Step into any supermarket, hospital, or office building and you’ll likely pass through automatic sliding doors. The’re the standard for exterior commercial entrances, handling high footfall, and accessibility requirements.
But automatic sliders aren’t the only option, and they’re not always the best choice, since different businesses need different solutions.
So what actually works? Let’s look at the most common commercial door types.
The Main Types of Commercial Entrance Doors
Automatic Sliding Doors
Almost every busy building now uses automatic sliding doors, and it’s easy to see why. They’re brilliantly simple. Someone walks up, sensors detect them, the doors glide open and stay that way until everyone’s through.
What makes them so effective is how many problems they solve at once. No touching handles or pushing heavy doors, which matters more than ever these days. They handle rush periods without creating bottlenecks. And they’re properly accessible for anyone using a wheelchair, walking frame or pushchair.
Modern automatic doors are surprisingly smart too. You can connect them to your security system, programme them to require access cards after hours, and when paired with air curtains, they’ll actually cut your heating bills. The upfront cost is higher and they need regular servicing, but if your building sees real foot traffic, they just make sense.
Automatic Swing Doors
Think of automatic swing doors as the smart upgrade to traditional doors. They look like regular swing doors but open automatically when someone approaches. You get that classic, professional appearance many businesses prefer, plus all the accessibility benefits of automation.
These work brilliantly in places like medical centres, professional offices, and smaller retail spaces. They’re especially good for retrofits where you can’t install sliding doors due to space constraints. The door swings open when sensors detect someone approaching, holds for a set time, then closes gently. Some versions even adjust their opening speed based on how fast someone’s walking towards them.
The real advantage is flexibility. They can work as manual doors during power failures, unlike sliding doors that might get stuck. They’re also cheaper than sliding doors while still meeting all accessibility requirements. Just remember they need clear space to swing, which can be tricky in tight entrances.
To learn more on accessibility requirements, read: What is the Height of a Door Handle For DDA?
Aluminium Entrance Doors
Aluminium doors have quietly become the workhorse of commercial entrances. They’re lightweight but incredibly strong, won’t rust or corrode, and can be powder-coated in any colour you want. You’ll see them everywhere from modern office blocks to school entrances.
What makes aluminium so popular is its versatility. You can have full glass panels for maximum visibility, solid panels for security, or a mix of both. They handle weather brilliantly, which is why coastal businesses love them. The frames stay straight and true even after years of use, unlike timber that warps or steel that needs constant rust protection.
Modern aluminium doors are also thermally broken, meaning they have insulation built into the frame. This stops them conducting cold straight into your building like older metal doors did. Combined with good glazing, they’re as energy efficient as any other material while being practically maintenance-free.
Commercial Access Control
Access control isn’t really a door type, but it’s become such a crucial part of commercial entrances that it deserves mention. Modern systems go way beyond simple locks. We’re talking about card readers, keypads, biometric scanners, and smartphone apps that control who gets in and when.
The clever part is how these systems integrate with your doors. During business hours, doors might operate normally. After hours, they switch to card-only access. Different employees can have different permissions. Everything gets logged, so you know exactly who entered when. Some systems even link to your fire alarms, automatically unlocking doors during emergencies.
SteriTouch® Doors
Healthcare facilities and food processing plants have discovered something interesting: doors with built-in antimicrobial protection. SteriTouch® doors have silver ion technology embedded right into the surface material, actively killing bacteria and viruses on contact.
The antimicrobial properties are part of the door material itself, working 24/7 for the door’s entire lifetime. In hospitals, care homes, and anywhere hygiene is critical, these doors provide an extra layer of protection. They’re particularly valuable on high-touch areas like push plates and handles.
The technology works on various door types, from manual swing doors to automatic systems. While they cost more initially, healthcare facilities often find them worthwhile for reducing infection transmission. Just remember they’re an addition to regular cleaning, not a replacement for it.
What to Look for When Choosing
Traffic Flow
- Count your busiest hour, not daily averages
- Automatic sliding doors handle rushes best (can stay open)
- Automatic swing doors good for moderate traffic (need swing space)
- Manual doors always create queues when busy
Accessibility
- Legal requirement: 775mm minimum clear width
- Manual doors must open with less than 30 newtons force (most fail this)
- Automatic doors meet requirements naturally
- Adding operators to manual doors costs more than going automatic from the start
Security and Hygiene
- Access control integrates easily with automatic doors
- Retrofitting security to manual doors gets expensive
- Healthcare facilities should consider SteriTouch® antimicrobial doors
- Build in specialist features from the start rather than adding later
Also read: Selecting Automatic Doors: Swing or Sliding?
What are the Industry-Specific Requirements?
In retail, the focus is on creating a smooth, welcoming entrance. Wide automatic sliding doors let people come and go with ease, whether they’re carrying bags, pushing a pram, or using a mobility aid. It’s all about removing any barrier between the pavement and the shop floor.
In healthcare, the priorities shift to hygiene and accessibility. Automatic doors help reduce contact and make it easier for patients and staff to move through, whether they’re using wheelchairs, crutches, or stretchers. Different areas often call for different solutions. What works at the main entrance won’t be right for A&E or an operating theatre, where more control or speed might be needed.
Corporate offices usually need a balance between professional appearance and security. Many buildings have automatic doors that stay open during business hours, then switch to card access in the evenings.
Industrial sites have a different set of demands. Durability matters more than looks, and speed can be critical. In busy warehouses or refrigerated environments, you need high-speed doors that can handle forklifts, extreme temperatures, and constant use, without slowing anyone down.
How to Choose the Right Door for Your Commercial Space
So, what’s considered the standard these days? For most commercial entrances, automatic sliding doors are the go-to option. They manage foot traffic smoothly, meet accessibility standards, reduce energy loss when installed correctly, and help create a clean, modern look from the outside.
But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for every situation. The best choice for your building depends on a few key things:
- How people actually move through the space (real traffic patterns, not assumptions)
- What level of security is needed, during and after hours
- Local weather and how it affects energy use and door performance
- Any industry-specific rules or hygiene requirements
- Your budget, including long-term maintenance and energy costs
- The layout and limits of your building — not every entrance can take the same setup
Getting it right means looking at how your space really works, not just following what’s typical.
Get a free quote and professional guidance from Access Automation
Commercial entrance doors are a significant investment that impacts daily operations, energy costs, security, and customer experience. Getting it wrong means years of problems and unnecessary expenses.
Our team can assess your specific requirements, recommend appropriate options, and ensure compliance with all regulations.
Ready to upgrade your commercial entrance? Contact us today for a free consultation and discover which door solution perfectly matches your business needs.