How much for a steel man door?!

[USAFpj]

Am I mistake in thinking that, to add an additional steel man door to a pole barn build estimate, an extra $900 is a bit excessive? I'll look through some past threads, but why not just have the builder frame the opening, and buy a cheap insulated door off of Craigslist?
Is there something that I'm missing that warrants such expense for a simple door? I live in the middle of the country, and don't feel I need something as robust as a steel door for security...

 

[Shade guy]

The cost for a steel man door for a metal building is over 400.00.
Get them to frame it out and put in a door from Home depot
Steel door with wood frame around 150.00 out here

 

[mikec35]

Thats not excessive for framing and adding a quality steel door, I'd do what was suggested above if you want to save some money.

 

[USAFpj]

Why steel, guys? Will a quality solid wood or insulated fiberglass door not suffice? Is steel for security, fire, etc??

 

[theoldwizard1]

The steel doors that you buy at a home center are thin sheet metal over a foam core. Not necessarily bad, just know what you are buying.

For security, the frame, hinges, lock and strike plate are the most important things.

If you simple glued (construction adhesive) and screwed a 2by to the strike plate side of the frame, and installed an extra large strike plate with multiple screws that go all the through the 2by and add a long throw dead bolt, you would have a much more secure door.

 

[Falcon67]

My wood frame steel 36" man door was about $120. Never painted it, it's been on the building 4 years facing west. Been as hot as 150F. No issues with the cheap door. I just sawed a hole in it for a dog door, it's as above - sheet metal with a foam core. Works fine for me.

 

[readhead]

It isn't just the door. There is framing, a lockset, the J trim and cutting in the sheeting. That's extra trim and labor. You can't just do a framed opening and put a door in later. The J trim should lap onto the jamb.

 

[USAFpj]

You can't just do a framed opening and put a door in later..

Got it...

 

[stikman56]

Builder wanted about 900 bucks to add man door to the garage.I opted out and will use our front door for it and upgrade front door to wood. Same price maybe in the end with a nicer front door.

 

[Thumper68]

My steel man door was $600 no addl' cost since I installed it myself, but mine is a high grade commercial unit with steel frame, heavy duty hinges and 2 dead bolts.

 

[longez]

My steel man door was $600 no addl' cost since I installed it myself, but mine is a high grade commercial unit with steel frame, heavy duty hinges and 2 dead bolts.

Suggest you find a local dealer who sells Steelcraft or Ceco steel doors. They should be able to provide a welded 18ga frame and steel stiffened 3-0x7-0 18ga door with commercial ball bearing hinges for less than $500. Maybe waaaay less. 3-0x7-0 is the garden variety size for commercial steel doors - different (larger or smaller) will be more $$$

Full disclosure: I work for the parent company of Ceco/Curries >> ASSA ABLOY

 

[JCQuick]

I paid $471.85 including tax for a fire rated industrial steel door and my frame had to have a 4" header added to it

 

[9c1nova]

As stated above, check with local door manufacturer for a commercial steel door. Sometimes they have one with a dent or an odd sized custom ordered one you could get at a discounted price.
Good luck.

Bruce