Commercial sliding doors are widely used in retail, hospitality and mixed-use environments where accessibility, transparency and efficient circulation are critical. In high-traffic settings, these systems must perform reliably through hundreds of opening cycles per day while maintaining structural integrity, security and weather resistance.
When designed with large expanses of glass, commercial sliding doors can also support occupant wellbeing by maximizing daylight and exterior views, both of which are well documented to enhance productivity and the overall indoor experience.
To meet both aesthetic and performance goals in high-traffic environments, project teams should evaluate commercial sliding doors through three key lenses:
· Which commercial sliding doors can meet the demands of high-traffic applications?
· What should designers look for in commercial sliding door systems?
· How do commercial sliding doors match performance with aesthetic goals?
Which commercial sliding doors can meet the demands of high-traffic applications?
High-traffic areas test the limits of opening systems in a greater capacity than a residential or small office setting. Commercial sliding doors need to be able to handle frequent use, occasional slamming and even impact without compromising performance.
Impact ratings and strong perimeter frames are often a factor for determining weather-resistance. But these qualities also support high-traffic applications. For instance, Vista Multi Slide™, a sliding door system from Euro-Wall, has as its foundation a strong but narrow aluminum frame with a durable wheel and track system. Able to withstand large missile impact, wind loads, high-frequency use and other straining conditions, these systems are engineered to remain intact in the toughest applications and through the most demanding use.
What should designers look for in commercial sliding door systems?
In addition to structural strength, high-traffic applications place heavy demands on rollers, tracks and locking hardware, making component durability and serviceability critical considerations. Purpose-built commercial sliding doors can provide several performance benefits to retail spaces and other similar occupancies.
For example, when these opening systems have passed testing standards for forced-entry resistance, such as AAMA 1303-05, they can support enhanced security measures. As a result, they can reduce instances of smash-and-grab thefts, helping stores maintain profits and minimize loss, while also contributing to a beautiful and welcoming space.
In addition, systems like Vista Multi Slide have passed the several test standards to achieve approval for use in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), like Miami-Dade County. Because it has a Florida Product Approval, this sliding door solution can help businesses endure extreme weather events with minimal damage to their interiors.
How do commercial sliding doors match performance with aesthetic goals?
While selecting a commercial sliding door that meets durability and performance goals for a project is important, it does not have to come at the cost of a project’s aesthetic potential.
One example of a commercial-grade sliding door system is Euro-Wall’s Vista Multi Slide™, which is engineered around a narrow yet robust aluminum frame and a heavy-duty wheel and track system designed for frequent use. Featuring some of the largest panel sizes currently on the market and interlock sightlines that are less than an inch wide, Vista Multi Slide™ allows designers to create floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall expanses of glass that are easy and space-efficient to operate.
On the one hand, this supports the ability for businesses to create enticing window displays. On the other, it gives architects the freedom to push the boundaries of storefront design without compromising the performance capabilities a project may strive for.
Engineered to be strong, designed to be beautiful
Not every opening will benefit from a commercial sliding door system; folding or pivot doors may be more appropriate. That said, in the right applications, commercial sliding doors can deliver significant value to a building’s design and operation.
Asking the right questions about the durability and resilience of an opening solution is the first step to specifying the most applicable door for a project, but it is not the only step. Project stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate with industry-leading manufacturers to learn more about the performance and potential of any door system they are considering.
Continue this conversation with Euro-Wall’s team to learn more about how modern opening solutions can meet several project goals simultaneously.