What Is The Thickness Of Hollow Metal Doors?

This article is part of our complete Hollow Metal Door Resource Hub, covering commercial door construction, sizing, gauges, fire ratings, and code requirements.

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Hollow metal doors (also referred to as commercial steel doors) are the industry standard for commercial buildings due to their durability, security, and code compliance. One of the most common questions when specifying or replacing a door is: What thickness should a hollow metal door be?

The answer depends on whether the door is intended for a commercial or residential application.

Standard Commercial Hollow Metal Door Thickness

A true commercial-grade hollow metal door is 1-3/4" thick. This thickness is required to properly support:

• Commercial-grade hardware
• Fire-rated door assemblies
• High-traffic usage
• Security and abuse resistance

Nearly all commercial hollow metal doors used in schools, hospitals, warehouses, offices, government buildings, and retail spaces are manufactured at 1-3/4" thickness.

Residential Hollow Metal Door Thickness

Residential or light-duty steel doors are typically 1-3/8" thick. These doors are designed for low-traffic environments such as:

• Garage-to-house entry doors
• Storage rooms
• Light-duty residential use

While less expensive, 1-3/8" steel doors are not intended for commercial buildings and should not be used where security, durability, or code compliance is required.

How Door Thickness Affects Price

Door thickness directly impacts material cost, reinforcement capability, and long-term performance.

• 1-3/8" doors – Lower cost, thinner steel, limited reinforcement, residential/light-duty use only
• 1-3/4" doors – Higher cost, heavier steel, full hardware reinforcement, commercial-grade durability

In most cases, a residential-grade steel door may cost 25% or less than a commercial hollow metal door — but the tradeoff is reduced security, faster wear, and frequent repair or replacement.

Can Residential Steel Doors Be Used in Commercial Buildings?

While it may be tempting to use a less expensive residential steel door in a commercial application, it is not recommended.

Residential steel doors typically:

• Use thinner steel skins
• Lack hinge, lock, and door closer reinforcements
• Do not meet IBC or fire door requirements
• Dent, flex, and fail prematurely under commercial traffic

Commercial hollow metal doors are engineered specifically to meet IBC, ADA, ANSI/BHMA, and UL requirements where applicable.

Related Hollow Metal Door Resources

• What Is a Hollow Metal Door?
• What Gauge Steel Is Best for Hollow Metal Doors?
• What Is the R Value for Hollow Metal Doors?

Conclusion

All commercial hollow metal doors are 1-3/4" thick, while 1-3/8" steel doors are reserved for residential or light-duty use.

If you are specifying doors for a commercial building, always choose a door designed for commercial loads, hardware, and code requirements.

To order compliant commercial doors, browse our Hollow Metal Door Packages or use our Custom Door Quote Builder.

Questions? Call 866-232-5673 or text 210-275-8966 for expert assistance.