better withstand the pressures of long-term use. Wood commercial doors are a cost-effective choice that strikes a balance between aesthetics and durability. Many businesses opt for doors made from steel or solid-core wood. These materials are more resilient than the ones used in residential door fabrication.

Glass is one of the most important components of a commercial storefront door. Many prefer glass for its aesthetic look and feel. But it’s not only an aesthetic choice. Glass thickness affects insulation and the comfort inside your building. It also keeps your business safe. Choosing the right storefront door with the right glass thickness ensures a worthwhile investment in your business. At CDF Distributors, our commercial glass doors come pre-installed with glass with the right thickness to meet your specific needs.

The thickness of the glass in your storefront door directly affects your building’s daily performance. Thinner single-pane glass may appear the same at first glance, but it offers very little protection against temperature fluctuations. Over time, this can result in higher utility bills and a shorter lifespan for the door system. Thicker, insulated glass offers a noticeable upgrade in performance. The added layers