A set of double restaurant doors with oval windows and metal handles is flanked by two exterior lights. A small awning is above the doors on a patterned brick wall.

Achieve a Retro Door Style Look with Aluminum and Stainless Steel Doors   

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When designing a space, the right door can make all the difference. Whether you’re aiming to recreate that iconic retro diner aesthetic or add a sleek, industrial feel to a retail space, museum, or entertainment venue, aluminum and stainless steel doors provide both functionality and style. A popular trend for architects and designers is pairing these materials with vision lite kits or door lites, offering a throwback to a mid-century look that stands the test of time. Below, we’ll explore how commercial doors like flush aluminum and stainless steel models, paired with gasket vision lite kits, can change any space into the design you are looking for. 

Why Use Aluminum and Stainless Steel Commercial Doors? 

Aluminum and stainless steel are durable, low-maintenance, and bring an industrial, clean aesthetic to any environment. Their sleek finishes make them an ideal solution for spaces requiring both high durability and visual appeal, such as: 

Retro Diners & Restaurants: Think of the classic diner entrance, with an aluminum door and a narrow, rounded vision window that creates a nostalgic feel. 

Retail Stores & Marijuana Dispensaries: Make a bold, modern statement with aluminum-framed doors that grab your attention, or use them in dispensaries where a stylish, durable, and secure door is key. 

Museums, Arenas, & Expo Centers: These high-traffic spaces benefit from stainless steel and aluminum’s strength and low-maintenance qualities while achieving a distinctive design. 

Entertainment Venues and Casinos: A blend of modern and retro styles can create an inviting, trendy atmosphere. 

Stainless Steel Finishes: Elegant & Durable 

Special-Lite stainless-steel doors are available in two key finishes that can suit a variety of design needs.

#8 Mirror Finish: This highly reflective finish gives a sleek, polished appearance, perfect for spaces looking for a modern, high-end aesthetic. Often found in retail spaces, entertainment venues, and upscale restaurants, the mirror finish adds an element of sophistication while maintaining the durability of stainless steel. 

#4 Brushed Finish: This popular finish offers a more subdued, matte appearance with fine linear lines. It’s ideal for spaces requiring a clean, industrial look without the high reflectivity of a mirror finish. A brushed finish hides minor scratches and blemishes— even fingerprints—  better, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic environments like museums, arenas, or commercial kitchens. 

Stainless steel doors in both finishes offer exceptional durability, making them ideal for environments where aesthetics, hygiene, and resistance to wear are important. 

Custom Finishes and Color Options for Commercial Aluminum Doors 

One of the major advantages of aluminum doors is the ability to customize their appearance to meet your design vision. Our aluminum-faced doors can be anodized in a variety of finishes, including: 

  • Clear 
  • Dark Bronze 
  • Black 
  • Champagne 
  • Light Bronze 
  • Medium Bronze 

If you’re looking for even more design flexibility, we also offer architectural-grade AAMA 2605 painted finishes. These allow you to choose from our standard colors or match any industry-standard hue, including custom colors from brands like Sherwin-Williams. This makes aluminum doors an excellent choice for architects and designers looking for specific color schemes to match an interior or exterior design.

In addition to the wide range of colors, aluminum door face sheets are available in multiple textures, including: 

  • Smooth 
  • Fluted
  • Embossed

These texture options add another layer of customization to help you achieve the exact aesthetic or experience you’re aiming for. 

A cross-section of aSpecial-Lite aluminum door.

Corrosion Resistance and Durability: Built to Last 

Aluminum and stainless-steel doors offer excellent corrosion resistance. Still, aluminum stands out for its ability to withstand harsher environments like coastal areas or locations with high humidity. Aluminum naturally forms an oxide layer that helps protect it from further corrosion, making it an excellent choice for environments where moisture or salt exposure is common. 

While stainless steel (particularly 304 grade) offers significant corrosion resistance, it can be vulnerable to rust in environments with high chloride content, such as coastal areas. However, it remains a durable and low-maintenance option in most other applications, and with the #4 Brushed or #8 Mirror finishes mentioned above, it provides a sleek, aesthetic look that resists stains and maintains its appearance over time. 

Special-Lite aluminum and stainless steel doors feature a closed-cell polyurethane foam-injected core that is waterproof and moisture-proof (see door cross-section above). This core does not retain water, preventing issues like mold, mildew, or rot. It also ensures that the doors maintain structural integrity even in wet or humid environments. 

This combination of corrosion resistance and durable construction makes aluminum and stainless-steel doors ideal for a wide variety of commercial applications. 

Security: Style Without Compromise 

Security is paramount for many businesses, particularly retail stores, dispensaries, and entertainment venues. Aluminum and stainless-steel doors are solid, durable barriers that provide an extra layer of protection without sacrificing design. 

Core Strength: Our high-density polyurethane foam core adds moisture protection and structural strength, making the doors resistant to impact and forced entry. 

Vision Lite Kits with Impact-Resistant Glass: Vision Lite Kits allow for visibility and light, but they can also be specified for forced entry resistance, and equipped with impact-resistant glass, offering enhanced security while maintaining aesthetic appeal. 

