Metal Doors &

Hollow Metal Doors

Metal & Security Door Installation and Service in the Bay Area, Central Valley & Sacramento

If your entry points are vulnerable, especially at the back of your property, you may benefit from a hollow metal security door that deters unauthorized access with strength. At CLAD, we offer many metal door, also known as steel doors, options to fit a wide range of needs, all from quality manufacturers (such as Steelcraft, Curries and Ceco) that take the security of their doors seriously.

You may also need us to repair your existing metal door. If you see rust, bending, or other signs of damage on your security door, don’t ignore it. Especially in areas that are suffering from increasing crime, clearly damaged metal doors may make your business or property a target for crime. We have seen many poorly maintained steel doors broken open with crowbars.

hollow metal door installed in San Ramon with SVR and door operators

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How to Know When a Metal Door Should Be Repaired or Replaced

Commercial metal doors are known for their durability, security, and long service life. However, even the highest-quality door systems can experience wear, damage, and performance issues over time. Knowing whether a door can be repaired or should be replaced is an important part of maintaining a safe, secure, and functional commercial property.

Many common door issues can be resolved through professional repairs. Problems such as worn hinges, damaged hardware, malfunctioning closers, alignment issues, or minor surface damage often do not require complete door replacement. In these situations, repairing the door can restore proper operation while minimizing costs and disruption to your facility.

In some cases, replacing the door provides a more practical long-term solution. Significant impact damage, severe corrosion, extensive frame deterioration, or structural damage can affect the door’s performance and security. If repairs become frequent or the cost of restoration approaches the cost of replacement, installing a new door may provide greater value and reliability.

Commercial doors often play an important role in building security and life safety. Doors that no longer latch properly, have compromised frames, or cannot support required hardware may create security vulnerabilities. Similarly, damaged fire-rated door assemblies may require replacement to maintain the integrity of the opening and support applicable building requirements.

When assessing a metal door, it is important to consider more than just the door slab itself. Hardware such as locks, hinges, panic devices, door closers, and access control components can significantly affect performance. In some situations, upgrading the hardware may resolve the problem without replacing the entire opening.

At CLAD, we evaluate the condition of commercial metal doors, frames, and hardware to determine the most practical solution for each facility. Our team considers factors such as safety, security, functionality, code requirements, and long-term maintenance costs before recommending repair or replacement. Whether your door has suffered damage, shows signs of wear, or simply no longer meets your facility’s needs, we can help identify the best path forward.

Do I Need a Metal Door or Hollow Metal Door?

Metal doors, or steel doors, can include solid steel construction or a combination of steel sheets over a core material. Commonly used for security purposes, industrial applications, or areas requiring a high level of durability. Depending on the specific design, solid steel doors may offer better insulation against sound and temperature compared to hollow metal doors. They are typically heavier due to solid construction.

Hollow metal doors generally refer to doors with a metal shell but may have a hollow space inside. The core of a hollow metal door is often filled with materials like honeycomb or polystyrene to provide insulation and structural support. Widely used in commercial and industrial settings where a balance of strength, durability, and cost efficiency is desired. The hollow space may provide less insulation, but it can be filled with materials to enhance thermal and acoustic properties. These doors are lighter due to the hollow space, making it easier to handle and install.

Why A Steel Door?

Metal doors, or steel doors, offer several benefits to businesses:

  • Security: One of the primary benefits of steel doors is their enhanced security. They are robust and durable, providing a high level of protection against forced entry, vandalism, and burglary.
  • Durability: Steel doors are known for their longevity and resistance to wear and tear. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This durability translates to cost savings over time, as steel doors require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan compared to some other materials.
  • Low Maintenance: Compared to some other materials, steel doors require minimal maintenance. They are resistant to warping, cracking, and pests, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
  • Cost-Effective: While the upfront cost of steel doors may be higher than some alternatives, their long-term durability and low maintenance requirements often result in cost savings over the life of the door.
  • Customization Options: Steel doors come in a variety of styles and finishes, allowing businesses to choose options that complement their aesthetics and branding. This customization can enhance the overall appearance of the property and create a professional image.
  • Compliance with Regulations: In certain industries or locations, there may be specific building codes and regulations related to security and fire safety. Steel doors are often designed to meet or exceed these standards, ensuring businesses remain in compliance.
A galvanized steel door

