Page 9 - Blog

Accessibility is an important part of running a business today. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that entryways be safe and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. That means your commercial doors need to meet certain standards, not just for convenience, but to avoid costly fines. 

Meeting ADA requirements doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right entry doors, your building can stay compliant while giving every customer a smooth, welcoming experience.

While the ADA standards cover a lot of details, there are a few basics that every business should know:

1. Door Width: Doors need to be wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility devices to pass through. At least 32 inches of clear width is required.

2. Hardware That’s Easy to Use: Round knobs are difficult for some people to operate. Lever handles, push bars, or other easy-to-grip hardware make entry simple and compliant.

3. Safe Opening and Closing: Heavy doors or ones that

In commercial settings, maintaining optimal airflow and privacy is essential. Louvers are vented slats integrated into doors that offer a practical solution to these needs. Whether you're outfitting a restroom, utility closet, or mechanical room, louvered doors provide ventilation without compromising security or aesthetics.

Louvers are a series of horizontal slats built into a door, designed to let air flow freely while maintaining privacy by blocking direct sightlines. Typically positioned about 12 inches from the bottom of the door, they provide both durability and optimal functionality, making them a smart addition to any commercial space.

1. Improved Ventilation

In spaces like restrooms, utility rooms, or mechanical areas, maintaining air circulation is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and odors. Louvers facilitate passive airflow, reducing the reliance on HVAC systems and enhancing indoor air quality.

2. Enhanced Privacy

While

Commercial doors take a lot of wear and tear over time. From employees carrying supplies to delivery drivers maneuvering hand trucks, the bottom of your doors often bears the brunt of daily traffic. Without protection, dents, scratches, and holes can form, sometimes leading to costly door replacements.

Fortunately, kick plates provide an easy and effective solution to protect your doors and extend their lifespan.

A kick plate is a protective strip installed along the bottom of a commercial door. Kick plates typically cover the full width of the door and extend up to protect the door. They protect against impact from feet, hand trucks, dollies, and other items that frequently contact the lower section of your door.

For maximum protection, kick plates should always be installed on the push side of the door. This is the side most likely to receive contact from heels, carts, and other everyday pressures.

Commercial doors face constant

Commercial doors are everywhere, from schools and offices to factories and public spaces. If you’re planning new doors for your building, you may be wondering how long installation takes. While commercial door installation requires some planning, with the right products, commercial door installation is quicker and simpler than you might expect. Working with trusted products like the ones that come from CDF Distributors ensures the process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Installing a commercial door isn’t just screwing in hinges; it requires careful planning and coordination, including:

• Reducing disruption to surrounding businesses

• Copying and distributing new keys

• Coordinating the delivery of doors

• Reconfiguring security sensors or electronic locks

• Securing the building if exterior doors are replaced

Choosing high-quality doors and accessories, like those from CDF Distributors, can make this process faster and smoother. Durable,

it can be disruptive to your employees, customers, and overall business environment. A door that closes smoothly is not only quieter but also safer and longer-lasting.

Let’s discuss the common reasons commercial doors slam and how to stop them. Plus, we’ll show why choosing the right door from CDF Distributors can save you time, money, and stress.

There are several reasons a commercial door might slam:

• Weather and temperature changes: Doors (Especially wood doors) expand and contract with changes in climate. Extreme shifts can warp the door, making it harder to close smoothly.

• Poorly fitted hinges: Hinges that aren’t properly aligned (i.e., misaligned or loose) can make the door unbalanced. The heavier side can swing with extra force, causing a slam.

• Doors not vertical: A door that isn’t perfectly vertical can swing improperly, rub against the frame, or close too quickly on one side.

Understanding the root cause is the first step to a solution. Once you know why

When you’re searching for a commercial door supplier near me, the options can feel overwhelming. Doors are an essential part of any business, providing security, accessibility, and a professional appearance. But not all suppliers are created equal,  and choosing the wrong one can lead to delays, higher costs, or products that don’t meet code requirements.

At CDF Distributors, we make it simple to get high-quality commercial doors at competitive prices, delivered quickly and ready to install. Here are three things to look for when choosing the best commercial door supplier near you.

1. Look for a Full Range of Door Options

A reliable supplier should carry more than just one type of door. Every commercial space has different needs, and you’ll want a partner who can provide the right fit for your project.

At CDF Distributors, we offer:

• Commercial Wood Doors – We offer a wide selection of finishes, as well as glass kits, louvers, and transoms. Perfect for offices, schools, and interior applications.

When it comes to interior commercial doors, wood stands out as a durable and stylish choice. At CDF Distributors, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality interior wood doors that combine strength, beauty, and longevity. However, choosing the right wood finish is just as important as choosing the door itself. The finish impacts durability, maintenance, and the overall look of your space.

Check out these helpful tips on how to choose the best wood finish for your interior commercial doors.

Durability should be your first consideration when selecting a finish for commercial wood doors. Unlike residential spaces, commercial doors face heavy daily use, from high foot traffic to impacts from carts, tools, or deliveries. In addition, doors are exposed to moisture, cleaning products, heat, and UV light, all of which can degrade finishes over time.

Choosing a finish designed for strength can help extend the life of your doors and reduce maintenance

Choosing the right commercial door frame is critical for both the functionality and appearance of your building. Two common options are knock-down frames and welded frames, both durable frames but with different installation methods, costs, and benefits. Understanding the differences between knock-down vs welded commercial door frames can help you make the right choice for your project.

Knock-down frames come in separate pieces, the header, strike jamb, and hinge jamb, and are assembled on-site. They are cost-effective and flexible, making them ideal for retrofit projects or budget-conscious installations.

Types of Knock-Down Frames

• Masonry Knock-Down Frames: Masonry knock-down frames, will either be punched and dimpled for block or wood anchors.

• Drywall Knock-Down Frames: 3-piece knockdown used to wrap around drywall.

Welded frames are factory-assembled with welded corners for strength and a seamless appearance. They are perfect for high-traffic

During a fire, every second matters. Flames and smoke can spread quickly from one area to another, putting lives and property at risk. For business owners and facility managers, knowing the right actions to take during a fire can save lives.

So, should you open or close your doors during a fire? The clear answer is to keep them closed. Let’s discuss why this is the best decision when it comes to a building fire. 

Research from the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) shows that closing doors is one of the simplest and most effective ways to slow the spread of fire, reduce smoke damage, and create safer escape routes. In fact, an entire campaign exists to raise awareness on this issue at closeyourdoor.org.

Here are the three main reasons why closing doors is critical during a fire.

1. Cutting Off Oxygen to the Fire

Fire needs oxygen to grow. An open door feeds flames with the oxygen they need to spread faster. By keeping doors shut, you limit

Medical facilities have unique needs when it comes to doors. They must combine functionality and security, while meeting strict building codes and regulations. From welcoming entrances to secure storage areas, choosing the right door is essential for patient safety, staff efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

At CDF Distributors, we specialize in supplying commercial doors designed to meet the exact needs of medical facilities. Here’s why our high-quality doors are the perfect choice for upgrading your medical facility.

First impressions matter. Glass storefront doors are a great option for medical facility entryways because they create an inviting atmosphere while allowing natural light to enter. Transparency fosters trust and a sense of openness, which is important for patient comfort.

CDF Distributors offers durable storefront doors with advanced glass options that maintain visibility without sacrificing safety. Our storefront doors