Most people know us for glass — showers, storefronts, insulated units. But a big part of what we
do every day is commercial doors and the hardware that runs them. And here’s the thing about a
commercial door: the door itself is the easy part. What separates a door that works for twenty
years from one that sags, slams, or fails inspection is everything bolted to it. We recently outfitted
two doors for a commercial facility in the Hickory area, and it’s a good window into what “done
right” actually involves.

The Project

Two openings, two commercial-grade hollow metal doors — each fitted with a vision lite (the
glass panel that lets you see through and lets light pass), heavy-duty closers, and security
hinges. One door was set up as a controlled-access opening with an electrified exit device.
Here’s what went into them and why each piece matters.

Grade 1 Closers with Back Check

Both doors got Grade 1 heavy-duty closers — Grade 1 is the highest commercial rating, built to
survive the kind of constant cycling a busy facility puts on a door. The back check feature is the
unsung hero: it slows the door down as it nears full open, so a gust of wind or an
overenthusiastic push can’t fling it into the wall and wreck the door, the frame, or the drywall
behind it. It’s the difference between a door that closes properly for years and one that needs
constant adjustment.

Ball-Bearing Hinges with Non-Removable Pins

Heavy commercial doors need hinges built for the load. We used ball-bearing hinges, which
carry the weight smoothly and resist wear far better than standard hinges. They’re also NRP —
non-removable pin — a security detail that matters on exterior or secured doors: the pin can’t
be tapped out from the outside to lift the door off its frame. Small spec, big difference in keeping
a building secure.

An Electrified Exit Device

One opening was outfitted with a Von Duprin exit device — the push-bar “panic” hardware
you’ve used a thousand times without thinking about it. Push, and you’re out. For many
commercial and assembly spaces, that kind of fast, unobstructed egress isn’t just convenient, it’s
a life-safety code requirement. This one was electrified, meaning it can tie into an access control
system — so the building can manage who comes in while everyone inside can always get out.
Power reaches the door through a special electric-transfer hinge, which is exactly the kind of
detail that has to be specced correctly up front or the whole opening doesn’t work.

Why the Details Matter

Commercial door hardware is a coordination problem as much as a product one. The closer, the
hinges, the exit device, the door prep, and the access-control wiring all have to match — the right
finish, the right gauge, the right electrical spec. Get one piece wrong and the door binds, the lock
won’t power, or it fails inspection. This is where a glass and hardware company that lives in this
work every day earns its keep: we source the right components from the right manufacturers and
make sure they come together as one working opening.

What a Project Like This Costs

Commercial door pricing swings widely with the hardware — a basic closet door and a
controlled-access exit are worlds apart. For this project, two commercial hollow metal doors
with vision lites, Grade 1 closers, ball-bearing security hinges, an electrified exit device,
plus labor to install, the total came to roughly $5,775. It’s a useful reference point if you’re
budgeting commercial door work for your own building.

Need Commercial Doors or Hardware?

Whether it’s a single failing closer, a security upgrade, or a full set of new openings with access
control, we handle commercial doors and hardware start to finish — sourcing, coordination, and
installation. At All Glass of Hickory, the glass is only half of what we do.