When it comes to keeping your premises safe, a steel door is your best option. However, merely having a strong door isn’t enough. If the frame is sub-par it will be ineffective against the threat of intruders who will be able to easily pry, kick, or use alternative force to gain entry. To guarantee the safety of a building, nothing can outmatch the value of a steel door frame.
Door Frame Types
Though an advantageous option in many ways, steel is one of many types of materials that can be utilised as a door frame. Others include:
Wood
The most common material for a door frame, these can be composed of hard woods, such as oak and mahogany, or soft woods, like pine and cedar. Offering excellent insulation, wood provides a natural, warm appearance and is easy to carve and customize. It is typically used in more residential settings for both interior and exterior doors.
Aluminum
Aluminum is classed as a lightweight metal, typically powder-coated or anodized to enhance durability. More energy-saving than other materials, it carries a sleek, modern look as well as many design options. its resistance to corrosion makes it suitable for door frames in coastal regions, as well as homes and office spaces with glass doors.
uVPC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride)
uVPC is plastic-based, though it is sometimes reinforced with steel inserts. Due to its rust and and rot resistant properties it is ideally placed in bathroom doors which are commonly exposed to moisture, and can also be used for more budget-friendly housing projects.
Fiberglass/Composite
These door frames are typically composed of either fibreglass or a combination of wood or plastic fibres. Fiberglass is much stronger than the glass panes that can be found on interior doors due to the glass fibers being embedded in a resin matrix. This makes it less brittle and more resistant to impact and flexing than ordinary glass, an important feature for a security door frame. Composite and fibreglass are both versatile materials and work well in homes in need of both durability and stylish design.
Concrete or Stone
Known for their strength and robustness, concrete and stone door frames are built into masonry walls and are usually reinforced with steel metal bars. Though heavy compared with materials like aluminium, they remain fire-proof, weather-resistant and termite-proof. They are often installed in industrial buildings, high-security government facilities, and are also used in low cost housing construction.
Steel Door Frame
Composed from metallic iron, steel door frames are developed from specific grades of steel including cold rolled or galvanised steel sheets. Certain steel alloys generate different properties for steel door frames. For example, steel combined with chromium or nickel creates ‘stainless steel’ alloys which helps prevent rusting.
Typically, galvanized steel (steel coated with a layer of zinc) is preferred because of its ability to resist rust and corrosion. To ensure the frame is long lasting a protective coating is added. This can take the form of a zinc coating, a powder coating to provide an aesthetic finish, or a primer coating.
During the production of steel frames the material is made in pressed or fabricated sections, such as Z-frames, double or single rebate, or C-channel sections for lightweight applications. Steel anchors or lugs are welded to the frame if it requires fitting to masonry or concrete walls, while beneficial weather seals, rubber gaskets, or intumescent strips (for fire doors) may be added for sealing.
The Steel Security Door Frame
While it is predominantly the strength and durability of the steel door frame which makes it such an essential component of security door infrastructure, there are a host of other benefits that come with the material.
The Strongest Door Frame
With the high tensile and compressive strength based in steel production, the material is able to resist pulling, pushing, and crushing forces far more than aluminum or uPVC. The head jamb component is particularly strong, which makes the frame well-equipped to withstand attempted intruder entry.
A More Sustainable Choice
While not seeming obvious, steel is actually one of the most recycled materials in the world. Most steel used in construction, including door frames, can be recycled, which has a lesser environmental impact when compared with producing the material from raw iron ore, which is also a common technique of steel production. At the end of a steel frame’s lifespan, it can be melted down and used to create new steel products.
Fire and Heat Protection
Steel is an alloy of iron and comprises small amounts of the element carbon and other metals. It contains no hydrocarbons or more volatile substances like wood, plastic, or fabric. Because of this, it can’t ignite or maintain combustion. Security doors that also have fire-rated steel frames are also able to withstand extreme heat for between 30-120 minutes. This results in delayed fire spread, ensuring more people are able to escape the building or property and thus saving lives.
The Longevity and Low Maintenance of Most Steel Doors
The anti-corrosive properties of galvanised or stainless steel frames leave them less vulnerable to rotting, warping, or being eaten by termites. It is invulnerable to temperature changes and humidity, which can cause the production of iron oxide or rust. This ensures that the frame remains intact for decades.
Robust Support
For all their advantages, steel security doors are considerably heavier than wooden or aluminum doors. Because of this, other materials are unsuitable for holding that weight long-term without succumbing to sagging, cracking or loosening.
Extra Security Features at Your Fingertips
The modern age has made many new things possible when it comes to security. Production methods of steel door frames have ensured they can be easily integrated with other electric and non-electric hardware, further enhancing their security capabilities. This hardware includes electronic access control such as card readers and biometric locks, multi-point locking systems, bullet resistant and blast resistant doors, and acoustic or thermal inserts.
No Compromising on Aesthetics
There is a common misconception that steel door components are too industrial-looking to suit many aesthetics. However, steel offers the appearance of wood or aluminum while maintaining the core strength of the material. Modern steel frames don’t have to be left as they are. They can be powder-coated, brightened with paint, or clad with wooden veneer. So if you’re unconvinced that a steel door frame would suit your office space, think again.
How Our Door Frames Utilise the Steel Industry for Your Safety
Our door frames are renowned for their robust construction and other elements, such as their comprehensive security features and competitive pricing. Suitable for residential and commercial applications, they are produced to fit numerous aperture sizes, simplifying the installation process for our customers, whether they are purchasing a single, double, or 6-panelled security door.
Contact us today for more information about our doors, frames, and other hardware. A member of our knowledgeable team are always happy to help.
