How To Order Replacement Hollow Metal Steel Door Frames

1. When replacing a steel door frame, the most important factor to consider is the hinge and lock prep locations on the frame. Each door manufacturer will use their own hinge and lock locations. So knowing the manufacturer of the door can be advantageous. If you swing the door open, and look at the back edge of the door where the hinges are mounted, there is often a manufacturer's label.

2. Once the manufacturer is known, select the steel door frame with the manufacturer's prep. Ie; If the existing door is Amweld, then the Gladiator steel door frame with Amweld prep is what you will want.

3. Select the frame size. Within the product is an option for the frame size. Choose the appropriate frame size. Frame sizes are always listed by the nominal door size that fits inside of it. For example, if your nominal door size is 36" x 84", then the frame size you would require would be a 36" x 84" door frame. All standard commercial door frame sizes are listed. However, in some cases you may have a custom frame size. If that's the case, please contact customer service for a quotation.

4. The table below lists manufacturer's hinge and lock locations on their door. Be sure to measure the hinge and lock locations on your existing door. Making sure that your existing door slab matches the hinge and lock locations on the chart below, will ensure that the Gladiator door frame will fit your door. Although we match the manufacturer's standard hinge and lock locations, sometimes customized doors are used, and standard manufacturer hinge and lock locations will not work. For these door applications, we can customize our Gladiator steel door frame prep locations, however, you will need to contact customer service for a quotation.

How To Order Replacement Steel Door Frames If You Don't Know The Original Manufacturer

Most likely if you are replacing your commercial steel door frame, the door panel itself is pretty worn out and beat up. In many cases, finding the manufacturer's label is not possible. If this is the case, you don't have to worry, you can still find a suitable replacement door frame for your opening. Here's how.

1. Determine the nominal door size. For example, a standard nominal door size is 36" x 84" or 3'-0" x 7'-0". The actual door width is less 1/4" and the actual door height is less 7/8". So the actual door size would measure 35-3/4" x 83-1/8", or somewhere around there. Determine the nominal door size of your existing door slab, most likely it's either a 3'-0" x 7'-0" or a 3'-0" x 6'-8" and this will act as the door frame size you require. For example, if your nominal door size is 4'-0" x 7'-0", then the actual door size is 47-3/4" x 83-1/8", and the door frame size you would need would be a 4'-0" x 7'-0" or 48" x 84" door frame.

2. Next measure the distances of the hinges on the actual door. Starting from the top of the door to the bottom of the hinge. The hinge at the top of the door will be known as Hinge A, the middle Hinge B, and the bottom Hinge C. If the door is an 8'-0" tall door then there will be one more hinge at the bottom known as Hinge D.

3. Measure the distance from the top of the door to the center line of the cylindrical lock hole. This measurement is known as Lock E.

4. Use the Hinge and Lock Location chart found in the product's image gallery or above, to determine which manufacturer's door slab matches with your existing door slab. For example, if you need a 3'-0" x 7'-0" door frame and your hinge locations on your existing door slab are: Hinge A is 7-3/8", Hinge B is 39-5/16", Hinge C is 71-1/4", and Lock E is 43-9/16", then the appropriate steel door frame replacement would be a 36" x 84" Steelcraft Prep Steel Frame.

Understanding Steel Door Frame Sizing

All steel door frame sizing is labeled according to the nominal door size that will fit within the frame. For example, standard door sizes for ADA compliance is 36" x 84" or 3'-0" x 7'-0". This is also known as the nominal door size. Now if you actually measure the door slabs themselves, they are not exactly 36" wide and 84" tall. The formulas below calculate the steel door slabs actual door width and height. Knowing the actual door slab size, will identify what your nominal door size is, allowing you to know what door frame size you require. For example if you measured your door slab to be exactly 35-3/4" x 83-1/8", then your nominal door size would be a 3'-0" x 7'-0" or 36" x 84", and your door frame size needed would be a 36" x 84" or 3'-0" x 7'-0" door frame.

• Actual Door Width = Nominal Door Width - 1/4". For example, a 36" or 3'-0" standard door would have an actual door width of 35-3/4".
• Actual Door Height = Nominal Door Height - 7/8". For example, a 84" or 7'-0" tall door would have an actual door height of 83-1/8".

Remember frame sizes are always referred to by the nominal door size that fits inside of them.

Verify Your Existing Door Slab Matches The Original Manufacturer's Hinge & Lock Locations To Ensure The Frame Will Fit Your Existing Door

For this example we will use Amweld steel doors. Below are the hinge and lock locations found on Amweld steel doors. If you are purchasing this Gladiator door frame, be sure to measure the Amweld hinge and lock locations on your existing door slab, to ensure that the Gladiator replacement frame will fit your existing door.

Note that standard 80" (6'-8") or 84" (7'-0") tall doors have 3 hinge prep locations. While 96" (8'-0") tall doors have 4 hinge prep locations.

Amweld Hinge & Lock Locations On 80" (6'-8") Tall Steel Door:

• Hinge A: Top Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 7-3/8"
• Hinge B: Middle Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 37-5/16"
• Hinge C: Bottom Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 67-1/4"
• Lock E: Lock Prep Location (Top Of Door To Center Line Of Lock): 39-9/16"

Amweld Hinge & Lock Locations On 84" (7'-0") Tall Steel Door:

• Hinge A: Top Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 7-3/8"
• Hinge B: Middle Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 39-5/16"
• Hinge C: Bottom Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 71-1/4"
• Lock E: Lock Prep Location (Top Of Door To Center Line Of Lock): 43-9/16"

Amweld Hinge & Lock Locations On 96" (8'-0") Tall Steel Door:

• Hinge A: Top Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 7-3/8"
• Hinge B: Second Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 32-11/16"
• Hinge C: Third Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 58"
• Hinge D: Bottom Hinge Location (Top Of Door To Bottom Of Hinge): 83-5/16"
• Lock E: Lock Prep Location (Top Of Door To Center Line Of Lock): 55-9/16"

Conclusion

With this guide you will be able to order and replace any existing steel door frame for your commercial hollow metal door. If you are in need of high quality and reliable metal door frames we recommend Gladiator commercial steel door frames. Gladiator door frames are heavy duty and are manufactured in the USA. Gladiator metal door frames can also be custom manufactured to match any hinge or lock prep location. Order today and receive FREE freight.