If you’re installing or replacing the pedestrian doors in your commercial facility, you may be wondering whether metal or glass is the most suitable option. To help you make an informed decision, here’s an overview of what you need to know about these two types of doors.

Durable Metal Doors

Metal pedestrian doors are often referred to as man doors. They’re available in a range of sizes, gages, designs, and core types, and they’re typically made of thick steel to provide a high level of security. Steel resists cracking and bowing and requires little to no maintenance, making it one of the most popular pedestrian door options. Additionally, the thick steel prevents the door from being tampered with or kicked in by thieves and vandals.

Since man doors are often used as exterior doors, they provide superior insulation and are built to withstand extreme temperatures. They’re also suitable for industrial facilities with high-traffic demands, such as parking garages, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and more. Metal pedestrian doors are available in fire-, blast-, and bullet-resistant versions. Therefore, if you own an industrial business that requires increased protection, a metal door may be the best option.

Stylish Glass Doors

Glass pedestrian doors are more expensive than metal doors. This is because they’re labour-intensive to manufacture and must be professionally installed. However, glass is extremely durable and doesn’t require much upkeep once it’s in place.

Since glass pedestrian doors are modern and stylish, they’re often used as interior doors or entryway doors to office buildings, shopping malls, airports, and more. They let in natural light and make a good first impression. Therefore, if you want a door that will reflect your business’s professionalism, a glass door may be a good fit. However, glass doors cannot be fire-rated and are thus not the best option as an egress door. In addition, they don’t provide as much insulation or sound-deadening as metal doors.

Options for Automation

It’s possible to automate both metal and glass pedestrian doors. However, glass doors are almost always automated, whereas metal doors aren’t. That said, it’s easy to retrofit a manual pedestrian door with a simple swing system. Here’s an overview of the two most common types of automatic door systems:

• Swing systems have very few moving parts, making them durable, reliable, and easy to install. They also typically have built-in locking mechanisms and safety glass, so they don’t require any additional protective shelling. However, swing doors have a large opening radius and require quite a bit of space to operate safely.
  
  
• Sliding systems can be manufactured to fit both small and large-scale applications. In addition, since they move laterally, they take up less space than swing doors. However, sliding doors generally aren’t high security. Consequently, you may have to install additional barriers such as grilles or shutters.

Overall, automatic pedestrian doors can help improve workflow in high-traffic facilities such as office buildings and dealerships, and they can reduce congestion in public buildings like supermarkets, hospitals, and shopping malls.

Hardware Options for Added Security

Both metal and glass pedestrian doors can be outfitted with a selection of finishing hardware to improve security. Here’s an overview of some of the available options:

• Locksets act as a barrier to keep your facility protected. Cylindrical locks are the most affordable type of lockset and are frequently used to safeguard pedestrian doors because they’re easy to install, replace, and rekey. However, mortise locks are sturdier and heavier than cylindrical locks making them ideal for use in high-traffic areas.
  
  
• Electrified entry systems are often used in combination with other commercial access devices such as key cards, keypads, and sensors. Consequently, they require a power supply to operate and remain locked.

• Exit devices, sometimes referred to as panic bars, provide added security and allow for safe and easy evacuation in the event of an emergency. They come in a variety of styles to fit single and double doors.
  
  
• Door closers help control the closing force and speed of your pedestrian doors. A high-quality closer can also help ensure the door closes quietly and doesn’t cause any injuries.
  
  
• Accessories such as kick plates, stretcher plates, and armour plates can help extend the lifespan of your pedestrian doors by protecting them from wear and tear.

If you need help determining which pedestrian doors are right for your business, the team at Creative Door Services^TM can help. We can provide expert advice on which door materials, types, and features will work best for your facility.

Planned maintenance

At Creative Door Services^TM we offer a planned maintenance program to help you keep your pedestrian doors in good working order. Our trained technicians will regularly visit your property, test and inspect your pedestrian door system, and let you know if there are components that need to be repaired or replaced. Our team will ensure any minor issues are caught early to help prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Glass and Metal Pedestrian Doors In Western Canada

Creative Door Services™ carries a wide range of pedestrian doors from top-of-the-industry manufacturers so you never have to compromise on style, functionality, or durability. Furthermore, all our metal and glass doors come in both manual and automated versions, depending on your budget and the needs of your facility.

To learn more about our products and services, or to get a free quote, contact us today. We have eight locations from which we’re happy to serve you. You can find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba