Commercial Hollow Metal Entry Door Services

Repair vs. Replace: What We Look For

Sometimes we show up expecting a replacement, only to find that a $45 hinge and some realignment is all it needs. Other times, the internal steel core has separated from the skin, and no amount of hardware can bring it back. We also consider fire-rating requirements, age of the frame, and how often the door is used. A quick on-site inspection usually answers the question.

When Repairing a Commercial Entry Door Makes More Sense

Last month, we serviced a manufacturing plant in Henrico where the door was dragging and wouldn’t latch. The building had settled slightly — common in Virginia’s clay soil — and the hinge orientation shifted. A hinge shim and threshold adjustment had it closing perfectly again. Repairs like this are typically fast, affordable, and cause little disruption.

Repair Also:

• Save money on hardware and labor.
• Extend the usable life of the door.
• Keep security levels high without downtime.

When Replacement is the Better Investment for Your Commercial Pedestrian Door

Once the core starts delaminating or the frame loses its square alignment, replacement is the smarter path. We see this a lot in older municipal buildings from the 1970s where humidity gets behind the skin of the door and slowly eats it from the inside out. A new door offers better perimeter seals, stricter fire ratings, and improved energy control — especially helpful for climate-controlled buildings.

Signs You Might Only Need Repairs of Your Commercial Pedestrian Entry Door

• The door scrapes slightly but still closes and latches
• Rust is visible but hasn’t penetrated the metal
• Hardware feels loose but frame is solid
• The door has minor dents from carts or equipment
• We see misalignment all the time in older storefronts along Broad Street — easy fix.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Commercial Hollow Metal Door

Deep rust around hinge pockets or along the bottom rail

• Evidence of forced entry (pried edges, bent latch areas)
• Core swelling — feels bubble-like when pressed
• Loss of fire-rating due to field modifications
• If you suspect vandalism, we’ll document damage for insurance.

Why Businesses Trust A1 Door Company

We’re not here to replace doors that can be repaired. We’ll show you exactly what we see — good, bad, or borderline — and talk through options. Our technicians carry shims, hinges, closers, and weatherstripping on the truck to fix many issues on the first visit. If replacement makes more sense, we’ll measure, fabricate, and schedule installation around your business hours.

Ready for an Expert Opinion?

If you hear scraping, feel drafts, or notice rust at the bottom rail, let’s take a look. Call us or schedule online — we’ll walk you through what to watch for and whether you can get by with a repair or should consider something new. Don’t wait until minor issues become major problems.