A Wide Variety of Metal Doors to Fit Your Specific Needs

Hollow metal doors, or steel doors, come in a few variants, giving you the option to choose the level of protection that your specific property needs:

  • Galvanized Steel: Galvanized steel doors are excellent options for exterior doors, as they are protected from the elements and won’t rust. They’re also ideal for inner doors in corrosive environments, such as certain factories.
  • Steel Stiffened Doors: Doors that are steel stiffened have vertical internal steel bars. This reinforces them from heavy abuse, which is perfect for environments where security is your top concern.
  • Fire Doors: Fire rated doors are designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke, to protect people and your property in the event of fire. Steel doors are an excellent option for this application, as they are non-flammable.
  • Bullet-Resistant Doors: Heavy-duty doors designed to resist ballistics from close range and far away. Bullet resistant frames are also available.

Does your metal door fit your budget and your needs? Find out for free with our complimentary estimates. Plus, our experienced staff will give you the information you need to make the right choice.

Our Products & Services

Superior Security Door Hardware

A door is only as secure as it’s hardware. The hardware is especially important on metal doors, as those who want to gain access to the door without permission quickly realize they can’t break through the door itself. Don’t let them take advantage of the lock or handle instead.

When installing steel doors, one should consider the surrounding areas of your door. It’s important to use sturdy, non-removable hinges that are tamper-resistant to enhance the door’s overall strength. Heavy-duty strike plates reinforce the area around the door’s lock, making it more resistant to forced entry. Strengthening the door jamb with metal plates can prevent it from being kicked in.

Other considerations include:

  • Metal door frames –The cost of metal door frames can vary depending on factors such as the material used, design, and any additional features (such as fire resistance). In general, they may be more expensive upfront but offer long-term cost-effectiveness due to their durability.
  • Metal door jambs – Metal door jambs contribute to the overall security of a door. They are resistant to forced entry and can provide added protection against break-ins.
  • Security bars or grilles – These bars can be placed across the door to prevent forced entry. Grilles provide an additional layer of protection over windows in the door.
  • Access control systems – A quality access control system can help you avoid break-ins, especially those committed by former staff. It’s quick and simple to deny former staff entry and allow new staff access. We’ll help you install the right system for your needs and budget.

We work with only the best manufacturers to offer secure and durable hardware for your metal security doors.

Learn more about our door hardware options »

Before a metal door replacement for a schoolAfter replacing a metal double door

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hollow metal doors can be installed in existing masonry, including brick walls and block walls. It may require resizing the opening or custom fabricating a door for the space, but we’re happy to tour your property and help you understand your options.

With proper installation and a little maintenance, a hollow metal door can last 20, 30, or even 40+ years. The location and traffic level can significantly impact the lifespan.

Most often, the hardware fails before the door itself does.

Yes, hollow metal doors can absolutely be painted after installation, and it’s very common. Many hollow metal doors are installed with a factory primer specifically so they can be finish-painted on site. We can also paint the door before it’s delivered, depending on your needs.

Not all hollow metal doors are fire-rated, but many of them are. If fire-rating is a priority, we have several options to choose from. The maximum is rated for three full hours of fire resistance.

It’s also important to make sure the entire assembly is fire-rated. A fire-rated door won’t do much good without a fire-rated frame.

No. The metal shell is made of steel, but the cavity is usually filled with core material. Some options include:

  • Polystyrene, which balances thermal insulation and sound dampening
  • Polyurethane, which strongly prioritizes thermal insulation
  • Mineral cores, which prioritize fire resistance
  • Steel-stiffened core, which maximizes resistance to impact damage

That’s why hollow metal doors are perfect for a wide range of applications: they can be heavily customized or specific use cases.

Yes. Hollow metal doors are commonly used as security doors. But it needs the right hardware to actually perform as a security door. That includes a pry-resistant edge or frame, multi-point locking systems, frame anchoring, and continuous hinges or security hinges.

That’s why we want to fully understand your needs instead of just installing the right door. 

Hollow metal door replacement can be as quick as an hour or two, or take more than a day. It depends on if we need to install a new frame, install new hardware, what kind of wall we’re working with, and whether or not they need to be fire rated. 

