Commercial Doors
How often do you think about the door you walk through every day? Probably not often, but when you’re responsible for sourcing commercial steel doors, suddenly every detail matters. From fire ratings and lead times to hardware compatibility and shipping schedules, the door you choose can make or break a project.
That’s where CDF Distributors stands apart. While big box stores may feel convenient at first glance, contractors, architects, and facility managers across the country are discovering that working with a specialized door distributor leads to better outcomes, especially when it comes to commercial steel double doors, steel exterior doors, and fire rated metal doors.
Let’s take a closer look at why CDF Distributors is the better choice for commercial metal doors.
CDF Distributors vs. Big Box Stores: A Clear Difference
Door Experts vs. Generalized Sales Staff
At big box stores, you’re often working with well-meaning associates
CDF Distributors provides three ways to order commercial door assemblies: online through ProBuilder, by phone at (855) 769-9895, or by email at sales@cdfdoors.com. ProBuilder is CDF’s proprietary online configuration tool and the fastest way to build a quote, select compatible components, and place an order. This FAQ covers the ordering and quoting process for hollow metal doors, hollow metal frames, wood doors, commercial hardware, and storefront systems available through CDF.
CDF ships from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters and serves general contractors, subcontractors, facility managers, and building owners across the United States. Approximately 70 percent of CDF’s customer base consists of general contractors working on commercial construction and renovation projects.
About This Guide
This FAQ is published by CDF Distributors and reflects CDF’s standard ordering, quoting, and account procedures. The information applies to all product categories available through CDF, including
The rough opening for a commercial door frame depends on the frame type. For drywall wrap-around frames, add 2 inches to the nominal door width and 1 inch to the nominal door height. For masonry frames, add 4-1/4 inches to the nominal door width and 2-1/8 inches to the nominal door height. These formulas account for the jamb and header material that occupies space within the opening. Getting the rough opening correct is a critical first step in ordering the right size door and frame assembly.
CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com calculates rough openings automatically for every frame configuration, displaying both nominal and exact dimensions on every quote. For assistance, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
Rough Opening Formulas
All door sizes referenced in rough opening calculations are nominal sizes, not exact sizes. A nominal 3’0” x 7’0” door is referenced as 36” x 84” in calculations. The rough opening formula varies by frame type because each type
Commercial storefront door systems are available in narrow stile, medium stile, and wide stile configurations, each designed for different traffic levels and glass area requirements. Glass options for storefront doors include tempered, laminated, insulated, and low e. This reference guide covers storefront door types, and glass specifications and the factors that determine which system to specify for a commercial project.
CDF Distributors supplies storefront door assemblies from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters. You can configure and order complete door assemblies online using CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. For assistance selecting the correct glass type or storefront configuration for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
About This Guide
This reference guide is published by CDF Distributors, a commercial door and hardware supplier headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF fabricates hollow metal door and frame assemblies in-house and supplies
Wall thickness determines which hollow metal door frame fits your opening. To measure wall thickness, place a tape measure against the outside face of the finished wall on one side and measure straight through the opening to the outside face of the finished wall on the opposite side. This measurement, taken from sheetrock face to sheetrock face, must match the throat size of the frame you order. An incorrect measurement results in a frame that is either too loose or too tight to install properly.
CDF Distributors’ ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com allows you to select the exact wall thickness during frame configuration, ensuring the throat size matches your wall assembly. For assistance determining the correct frame depth for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
What Is Wall Thickness and Why Does It Matter?
Wall thickness is the total distance measured from the outside face of the finished wall material on one side of a partition to the outside face of the
CDF Distributors offers seven factory-applied stain colors and two base finish options for commercial wood doors. Stain options include Autumn Oak, Mahogany, Traditional Cherry, Golden Hickory, Dark Walnut, Ebony, and Dark Oak. Base door options are Unfinished (Rotary Natural Birch) and Clear Pre-Finished (Rotary White Birch). All stain and finish selections are available on solid core and mineral core wood doors, including fire-rated configurations up to 90 minutes for solid core and 90 minutes for mineral core construction.
You can select wood species, stain color, and core type during configuration in CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. For assistance specifying wood doors for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
About This Guide
This reference guide is published by CDF Distributors, a commercial door and frame supplier based in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF fabricates and ships complete door, frame, and hardware assemblies to commercial contractors,
Understanding Fire and Smoke Door Inspection Failures, Compliance Gaps, and Remediation
This guide answers: What Happens If Healthcare Door Assemblies Fail Fire or Smoke Inspection
What Triggers a Fire or Smoke Door Inspection Failure in Healthcare
Healthcare facilities are subject to annual fire door inspections per NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives) and NFPA 105 (Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies). The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enforce these requirements as a condition of accreditation and reimbursement.
A failed fire or smoke door inspection can result in citations, required corrective action plans, and in severe cases, conditional accreditation status. Understanding common failure points helps facility managers and contractors avoid compliance gaps before inspection.
Common Fire Door Inspection Failures
NFPA 80 requires annual inspection of every fire-rated door assembly in the facility. Fire-rated door assemblies
Fire-Rated Stairwell, Corridor, and Unit Entry Door Assemblies for Multi-Family Residential Buildings
This guide answers: How Multi-Family Stairwell and Corridor Doors Affect Fire and Smoke Compliance
Why Multi-Family Door Assemblies Are Heavily Regulated
Multi-family residential buildings — apartments, condominiums, and senior living facilities — contain some of the most heavily regulated door openings in commercial construction. Stairwell enclosures, corridor separations, and unit entry doors must all satisfy specific fire, smoke, and egress requirements that directly protect sleeping occupants.
Errors in specification or installation of these assemblies compromise the building's passive fire protection system, creating liability for developers, contractors, and property managers.
Stairwell Enclosure Doors
Stairwell enclosures are the primary means of egress in multi-story residential buildings and require fire-rated door assemblies. Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute,
Pre-Assembled Door Packages with Direct Beam Mounting for Pre-Engineered Metal Building Construction
This guide answers: How Pre-Assembled Metal Building Doors Simplify Commercial Construction
Why Metal Building Door Selection Matters
Pre-engineered metal buildings are one of the fastest-growing segments of commercial construction. These structures — used for warehouses, storage facilities, retail, offices, automotive repair shops and light manufacturing — have specific door requirements that differ from conventional steel or concrete construction.
The primary difference is the mounting condition: metal building doors attach directly to the building's structural steel beams rather than to masonry or stud walls. This requires specific frame types and anchoring methods. Selecting a standard commercial door assembly without accounting for metal building conditions leads to installation problems and compromised performance.
Standard Metal Building Door Sizes
The most common metal building door
Understanding compliance documentation, fire labels, wind labels, and submittal packages for commercial door projects.
This guide answers: How to Obtain Compliance Documentation Without Project Delays
Documentation CDF Provides
CDF Distributors provides specific compliance documentation with every qualifying order. Understanding what documentation CDF supplies — and what falls outside CDF's scope — helps contractors plan their submittal and permitting process without delays.
Fire Labels
All fire-rated door assemblies ship with fire labels affixed to the door and frame. Fire labels are issued by an accredited testing laboratory (such as Intertek/WHI or UL) and certify that the assembly has been tested and listed per the applicable fire test standard. Fire-rated assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. Labels must remain legible and in place for the life of the assembly — removal voids the fire rating.
Wind Labels and Certificates
Hurricane-rated