subject: All About Fire Rated, Pre Hung, And Custom Wood Doors [print this page] On game shows, contestants often have to choose between Door Number One and Door Number Two, but the choices are much more complicated for general contractors, architects, and anyone else tasked with organizing the construction or renovation of a residential or commercial structure. Let's take a look at some of the different types of doors, from commercial wood doors to hollow metal doors.
Commercial Wood Doors
If you choose the right distributor, commercial wood doors and custom wood doors are essentially synonymous. Some distributors trim or "rip" stock doors to fit requested sizes, but good businesses will build your products to spec. This means you get to choose the veneer, size, and stile and rail detailing, whether you're shopping for an inner door or a "statement" entranceway.
When selecting a veneer, look for manufacturers with a variety of options (two dozen or so) that are willing to send out physical samples in addition to providing images online or on paper. This is useful because veneers often feature complex colorings and textures that are hard to gauge from a two-dimensional picture.
All this flexibility means that custom wood doors are particularly useful for renovations, especially for contractors working around preexisting openings or trying to replicate antique moldings or other details. But even with this level of customization, custom wood doors are available with a quick turnaround time if you pick the right distributor - some of them even offer 24-hour service!
Pre Hung Doors
You might have heard the term "pre hung doors" being thrown around, but not everyone understands what it means. Unlike some doors, which come separate from their frames and have to be trimmed and installed, pre hung doors and their frames arrive as a single unit.
Available as wood, MDF, or hollow metal doors, these products are ideal for contractors and architects that know what they want; since the door is pre hung, there is little room for customization after delivery. With some distributors, trusting in a ready-made door can be risky, but quality suppliers will follow your specifications to the letter, guaranteeing that you receive the door you ordered.
Pre hung doors are available in three types: assembled, partially assembled, and knocked down. Assembled doors come with fastened jambs that are connected to both the hinges and door stop. Alternatively, partially assembled doors are essentially assembled doors with one or more loose features, typically the door stop. Knocked down doors are fully prepped but not at all assembled, leaving about ten minutes of work for most competent professionals.
Fire Rated Doors
All of the doors we've discussed are also available as fire rated doors, which can be built to withstand fire and smoke for a set amount of time. Typically, distributors offer fire rated doors featuring 20-, 45-, and 90-minute cores. Despite their inherent durability, fire rated doors can be customized like any doors to include a variety of hardware, in addition to special types of glass.