Commercial Metal Door Expertise & Installation Standards

At CLAD, commercial metal door systems are approached as precision-built architectural components rather than simple hardware. Their performance depends on accurate specification, coordinated fabrication, and proper field installation—all of which directly affect security, fire compliance, and long-term durability in commercial environments.

Steel doors and hollow metal frames are widely used in commercial buildings because they offer strength, impact resistance, and fire-rated protection. However, industry data and field experience consistently show that improper installation or coordination issues are among the most common causes of premature failure. Maintaining proper tolerances, anchoring methods, and hardware alignment is essential to ensuring the system performs as designed.

installing a hollow metal door in Stockton

Field-Proven Installation Practices

Based on real-world installation experience across commercial job sites, several key factors determine long-term performance:

  • Frames must be installed plumb, level, and square before anchoring into surrounding walls
  • Proper shimming is required to prevent frame deflection and door binding over time
  • Fire-rated assemblies must include approved components that match listing requirements
  • Hardware such as hinges, closers, and exit devices must align with factory reinforcement points
  • Field modifications must follow applicable standards to preserve fire and safety certifications

Even small deviations during installation can lead to operational issues such as latch misalignment, uneven wear on hardware, or failed inspections during final building approval.

hollow metal door exterior

Code Compliance & Fire-Rated Assemblies

Many commercial metal door systems are required to meet strict fire-resistance and life-safety codes. These assemblies are tested and certified as complete systems, meaning the door, frame, glazing (if applicable), and hardware must all work together as listed.

To maintain compliance:

  • Fire labels must remain intact and visible
  • Only approved hardware and components can be used
  • Installation must follow manufacturer specifications and applicable building codes

Failure to follow these requirements can void the fire rating and result in inspection failure or costly replacement work.

fire rated hollow metal door

Understanding Fire-Rated Metal Doors

Fire-rated metal doors play a critical role in commercial building safety by helping slow the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of a facility. These specialized door assemblies are commonly installed in schools, healthcare facilities, office buildings, multifamily properties, industrial facilities, and other commercial structures where life-safety requirements are a priority.

A fire-rated door is part of a tested and labeled assembly designed to withstand fire exposure for a specific period of time. Depending on the application, fire-rated openings may carry ratings such as 20, 45, 60, 90, or 180 minutes. The door, frame, hardware, glazing, and other components must work together as a complete assembly to maintain the intended fire rating.

Fire-rated metal doors are often found in stairwells, corridors, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, storage areas, and other locations designed to help compartmentalize a building during an emergency. They may also be required between occupancy types or in areas where local building codes call for fire-resistance-rated openings.

The performance of a fire-rated opening depends on more than just the door itself. Components such as hinges, door closers, locksets, latching hardware, and exit devices must be compatible with the fire-rated assembly. Improper modifications or non-compliant hardware replacements can compromise the integrity of the opening and create potential safety concerns.

Over time, fire-rated doors can develop issues that affect their performance. Common concerns include damaged door surfaces, missing or damaged labels, improper clearances, non-functioning latching hardware, damaged frames, and unauthorized field modifications. Regular inspections can help identify these issues before they become larger problems.

When installing or replacing a fire-rated opening, it is important to select the appropriate door, frame, and hardware for the application. At CLAD, we help property owners, facility managers, contractors, and building operators choose fire-rated metal door assemblies that support safety, durability, and long-term performance. Whether you need a new fire-rated opening or replacement of an aging assembly, our team can recommend solutions tailored to your facility’s requirements.

Why Experience Matters in Commercial Door Systems

Commercial door performance is influenced by more than the product itself. It depends on coordination between framing trades, electrical systems (access control), finish schedules, and building code requirements.

CLAD’s field experience in commercial environments emphasizes careful pre-installation planning, precise execution, and adherence to code standards to ensure every opening functions correctly under daily use and long-term traffic conditions.

hollow metal door

Work With CLAD

When looking to install a metal door, Commercial Locks And Doors is the company to turn to. Our team of commercial door repair and installation professionals are thoroughly trained and have years of experience. We can work with new construction or retrofit an existing building. We have the experience to install metal door frames, doors, and locks, deadbolts and mortise. We want to help your business to be safe and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

With service throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley, help is never far away. Give us a call today to get started with a free consultation.

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