Forte Opening Solutions Fire-Rated Wood Doors at CDF Distributors
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What fire ratings are available for wood doors?
Forte Opening Solutions fire-rated wood doors are available in all five standard fire rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute. The fire rating of the door must match the rating required by the wall assembly it is installed in. Higher fire ratings require mineral core construction and may limit maximum lite (vision panel) sizes. Configure fire-rated wood door assemblies through ProBuilder to ensure all components carry matching ratings.
What is the difference between mineral core and solid core wood doors?
Mineral core doors use a non-combustible core material (typically mineral fiberboard) that provides fire resistance. Mineral core is required for most fire-rated wood door applications. Solid core doors use a wood-based core (particleboard or stave lumber) that provides mass for sound control and durability but does not inherently provide fire resistance. Some solid core doors can achieve 20-minute fire ratings with appropriate construction, but higher ratings require mineral core.
Should I specify prefinished or site-finished wood doors?
Prefinished wood doors (factory-applied clear coat) arrive ready to install, reducing on-site labor and eliminating field finishing variables like dust, humidity, and application consistency. Site-finished (unfinished) doors offer greater flexibility for custom stain colors, matching existing millwork, or meeting specific design requirements. Prefinished options are available from Forte Opening Solutions and Five Lakes through CDF. Choose based on project schedule, finish requirements, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete door, frame, and hardware assemblies online. ProBuilder displays compatible options and provides instant pricing.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies
CDF sources wood doors from multiple vendors to cover the full range of finish and rating requirements:
• Forte Opening Solutions — fire-rated doors in unfinished and clear prefinished options
• Manhattan Door Corp (MDC) — non-fire-rated doors in unfinished and clear prefinished, plus fire-rated 2670 and 2870 sizes in unfinished
• Five Lakes — clear prefinished doors for applications where factory finishing is preferred
Prefinished doors reduce on-site labor by eliminating field finishing, but limit options for custom stain colors. Site-finished (unfinished) doors offer the greatest flexibility for matching existing millwork or specific design requirements.
Finish Options and Vendor Selection
The choice between wood and hollow metal doors depends on the application, aesthetic requirements, and project budget:
Specify Wood Doors When:
• The architectural design calls for a warm, natural appearance
• The space is an office, hotel, healthcare patient room, or high-end institutional environment
• Acoustic performance is a priority (wood doors with appropriate cores provide excellent STC ratings)
• The specification names a wood door product
Specify Hollow Metal When:
• The door is in a high-abuse environment (mechanical rooms, loading docks, back-of-house)
• Maximum durability and impact resistance are required
• Budget is the primary consideration for standard utility doors
• The opening is an exterior entrance
Both wood and hollow metal doors are available in fire-rated configurations at all five rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute.
When to Specify Wood Doors vs Hollow Metal
Forte Opening Solutions supplies CDF with fire-rated wood doors in the following configurations:
Core Construction
• Mineral core — required for most fire-rated applications, provides the fire resistance through non-combustible core material
• Solid core — available for some lower fire ratings and non-rated applications where sound control or durability is needed
Finish Options
• Unfinished — supplied with raw veneer face for site finishing by the installing contractor
• Clear prefinished — factory-applied clear finish over natural veneer, ready to install without field finishing
Forte Opening Solutions Product Range
Forte Opening Solutions fire-rated wood doors are available across all five standard fire rating levels used in commercial construction:
• 20-minute — typically used for corridor doors and smoke barriers
• 45-minute — common for corridor doors and room separations in many occupancy types
• 60-minute — used for higher-hazard separations and some stairwell enclosures
• 90-minute — required for stairwell enclosures and some shaft wall openings
• 180-minute — used for the highest-rated fire barriers and vault applications
Each fire rating level corresponds to specific construction requirements for the door core, facing material, and edge construction. Higher ratings require denser mineral core construction and may limit the maximum lite (vision panel) size. All fire-rated wood doors must carry a fire label from an approved testing laboratory.
Fire-Rated Wood Door Ratings
Forte Opening Solutions is CDF's primary vendor for fire-rated wood doors. When a project requires a wood door with a fire rating, CDF sources from Forte Opening Solutions to ensure the door meets all applicable listing requirements.
Forte Opening Solutions (formerly Masonite's commercial door division, rebranded in 2025) continues the same product lines, fire-rating certifications, and manufacturing standards that CDF has relied on for years. Customers familiar with Masonite commercial wood doors will find the same quality and specifications under the Forte Opening Solutions name.
CDF's wood door sourcing is split between two primary vendors based on the fire rating requirement:
• Forte Opening Solutions — fire-rated wood doors (unfinished and clear prefinished), the primary fire-rated wood door source
• Manhattan Door Corp (MDC) — non-fire-rated wood doors (unfinished and clear prefinished), plus fire-rated 2670 and 2870 sizes (unfinished)
• Five Lakes — clear prefinished wood doors
This vendor structure ensures CDF can offer the right wood door product for each application, whether fire-rated or non-rated.
Why CDF Sources Forte Opening Solutions for Fire-Rated Wood Doors
CDF's primary vendor for fire-rated wood doors, with non-rated options through Manhattan Door Corp.
This guide answers: When to Specify Forte Opening Solutions Fire-Rated Wood Doors Through CDF
Forte Opening Solutions Fire-Rated Wood Doors at CDF Distributors
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What fire ratings are available for wood doors?
