It may be true that a pleasing space can make a lasting impression on customers or visitors, but there is one other factor that you must focus on providing: security. Across all industries, the work to achieve a certain level of protection begins when a customer enters through your doors. 

Doors are your initial line of defense against threats, whether that be direct or indirect. Since its primary purpose is to control access to your business premises, you have to select the best types of doors that meet your criteria and the authorities’ quality standards.

Security doors are something you may want to incorporate into your property design or layout. This infographic guide will teach you everything you need to know to find the right one for your business.

Different Types of Security Doors: A Buying Guide

What is a Security Door

Security doors are specially designed to provide a higher level of protection than regular doors. Often for commercial use, specialized doors prevent perpetrators from entering or exiting your building. It also serves as your first line of defense against forces like fire, smoke, and storms, among many others.

Depending on your design and budget, there are several materials to choose from to make a durable entryway. Metal doors and frames are common in the market, including fiberglass and wood. Most door types combine materials for their set to attain maximum protection.

Benefits of Security Doors

As a business, you want to get more bang for your buck when you make an investment like this. So, before you set one in place, take note of these significant benefits which you can reap from having security doors.

1. It keeps people safe.

Your clients’ and employees’ safety should always be your top priority. Security doors are the perfect additional layer of defense against external threats, such as intrusion or natural calamities, as well as attacks from the inside, like hijacking or fire outbreaks.

2. It guards the property.

The building you operate, whether personally owned or rented, is an asset to your business. You have to ensure that it gets the same level of safeguarding as your crew and customers. Security doors help minimize the risk of any major damage caused by incidents to your facility.

3. It increases the sense of safety.

If your enterprise is located in an area prone to natural disasters or you want to manage trespassing, breakout, or break-ins, investing in security doors is a must. The protection it provides to people can ultimately translate to peace of mind, and that’s a win-win for your business and clients.

4. It enhances aesthetics.

Security doors can also add a stylish aesthetic hint to your building. A well-styled and colored frame creates a visually appealing look for your space, which can draw in more activity for your business.

5. It cuts down expenses.

Implementing a security door is an investment. It’s a bit pricey than conventional ones, but it can save your business restoration and renovation fees caused by damaging accidents, which are usually consequences of not having security set in place.

Examples of Security Doors

There are different kinds of security doors in the market. Here are a few that you might want to include in your choices.

1. Fire rated doors

Records show that over 100,000 occur annually. Although these numbers have decreased over the years, fires in commercial properties cost owners approximately $2.4 billion worth of damages a year. For instances like this, security doors come in handy.

Fire-rated doors are durable entryways designed to withstand, regulate, or prevent the spread of smoke and flames in the vicinity. Fire protective doors are used in 20-45 minute applications and prevent the passage of smoke and flames. Temperature rise doors are used in 60-90 minute applications and prevent the passage of smoke and flames while providing additional protection against dangerous radiant heat.  Both fire protective and temperature rise doors can include full vision glazing. 3-hour temperature rise doors are also possible, but the glazing is limited to 100 sq. inches. 

According to Ken Canziani, Senior Fire Investigator at EFI Global in Sacramento, “The term fire-rated means that the door, when installed properly, is not supposed to combust during a certain time frame in the average fire.” While there are other time ratings available, the standard is 20 to 90-minute doors.

2. Ballistic doors

One can never know when an environment will turn hostile. To ensure safety in your daily operations, you can safeguard your business from assaults and gunfire with ballistic doors.

Choose bulletproof doors and frames rated to UL 752 for complete protection against handguns of medium power, including 9mm, Super 38 Automatic, and the like. Before installation, also confirm that your purchase has passed ballistic testing to guarantee that it’s capable of resisting ammunition of varying types.

3. Detention doors

In the US, there are 2,353 inmates reported to have escaped in 2018. High-quality security doors can help minimize those numbers.

There is more to these protective barriers than keeping unwanted people out of the area. Security doors are also utilized to detain individuals in place, such as detention doors. Typically used in detention and correctional facilities, these are hardware ideal for interior or exterior applications.