Pairing Doors with Vision Lite Kits for a Timeless Look 

Our aluminum and stainless-steel flush doors, combined with custom vision lite kits, create a style reminiscent of the mid-century era. This entry door look, often associated with retro diners, has a charm that transcends time, making it suitable for modern-day applications in various sectors. Here’s how these doors can enhance your space: 

Visibility & Light: Vision Lite Kits provide a functional benefit by allowing natural light to filter through, which can brighten up a space while maintaining privacy and security.  

Retro Aesthetic with Durability: The combination of a brushed or polished aluminum/stainless steel door with a vision lite offers a perfect mix of style and toughness. The durable materials are perfect for high-traffic areas while offering that distinctive retro look. 

Design Flexibility: Whether designing for a vintage diner feel or a sleek, industrial, retail space, the lite kits allow you to choose the exact placement and size of the windows. This flexibility ensures the door complements the surrounding architecture. 

What is a Gasket Vision Lite?  

A Gasket Vision Lite Kit is a window or “lite” installed in a door, surrounded by a gasket seal. The window adds aesthetic appeal while allowing natural light to enter, enhancing visibility without sacrificing the door’s strength. This feature is especially important in commercial environments where visibility and safety are key considerations. 

Our Gasket Vision Lite Kits come in a variety of shapes, including: 

  • Round
  • Oval Square/Rectangle (with radius corners) 

Aluminum Vision Lite kits 

Additional aluminum vision lite options include half-circle shapes for aluminum flush doors, offering even more design flexibility. These lite kits can also be finished in any of the anodized or painted options mentioned earlier, allowing you to match them seamlessly with the door and surrounding architecture or choose a contrasting color. 

Inside the building, a door with a unique oval design and retro charm features a push bar, while a person stands in the background.

Infill Architectural Panels

Our SL-36 Architectural Panels are another durable alternative to glass for additional facility security. These energy-efficient panels can enhance security while providing additional design options in a variety of thicknesses. These aluminum panels (like those made of FRP) will not rust, chip, fade, or peel, effectively making them a maintenance-free solution. 

Aluminum and Stainless Steel Double-Acting Traffic Doors: Versatile and Stylish 

In addition to flush doors, we also offer Double-Acting Traffic Doors made of aluminum and stainless steel. These doors are perfect for areas with constant foot traffic, such as kitchens, entertainment venues, and retail spaces. A double-acting gravity pivot hinge allows the doors to swing in both directions, making them ideal for fast-paced environments where ease of movement is crucial. 

Like our flush door models, these doors feature a durable aluminum perimeter and a high-density polyurethane foam-injected core. However, it’s worth noting that while the edges of flush doors can be customized in the same anodized or painted finishes as the door faces, the edges on our traffic doors are always Clear Anodized. 

A red and brown restaurant with a car parked in front of it.A building with a glass door and a red front door made to order. Yellow pillars and aluminum doors adorn the entrance of the expo building. A sign reads "No Loading or Unloading, Entry" beside the steps, guiding visitors as they approach through sleek glass and metal portals. Glass double doors with metal handles leading into an office building lobby. In a reflection, the logo and name Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. are visible on a window to the left. Bright red double doors with circular windows set in a brick wall, labeled "100 W," mark the entrance to this charming gallery. Small bushes line either side of the doorway. A laundry room with several washers and dryers featuring branded aluminum front doors. A set of double doors with oval windows, featuring unique wavy metal handles, and a smooth aluminum frame set in a brick wall with horizontal red accents. A small sign is visible on one door. Inside the building, a door with a unique oval design and retro charm features a push bar, while a person stands in the background. A modern restaurant interior featuring green tufted seating, wooden chairs, white tablecloths, and a pair of double doors with porthole windows. The room has minimalist decor and pendant lighting. A modern restaurant interior with green cushioned seating, white tablecloths, and wooden chairs. The space features large double doors, pendant lights, and framed artwork on the walls. Interior of a grocery store featuring a section labeled "Locally Sourced" with various food products on shelves and double doors in the center. A modern, empty dining area with wooden tables and chairs to the left, featuring a closed metal door with a small window in the center background wall.

Bringing Retro Doors to Your Commercial Spaces 

Incorporating aluminum and stainless steel doors with Vision Lite Kits can bring durability, a timeless aesthetic, and clean lines to any commercial space. Whether you’re designing for a retro-themed restaurant, a bustling retail store, or a high-traffic public venue with a touch of nostalgia, these mid-century modern doors offer a perfect balance of form and function. Their robust construction ensures they’ll stand up to the rigors of daily use. At the same time, customizable vision lites and finishes add a unique touch of style that architects and designers can’t resist. 

If you’re looking for a solution to achieve that classic vintage door look with modern-day reliability, explore our selection of aluminum and stainless steel doors and double-acting traffic doors to bring your vision to life. Your local Special-Lite Sales Rep is ready to answer any questions you may have; connect with them today to kick off your project!

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