As a contractor or seasoned DIYer, you already know that not all products are made equal. Certifications, company experience, technical support, materials used in manufacturing, quality of doors and environmental impact are all critical components to consider with selecting a door supplier. Not to mention versatility and style!
Selecting the right company is no easy task. If you are a contractor working for a developer, you are tasked with finding a reliable company that will work in a variety of homes without much fuss. In an oversaturated market, how do you select the best company as your door supplier? Consider these 6 important tips.
1 Materials Used
Quality products all start with quality materials. Door manufacturers with high production rates have to produce doors more quickly than they can properly cure wood.
Products made with wood that isn’t seasoned will shrink as they dry, causing the product to warp and change shape. By the time it reaches you, it may no longer fit the dimensions of the frame.
The type of wood used will also affect the quality of the product. Are the doors made with a robust wood? Look at the finish of the products.
The finish should be even across the whole piece, making a nice, uniform color. If it’s not, that could indicate the piece has been cheaply done.
The origin of the wood ties directly into the sustainability and quality of the wood door supplier.
Does the wood come from old growth forest or sensitive habitats? If so, that company is not sustainable. These trees take hundreds of years to grow and for obvious reasons cannot be replaced in the lifetime of the logger who cut it.
Look for a company that builds doors out of plantation lumber. Plantation lumber is preferable because trees are continually replanted to ensure future harvest.
Eight Doors, for example, only uses wood from places with the following qualities: Areas where civil and traditional rights are respected; forests with no high conservation value; genetically unmodified forests; and last, but not least, only legally exploited forest areas.
2 Design
When you are a contractor or architect working with a diverse client base, you want to find a door supplier that makes quality doors in a variety of styles. You can build rapport with the same reliable company while meeting the stylistic needs of a variety of clients.
You should not have to sacrifice style over function, or design over quality. Find a door manufacturer that can do both!
3 Warranty
A reputable company will always provide a warranty to ensure customer satisfaction.
All of the Eight Doors products have a one-year warranty from their delivery date. We use only the best material and services to assure that you have only good surprises with us.
4 Customer Service
Before selecting a door supplier, you should find out how accessible their customer service team is. The last thing you need is to be held up and a jobsite because you can’t get a hold of someone!
Scan reviews for comments about customer service and engagement to suss out any red flags.
The EightDoors’ customer service team is easy to reach! You can contact us through Facebook messenger @weare.eightdoors, Instagram messenger @eightdoors or via email at doors@eightdoors.com.
We want to go above and beyond your expectations. You can reach our staff through the channel that best suits you because they are always available to answer your doubts and promptly reply to any problem or question you may have.
5 Sustainability
This is perhaps the most important point to consider, as a company that uses sustainable practices is a company that will continue to be reliable.
From the type of energy the factory uses to operate its machinery to the way the company treats their employees, an attempt at sustainability shows that a company is determined to do the right thing.
Look for a door manufacturer that uses “lean manufacturing”, which is a production technique that aspires to eliminate waste during production. An FSC certification also ensures that the wood comes from a regenerative forest!
This not only optimizes the production process but also increases the quality of the produce while minimizing its environmental impact.
For example, Eight Doors uses scraps from the lumber mill to burn to make electricity. This creates a semi-closed loop system, where energy is created through creating the product it was designed to power.
6 Expertise
How long has the company been in existence? Providers with limited experience in manufacturing and shipping may not meet your expectations. As a contractor, you don’t have time to be a part of a company’s learning curve.
Choosing a second rate door supplier can drag the project (and your paycheck) out for months after you intend to move on. Incorrect sizing, ordering the wrong model and code compliance are all issues with less credible companies.
Starting out with a professional company is an investment in your success on the jobsite.
About EightDoors
EightDoors is a fast delivering company of quality and innovation that believes high-quality doors must come from a high-quality source.
We care about the quality of our doors because we want you to get the best product for your investment.
Suitable for both home and office use, EightDoor’s timeless designs are sure to catch your eye.
We break away from traditional designs by adding our own contemporary signature, allowing you to select doors that match your unique style.
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