What Is A Vision Lite Steel Door?
A vision lite commercial steel door is simply a steel door that has a glass window in the face of the door. The frame that holds the glass is known as the vision lite frame. The term vision lite comes from the idea that a window in the door will provide light and into the room as well as vision through the door from pedestrians passing through. Vision lite steel doors are extremely popular for interior doors such as office or classroom applications.
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Benefits Of A Vision Lite Steel Door
Commercial steel doors with glass windows or vision lites, have many characteristics that make it a great choice for all building applications.
Natural Light
Vision lite glass windows come in a variety of industry sizes and can allow natural sunlight into the room. Depending on how large of a vision lite is installed on the steel door, will determine how much sunlight can enter the room.
Safety
Vision lites come in a variety of glass types including tempered clear glass and wire safety glass. Many architects specify wire safety glass, especially in building applications such as schools to ensure the safety of small children.
Fire Rated
Many commercial steel doors are fire rated and designed for installation on a building's fire wall. As a result, in these applications a fire rated vision lite can be used. Fire rated vision lites utilize fire glass, allowing it to meet compliance with the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) requirements.
Vision Lite Steel Door Applications
Many building types and industries can benefit from commercial steel doors with vision lite glass windows. Here are some examples:
- Office & Professional Buildings
- Health & Wellness Facilities
- Legal Buildings
- Automotive Service Buildings
- Military Facilities
- Hotels
- And More!
Vision Lite Commercial Steel Door Features
- 18 Gauge Galvannealed Steel
- Polystyrene Full Body Insulated Core
- Available Fire Label Up To 3 Hours
- 4.5 Inch Hinge Prep With 7 Gauge Hinge Reinforcement
- Reinforced 161 Lock Prep or Panic Bar Prep
- Heavy Duty Steel Cap
- Door Closer Reinforcement
- ANSI Compliance
- Vision Lite Cut Out With Reinforcement
- Pre-installed vision lite with glass
Available Vision Lite Steel Door Types
Single Vision Lite Commercial Steel Doors
Single swinging steel door. This steel door package includes an 18 gauge steel door with vision lite glass window, 16 gauge steel frame, ball bearing door hinges, and a cylindrical lock or panic device.
Double Vision Lite Commercial Steel Doors
Double swinging steel door pair. This steel door package includes two 18 gauge flush steel doors with vision lite glass windows, 16 gauge steel frame, ball bearing door hinges, and a cylindrical lock or panic devices.
Vision Lite Glass Sizes
Vision lites can be pre-installed on all commercial steel doors. Depending on the size of the steel door, however, some vision lite glass sizes are unavailable. For fire rated steel doors, fire rated vision lites and glass must be used.
Non Fire Rated Vision Lites & Glass
- 6 Inch x 27 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 7 Inch x 22 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 12 Inch x 12 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 24 Inch x 24 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 484 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 24 Inch x 30 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 616 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 24 Inch x 64 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Tempered Glass, 1364 Square Inches Exposed Glass
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Fire Rated Vision Lites & Glass
- 6 Inch x 27 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Laminated Wired Glass and Applied Safety Film, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 7 Inch x 22 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Laminated Wired Glass and Applied Safety Film, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
- 12 Inch x 12 Inch, 20 Gauge Steel Vision Lite With 1/4 Inch Laminated Wired Glass and Applied Safety Film, 100 Square Inches Exposed Glass
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Available Vision Lite Steel Door Sizes
Commercial vision lite steel doors are available in all standard architectural and construction sizes. All vision lite commercial steel doors are 1-3/4 inch thick. Actual door width is the nominal door width less 1/4 inch. Actual door height is the nominal height less 7/8 inch.
