Maximizing Your Door & Gate Investment for Philadelphia Businesses
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Investing in a new commercial door or security gate is a major expense for any Philadelphia-area business. Commercial doors often cost several thousand dollars, while custom security gates can exceed $10,000. Fabrication timelines may stretch for months. With that level of investment, you need a secure, fully functional system that will protect your property for years to come.
What we'll cover
Why Door & Gate Projects Get Complicated
A properly secured, access-controlled door or pedestrian gate—using keypads, card readers, or intercom systems—typically involves multiple vendors:
A door or gate fabricator
A commercial locksmith
A security systems provider
When issues arise, it’s not always clear who is responsible. Property managers and business owners can end up stuck between vendors, trying to troubleshoot problems after already investing heavily in equipment that should have worked from day one.
Plan It Right from the Start
If you’re installing a new door or gate, the best approach is to get everything aligned upfront. While many security companies (like ours) can retrofit electric locks onto existing doors, new installations offer a valuable opportunity to build a system correctly from the ground up.
Here’s how Philadelphia-area businesses can avoid common pitfalls:
1. Choose a qualified door or gate fabricator
Work with a vendor who understands commercial locking hardware and can supply a complete, compatible system. Not all fabricators install or support locking components, so it’s critical to confirm this early.
2. Prioritize serviceability and local support
Custom or imported doors—especially from overseas—can create major challenges when repairs or upgrades are needed. Replacement parts may be difficult to source, and retrofitting access control hardware can be costly or impractical.
3. Ensure your gate design supports security hardware
Aesthetics matter, but function comes first. We often see beautifully designed gates that lack space for access control devices or don’t account for essential components like closers. The result: expensive redesigns or compromised security.
4. Work with vendors who stand behind their installation
Doors and gates must be installed correctly to function safely and reliably. That includes:
Proper leveling and alignment
Consistent spacing between the door and frame
Correct hinges based on weight and usage
Commercial-grade hydraulic closers to ensure smooth, controlled closing
A poorly installed door can damage locking hardware, reduce security, and lead to frequent service calls.
Essential Lock Components to Specify
To ensure long-term performance, request the following from your door or gate vendor:
Storeroom function lockset
Always locked from the outside, with mechanical key override and free egress from the inside (via handle, paddle, or push bar).
Gate designs should prevent reach-through access to interior release hardware. However, if you are installing an out-swing gate, your design should allow for visibility so that you do not accidentally open the gate while someone is walking by.
Commercial-grade hydraulic closer
Ensures the door or gate closes fully and securely after every use—without slamming or damaging components.
Pre-installed compatible electric lock
The lock must integrate seamlessly with the storeroom function lockset.
All components should be rated appropriately for their environment, whether indoor or outdoor, high-traffic or high-vandalism areas, as well as comply with fire safety and ADA requirements.
The Advantage of a Unified Approach
When one qualified vendor supplies and installs the door or gate along with all locking hardware, accountability is clear. If something goes wrong, you’re not chasing multiple contractors. The issue is covered under a single warranty and resolved more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
For businesses throughout the Philadelphia region, a well-planned commercial door or gate system should be reliable, secure, and provide long-term value.
By coordinating vendors, specifying the right hardware, and prioritizing proper installation, you can avoid costly headaches and ensure your investment performs exactly as intended for years to come.
Additional Resources
DAC Industries: https://dacindustries.com/news-and-media/
ASSA ABLOY: https://www.assaabloy.com/au/en/stories/blog
