Correctional and detention facilities
Correctional housing and secure circulation areas place extreme stress on doors: repeated impacts, tampering at hinges and strikes, and high cycle counts. A 14-gauge leaf with welded seams, reinforced hardware zones, and a properly matched heavy frame helps keep the opening functional and secure. For projects specifying a detention grade steel door, we can add security astragals, hinge guards, reinforced strike boxes, and glazing protection where vision is required. The goal is to keep the door latching reliably and to minimize opportunities for prying or fastener access. Submittal clarity matters in this market, so we document reinforcements and hardware prep in a way that aligns with facility standards and contractor installation practices. This combination reduces maintenance interventions and supports controlled movement in sally ports, day rooms, and perimeter doors where operational uptime is critical.
Government, military, and public safety buildings
Armories, courthouses, police stations, and military facilities often require stronger door assemblies to protect sensitive areas and to meet strict procurement documentation. 14-gauge construction provides a robust base for reinforced locksets, continuous hinges, and controlled access hardware. Depending on the project, we can support options such as blast-resistant framing concepts, ballistic-resistant build-ups, and electrified hardware prep for access control and monitoring. Fire-rated requirements are common in these buildings, so we coordinate rating, seals, and hardware early to avoid conflicts during review. For procurement teams, we provide submittal-ready drawings and a clear compliance matrix so spec sections can be checked efficiently and RFIs can be minimized. This matters when multiple agencies are involved, because consistent documentation speeds approvals and reduces the risk of field changes that compromise security.
Banks, cash rooms, and sensitive commercial areas
Banks, cash rooms, server rooms, and back-of-house retail areas are classic openings where access control and forced-entry resistance matter as much as appearance. Specifiers often select 14-gauge doors to reduce deflection at the lock edge and to keep latch engagement consistent for electronic locks and strikes. If you need a high security steel door that integrates with card access, we can factory-prep for electrified mortise locks, electric strikes, door position switches, and closer coordination. Vision lites and louvers can be added where allowed, with reinforcement strategies that protect rigidity. The outcome is a secure opening that operates smoothly for staff while reducing the risk of prying, hinge abuse, and misalignment that can trigger false alarms or lock failures. This is especially valuable in 24/7 facilities where downtime disrupts operations.
Critical infrastructure: utilities, telecom, and data centers
Utility rooms, telecom shelters, substations, and data centers demand durable openings that can handle frequent technician access and exposure to harsh conditions. 14-gauge doors provide the stiffness needed for reliable sealing and latching, which helps maintain environmental separation between secure equipment rooms and public or semi-public corridors. For these sites, buyers often prioritize corrosion protection, secure hardware prep, and clear labeling to support maintenance teams. We can support gasketed configurations for dust and smoke control, reinforced frames for masonry or steel-stud walls, and access-control prep for monitored openings. Because many sites operate under strict uptime requirements, we focus on consistency across the door schedule so replacement parts, keys, and hardware sets remain manageable over the life of the facility even when multiple buildings and contractors are involved.
Industrial high-abuse service corridors and loading areas
Warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants frequently damage doors with pallet jacks, forklifts, and rolling carts. Lighter-gauge doors can oil-can, bend at the bottom edge, and drift out of alignment, leading to drag marks on the floor and latch issues. 14-gauge construction, paired with appropriate stiffeners and edge protection, withstands repeated incidental impacts and helps the door close and latch without constant adjustment. For these environments, we can recommend practical add-ons such as kick plates, armor plates, heavier hinges, and durable powder-coat finishes. The payoff is fewer replacement cycles, less downtime for service calls, and a cleaner appearance in areas where customers or auditors may be present. When combined with the right frame anchors, it also reduces racking caused by wall movement and vibration from equipment.
