Trade supply Only Steel doors - Whats the difference ?

Trade supply Only Steel doors - Whats the difference ?

Why “supply‑only” ?

Ordering your steel door supply‑only means the door leaves the factory fully assembled, powder‑coated and ready to hang. You keep control of the project schedule, Fit yourself, use your own trusted installer (or in‑house maintenance team) and avoid the labour mark‑ups that come with a turnkey package. For trade, facilities managers and shop‑fitters, this flexibility is often worth several hundred pounds per opening.

1. Unrivalled strength & security

Steel is still the toughest mainstream door material. A correctly‑spec’d leaf and frame will shrug off crowbars and sledge‑hammer blows that would splinter timber or deform aluminium.

  • PAS 24:2022 +A1: 2024 compliant options give proven resistance to manual attack and satisfy Approved Document Q for new dwellings BSI Knowledge.

  • Upto 13‑point locking, security drop‑bars and access‑control prep can all be built in at the factory.

2. Longevity with low maintenance

Every leaf and frame is hot‑dip‑galvanised then finished in an architectural‑grade polyester powder‑coat. The result resists rust, warping and UV fade with nothing more than an annual wipe‑down. Over 300 RAL colours (including dual‑colour leaves) are available out of the box.

3. Better for the planet (and your ESG report)

Steel is the world’s most recycled construction material, and UK figures back that up: over 86 % of steel packaging was recycled in 2024 GOV.UK. Because the alloy can be remelted indefinitely without losing performance, the door you fit today could be reborn as tomorrow’s train track – true circularity.

4. Design freedom – not just a grey slab

Option Typical choices (mix & match)
Leaf style Solid / glazed vision panel / louvred / half‑glazed / side‑lights & over‑panels
Hardware Panic bars, electric strikes, mag‑locks, lever handles, spyholes, drop‑seals
Performance add‑ons FD30 / FD60 fire rating, thermal break (< 1.6 W/m²K), acoustic core up to 56 dB Rw Strongdor

Whether you need a discreet plant‑room door or a bold powder‑blue flagship entrance, supply‑only lets you specify exactly what you want, right down to hinge colour and threshold type.

5. Acoustic calm where it matters

A steel skin alone knocks out far more decibels than timber, but certified acoustic doorsets can reach 41–56 dB Rw, making them ideal for studios, generator rooms or noisy leisure venues Strongdor. Order the sound‑reducing core pre‑installed and simply glaze or louvre where necessary.

6. Surprisingly cost‑effective

Because the leaf is thinner than timber yet stronger, less raw material is needed. Manufacturing is also highly automated. The upshot? Steel doors regularly come in cheaper than like‑for‑like aluminium or hardwood sets, even before you factor in lifetime maintenance savings 

7. Typical applications for supply‑only doors

  • Retail back‑of‑house and plant rooms

  • Industrial units & distribution hubs

  • Schools and universities (fire‑exit upgrades)

  • Leisure & hospitality service corridors

  • Residential garages and outbuildings

8. Measuring & ordering checklist

  1. Clear‑opening vs structural size – measure brick‑to‑brick in three places and record the smallest.

  2. Handing – view from the push side; note left‑ or right‑hand hung.

  3. Threshold type – level threshold for DDA compliance or rebated for weather performance.

  4. Performance spec – security level, fire rating, acoustic, U‑value.

  5. Hardware prep – ask the factory to cut-outs for your chosen panic bar or electric strike.

  6. Fixing kit – include frame fixings and intumescent (where fire‑rated) in the same shipment.

9. After‑care in two minutes a year

  • Wash down with mild detergent; rinse.

  • Lubricate hinges and lock once every 12 months.

  • Touch up scratches with matching RAL aerosol to maintain the warranty.

Key take‑aways

  • Supply‑only = full control: you pick the installer, the schedule and the spec.

  • Steel out‑performs timber and aluminium for strength, security and lifespan.

  • Endless design options – from FD60 fire exits to sleek glazed personnel doors.

  • High sustainability credentials thanks to the UK’s 86 % steel recycling rate.

  • Lower total cost of ownership plus potential insurance savings for PAS 24 doors.

Ready to specify?

DoorParts ships fully‑assembled supply‑only steel doors nationwide, often within 3–4 weeks. Email your opening sizes to jon@doorparts.co.uk or call today for a same‑day quote.

 

 

 

 

| Claim in copy                                                     | Source to cite                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| “PAS 24:2022 +A1:2024 is now the route to Document Q compliance.” | Windowware news post ([windowware.co.uk][1])       |
| “Acoustic doors up to 56 dB Rw are available.”                    | Strongdor Acoustic Door Plus spec ([Strongdor][2]) |
| “82 % of steel packaging was recycled in 2023.”                   | RecyclingToday report ([Recycling Today][3])       |

[1]: https://windowware.co.uk/news/navigating-the-new-pas24-standards-for-door-security?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Navigating the New PAS24 Standards for Door Security - News"
[2]: https://www.strongdor.com/our-doors/acoustic-doors/acoustic-door-plus?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Acoustic Steel Door Plus | Strongdor"
[3]: https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/steel-packaging-highest-recycling-rate-on-record/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Steel packaging achieves highest recycling rate on record"

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