4.  Blast doors 

Blast doors are often used in government, military, or other high-security buildings to protect people and property from explosions and flying debris. They can be engineered to meet or exceed ASTM, GSA, and Department of Defense (DoD) Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings for Blast Resistance.

5. Radiofrequency shielding doors 

Radiofrequency (RF) shielding doors make the perfect security door option for laboratories, data centers, and other facilities that maintain a controlled environment.

An RF assemble ensures a reduced amount of electromagnetic radiation transferred across an opening. This unique feature enables an added layer of protection for test data and sensitive information safekeeping.

6. Psychiatric facilities doors

Door hardware also plays a vital part in the medical setting, for it contributes to the safety of a facility, its patients, and its members. Psychiatric facilities doors are designed with those in mind. 

Equipped with ligature-resistant hardware and tamper-proof fasteners, psychiatric facilities doors provide the safety protocols necessary to protect the workflow in a medical facility. Like detention frames, this door type regulates access to the entrances and exits in the space in a more secure manner.

7. Lead lined doors 

Typically used in imaging rooms, healthcare facilities, military, and government facilities, nuclear power plants, and laboratories, lead-lined doors are designed with durable lead sheets to protect against radiation and are available with fire ratings up to 3 hours.

8.  Hurricane doors 

Hurricane doors are designed to withstand intense winds or flying debris during hurricanes. They are typically tested to meet Structural Performance, Static Air Pressure, Cyclic Pressure, and Missile Impact Protection for ASTM E330, ASTM 1886, and ASTM 1996.

Tips in Choosing the Right Door

Now that you know the types of security doors available in the market, here are some points to consider when purchasing one for your business.

1. Define your security needs first.

If budget is of no concern, feel free to equip your enterprise with a premium security door. However, if you’re thinking of upgrading your doors within a budget, it’s best to gauge your company’s priorities first and enhance your security gradually.

2. Choose the right materials.

You can’t go wrong with security doors made from steel for the highest degree of protection, but expect that you will pay more. If you want a more affordable option that still provides the level of safety you require, aluminum will deliver what you need. 

3. Check for quality certification.

Your chosen door should not just look reliable; it should also be supported by product certifications based on government-issued standards. Look for those that are fire-rated, smoke-rated, and ballistic-rated, among other grade evaluations.

4. Choose the right supplier.

Find a quality supplier by reading testimonials from past clients, consulting third-party review sites, and asking for recommendations from fellow business owners. Remember: security doors are an investment for your business. Do not buy without complete assurance that you’re dealing with a trustworthy manufacturer.

5. Incorporate glazing.

Provides vision and transparency to a space, instead of it being closed off. The advent of today’s advanced glazing products that protect against fire, bullets, forced entry, blast, hurricane, etc., makes this possible.

Installation Advice

Sure, you can get someone else to install doors for you. But if security is of your company’s utmost concern, it’s best to follow the tips below:

1. Choose a licensed installer.

The people who made your security doors know how to handle and set them up best. Their expertise covers installation too, so entrust the job to them. After all, it will most likely be covered by the amount paid upon purchase.

2. Make sure the supplier is reputable.

Again, you must do sufficient research before working with a supplier. You want to do business with people who are trusted in the industry.

3. Check for installation experience.

Don’t shy away from asking for credentials when you meet the people sent to install your security doors. When suppliers cater to too many clients at once, you might end up getting a less experienced representative. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

4. Check their maintenance history.

Ideally, your security doors supplier won’t vanish into thin air after your purchase. They should be there for you when you need your doors checked or repaired. So, mind the supplier’s maintenance history and terms. 

5. Check the frame and fixings during installation.

Ensure that all parts are present before installation. One missing piece will compromise the integrity of your security door. Conduct a thorough check after installation, too. And if possible, work with a checklist to be sure.

Your First Line of Defense

More than servicing your clients with an excellent set of products and services, it’s crucial that your business can also offer a top-notch level of safety on a daily basis. 

So, ready your first protective barrier and the most common entry point in your company—your doors. Make sure you have no less than security doors built for the utmost safety of your customers, employees, and your enterprise.

As there are several types of security doors in the market, you need to discern which suits your business needs best. Learn more about your options and get a quote from Titan Metal Products today!