Opening the Door to Greater Profits

For many locksmiths, the door is the thing that the hardware is installed onto. The door is the physical barrier, the structure that must be moved out of the way in order to gain access or egress. We may check to see that the swing is proper, ensuring the closer operates to close the door and latch the lock. If the door has a problem, some locksmiths replace hinges or install continuous hinges, but few locksmiths replace doors.

Door servicing and replacement provides an opportunity to expand your business, and increase sales and profits. Locksmiths who install doors by default almost always sell the lock hardware that is to be installed on the door. The alternative is that the carpenter/door company that installs the door will almost always sell and install the lock hardware, leaving the locksmith who does not install doors out of the transaction.

Door installation is not rocket science. In most instances, you do not need two people or Herculean strength to install the average door. To simplify the installation, door fixtures are available for holding the door and doing the door prep. In addition moving tools can make it easier to transport the door from service vehicle to jobsite/doorway.

Sometimes only the door needs replacement, and sometimes only the frame needs replacement. Other times, they may both need replacement.

Door frame replacement is not terribly difficult. Wooden frame pieces can be purchased and cut to size using standard wood working tools. These include a miter saw, miter box, tape measure and three-foot level. For those persons with an extra $100 give or take, an electric cut-off saw makes the job even easier.

Metal door frame replacement is even easier. There are door frames designed for retrofit installations. These frames usually contain spacing brackets and mounting screw holes in order to plumb and square the frame. Metal door frames are ordered to exact sizes. They can be order in different thickness gauges, accommodate any type of door hinging, latching, and with reinforcement for a door closer if ordered.

There are many different types and styles of doors. For our purposes, doors are divided by swing versus sliding and material composition. Door material choices are determined by the door being replaced as well as if the opening is fire rated, and whether the end user wants to upgrade the door. Doors are available in wood, hollow metal, aluminum/glass storefront, composite (fiberglass, etc.) and glass (Herculite).

Wood and Hollow Metal Doors

For this article, we will discuss wood and hollow metal doors, as aluminum/glass storefront door and glass doors are special categories. Composite doors are normally used in harsh environments, such as chemical storage rooms and wet rooms, and in a salt water environment.

When choosing a wood door, there are several considerations. Where is the door being installed? What will the door protect? Does it need to be similar to other existing doors? What will be the cost to your customer?

An interior closet door that will be painted can be hollow core. If the door is for a high traffic application, a solid core door is recommended. For a home, six-panel doors are quite popular, as are doors with stained and/or leaded glass.

Hollow metal door choices are quite complex. As locksmiths, we can go to a home center and find a number of doors and doors/frames in hollow metal. The average stocked weatherized metal exterior door at a home center will usually be of lighter gauge (less than 16), without reinforcement in the areas such as closer, lock, or hinge. This usually less expensive door may not withstand the abuses of people, carts, temperature and day-to-day operation. Recommendation: If using a home center door, thru bolt all lock hardware to ensure that it stays on the door.

Before ordering or purchasing a door, you need to know exactly what you want. An advantage of going to a locksmith wholesaler or door company is the ability to have the door customized to your specific application. Usually, there is someone available who will be able to answer questions you have and the questions you have not yet considered.