Your business is spotless on the inside. Your employees are welcoming and helpful to customers. Your products are high quality. But what about your entrances?
Before customers interact with any part of your business, they have to get inside. If the door to your business sticks, slams, doesn’t close properly or any other variation, it creates a bad first impression.
High-traffic storefronts see customers entering and exiting all day, and hinges, pivots, and closers will eventually wear under constant use. Commercial door hardware failures are preventable so let’s look at a few common causes and how to prepare in advance.
It all starts with installation.
Misaligned door frames put uneven stress on hinges and pivots. Incorrectly tensioned door closers cause doors to slam, drag or fail to latch properly. If your door wasn’t installed properly, it may void or limit the manufacturer’s warranty. And now you are footing the bill. Whether it’s a brand new door or you’re getting one replaced, make sure your installers are professionals.
It could simply be the wrong hardware.
Think about your door and how it will be used on a daily basis. Components made for light use or residential applications should not be used on a commercial entrance. Commercial hardware is graded by ANSI/BHMA standards, and matching the right grade to your traffic volume is key.
You need to maintain proper maintenance.
Constant use can loosen hinge screws or wear pivot bearings over time. Pivot points eventually dry out. You need to schedule routine lubrication and adjustments to your doors to keep them in working condition. Here in Pennsylvania, our freeze-thaw cycles add an extra layer of wear.
Nothing lasts forever.
Repair as you go. Waiting until something completely fails is the worst time to fix anything.
What are some warning signs my doors might need replaced?
- Latches not engaging
- Doors closing too slowly, too quickly or opening on their own
- Hinges or pivots with visible rust or corrosion
- Handles feel loose
- Grinding noises during operation
Some issues are manageable in-house. But when you’re dealing with failing exit devices, compromised door frames, or hardware that’s well past its service life, it’s time to bring in a professional. A qualified commercial glass and door contractor can assess the full picture and give you honest guidance on whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
At UPG, our commercial glass team works with businesses to bring decades of hands-on experience to every project and we’re straightforward with our customers about what they actually need.
One thing that sets us apart from most commercial glass contractors is we don’t just install and walk away. Few companies will service their own installs, let alone take on someone else’s existing hardware.
That’s why we created our Commercial Door Service & Preventative Maintenance Program, an annual agreement designed to give business owners real peace of mind and a proactive plan before problems show up at the worst possible time.
Quarterly scheduled inspections, lubrication of moving components, hardware checks including non-electronic exit devices, weatherstripping and seal maintenance, documentation and reports, it’s all built in. And when something does come up, plan members get priority service scheduling and a labor discount on covered repairs.
Whether you’re managing a single storefront, a healthcare facility, a school, or a warehouse, the program is customizable based on your number of units and locations, with flexible payment terms to fit how your business operates. We think this kind of ongoing relationship is what separates a true commercial glazing partner from a one-time vendor. Let’s build a schedule that keeps your entrances working the way they should every day of the year.
If your commercial doors aren’t performing the way they should or you want to chat maintenance plans, please reach out. Contact UPG today.