How to obtain faster prices on commercial entrance doors.

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Nick Dardalis

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If you are a door installer fitting entrance or exit doors to buildings that are not dwellings, are you still providing residential entrance doors? The specification of the right commercial door for business premises or a public building will often be the responsibility of the local door company.

In some cases, the business owner will contact the same double glazing firm that provided the windows to their home. Often they will assume that the doors they have in their home are also suitable for their business premises although this is not the case.

photo of commercial doors with electric strike
In any building that is not a dwelling, professional door companies know that only a commercial door should be fitted.

Where residential doors are installed in commercial buildings, the door provider runs the risk of providing a door that has not been designed for heavy duty use typical of commercial premises. Even in some ‘light commercial’ buildings such as church halls or community centres that are only used at certain tiles of the week rather than on a daily basis, there are still legitimate reasons why a commercial door makes for a far better door than one found in a private home.

Some door installers regard commercial aluminium doors are complicated to specify, order and install.  Speak to any professional door installer and they will often tell you that commercial doors are not complicated to sell or fit.  Choose your commercial doors from the right supplier that can help you specify your door as well as provide it in a way that makes it easy to install and you can provide your commercial customers with a door that is secure, functional and above all highly reliable. What is more, commercial doors in commercial premises are fit for purpose and in many cased legally compliant.

How to buy commercial doors.

There are a large number of commercial door manufacturers and suppliers that specialise in providing fabricated commercial doors to the trade. These vary greatly in what systems and what service they provide.  In our experience, many door installers are put off from purchasing commercial doors because they do not understand the many types of hardware that are available to them and how to sell them.  For this reason, many in the trade choose to keep their work ‘simple’ by sticking to what they know and providing residential doors instead.

The problem with residential doors is that often they will be altered to meet the demands of a busy building that has far more people using the door.  Examples include adding an extra hinge or a face fixed door closer.  In the case of fire exit doors, some installers elect to remove the standard lock and replace it with a blanking plate.  Then they will fix a face applied panic bar designed for timber doors.

These modifications may provide a short-term solution, but in our experience, the door does not remain reliable for long because it is simply not designed for heavy usage,  opened and closed substantially more times than it would ever be in someone’s home.

If you are looking to buy commercial doors and are unsure where to start, we offer you some information and advice on how to choose a better installer.

  • You will need an installer that can guide you through the hardware required to suit entrance doors or fire exit doors.
  • The right supplier will be able to help you order your door to meet the needs of your customer.
  • Commercial door prices should be provided quickly with minimum delay.
  • Doors will be supplied to you in such a way that makes them easy to fit.
  • Commercial doors with individual locks, panic bars or access control should be easy to install and set up.
  • The right supplier should provide you with information on legislation and regulation around commercial doors.

How to get commercial door prices.

The many established and expert fabricators and suppliers of commercial doors for the trade do provide an excellent service overall in obtaining a commercial door. However, pricing on commercial doors can still be a time-consuming process for many, leaving installers waiting for a price to provide a quotation to their customers.

Commercial door prices have not reached the more advanced stage of residential doors whereby may suppliers can provide you with instant prices.  The reason for this is that residential doors largely contain standard colours and standard hardware such as multi-point locks and lever handles.

Commercial doors include a far more diverse range of options that can be more product and building specific.  Add to this the huge variety of handles, access locks, panic bars, colours and other options and it is understandable why prices can often take a long time to obtain.

Commercial Door Prices are available online.

In researching obtaining commercial door prices faster and better we found one company specialising in commercial doors, Commercial Door Supplies based in Cheshire and delivering throughout the UK have something very useful to all buyers of commercial doors on their website. They offer a very easy to use online form that provides a different and better way we think, to obtain commercial door prices.

We tested out their online ordering system and were very impressed with its simplicity given the complex nature of a commercial door.  Equally impressive is that the Commercial Door Supplies website addresses many of the factors around doors that need to be known beforehand.

If you are a manufacturer of commercial doors, you too can relate to the specifics of a door that you need clarity on to provide a correct price. Examples include closer options, locks, and even specific sections such as stiles, rails and frames all of which can affect the price quoted.  Commercial Door Supplies have managed to overcome this obstacle to obtaining fast commercial door prices online, very well indeed.

We know commercial doors very well work with the product regularly.  We can tell you that one of the best features of the online quoter was the step by step process in selecting your options exactly as they would be asked for by a professional supplier.  Better still, as you choose the options, the Commercial Door Supplies online quotation form for doors provides ongoing information about how your door will be supplied  from the options you have selected. It works and is accurate as well.

What is even better still is at the end of the process you have fully specified a door that not only gives you an accurate price but one that can be used to place an order as well.

Finding information about commercial aluminium doors.

