What Materials Are Most Used for Access Doors and Panels in Canadian Commercial Architecture? Posted by Best Access Doors Canada on 12th Dec 2024
Common materials include steel for durability, aluminum for lightweight applications, and stainless steel for corrosion resistance, each chosen based on specific project needs and environments. These solutions are often selected to balance performance, cost, and adaptability in diverse settings. Their use is tailored to meet functional and aesthetic requirements without compromising reliability.
In this article, we'll explore how materials like steel, aluminum, and stainless steel play a role in making access doors and panels for Canadian commercial architecture.
Steel
Steel is one of the most widely chosen materials for access doors and panels, celebrated for its resilience and adaptability in demanding environments. In Canadian commercial buildings, where extreme weather conditions, frequent use, and regulatory requirements shape design decisions, steel doors deliver unmatched reliability.
What Makes Steel a Valuable Choice?
Exceptional Durability
As said, steel’s strength and resistance to physical impacts set it apart as a trusted material for access doors. Whether installed in industrial facilities, commercial buildings, or high-traffic public areas, steel doors excel at withstanding heavy use without warping, cracking, or losing integrity.
Their robust construction also makes them ideal for exterior applications, where they endure harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
Fire Performance Capabilities
Meeting fire performance standards requires reliable solutions, and steel doors provide functionality and durability in key areas. They help slow fire progression, offering an effective solution for buildings focused on compliance and lasting performance.
The BAC-FB-5060-SS - fire-rated uninsulated access door is a standout example of this versatility. It ensures continuity in 2-hour fire barrier walls while offering dependable access without compromising structural integrity. Certified by UL for a 1 ½ hour “B” label and ULC for a 2-hour “B” label, it meets the stringent demands of fire-rated construction.
It’s also made from durable 16-gauge steel for the door and frame, featuring reinforced edges and a 1-inch flange for secure and precise mounting. Its concealed hinge, self-closing, and self-latching mechanisms, and inside latch release ensure smooth operation, making it an efficient and dependable choice for fire-rated applications.
Get in touch with us if this product meets your requirements!
Long-Term Value
The longevity of steel access doors makes them a cost-effective investment for commercial projects. Their low maintenance needs and durability in various conditions reduce the need for replacements or repairs. This reliability translates into long-term savings.
Aluminum
Aluminum access doors offer a lightweight yet functional solution for commercial projects, combining durability with design adaptability. Unsurprisingly, aluminum usage is expected to reach USD 283.79 billion by 2030.
Known for their natural corrosion resistance, aluminum doors are particularly well-suited for humid indoor environments, such as utility rooms, basements, or commercial kitchens, and select outdoor applications where moisture exposure is a concern.
What Makes Aluminum a Valuable Choice?
Ease of Installation
Aluminum’s lightweight construction simplifies handling and installation, reducing the effort and time required to position and secure the doors. This feature benefits large projects or retrofits where time efficiency and manageable materials are priorities.
Compared to heavier materials like steel, aluminum reduces the physical strain during installation and allows for easier adjustments on-site.
Natural Corrosion Resistance
One of aluminum’s standout qualities is its ability to resist rust and corrosion without special coatings or treatments. This makes it ideal for environments with high humidity or moisture exposure, such as indoor swimming pools, spas, or utility spaces.
Design Versatility
Known for its adaptability, this material easily accommodates various finishes, making it popular for projects that demand function and style. It can be polished for a sleek, reflective look, painted to match specific colour schemes, or anodized for enhanced durability and a modern appearance.
This versatility enables aluminum access doors to complement architectural styles—from industrial to contemporary—ensuring seamless integration into the overall design.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel access doors are renowned for their superior resistance to corrosion, hygienic properties, and modern aesthetics. This material is highly valued in environments where durability and cleanliness are essential, making it a staple in food processing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries.
What Makes Stainless Steel a Valuable Choice?
Exceptional Corrosion Resistance
With unmatched corrosion resistance, steel is often chosen for demanding projects. This material is built to last, even in challenging environments exposed to high moisture levels, chemicals, or salt.
From coastal buildings to industrial kitchens, stainless steel access doors maintain their structure and appearance, ensuring consistent performance in conditions that could degrade other materials. This resistance eliminates the need for additional coatings, making it a low-maintenance and reliable option.
Hygienic and Easy-to-Clean Surface
For industries that prioritize cleanliness, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, stainless steel is the material of choice. Its non-porous surface helps avoid the accumulation of bacteria, mould, or other contaminants, ensuring compliance with strict hygiene standards.
The ease of cleaning and sterilization also makes stainless steel access doors ideal for cleanrooms, laboratories, and commercial kitchens where cleanliness is a daily requirement.
Long-Term Reliability and Strength
Stainless steel access doors are designed to retain their strength, appearance, and functionality over time, making them a cost-effective choice for projects that demand durability.
Unlike materials that may warp, rust, or degrade under heavy use or exposure to harsh elements, stainless steel maintains its form and resilience, even in the most demanding applications. This durability ensures minimal replacement or repair costs, translating into savings over the long term.
Versatility Across Industries
Stainless steel’s unique combination of strength, hygiene, and resistance to environmental factors makes it versatile for use in various industries.
From laboratories to industrial kitchens and hospitals to manufacturing facilities, stainless steel access doors adapt to the specific demands of the environment. They are equally suitable for interior and exterior applications, offering unmatched reliability wherever installed.
Glass Fibre Reinforced
Glass fibre-reinforced materials, commonly known as GFR, are composites that embed glass fibres into a resin matrix. This combination creates a lightweight, durable, and highly versatile material.
What Makes Glass Fibre Reinforced a Valuable Choice?
Exceptional Durability
Glass fibre-reinforced access doors resist environmental challenges, like moisture, corrosion, and temperature changes. This makes them ideal for long-term use in both indoor and outdoor applications.
Lightweight Strength
The lightweight construction of a glass fibre door allows for easy installation and handling while maintaining structural integrity. This helps reduce installation time and overall project costs.
Customizable Design
This material can be moulded into various sizes, shapes, and finishes, allowing access doors to fit seamlessly into walls, ceilings, or floors without compromising the project's visual appeal.
To Sum Up
The materials chosen for access doors and panels—steel, aluminum, and stainless steel—reflect the balance of functionality, durability, and adaptability needed for diverse applications. In Canadian commercial architecture, these choices are shaped by practical considerations like climate, compliance, and each building's unique requirements.
Best Access Doors Canada understands that, so we provide a wide selection of options, including steel for unmatched strength, aluminum for lightweight versatility, and stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance.
Request a quote today to discover the ideal solutions tailored to your project's needs. Our team is here to help you find the perfect access doors and panels to suit your specifications. You may also call us at (800) 483-0823 to receive expert guidance on your selection.