Hi everyone, this is my first post!
Does anyone know if commercial storefront doors (aluminum/ glass) are efficient?  Although weather stripping is available, I am worried about air infiltration around the sides.  We are considering using them in a residential (modern design) house.  Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!

wooden-spoon,
I just came across this and read their web site. I have no idea what shipping may be, but, they do look like a very nice product! I do not know if their are US manufacturers, but a Google search may show them!
I remember reading a blog about this subject. You might want to search this site.

http://thefoldingslidingdoorcompany.com/us/index.htm

Richm

There was a thread about commercial entry doors in the commercial forum back in December. You can find some information there, although the discussion was more u value than infiltration.

Bruce

Commercial doors are generally prioritized for toughness and durability, not insulation or infiltration values. They typically have almost no thermal break and they are often solid aluminum inside to out with a very thin gasket separating the two extrusions. As well, some commercial doors are designed to allow air infiltration, so the stack effect in multi-story buildings doesn't create so much pressure that you can't open the door in cold weather.

I would be very careful using them in a residential situation, and look at a custom painted or anodized residential door to get the shiny silver color you are looking for, if that's the draw of the commercial unit.

One brand used a lot in high-rise residential is Arcadia (http://arcadiaproducts.com/), but they don't have great U-values.

Posted By wooden_spoon on 02 Apr 2010 01:39 PM
Hi everyone, this is my first post!
Does anyone know if commercial storefront doors (aluminum/ glass) are efficient?  Although weather stripping is available, I am worried about air infiltration around the sides.  We are considering using them in a residential (modern design) house.  Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!

try :  http://www.plyco.com/

more inexpensive insulated metal doors or fiberglass doors can look modern. I painted mine with a metallic silver paint you use on outdoor large LP tanks then a clear coat, and turned out pretty good and durable so far. You could substitute twin or triple wall polycarb for the glass.

Sounds like a definite mod project. Find a quality residential door with roughly the right "look" and make it your own.