As a specialist aluminium website, we have a large amount of information about commercial aluminium doors.  Examples include information on Building Regulations, BS8300 and Approved Document M. Other information includes how to specify hardware correctly, considerations and other information.  Commercial Door Supplies have a very comprehensive section on their website that provides buyers of commercial doors with a huge amount of information explaining how commercial doors work, understanding the various locks, panic bars, electric strikes and other locks and much more besides.

As a website with 30 years experience working with commercial doors, we think Commercial Door Supplies have managed to overcome some of the most common and often confusing areas around commercial doors that often result in installers fitting residential doors instead.

If you are a door installer that purchases ready-made commercial doors, take a look at the Commercial Door Supplies website.  Have a go at using the form to specify a product and we are sure you will agree that requesting prices for commercial doors has suddenly become much easier than before. It can even cover the questions you will need to ask your customer and should save you time surveying it too.

Let us know what you think.

 

 

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Andrew DOBSONAndrew DOBSON
16:42 30 Oct 23
Nick responded incredibly quickly to my enquiry (on a Saturday too!), and was able to offer invaluable advice on both aluminum systems and manufacturer / suppliers. Thanks Nick!
chris steerchris steer
16:18 09 Oct 23
Had a meeting with Nick during the grand designs show. Was extremely helpful and professional would highly recommend
Chris WesthorpChris Westhorp
19:55 13 Sep 23
Extremely helpful with pointing us in the right direction to find the products we required and suggesting firms that could reliably fit them.Nick was quick to reply and very detailed in his advice.Highly recommend reaching out to them.
Cathy GreenwoodCathy Greenwood
07:03 11 Sep 23
Update - A second email to nick for help on bifolds resulted in a detailed informative reply even on a Sunday ! This guy is so knowledgable and helpful .I approached Nick for an independent view on sliding doors v bifold and the different brand options . His reply was extremely detailed and prompt and allowed me to navigate this often confusing world in a much more informed way . Thanks so much Nick
Anthony CraigAnthony Craig
12:45 05 Sep 23
This is a must site for anyone looking for advice. Great service and very quick answers to questions. Nick has been of great help quiding us through the maze of aluminium products. Thank you
Philip DuffieldPhilip Duffield
20:24 26 Jul 23
I contacted Nick @ ATS for guidance on what aluminium sliding door systems would be suitable for an opening in an extension that is going to be both wide and tall. He came back really quickly with very detailed and incredibly helpful advice. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable about the systems on the market and their respective features and capabilities. If you’re feeling a bit lost by the overwhelming range of choices out there, I’d definitely recommend contacting him.
Dariush HekmatDariush Hekmat
17:25 19 Jul 23
Nick's advice is great. He is always quick to respond and spends time on responses, which really help to make an informed decision.
Alan FosterAlan Foster
07:51 12 Jul 23
Absolutely fantastic. Asked for advice about replacing Crittall (?) windows late last night and early this morning received 3 great suggestions and contact information for suppliers
Rachel LauRachel Lau
09:24 16 Jun 23
Fantastic website full of valuable and pragmatic advice about product selection and comparison: no other website gives information like this. Truly written for public interest. Don't hesistate to reach out to Nick via the mailing system. He responds very quickly, is friendly, and has very sound and high knowledgable advice. I have already shared this with my friend planning her own grand design.
guard Charlieguard Charlie
12:28 14 May 23
I emailed this company just on the off chance they could help me with new magnetic sliders for my patio door. They were not able to supply those but were so very helpful providing me with the name of a company who could. I am so very grateful at the great service. Dare say customers must be very happy. thank you so much.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis
10:06 04 May 23
Nick is very helpful indeed. Extremely knowledgeable on bifolds which was in relation to my query. Great website as well, some very useful articles. Particularly appreciated the article that lists all the major bifold options in order of their sightlines! Thank you!
P JonesP Jones
08:07 15 Apr 23
I asked Nick some questions about an installation we were considering and he replied within hours with some very useful suggestions that will probably lead us to using a different make and supplier. Thanks, Nick. Great work.
Nicholas WallNicholas Wall
13:18 02 Apr 23
Looking for fair and honest expert advice on all aspect of aluminium windows and doors? These guys will arm you with all the information you need to make the RIGHT choice in a highly complex, crowded marketplace. post a question and you will get a very quick professional answer you can rely on being based on fact. Thanks guys!
Giorgia SiriacoGiorgia Siriaco
16:25 21 Mar 23
