For hotel guest rooms, solid core wood doors with fire-rated cores are generally the best choice. These doors offer superior sound insulation, which is important for guest comfort and privacy. The fire-rated core ensures the door meets safety codes, helping to contain smoke and fire in the event of an emergency. Solid core doors are also durable enough to withstand the frequent opening and closing typical in hotel settings, and their appearance can be customized with different finishes and veneers to match the hotel’s interior style. Additionally, they’re compatible with modern security hardware like keycard access systems.
Are commercial metal doors commonly used in hotels?
Yes, commercial metal doors are commonly used in hotels, but typically in back-of-house areas, such as service corridors, kitchens, stairwells, and maintenance rooms. Hollow metal doors are favored in these locations because they’re highly durable, resistant to damage, low maintenance, and often fire-rated for added safety. While they aren’t usually chosen for guest room doors due to aesthetic preferences, metal doors may also be used in emergency exits or utility spaces where security and functionality are the top priorities.
Do hotel doors need to be fire-rated?
Yes, many hotel doors, especially guest room doors, stairwell doors, and corridor doors, are required to be fire-rated to comply with building codes and safety regulations. Fire-rated doors help contain smoke and fire, slowing its spread and giving guests more time to evacuate safely. The required fire rating (commonly 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes) depends on the door’s location within the building and local code requirements. In most hotels, guest room entry doors must have at least a 20-minute fire rating while doors in critical fire barriers may need higher ratings.

What safety features are important for hotel doors?
Hotel doors should incorporate several key safety features to protect guests and meet code requirements. One of the most critical features is a fire-rated core, which helps slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants more time to evacuate during emergencies. Many hotel doors also include smoke seals or intumescent strips, which expand when exposed to heat, sealing gaps around the door to block smoke and flames.
Another important safety element is the use of automatic door closers. These devices ensure that doors close securely after every use, which is essential for maintaining fire barriers and preventing the spread of smoke. For guest security, peepholes or door viewers are standard, allowing guests to see who is outside their room before opening the door.
Heavy-duty locking systems, such as keycard access, deadbolts, and security latches, are also essential for guest safety. In high-risk areas, doors may include tamper-resistant hardware to deter forced entry. For doors serving as emergency exits, panic hardware or emergency release features are important, ensuring guests and staff can exit quickly and safely when needed. Together, these features create a safer, more secure hotel environment.
If you are in need of doors for your hotel, take a look at our Commercial Wood Doors and Commercial Metal Doors.
If you have any additional questions about commercial doors, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 800-685-7541 and we’ll be happy to help you out!
