Why Choose Steel for Doors and Frames?

When architects and specifiers need to balance code compliance, aesthetics, cost and long-term value, steel stands far above other popular door materials.

Steel Doors and Frames, Also Known as Hollow Metal, Outperform Wood, Aluminum, and Fiberglass in Strength, Durability, and Cost-Effectiveness. It is Widely Recognized as the Top-Performing Material Across Ten Key Performance Metrics.

Durability and Value That Stand the Test of Time

In its unaltered state, hollow metal can withstand greater natural and man-made abuse and requires the least maintenance. Steel doors and frames’ longevity often exceeds 30 years, making hollow metal the lowest total cost of ownership when compared with competing door materials.

Performance You Can Count on in Every Situation

Beyond durability, steel doors offer superior fire resistance and sanitation, and excel in security, thermal efficiency, and sound attenuation. When tested against wood, aluminum and fibreglass (FRP), steel doors ranked highest in standardized testing and relative performance for:

Swing Test

Fire Rating

Acoustical Performance

Hurricane Resistance

Tornado Resistance

Resistance to Physical Abuse

Anti-Microbial Properties

Corrosion- and Water-Resistance

Maintenance and Repair

Longevity

This means steel doors can meet stringent building codes, including those for
severe weather conditions and healthcare or food-related environments.

Superior Environmental Sustainability

As North America’s most recycled material, steel is an environmentally responsible choice, further reinforcing its value in architectural design. It can be recycled time after time without diminishing its quality or strength, making it an eco-friendly option with reduced environmental impact for both manufacturers and industries.

Did You Know

That More Steel is Recycled Each Year Than Paper, Plastic, Aluminum, and Glass Combined?

Source: American Iron and Steel Institute

Surprising Aesthetic Versatility

Don’t think you can meet your desired aesthetic with a steel door? Think again! Hollow metal doors now offer incredibly versatile options beyond a shiny silver finish. Steel doors can be polished to different finishes, primed and painted in any colour, stained to look like wood, embossed with architectural panels or adorned with applied moldings, and even clad with natural wood, stone, brass and bronze.

Performance Study Findings

View the analysis and comparative results of our performance study of steel doors and frames vs wood, aluminum and fibreglass.

This report was a collaborative effort between the Steel Door Institute (SDI), Hollow Metal Manufacturers Association (HMMA) and Canadian Steel Door Manufacturing Association (CSDMA).