Commercial
Entrance Systems

A commercial entrance system is the complete assembly of doors, framing, glass, hardware, closers, thresholds, and weatherstripping that forms the primary entry point to a building. The entrance is the most heavily used and most visible element of a commercial building envelope. It must be structurally sound to resist wind loads and forced entry, thermally efficient to minimize energy loss, accessible to people of all abilities per ADA requirements, and aesthetically appropriate to the building design. In the DMV, commercial entrances must also perform through extreme seasonal conditions ranging from humid 100-degree summers to sub-freezing winters with ice and snow.

The most common commercial entrance types in the DC metro area include aluminum storefront entrances with narrow or medium stile doors, all-glass frameless entries using Herculite-style doors with patch fittings, balanced doors for high-rise lobbies and wind-exposed locations, and vestibule systems that create thermal buffer zones. Each entrance type has specific hardware, closer, and glazing requirements. Aluminum storefront entrances are the workhorse of commercial buildings, using extruded aluminum framing with tempered glass doors in standard sizes. All-glass entries provide maximum transparency for high-end retail and corporate lobbies. Balanced doors solve the problem of opening doors against wind pressure and stack effect in tall buildings.

Expert Glass Repair provides complete entrance system services throughout DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. We install new entrance systems, replace worn doors and hardware, reglaze broken entrance glass, adjust closers, replace thresholds and weatherstripping, and perform preventive maintenance programs. We work with all major entrance system manufacturers including Kawneer, YKK AP, Oldcastle, Ellison, Dawson, and CR Laurence. Our technicians carry common door sizes, hardware, closers, and glass on service vehicles for fast turnaround on standard repairs.