Did you know that one of the biggest reasons customers walk out of (or never enter) restaurants is from unmaintained exteriors?
If your building looks old and dirty from the outside, especially at the entrance, you are less likely to impress customers. One of the easiest ways of sprucing things up is by updating the doors and installing more practical styles. Whether you need to replace interior and/or exterior doors, you don’t want to buy the wrong ones.
Read below to learn about the best tips when searching for restaurant doors so you don’t miss a sale!
Consider the Exterior Design
One of the first places to start when shopping for restaurant doors is with the foundation.
Take a look at the exterior or surrounding area around the door. This will help you find a style that matches the theme and doesn’t clash with the rest of the building. For example, if you have an older building, sliding doors may feel out of place.
Commercial kitchen doors aren’t as important when it comes to exterior designs, but they should still be an appropriate fit for the space.
Research Restaurant Door Options
Commercial restaurant doors are often made of metal or other durable materials.
Wood and organic materials aren’t recommended since they aren’t as durable and expand with humidity. In the kitchen or walk-in coolers, you don’t want to have to worry about an old wooden door getting stuck. Steel doors work great since they can handle colder temperatures and are easy to clean.
Depending on what you need a door for, you may need one that latches or slides open and shut. You can also use swing doors in certain areas, just be cautious about foot traffic. You should checkout these swinging doors to see if they work for your business!
If you want to incorporate stylish wooden doors, save these for the front entrance or on the interior of the building.
Compare Prices
Before you pay for a door, you should give yourself a budget.
Most people identify a suitable budget after researching some of the local prices of doors and installation.
You can request free quotes or visit a home improvement store to learn about potential savings. Depending on when you buy the door, you might be able to get a discount or free installation.
Don’t forget that installation fees will also get added to your bill if you want these services included. Make sure that when you’re comparing prices, you have estimated installation fees included.
Assess the Foot Traffic
Will customers, vendors, or staff primarily be going through the door(s) you want to replace?
Knowing this information can help you find the best doors. Many businesses make the mistake of getting quick-closing doors, but they tend to spill food trays and stress out the staff. Think about who will be using the doors, if anything will get transported through them, and how busy the spot gets.
Swinging doors are great, but if you put them in a busy spot, you could struggle to get in and out of a room when the dining room is full. If you have a storage room, make sure all the doors leading to it will allow enough space for vendors to go through with beverages and produce.
Identify Security Risks
With so many people filtering in and out of the restaurant, it could be easy to miss someone accessing an area they shouldn’t.
If you’re looking to replace the office door, where the safe is kept, you want to ensure that it can’t be broken into. A door with locks and durable material is best if you want to prevent intruders from taking your money.
Another area with increased security risks is the storage room. If your restaurant sells beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages, you don’t want kids to walk through the door and find them. Stay away from transparent doors, or ones with a window to prevent curious eyes.
Take Your Dimensions
Restaurant doors are often custom, and you’ll want accurate measurements before you go shopping.
The paneling, hinges, and impact plates can also be customized, so you may want to check them all out. When you take measurements, always go from the open and don’t include the door. Take measurements twice to ensure they’re accurate.
It helps to have someone help you take the dimensions so they can verify the number and help hold the measuring tape. If you have a standard door frame, your options will increase and you can find savings on your doors.
Additional Details to Think About
Are you picturing a sleek design or something rustic for your restaurant doors?
The finish and style of hardware can make a big impact on a door’s appearance. Many people use these smaller details to make the doors look modern. You can also engrave the doors, add windows, or make other customizations.
Although it will cost extra for custom doors, they can add to the customer experience. Back-of-the-house doors can also become more practical with an upgrade.
Effortlessly Walk Through Your Restaurant Doors
When it comes to restaurant doors, you don’t want to make a bad impression.
Doors are the first thing that customers approach, and you want to ensure they are welcoming and practical. Using this guide can help you find which doors are best, depending on the room and purpose of the area. Don’t forget to monitor food traffic and set a budget.
Make sure you take a look at our page for more content about running a business and improving the interior!
