How to Install an Industrial Door

Are you and your company looking for ways to install an industrial door on your building? Perhaps you’re looking to replace the old one that has its shortcomings. If so, then you need to learn all that you can about installing an industrial door for your place of business.

Doing so can provide your entire company with more security from fires and break-ins. It also limits the cost of repairs and maintenance substantially. As long as you install it correctly, you’ll have a door that can last a long time!

See below for an in-depth guide on how to install an industrial door that your company can count on for years to come.

1. Consider Your Options: DIY or Commercial Service?

Make no mistake about it, installing an industrial door can certainly be turned into a DIY project for you and some of your workers. But is it worth it? That answer is entirely up to you.

Both options are viable. Doing it yourself can help prevent you from any extra costs beyond the door and hardware it needs to be installed. However, hiring a commercial service to do the installation can guarantee that the door works efficiently.

Did you know that an industrial door can last up to 30 years? Of course, that’s as long as it is given consistent maintenance throughout its life and that repairs are made when necessary.

If you don’t feel comfortable turning this into a DIY project, you can hire a commercial installation service. They typically cost around $7,000 to $8,500, but the price can be lowered if you purchase the door and hardware separately.

The price of the installation also depends on factors such as the size of the door, where the door is located on your building, how many you want to install, whether the wall is knockdown or slab. It never hurts to get a quote before you make your final decision!

2. Find the Perfect Type of Door for Your Needs

Every business is different. While one might prefer a heavy-duty industrial door—such as a steel door, another might prefer to find something more cost-efficient.

Just like the “DIY vs hiring a professional” debate mentioned above, it always helps to understand your industrial door options. There are essentially three common types of materials for industrial doors:

1. Steel Doors– These are the doors that immediately come to mind. The argument can be made that they offer the highest return on your investment. They last for decades and can protect your property from fire and break-ins. They’re the perfect fit if you’re looking to enhance the security of your building.
2. Wooden Door– Cost-friendly upfront, but you run the risk of these doors cracking and warping over the years—in which case they’ll need replacing. These are not a fit for those of you looking for doors to go on the outside of your property.
3. Fiberglass Doors– A hybrid option. Used to give off the appearance of wood finishing while offering a more durable option. Cheaper than a steel door, and are more durable than wooden doors. Consider fiberglass doors the “Goldilocks” option between steel doors and wood doors. That said, steel doors typically last far longer.

3. Invest in Hardware and Make Measurements

Now that you’ve chosen the type of door you want to install, it’s time to invest in the right hardware for the job. Be sure to visit a reputable door and hardware dealer to find the perfect materials for the installation.

Once you have all of the necessary hardware and tools for the job, start by taking out a tape measure and measure the door frame you’ll be installing the door onto.

Measure the height, then measure the width at the very top, very bottom, and middle of the door. Make sure they all are true to the same width so that the door will fit snug into the frame.

4. Install Hinges

Keep that tape measure in your hand as you measure the distance from the top of the door frame to the designated area for the hinges to be installed. The measure the indented area for the hinges in the frame.

Measure that distance down from the top of your door. Install the hinges into your door first using a power drill. Make sure to install the hinge pins while maintaining the open end towards the bottom of the door. If yours is the other way around, take it out and reinstall it.

Do the same for the bottom and middle hinges. Measure from the bottom, then install the hinges on the door first, ensuring the pins’ open end is facing the floor.

5. Install the Door

Once all of the hinges are installed in the door, it’s time to line up the door in place. You may want to have a few able-bodied coworkers with you. Place the door on a piece of wood while you install it in the door (so that you don’t have to hold it up the entire time).

Align the top hinge on the door with the indented area on the door frame. Install the screws, but don’t secure them until all hinges are in place. Once the top is installed, you can install the middle hinge, then the bottom hinge.

After the bottom hinge is installed, tighten all screws, then remove the wooden ledge from underneath the door. Make sure to close and open the door a few times to make sure that it fits correctly.

Install Your Industrial Door for Your Company Today

Now that you have seen how to install an industrial door on your building, it’s time to gather the right equipment and hardware for the job!

Be sure to read this article for more information on the 7 common mistakes you should avoid when buying door locks for your new industrial door.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further!