{"id":101777,"date":"2025-11-03T10:18:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T16:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/?p=101777"},"modified":"2025-11-28T14:49:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T20:49:51","slug":"commercial-wood-doors-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/blog\/commercial-wood-doors-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Right Commercial Wood Door for Your Facility"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commercial wood doors offer the best balance of beauty and performance in the commercial door market. Metal doors have their place, but if you own or manage a facility that regularly receives tenants or customers, wood has the architectural, aesthetic, durability, and security features you need. At Anderson Lock, we\u2019ve worked hard to become <\/span>a leader in commercial wood door prep and installation in the Chicago area<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a vast array of vendors and our Elk Grove Door Division, we\u2019re able to offer a plethora of options for our Chicagoland clients and contractors \u2014 but that also means you have to know how to navigate all those choices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s what we\u2019ll help you do in this brief guide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the Difference Between Commercial and Residential Wood Doors<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you might imagine, commercial doors are designed to withstand more traffic and wear and tear than a residential door. This includes not only the material used in the door\u2019s core but the hardware, which is usually one or two grades higher than the average residential door.<\/span><\/p>\n

While both kinds of doors are often fire rated, residential wood doors are built for appearances first. Manufacturers know homeowners want a door that elevates the beauty of their homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Commercial doors have to meet stricter regulations, so the first priority is to be durable, secure, and have the right fire rating. Fortunately, with today\u2019s manufacturing methods, you can also get beautiful veneers on commercial wood doors.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been to a hospital or public school and to a downtown law firm, you\u2019ve seen how different wood doors can be on different facilities or offices \u2014 but they all meet the same minimum standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Choose Wood Doors Over Metal for Your Facility<\/span><\/h2>\n

The needs of your facility and your brand will largely determine whether metal or wood doors are right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metal Doors<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2714 Durable<\/p>\n

\u2714 Higher fire ratings<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Higher acoustic\/sound-dampening ratings<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Great at blocking airflow and controlling temperature<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2718 Often utilitarian in appearance<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2718 Higher long-term costs for maintenance and repair<\/span><\/p>\n

Wood Doors<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2714 Aesthetically pleasing<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Natural material and look<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Sustainable material<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Versatile enough for most spaces<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Easy to swap out hardware<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2714 Long lifespan<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2718 Higher upfront cost<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2718 May not meet very high standards for fire-protection, thermal regulation, or soundproofing<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Commercial Wood Doors<\/span><\/h2>\n

These days, solid-wood doors are rare in many buildings and facilities because of their cost and susceptibility to warping. Instead, commercial wood doors apply a wood\"\" veneer to either a hollow or solid core, achieving varying levels of performance at lower prices.<\/span><\/p>\n