Page 7 - Blog

Are you relying on your door closers every day without thinking about them? They quietly control the swing and security of your entrances, but they won’t last forever. Without consistent maintenance, even the best hardware will fail early. Grade 1 closers are tested to handle up to one million open-and-close cycles, according to the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, but only if you keep up with care. A failed closer can mean unsafe doors, code violations, or costly downtime.

Commercial Door Closers are built to last, but they still require routine maintenance. Here’s what you should be doing to keep your hardware reliable.

The first step in maintenance is the easiest: clean the surface and moving parts. Dust and grit collect in tracks, arms, and pivots. If you don’t clear it out, the buildup will throw off the alignment and shorten the unit's life.

Use a dry cloth or brush to remove debris. Avoid heavy cleaners; mild soap and water are fine. A clean, closer

Every business has the responsibility to provide accessible facilities for employees, visitors, and customers. ADA compliance is not just a legal requirement, it is also the right thing to do. One of the most important considerations is making sure your commercial doors meet ADA standards.

But do you need to install double doors to ensure accessibility? Not necessarily. Both single and double doors can be fully ADA-compliant if they meet the right requirements.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public and commercial buildings be accessible, which includes specific guidelines for interior and exterior doors. At CDF Distributors, we provide a wide range of ADA-compliant doors and hardware to help businesses stay compliant.

According to the ADA, at least sixty percent of all public entrances in a commercial building must be accessible, ideally including the main entry points. Door openings must provide a clear width

When buying door hardware, it’s tempting to grab the cheaper option that looks similar. At first glance, residential hinges and commercial hinges may seem alike, but there are important differences that affect security, compliance, and cost. Choosing the wrong hinge can lead to failed inspections, shortened lifespan, or even safety risks if the opening is fire-rated. According to the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, Grade 1 commercial hinges are tested to withstand 2.5 million use cycles, while lighter residential hinges often fail long before that benchmark.

One of the clearest differences is durability. Commercial hinges are made from thicker steel and often utilise ball bearings or heavy-duty pins to minimise wear. They’re designed for heavy doors in offices, schools, and public spaces. Residential hinges, on the other hand, use lighter metal and are designed for doors that are opened only a few times a day. If you use residential hinges on

Getting numbers wrong wastes money. Accurate door measurement keeps your project on schedule and avoids rework. A well-documented industry study found that 48% of all rework in the United States construction industry was caused by poor data and miscommunication, proving that careful door measurement upfront matters.

Don't start without the basics:

• Tape measure

• Level

• Pen and paper (or your phone)

• Ladder or step stool

If you're replacing a frame, have a flashlight to inspect the edges and hardware. Many contractors also use manufacturer forms to stay organized. Door frames and frame packages that align with standard measurements require exact dimensions, which is why getting these measurements right from the start matters

If you're replacing a door in the current frame, use this sequence:

• Door width – Measure across the top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest.

• Door height – Measure both sides from the top

If you manage a building or run a business, you know security is never a small detail. One weak spot and your entire property is at risk. In 2023 alone, 42,508 commercial properties or office buildings were burglarised, with small businesses particularly targeted. Research shows that 34% of burglars use the front door as their primary entry point. Highlighting one critical fact: the locks you choose for your doors matter more than you may think."

So do commercial doors require specific locks? Yes, they do. Commercial spaces face higher traffic, tougher safety codes, and greater security risks than any home. That means you need commercial door locks designed for heavy use and compliance. Before choosing, let's walk through the standards, types, and features you should know.

Commercial locks are not just about keeping doors shut. They have to meet rules set by agencies like the ADA, ANSI, and NFPA.

• ADA requirements: Locks must be operable with one hand,

Choosing the right commercial door is not just a design decision. The type of door you install affects safety, compliance, and how people experience your building. If you're a contractor, facility manager, or business owner, you've probably asked yourself which door is best for a particular space. The answer depends on where the door is going, how it will be used, and what regulations apply.

Steel doors are one of the most common choices in commercial projects. You'll see them in stairwells, back entries, corridors, and anywhere security is a concern. They are durable, withstand heavy use, and can be ordered with fire ratings to meet building codes.

A commercial steel door can also be customized with glass kits or louvers, so you're not limited to a blank panel. The Steel Door Institute's ANSI/SDI A250.8 standard sets out how these doors should be built and tested, which is why they're a reliable option when you want proven performance. For projects requiring durability

Understanding door handing is essential when selecting the right commercial door for your space. The direction a door swings and the way it is hinged can impact accessibility, safety, and usability. This guide will walk you through the basics so you can make an informed decision.

A single door is either a left-hand or right-hand door, and it can swing inwards or outwards. Outswing doors are also referred to as "reverse" doors. Here’s how to determine door handing:

• Left-Hand (LH): Hinges are on the left side as you approach the door from the outside, and the door swings inward.

• Right-Hand (RH): Hinges are on the right side as you approach the door from the outside, and the door swings inward.

• Left-Hand Reverse (LHR): Hinges are on the left side as you approach the door from the outside, and the door swings outward.

• Right-Hand Reverse (RHR): Hinges are on the right side as you approach the door from the outside, and the door swings outward.

Pro Tip: A quick way to remember

Commercial property and business owners don’t often think about how much weight a commercial door can hold until it becomes important. Maybe you’re replacing an old door that’s worn out, or you’re selecting a new one that needs to handle daily heavy use. Either way, understanding commercial door weight helps you choose the right materials, hardware, and installation for your building.

Here’s what you need to know about how much weight a commercial door can support.

Commercial doors come in a variety of materials, styles, and construction methods, so there isn’t a single standard weight they can all hold. However, some general averages can help you compare options.

• Hollow metal doors: roughly 5–6 pounds per square foot.

• Solid-core wood doors: slightly under 5 pounds per square foot.

Remember, these weights reflect durability more than precise load capacity. Door height, width, and thickness all affect weight-bearing ability. The heavier the door,

When emergencies happen, every second counts. A panic bar, sometimes called a crash bar, exit device, or push bar, is designed to allow large numbers of people to exit a building quickly and safely. These devices are among the most important types of hardware for doors, and in many cases, they are not just a safety upgrade but a legal requirement for commercial buildings.

A panic bar is a spring-loaded metal bar that sits horizontally across the inside of an outswing commercial door. When pushed, the bar unlatches the door and allows it to open easily, even under pressure from a crowd. Other common terms include:

• Crash bar

• Push bar

• Rim exit device

Unlike traditional knobs or levers, panic bars are designed for speed and simplicity. Employees or customers can exit simply by pushing on the bar; no need for fine motor skills or entering codes, which can be difficult in high-stress emergency situations.

The most important

Commercial doors are vital to the safety, security, and efficiency of every business. From retail storefronts and office buildings to warehouses and industrial facilities, these doors see constant use and inevitably wear down. Knowing how to handle common door problems can save contractors and facility managers time, money, and frustration.

Below, we break down the most frequent commercial door issues by clearly outlining the problem and the solution so you know when a quick adjustment will do and when professional commercial door repair is necessary.

A sagging or misaligned door is one of the most common issues in commercial steel door sets. Over time, the heavy weight of the door can cause hinges to loosen, leading to gaps in the frame, dragging along the floor, or difficulty latching securely.

Solution: The first step in commercial door hinge repair is tightening hinge screws and replacing any that are stripped. If the problem continues, shimming