DC Commercial Door Solutions installs and replaces hollow metal doors and frames for commercial and multi-tenant properties throughout Washington, DC. This service covers new steel door and frame installation as well as replacement of doors and frames damaged by impact, rust, or age. We supply and install hollow metal doors and frames for government facilities, schools, universities, and commercial buildings.
Hollow Metal Doors & Frames
Hollow Metal Door & Frame Installation in DC
Hollow Metal Doors & Frames Overview
Hollow metal doors are steel commercial doors built around an internal frame with a hollow core, used widely for exterior entrances, stairwells, mechanical rooms, and interior service doors because of their durability and fire-resistance ratings. We install new hollow metal doors and frames and replace units that have been damaged, rusted, or bent out of alignment.
Where Hollow Metal Doors Are Used
- Exterior commercial entrances Service entries, loading areas, and secondary building entrances.
- Stairwell and egress doors Frequently fire-rated; see our fire-rated doors page for related information.
- Interior service and utility doors Mechanical rooms, storage, and back-of-house areas.
- Multi-tenant and apartment building entries Unit entry doors and common-area service doors.
Hollow Metal Frames
The frame does as much work as the door. We install welded and knock-down hollow metal frames in new and existing walls, including labeled frames for fire-rated openings, and prepare them for hinges, strikes, closers, and electrified hardware. Hollow metal frames are also commonly used with wood, fiberglass, and FRP doors.
When a frame is repaired, reinforced or replaced, we also replace worn or sagging hinges with heavy-duty McKinney or comparable commercial hinges so the door hangs square and latches properly.
When Steel Is Not the Best Material
Hollow metal is the workhorse for most commercial openings, but steel rusts where it stays wet. For kitchens, pool areas, washdown rooms, and exposed exterior doors that keep rusting at the bottom edge, a fiberglass or FRP door with a corrosion-resistant frame often lasts longer. For main entrances, see aluminum storefront doors.
Common Hollow Metal Door & Frame Problems
Can a damaged hollow metal door be repaired?
Minor dents, hardware damage, and surface rust can often be repaired. A door that has been significantly bent from impact, has rusted through the metal skin, or no longer closes squarely in the frame typically needs to be replaced.
Can a bent metal door frame be repaired?
Frames with minor misalignment can sometimes be adjusted or reinforced. A frame that has been significantly bent, pulled from the wall, or rusted at the anchors usually needs to be replaced to keep the door hanging and closing correctly.
When should a commercial steel door be replaced?
Replacement is generally the right call when there's structural damage to the door or frame, significant rust deterioration, or the door no longer meets the fire rating required for its opening.
Installation Process
We assess the opening, confirm the correct door and frame type and fire rating for the application, and prepare the frame for hardware including hinges, closers, and panic or lock hardware. For access-controlled openings, we can prep the frame and door for electrified hardware — see our access control systems page. Full hardware sourcing and installation is available through our commercial door hardware service.
Industries & Properties We Serve
Hollow metal doors and frames are the standard for durable institutional openings. We supply, install, and repair them for government facilities, schools, universities, and commercial buildings.
- Government Buildings & Facilities Steel doors and frames for corridors, stairwells, mechanical rooms, and secured areas in government buildings.
- Schools & Educational Facilities Hollow metal classroom, corridor, and exterior doors and frames built to handle daily student traffic.
- Universities & Colleges Steel doors and frames for labs, residence halls, and campus service and utility buildings.
- Commercial & Multi-Family Properties Office buildings, warehouses, healthcare facilities, retail properties, hotels, apartment buildings, condominiums, and property management companies.
Serving Washington DC
DC Commercial Door Solutions installs and replaces hollow metal doors and frames for commercial and multi-tenant properties throughout Washington, DC, including buildings in Shaw, Logan Circle, and Southeast DC where older steel entrance and stairwell doors are common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a damaged hollow metal door be repaired?
Minor dents, surface rust, and hardware damage can often be repaired. Significant impact damage, rust-through, or a door that no longer closes squarely typically calls for replacement.
Can a bent metal door frame be repaired?
Minor misalignment can sometimes be corrected, but a frame that is significantly bent, pulled from the wall, or rusted at its anchors usually needs replacement.
When should a commercial steel door be replaced?
Replacement makes sense when there's structural damage, significant rust deterioration, or the existing door no longer meets the fire rating required for its opening.
Do hollow metal doors come fire-rated?
Hollow metal doors are commonly available with fire ratings appropriate for stairwells and other fire-rated openings. The correct rating depends on the specific opening and application.
Can you install hardware and access control on a new hollow metal door?
Yes. We prepare hollow metal doors and frames for hinges, closers, panic hardware, and access-control-compatible hardware as part of installation.
My steel door keeps rusting at the bottom. What are the options?
A galvanized hollow metal door with a proper finish lasts longer than standard steel, and for wet or corrosive locations a fiberglass or FRP door avoids rust altogether. We look at the opening and recommend the better fit.
Are hollow metal doors the same as commercial steel doors?
Yes. “Hollow metal” is the trade term for commercial steel doors and frames, built from formed steel sheets around an internal core.
Contact DC Commercial Door Solutions
If you need a hollow metal door or frame installed or replaced, call DC Commercial Door Solutions at (202) 517-2407 or book a consultation appointment below.