For any business considering investing in high security doors and not sure whether to go with wood or steel doors, the following real life story will help you make that decision;
A high-rise apartment building wanted to offer residents as much security as possible. Double steel security doors were installed in each unit. One day, while he was away from home, an elderly tenant had an accident and was taken to the hospital. Neighbors became concerned when they noticed his intact newspaper outside his apartment the next day and called the police to come in and see if the old man was in trouble. The police and fire departments thought the door was painted wood and tried to break in. Realizing it was a steel security door, they called for additional help. After nearly an hour using two determined workers with special tools, the rescue team requested that the steelwork be separated enough to disengage the locks on this 30-year-old steel door. The high-security steel doors had done their job!
Statistics reflect that more than 70% of thieves focus on the door of a building to gain entry. No matter how high the quality of the locks is, if a wooden door can be broken, the locks are useless, unlike steel doors.
If the workplace consists of multiple offices/rooms in a commercial building open to the public, the business is at even greater risk and security alarms often do not call the authorities for 10-15 minutes. This is enough time to break through a wooden door or frame, enter the workplace, and take valuables. There’s a reason most safes aren’t made of wood!
With steel security doors, strength testing is an industry requirement. These tests assure buyers that steel doors cannot be broken like that.
All aspects of steel security door design, fabrication and installation ensure that the buyer gets the best in security. This offers a piece of mind that is hard to find with other types of high security doors and should be a priority for most business owners. Also, while “fire doors” can be purchased, businesses still receive excellent protection against the spread of fire with steel security doors. (Suppliers should have the fire ratings and fire resistance standards of their doors available for discussion.) Steel doors are also more energy efficient as they insulate cold outside air up to 4 times better than wooden doors.
Steel doors are manufactured to a building’s specifications, with many factors measured for an exact fit. The openings for the locks are expertly designed with no margin for error. The metal frame fits seamlessly to eliminate any space for the thinnest tool or crowbar to slip through. Installers take special steps to ensure that heavy doors are hung with perfect balance and that all hardware is flush with surrounding surfaces. The entire process including manufacturing and delivery may take several weeks and installation may require 5 hours, but the steel security door can last forever. It cannot rot, warp or change shape, thus eliminating a potentially dangerous situation!
There are many options open to a business considering steel security doors, and after discussing the many options with a professional supplier, the buyer will know that they are getting a door that meets their unique needs. However, there are some aspects of high-security doors that come standard, such as rust and corrosion protection, various designs and finishes (most of which are maintenance-free), and the opportunity to choose locking mechanisms and the direction of rotation. Some doors offer anti-pry covers, anti-crush surfaces, anti-pry strips and reinforced steel edges to further enhance protection. With over 65% of homeowners choosing steel entry doors, it makes sense that a company would consider them too! Since existing structures can accommodate all types of steel security doors, even a business located in a former garage, carport, or condominium can take advantage of the protection it offers. Materials used in construction include galvanized or zintec steel. Some points to remember are that when comparing types of steel, the stronger the steel, the smaller the gauge number it carries. (Also, the stronger it is, the more the steel will resist denting.) This number should be called “actual gauge” and not “nominal”, as the latter means that it is not quite in the classification it carries. Also, hot-dip galvanizing appears to offer more protection against rust than electrogalvanizing, which can leave some areas uncovered.
A steel door specialist can discuss what might best suit the buyer’s needs and can explain parts warranty, workmanship, and anti-drill capabilities. He or she can also explain the pricing options; Steel security doors vary greatly in price, depending on the choice of the client. However, it is possible to purchase a high-quality, high-security door for less than expected. Although it may be a bit more expensive than a standard wooden door, the benefits are definitely worth it!