Forte Opening Solutions fire-rated wood doors are available in all five standard fire rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute. The fire rating of the door must match the rating required by the wall assembly it is installed in. Higher fire ratings require mineral core construction and may limit maximum lite (vision panel) sizes. Configure fire-rated wood door assemblies through ProBuilder to ensure all components carry matching ratings.
What is the difference between mineral core and solid core wood doors?
Mineral core doors use a non-combustible core material (typically mineral fiberboard) that provides fire resistance. Mineral core is required for most fire-rated wood door applications. Solid core doors use a wood-based core (particleboard or stave lumber) that provides mass for sound control and durability but does not inherently provide fire resistance. Some solid core doors can achieve 20-minute fire ratings with appropriate construction, but higher ratings require mineral core.
Should I specify prefinished or site-finished wood doors?
Prefinished wood doors (factory-applied clear coat) arrive ready to install, reducing on-site labor and eliminating field finishing variables like dust, humidity, and application consistency. Site-finished (unfinished) doors offer greater flexibility for custom stain colors, matching existing millwork, or meeting specific design requirements. Prefinished options are available from Forte Opening Solutions and Five Lakes through CDF. Choose based on project schedule, finish requirements, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete door, frame, and hardware assemblies online. ProBuilder displays compatible options and provides instant pricing.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies
CDF sources wood doors from multiple vendors to cover the full range of finish and rating requirements:
• Forte Opening Solutions — fire-rated doors in unfinished and clear prefinished options
• Manhattan Door Corp (MDC) — non-fire-rated doors in unfinished and clear prefinished, plus fire-rated 2670 and 2870 sizes in unfinished
• Five Lakes — clear prefinished doors for applications where factory finishing is preferred
Prefinished doors reduce on-site labor by eliminating field finishing, but limit options for custom stain colors. Site-finished (unfinished) doors offer the greatest flexibility for matching existing millwork or specific design requirements.
Finish Options and Vendor Selection
The choice between wood and hollow metal doors depends on the application, aesthetic requirements, and project budget:
Specify Wood Doors When:
• The architectural design calls for a warm, natural appearance
• The space is an office, hotel, healthcare patient room, or high-end institutional environment
• Acoustic performance is a priority (wood doors with appropriate cores provide excellent STC ratings)
• The specification names a wood door product
Specify Hollow Metal When:
• The door is in a high-abuse environment (mechanical rooms, loading docks, back-of-house)
• Maximum durability and impact resistance are required
• Budget is the primary consideration for standard utility doors
• The opening is an exterior entrance
Both wood and hollow metal doors are available in fire-rated configurations at all five rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute.
When to Specify Wood Doors vs Hollow Metal
Forte Opening Solutions supplies CDF with fire-rated wood doors in the following configurations:
Core Construction
• Mineral core — required for most fire-rated applications, provides the fire resistance through non-combustible core material
• Solid core — available for some lower fire ratings and non-rated applications where sound control or durability is needed
Finish Options
• Unfinished — supplied with raw veneer face for site finishing by the installing contractor
• Clear prefinished — factory-applied clear finish over natural veneer, ready to install without field finishing
Forte Opening Solutions Product Range
Forte Opening Solutions fire-rated wood doors are available across all five standard fire rating levels used in commercial construction:
• 20-minute — typically used for corridor doors and smoke barriers
• 45-minute — common for corridor doors and room separations in many occupancy types
• 60-minute — used for higher-hazard separations and some stairwell enclosures
• 90-minute — required for stairwell enclosures and some shaft wall openings
• 180-minute — used for the highest-rated fire barriers and vault applications
Each fire rating level corresponds to specific construction requirements for the door core, facing material, and edge construction. Higher ratings require denser mineral core construction and may limit the maximum lite (vision panel) size. All fire-rated wood doors must carry a fire label from an approved testing laboratory.
Fire-Rated Wood Door Ratings
Forte Opening Solutions is CDF's primary vendor for fire-rated wood doors. When a project requires a wood door with a fire rating, CDF sources from Forte Opening Solutions to ensure the door meets all applicable listing requirements.
Forte Opening Solutions (formerly Masonite's commercial door division, rebranded in 2025) continues the same product lines, fire-rating certifications, and manufacturing standards that CDF has relied on for years. Customers familiar with Masonite commercial wood doors will find the same quality and specifications under the Forte Opening Solutions name.
CDF's wood door sourcing is split between two primary vendors based on the fire rating requirement:
• Forte Opening Solutions — fire-rated wood doors (unfinished and clear prefinished), the primary fire-rated wood door source
• Manhattan Door Corp (MDC) — non-fire-rated wood doors (unfinished and clear prefinished), plus fire-rated 2670 and 2870 sizes (unfinished)
• Five Lakes — clear prefinished wood doors
This vendor structure ensures CDF can offer the right wood door product for each application, whether fire-rated or non-rated.
Why CDF Sources Forte Opening Solutions for Fire-Rated Wood Doors
CDF's primary vendor for fire-rated wood doors, with non-rated options through Manhattan Door Corp.
This guide answers: When to Specify Forte Opening Solutions Fire-Rated Wood Doors Through CDF
Forte Opening Solutions Fire-Rated Wood Doors at CDF Distributors
Jason Searcy
Technical Advisor for Sales & Support
Jason Searcy brings over a decade of expertise in commercial door hardware, fire-rated assemblies, and life-safety code compliance. He specializes in hardware coordination, exit devices, and ensuring doors, frames, and components function as complete, code-compliant systems. Jason’s detail-driven approach helps prevent specification conflicts and supports technically accurate commercial door assemblies across a wide range of applications.
