Best Practices for Maintaining Your Commercial Steel Doors

Commercial buildings depend on steel doors. They are a functional and durable option. Not only do steel doors offer greater security, but they also offer greater energy efficiency as compared to other materials. With proper maintenance, your steel doors will last for years and keep your patrons safe and secure. To get the most out of your steel commercial doors, you’ll need to understand best maintenance practices. Otherwise, you risk losing money on unnecessary repairs or even total replacements. In this post, we’ll show you the best practices for maintaining your commercial steel doors.

You should clean your exterior and interior steel doors regularly. Your doors may have structural problems concealed by a layer of grime. Cleaning your doors will allow you to perform a thorough inspection. Not to mention, your commercial doors will look much more appealing when they are clean. Steel doors should be cleaned with a soft cloth and a gentle cleanser. Soap and water are usually sufficient to clean your doors.

Avoid using steel wool or other materials that can leave scratches on the steel or paint. Also, avoid pressure washes at all costs. The high-pressure water can strip paint, damage coatings, create streaks, and cause dents or corrosion on your commercial steel door.

With your door clean, you can now perform a thorough inspection. While steel doors tend to vary in their design, keep an eye out for the following problems when completing your inspection:

• Chips/cracks or peeling paint

• Cracks in the glass

• Cracks in the door frame

• Damage to weatherstripping

• Stains or signs of water damage

• Damage to hardware (locks, handles, hinges, etc.)

If you see some of these problems, don’t panic. There are some basic maintenance steps you can take to prolong the lifespan of your commercial steel door. However, if you avoid maintenance, your repair costs may be higher down the line. Be proactive in protecting your commercial steel doors.

Consider freshening up your weathered steel doors with a new coat of paint. Bear in mind. This can be tricky because steel doors aren’t necessarily compatible with just any form of exterior paint. Ideally, you should use paint that’s compatible with your door’s manufacturer. The best product will be durable, non-toxic, and rust-resistant. Most acrylic and oil-based paint can be used for this purpose.

If you have older doors, you may run into a problem known as “saponification.” Over time, the primer and paint can wear away, allowing moisture to form zinc oxide on the door’s surface. Zinc oxide can combine with other oils to form a layer that can attack any new paint you apply to it. You should strip as much of the original paint from the door and apply a fresh topcoat.

• Check the Hardware: First, you’ll need to take care of your door’s hardware. Commercial steel doors undergo considerable wear and tear. You should inspect the hardware periodically to ensure it’s functioning correctly.
• Tighten Loose Hardware: Grab a screwdriver and tighten any loose screws you see on the door hardware or frame. Replace any missing or damaged screws. Check that the door fits snugly within the door frame.
• Lubricate Hinges: Inspect your door hinges for signs of wear and rust. Lubricate the hinge pin or hinges to reduce noise and metal-on-metal friction. WD-40 serves this purpose well. It lubricates the hinge and inhibits the spread of rust.
• Seals and Gaskets: The seals and gaskets around your door frame provide a protective barrier against the elements. Be sure to clean them regularly so that the door achieves a proper seal. You should spray the seals with silicone grease at least twice a year to maintain their effectiveness. Silicone grease coats the seals with a thin, protective layer that keeps them flexible and maintains an airtight fit. Replace damaged seals and gaskets as soon as possible. Replacing seals and gaskets promptly avoids these risks and ensures your doors continue to perform as intended. This simple maintenance step can save you from bigger problems down the road. Without working seals and gaskets, you risk
  
  • Energy loss

  • Moisture intrusion

  • Noise leakage

  • Security concerns

  • Reduced fire/smoke protection

• Clean Locks: Finally, the exterior locks can be cleaned with soap and water, just as you would on the rest of the door. You can maintain the door with a dry lubricant. Simply spray into the keyway, then run your key back and forth inside the lock. 

Preventive maintenance can only take you so far. When it’s time to replace your outdated steel door, contact the pros at CDF. We offer a variety of door styles and features, and our stock items can be shipped in as little as three to five business days. 

Check out our website to see how CDF can improve the look and security of your commercial building!