A flush hollow metal door is the most common type of commercial steel door used in office buildings, warehouses, schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities. The term “flush” refers to the door’s smooth, flat steel face with no raised panels, windows, or louvers.
Below, we explain what makes a door “flush,” where these doors are typically used, and why they are the preferred choice for many commercial applications.
A flush hollow metal door features a completely smooth steel surface. There are no embossed panels, decorative shapes, vision glass cutouts, or vented louvers.
The only openings in a standard flush door are for:
Because of this simple, uninterrupted steel surface, flush hollow metal doors are the most popular and widely specified hollow metal door style.
Flush hollow metal doors are used in a wide range of interior and exterior applications, including:
Depending on the core type and finish, flush hollow metal doors can be used asinterior doors or exterior doors.
Flush hollow metal doors are often chosen for security-sensitive openings. While vision lite or louvered doors can still be secure, the glass or louver opening is typically the most vulnerable part of the door.
A flush hollow metal door has:
For this reason, flush doors are commonly used at the rear of buildingsand in high-security areas.
Flush hollow metal doors are available in multiple steel gauges depending on durability requirements:
Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker steel and increased resistance to damage.
Most commercial flush hollow metal doors are manufactured at a standard thickness of1-3/4".
Lighter residential-grade steel doors are often 1-3/8" thick, but these are not typically suitable for commercial hardware or heavy use.
Flush hollow metal doors are available with or without a fire label. When specified as a fire door, flush hollow metal doors can be rated for up to 3 hours, depending on the door construction and listing.
Fire rated flush doors are commonly used in:
Flush hollow metal doors can be prepped to accept virtually all types ofcommercial door hardware, including:
Most commercial flush hollow metal doors are prepped for4-1/2" x 4-1/2" hinges, though hinge locations may vary by manufacturer.
Flush hollow metal doors are found on nearly every commercial building, and it is not uncommon for them to last 30 years or more.
When replacement is needed, the door frame is often still in good condition. In these cases, replacing only the door slab can save time and labor.
Before replacing a door, hinge locations and lock prep should be measured. Many replacement hollow metal doors can be manufactured to match existing preparations, allowing the frame to remain in place.
Some applications require a more decorative appearance. In those cases, embossed hollow metal doors are used.
Embossed doors feature raised steel panels and are commonly found in:
Flush hollow metal doors are the most widely used commercial steel doors because they combine durability, security, and versatility.
To browse commercial flush hollow metal doors or configure a custom opening, visit ourCommercial Hollow Metal Doorsor use ourBuild Your Door Quote Tool.
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