When most people think about energy efficiency in a building, they think about insulation, mechanical systems, and windows. Doors don’t usually make the list.
But they should.
In many commercial buildings, doors are the weak spot in the thermal envelope. Poorly chosen or improperly installed openings can leak conditioned air, cause drafts, and drive up utility costs year after year. In Michigan, where winter and summer extremes put serious demand on HVAC systems, that inefficiency adds up quickly.
Choosing the right doors—and the right components around them—can make a measurable difference.
Every time a door opens, there’s a brief exchange of air—that’s unavoidable. But what’s often overlooked is what happens when the door is closed.
Poorly insulated exterior doors. Worn-out seals. Improperly installed frames. Thresholds that allow air to flow between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. These small details can lead to significant energy loss.
We’ve worked with facilities that invested heavily in upgraded insulation and mechanical systems—only to discover that their door packages were undermining those improvements. Heat was escaping around the frame. Cold air was radiating through metal doors. Closers weren’t fully latching, leaving tiny gaps in high-traffic areas.
These aren’t design flaws. They’re specification oversights—and they’re completely preventable.
It’s not just about the door itself. It’s about the whole opening—and how well it supports thermal control.
The key is to match performance with conditions. A north-facing entry door needs different thermal protection than a loading dock vestibule or a high-traffic corridor between climate-controlled zones.
When specified correctly, an efficient door system contributes to more than energy savings. It improves occupant comfort, reduces HVAC strain and maintenance, extends the life of surrounding building systems, and in some projects, it supports LEED certification or other sustainability goals.
We’ve helped schools, hospitals, and commercial spaces reduce total energy loss by replacing or upgrading door systems, often with simple changes that deliver long-term results.
Our team works with design and facilities teams to select doors and frames that support your building’s performance goals. We evaluate thermal performance, durability, and maintenance requirements, and we make sure that what’s specified on paper performs as expected once installed.
That includes reviewing submittals, checking for compliance with Michigan’s energy code, and coordinating with other trades to ensure airtight, properly sealed openings.
Whether you’re building new or renovating an existing facility, we help you see the energy equation clearly—and fix the gaps that make your building work harder than it should.
Your building’s energy performance isn’t just about what’s behind the walls. It’s also about what’s in them, including the doors people use every day.
Let’s talk about how smarter door choices can reduce costs, improve comfort, and support your energy goals for the long term.