Commercial Door Installation in the Capital Region
A commercial entrance door does something a residential door never has to: it opens and closes hundreds of times a day, every day, for years. That volume is why commercial doors use completely different hardware, and why the hardware rather than the door is usually what fails.
Commercial door installation covers aluminum storefront entrances, hollow metal service doors, and the hardware that goes with them: panic devices, closers, and ADA-compliant operation. Installed cost runs $2,500 to $8,000 for a storefront entrance.
The other difference is code. A commercial entrance has to satisfy egress requirements, accessibility requirements, and in many cases fire separation requirements. Panic hardware has to allow exit without special knowledge or tight grasping. Opening force is regulated. Closer timing is regulated. These are the things an inspector checks and they are the things that get missed when a door is replaced by someone who works mainly on houses.
We install and service aluminum storefront entrances and hollow metal doors for businesses across the Capital Region.
Commercial door problems we solve
- The entrance door drags, binds, or no longer closes fully
- The closer leaks oil or slams the door
- Panic hardware is broken or does not latch reliably
- The door does not meet accessibility opening force requirements
- Frame is racked or the pivot has worn out
- Break-in damage to the door, frame or lock
- Threshold is worn down and water or air is coming in
- A fire-rated door has been damaged or modified improperly
Commercial door types and cost
These are typical installed ranges. A site walk determines the actual number.
| Type | Typical installed cost | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum storefront, single | $2,500 to $5,000 | Retail and office main entrance |
| Aluminum storefront, pair | $4,500 to $8,000 | Higher traffic entrances |
| Hollow metal service door | $1,400 to $3,200 | Rear exits, utility rooms |
| Fire-rated assembly | $2,000 to $4,500 | Stair and separation openings |
| Panic device replacement | $500 to $1,600 | Exit doors |
| Closer replacement | $300 to $900 | Any commercial door |
Accessibility requirements people miss
Three items on a commercial entrance come up repeatedly in accessibility reviews. Opening force on an interior door generally cannot exceed five pounds, which means a closer cranked down to fight wind can put the door out of compliance. Hardware has to be operable without tight grasping, pinching or twisting the wrist, which rules out a standard knob and is why commercial doors use levers and panic bars. And the threshold height at an accessible entrance is limited, with beveling required above a small rise. These are inexpensive to get right during installation and expensive to retrofit after a complaint.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
How the project runs
- 1
Site assessment
We evaluate the door, frame, hardware and threshold, and identify which code requirements apply to the opening.
- 2
Hardware specification
Panic device, closer, lock, pull and threshold specified for the traffic volume and the code path.
- 3
Scheduling around operations
Entrance work is usually scheduled before opening, after closing, or on a slow day, with a temporary secure closure if needed.
- 4
Removal and frame prep
Old unit removed, frame checked for square, anchors and threshold prepped.
- 5
Installation and alignment
New door set, pivots or hinges aligned, closer mounted and adjusted, hardware installed and function tested.
- 6
Code verification
Opening force measured, latch function verified, closer timing adjusted to code, thresholds checked for accessible height.
Commercial door work we handle
- Aluminum storefront entrance doors, single and pairs
- Hollow metal service and rear exit doors
- Fire-rated door assemblies
- Panic and exit device installation and repair
- Door closer replacement and adjustment
- Continuous and heavy duty hinges
- Offset and center pivot replacement
- Commercial locksets, cylinders and keying
- ADA-compliant thresholds and hardware
- Weatherstripping, sweeps and astragals
- Break-in and damage repair
Where we do this work
We handle commercial door installation across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties from our Troy office. These are the markets we are in most often.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial storefront door cost?
A single aluminum storefront entrance typically runs $2,500 to $5,000 installed and a pair runs $4,500 to $8,000. Hardware is a significant part of that, since a quality panic device and closer for a high-traffic entrance costs substantially more than residential hardware.
Can you repair our existing storefront door instead of replacing it?
Often yes. The most common failures are the closer, the pivots, the panic device and the threshold, all of which are serviceable components. Replacement is warranted when the door or frame is racked, corroded, or damaged beyond alignment, which is common after a break-in.
Do commercial doors need panic hardware?
It depends on occupancy type and occupant load. Assembly, educational and high-occupancy spaces generally require it on exit doors, and many other commercial occupancies require it above certain occupant loads. We identify what applies to your opening rather than guessing, because installing the wrong hardware is a failed inspection.
How fast can you respond to a break-in?
We prioritize securing the opening first, which usually means a temporary closure the same day so the business can lock up. Permanent repair or replacement follows once we can assess frame damage and order any parts. Aluminum storefront components are generally available quickly.
Can you work before or after business hours?
Yes, and most commercial entrance work is scheduled that way. An entrance door replacement typically takes part of a day, so doing it before opening or after closing avoids disrupting customers entirely.
Do you handle fire-rated doors?
Yes. Fire-rated assemblies have specific requirements for the door, frame, hardware and labeling, and modifying a rated door improperly voids the rating. We install rated assemblies and we can identify when an existing rated door has been compromised by field modifications, which is a common finding during inspections.
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