Popular ADA Compliant Vision Lite Steel Door Sizes
- Architect Call Size: 3068, Nominal Width: 3'-0" (36 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3070, Nominal Width: 3'-0" (36 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
6'-8" (80 Inch) Vision Lite Commercial Steel Door Sizes
- Architect Call Size: 2068, Nominal Width: 2'-0" (24 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2468, Nominal Width: 2'-4" (28 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2668, Nominal Width: 2'-6" (30 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 21068, Nominal Width: 2'-10" (34 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3468, Nominal Width: 3'-4" (40 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3668, Nominal Width: 3'-6" (42 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3868, Nominal Width: 3'-8" (44 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 4068, Nominal Width: 4'-0" (48 Inch) x Nominal Height: 6'-8" (80 Inch)
7'-0" (84 Inch) Vision Lite Commercial Steel Door Sizes
- Architect Call Size: 2070, Nominal Width: 2'-0" (24 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2470, Nominal Width: 2'-4" (28 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2670, Nominal Width: 2'-6" (30 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 21070, Nominal Width: 2'-10" (34 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3470, Nominal Width: 3'-4" (40 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3670, Nominal Width: 3'-6" (42 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3870, Nominal Width: 3'-8" (44 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 4070, Nominal Width: 4'-0" (48 Inch) x Nominal Height: 7'-0" (84 Inch)
8'-0" (96 Inch) Vision Lite Commercial Steel Door Sizes
- Architect Call Size: 2080, Nominal Width: 2'-0" (24 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2480, Nominal Width: 2'-4" (28 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 2680, Nominal Width: 2'-6" (30 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 21080, Nominal Width: 2'-10" (34 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3480, Nominal Width: 3'-4" (40 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3680, Nominal Width: 3'-6" (42 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 3880, Nominal Width: 3'-8" (44 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
- Architect Call Size: 4080, Nominal Width: 4'-0" (48 Inch) x Nominal Height: 8'-0" (96 Inch)
Vision Lite Commercial Steel Door Rough Opening
Vision lite commercial steel doors can be installed on interior or exterior building walls. The rough opening can be calculated using the formulas below.
Interior Door Application With Frame Wrapped Around Wall:- Rough Opening Width = Nominal Width + 2 Inches
- Rough Opening Height = Nominal Height +1 Inch
Exterior Door Application With Frame Butted Against Wall:- Rough Opening Width = Nominal Width + 4.5 Inches
- Rough Opening Height = Nominal Height + 2.25 Inch
Vision Lite Steel Door Specifications
- Fire Rating: Optional - No Label, 20 Minute, 45 Minute, 60 Minute, 90 Minute, or 3 Hour Available. Fire Rated Doors Compliant With Negative Pressure Testing (ASTM E 152 and UL10B) and Positive Pressure Standards (UBC 7-2 and UL10C). Fire Rated Door Must Use A Fire Rated Vision Lite.
- Level/Usage Frequency: Heavy Duty, SDI Level 2, 18 Gauge Steel Sheets (Level 3 and 4 Available)
- Door Thickness: 1-3/4 Inch
- Steel Type: Galvannealed
- Door Finish: Baked On Prime Coat Finish. Prime Coat Can Act As Finish Coat or Painted Finish Can Be Applied In Field
- Sizes: Standard Width Up To 4'-0" (48 Inches), Standard Height Up To 9'-0" (108 Inches), Custom Sizes Available
- Reinforcements: 12 Gauge Door Closer Reinforcement, 7 Gauge Hinge Reinforcement
- Channels: Heavy Duty Top and Bottom Channels
- Core: Full Body Insulated Polystyrene
- Edges: Square Hinges, Square Lock Edges, Full Height Epoxy Filled Mechanical Interlock Edges
- Approvals: Certified by UL, Meets ANSI/BHMA Compliance
- R Value: 7.14
- U Value: 0.14
- STC Rating: 33
- Hinge Prep: Patented Universal Hinge Prep Allows For Standard Or Heavy Weight Hinges
- Hinge/Lock Location: Gladiator
- Buy American Act Compliance: Meets Buy American Act - Manufactured In USA
- Handing: Door Slab Not Handed. Door System (Door + Hinge) Is Handed.
- Available Preps: 161 Lock Prep (Lever Handles & Knobs), 86 Mortise Lock Prep, Deadbolt Lock Prep, Panic Device Prep
- ANSI Standards: Door Construction Meets or Exceeds Requirements Of ANSI A250.8. Hardware Preparations Meet or Exceed Requirements Of ANSI A250.6.
- UL Certification: Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Maximum Size For A Fire Rated Vision Lite
If the commercial steel door is fire rated, then the maximum size for a fire rated vision lite with wire glass is 100 square inches of exposed glass.
Are Vision Lites Required
Vision lites in commercial steel doors are not required. However, if they are installed on commercial steel doors for visibility they must be located no more than 43 inches above the floor. Additional vision lites can be added at other heights as long as one vision lite is installed at the required height to ensure clear visibility of occupants. State and local requirements as well as any authority having jurisdiction should be checked.
Can Vision Lites Be Added After Installation
If your door is fire rated, then the vision lite must be pre-installed at the factory so that the door system can be fire rated. Any modification to the fire door after it has been rated, will void the rating.
