Stainless Steel Door Panels

Applications of Stainless Steel Door Panels

Stainless steel door panels are found in various settings, such as residential settings, commercial Buildings, healthcare settings, some industrial facilities, exterior doors in coastal areas, or other public transportation settings, etc.

Commercial Buildings

u  Office doors: Stainless steel doors can provide security of offices with locking systems and thicker stainless steel door panels. If noise is concerned, stainless steel door is a good choice to minimize sound transmission between rooms.

u  Restaurant doors: SS doors can be used for exterior entrances, ensuring to prevent water and air infiltration. Stainless steel door panels with glass inserts or windows can provide visibility, allowing staff to monitor activity in different areas of the restaurant.

u  Retail store doors: Explore customization options to align the design of the door panels with the branding and overall style of the retail space. SS doors with glass inserts or windows enhance the shopping experience and allow passersby to see products on display.

u  Hotel doors: Prioritize doors with key card access system for enhanced security and gust convenience. Ensure that the chosen door panels comply with fire safety regulations applicable to hotel spaces. For guest convenience, automatic door options, especially for entrances or high-traffic areas, should be under consideration.

u  Hospital doors: Consider stainless steel doors that should be integrated with hospital’s access control and security systems. Some of chosen doors should comply with accessibility standard to provide easy access for individuals with disabilities, or special access doors by smart foot touch in operating room. 

Residential Doors

u   Interior doors: Nowadays stainless steel doors with various designs and finishes, like wood grains, stone designs, can meet the requirement of overall design, making home a modern look.

u  Entrance doors: Compared with interior doors, entrance doors require both aesthetic appeal and security. Stainless steel door sheets can be fabricated as well as preference. Glass panels or windows in the door can enhance natural light and add aesthetic appeal. If privacy is a concern, there is tinted glass optional.

u  Security doors: On the basis of entrance doors, a thicker door with a sturdy construction should be added to the security. Apart that, prioritize doors with robust locking mechanisms for enhanced security.

Public applications

u  Educational Institutions: School lab doors & kitchen doors

u  Transportation: Airports, train stations, bus stations, or metro stations.

Special Spaces: Manufacturing plants, warehouses, cold-storage doors, chemical labs, exterior doors near coastal areas.

Specifications for Stainless Steel Door Panels

Type: Stainless steel sheet

Standard: GB, ASTM, JIS, DIN

Technique: Cold rolled

SS Grade: 201, 304, 316

Finish: Polished, Brushed, Satin, Textured, etc.

Edge: Mill or Slit

Thickness: Customized

Width: Customized

Length: Customized

Application: Commercial & Residential Buildings

Packing: PVC film + waterproof paper + standard wooden package

Surface Finishes for Stainless Steel Door Panels

Stainless steel door panels can have various surface finishes, each offers different aesthetics, levels of reflectivity, etc.

Mirror Finish

Mirror finish (No.8) gives the stainless steel door panels a mirror-like appearance. It’s often used for decorative and high-end applications.

Matte Finish

Matte finish (No. 2B) has a low-gloss, matte appearance with less reflection where a subdued look is needed.

Brushed Finish

Brushed finish (No. 4) is popular for modern and elegant look, and resistant to fingerprints and scratches. It can be used for high-traffic places.

Coated Finish

Powder coating or painted finish provide color options and add versatility in terms of design and customization.

Textured finish

Various textured finish doors create patterns or textures on the surface, adding visual interest, such as embossed, sandblasted, or hammered finish.

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

1-   Is Stainless Steel Door Panels Rust Proof? How to Do the Maintenance to Avoid Rust?

As we know, stainless steel is known for resistance to corrosion and rust compared to other metals, but it is not completely rust proof, and can still corrode under certain conditions, such as salt in coastal areas or de-icing salts in colder climates and high humidity environments. There are some tips to maintain it to avoid rust:

l   Regular cleaning: clean the door surfaces regularly to remove contaminants that leads to corrosion.

l   Avoid abrasive cleaners: Abrasive cleaners or steel wool, which can scratch the door panels surface and compromise the protective layer of stainless steel sheets, should be avoided.

l   Direction of polishing: With a polished finish stainless steel panel, carefully clean it in the direction of the polish lines to maintain the appearance and effectiveness of the protective layer.

l   Passivation treatment: Special passivation treatment by removing free iron and other contaminants from the surface, can enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steel panels for doors.

l   Protective coatings: In some cases, applying a protective coating can help prevent rust.

l   Avoid contact with carbon steels: To reduce the possibility of rust, it’s better avoid prolonged contact with carbon steel or other metals.

2-   Which Is the Difference Between Stainless Steel Doors and Iron Doors?

Stainless steel doors and irons are both types of metal doors, but there are some key differences in terms of the material, applications, design, cost, etc.

Material Composition: SS door panels are made primarily of stainless steel, which is an alloy composed of iron, chromium, nickel, and other elements. The addition of chromium provides corrosion resistance. However, iron door panels are typically made of wrought iron, which is a pure form of iron with a very low carbon content, which is suitable for ornamental designs due to its strength and malleability.

Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust due to the protective oxide layer formed by chromium, but can’t achieve 100% rust proof. Iron doors are more prone to rust and corrosion compared to stainless steel door sheets, so proper coatings and maintenance always are required to help mitigate this.

Strength and Durability: SS decorative door panels are known for strength and durability, which can withstand harsh environmental conditions, like for exterior doors, and resistant to dents and scratches. People know iron doors for their ornate and decorative designs, and can be used in traditional and classic architectural styles.

Weight: Generally, stainless steel interior door panels are lighter than iron door panels, which is easier to handle and install. When install iron doors, additional structural support is required due to heavy weight.

Cost: Cold-rolled stainless steel door panels are more expensive than iron doors due to the material investment and processes.

Ultimately, when we choose the doors, first consideration is based on the environment where to use, interior or exterior, then design preferences and budget considerations.

3-  Which Stainless Steel Is Better for Doors?

When considering stainless steel for doors, the choice of the specific stainless steel grade is crucial because different grades have varying properties for different applications. There are two most common types of stainless steel used for doors.

Type 304 stainless steel sheets & Type 316 stainless steel sheets:

Ø  Properties: 304 stainless steel is a versatile and widely used grade. It contains 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel. 316 stainless steel is an austenitic grade with additional molybdenum (2-3%) compared to 304, which enhance the corrosion resistance, especially in more corrosive environments, like coastal areas.

Ø  Corrosion Resistance: Suitable for most interior and exterior applications, 304 has good corrosion resistance in mild to moderately aggressive environments. 316 is highly resistant to corrosion, including in marine and chloride-rich environments.

Ø  Applications: 304 stainless steel doors are commonly used in residential and commercial settings. 316 stainless steel doors are chosen for exterior applications mostly, such as beachfront properties or industrial settings.

In addition to the grade of stainless steel, the finish and overall design of the door are also important considerations.