After a lot of research to find doors that would meet our unusual size requirements and feeling increasingly uncertain about the best way to spend our small budget, I stumbled on the ATS website, and I'm so glad I did! I contacted ATS to request advice and Nick promptly replied with a wealth of information, providing us with options and relevant contact details. I only wish I'd found them sooner!
Carol NortonCarol Norton
10:01 17 Mar 23
I've been so confused about how to achieve the look I'm after, and going round in circles with various window/door companies, trying to get away from the huge chunks of plastic currently around my windows. I didn't expect an email to a company found through a Google search to really help - but I was desperate, so I tried. I'm SO glad I did. Finally I have clear explanations from ATS of where I've been going wrong, exactly what I'm looking for, and a list of local companies that might be able to provide it! The response has excelled my expectations and I feel as if I'm finally inching closer to a home with which I'll be happy and comfortable: thank you.
David NunnDavid Nunn
20:54 14 Mar 23
It is rare that I write reviews, however after my very positive communication with Nick - enquiring about suitable slim sash aluminium windows for my project, I felt that a review was definitely warranted. I can reinforce the many positive reviews posted so far, Nick was very quick to respond, providing comprehensive detail, with excellent independent advice.In summary, great service, thank you Nick.
Chantal AuerbachChantal Auerbach
13:04 09 Mar 23
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply was incredibly helpful informative and pleasant to deal with. He responded quickly to emails and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend being in touch with Nick if you are considering new aluminium windows or doors.
Lee JonesLee Jones
20:21 22 Feb 23
I dropped Nick at Aluminium Trade Supply an email re high security slim sightline bi-folds and their alternatives and he responded that quickly (and so comprehensively) that I felt bad I’d not paid him for his time!Nick Sir your product knowledge is outstanding and you are providing a level of service that goes wayyyy above and beyond expectations. I’ll definitely make sure I mention Aluminium Trade Supply to anyone I encounter looking for a fenestration solution 🙏🏼
G JG J
15:13 13 Feb 23
We are looking to replace some old UPVC patios doors with aluminium ones. The ATS website is a great source of advice in an area where clear information is sorely lacking. Having used the website, I then followed this up with a number of specific questions relating to our search, and Nick came back very quickly with clear, detailed and very useful advice.I have been very impressed with both the website and with Nick's advice. My only regret is that I didn't come across ATS before replacing various windows in 2021 - I'm sure it would have saved me a lot of grief and money! Thanks again Nick.
Azza McCabeAzza McCabe
17:47 01 Feb 23
So impressed with this company.Responded to my query quickly andgave valuable advice. Nick was extremely helpful and we were able to move forward with our project.
Adri LoloçiAdri Loloçi
11:21 08 Jan 23
Nick was super fast to respond and provided some great recommendations. I would recommend this website to anyone looking to find bifold or sliding aluminium doors.
Stephen HoustonStephen Houston
16:16 03 Jan 23
Looking for aluminium crittall style internal door and external patio French doors. Noted good reviews and thought would ask for advice. Comprehensive reply with excellent independent advice and lists of fitters who could provide products and installation. Great service.
Inga GeachInga Geach
08:25 21 Dec 22
Nick from Aluminium Trade Supply has been extremely helpful with navigating the jungle that is aluminium glazing for our upcoming extension project. His advice was prompt, detailed and always impartial. Very grateful for your input, thanks Nick!
Amanda BurtonAmanda Burton
10:54 16 Dec 22
Brilliant website and an excellent service. Nick provided not only detailed advice and supplier contacts, but highlighted the considerations of various products so I could make an informed choice. Our Sunvista minimal sliders were fitted this week and I couldn't be happier, stunning. Thanks once again for your advice and recommendations, invaluable!
Keith BarnesKeith Barnes
17:18 10 Dec 22
Very helpful advice given to my question, including the name of 3 different companies that i could try for the product being enquired about. Many thanks
Munim ChowdhuryMunim Chowdhury
11:45 13 Sep 22
Nick has been very helpful on signposting me to a number of partner organisations for steel/aluminium doors.
SUSAN wallaceSUSAN wallace
17:26 31 Aug 22
My experience with this firm was exceptionally good and this is notalways the case as a female, dipping a toe into technical waters.I was spoken too with courtesy and at a level that helped me consolidate what was needed .On top of that I was given a list of companies and places where I could obtain the type of product I needed.I could not thank them enough and would certainly go there again and reccommend others do too.
Paul SalterPaul Salter
22:39 22 Aug 22
Contacting Aluminium Trade Supply is like contacting the Oracle direct. Advice is always comprehensive and balanced. On multiple occasions they have provided me with options that fully meet our objectives. Many thanks.
Nick McCormackNick McCormack
20:25 14 Aug 22
Really helpful and useful came back to me on a Sunday with some invaluable information. Highly recommended.
ray addisonray addison
13:14 14 Aug 22
received a prompt reply to my query,and helpful information from ATS
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