Your facility doors take a beating. Every swing, every slam, every weather pattern adds stress to components most people never think about until something breaks.
The problem isn't the doors themselves. It's the hardware holding them together.
When you install cheap hinges, low-grade locks, or basic door closers, you're setting up a cascade of failures that will cost you far more than the upfront savings. Over a door's 20-year service life, maintenance costs typically exceed the initial purchase price by a factor of 10.
The True Cost of Cheap Hardware
Most facility managers focus on the wrong number. They see a $200 lock versus a $50 lock and choose the cheaper option to stay within budget.
Here's what that decision actually costs you:
Replacement frequency doubles or triples. Commercial-grade hardware lasts 15-25 years with proper maintenance. Residential-grade components fail in 5-7 years, sometimes sooner in high-traffic areas.
Labor hours multiply. Every replacement means scheduling contractors, coordinating access, and dealing with downtime. Those service calls add up fast.
Security incidents increase. When locks malfunction or doors don't close properly, you're leaving access points vulnerable. Commercial door failures often happen due to poor maintenance or lack of routine inspection.
The math is clear. Invest in quality hardware upfront, or pay for it repeatedly over the door's lifetime.