A warped commercial door can be problematic. It makes the door hard to operate and can make your business look unprofessional. Unfortunately, it is common for commercial doors to warp over time, especially when exposed to temperature changes. The good thing is it is not something you have to live with, and you can do a few things to fix a warped commercial door.
How to Spot a Warped Commercial Door
You only need a small piece of string to test whether your door is warped. Start by wrapping the string over the top and bottom edges of the door. A 14′ string is a good universal length, but you may need a longer one for a taller door.
Once the string is in place, pull it tight and note where it falls with reference to the lockset. Warped doors will have a gap between the edge of the door and the string. Anything that measures ¼ inch or larger indicates a warped door.
Sometimes, a door will return to its original shape when the weather changes. Still, more often than not, a warped door will only worsen and require experts to fix or replace it. So when worse comes to worst, and you need a new commercial door installation, always trust the experts at MacArthur Locks & Doors. We can help you choose a material that is less likely to warp in the future.
Why Door Warping Is an Issue
Warping may not seem like a big deal at first, but it can cause a lot of expensive damage to your business. For instance, a warped door can let in cool air, raising energy bills. Inclement weather can also cause water to pool inside your building. That can create a host of issues, from cleanup to safety concerns.
As time passes, the warping of your commercial door will worsen until the door is permanently bowed or misaligned. Putting off the repair for too long will mean installing a new door. That could cost you thousands of dollars and force you to close your business temporarily.
How to Prevent a Warped Commercial Door
You can take steps to prevent a warped commercial door from happening. Below are some things you can do to prevent the warping of your commercial doors.
Store your doors properly before installation.
Door warp prevention begins even before installation. Good ventilation is key to preventing the warping of doors. Storage areas can easily become hot, so we recommend storing your door horizontally and on level surfaces. In addition, your storage area should be dry, providing less chance for warping during storage.
Install door awning or covering.
Doors without awnings or coverings are more exposed to the elements and more likely to warp. Overcome this issue by capping your commercial door’s exposed frame with a door awning or canopy to save it from the effects of the elements. This way, it will not be as exposed to the elements, which can cause warping.
Choose a light color for the door.
Darker colors absorb more heat, which can contribute to warping. So if a hollow metal door were painted dark, it would absorb more heat and worsen matters. On the other hand, painting it in a light color would reflect more heat and lessen the issue.
Go with a warp-resistant door material.
Think about the material the door is made of. Note that hollow metal doors and wooden doors are both susceptible to warping. Any material for external doors should be able to withstand weathering and not become warped. Choose materials that naturally resist warping — like polished stainless steel and glass.
Trust the Best in Commercial Door Repair Alexandria
When it is time for you to replace your warped commercial door, contact our door specialists at MacArthur Locks & Doors. We offer a variety of commercial doors, all properly stored and sealed to prevent future warping. In addition, we got the best commercial door repair experts in Alexandria, VA. So we have you covered if you need a quick fix for your commercial door’s lock, hinges, latch, or frame. Call us today and ask for a quote to get started.
