What Is a Fire Door? What to Know Before Installing One
Ramp up your fire protection
Fire doors have safety features that slow fires and prevent them from spreading.
Fire ratings indicate how long a fire door can withstand a fire.
A fire door won’t work if it’s not fitted properly.
Fire doors cost anywhere from $400 to $900 on average.
Be sure to check your local building codes before installing a fire door.
There are certain safety measures that can greatly help if a fire breaks out, and a fire door is one of them. But what is a fire door, exactly? Fire doors are built to withstand exposure to smoke and fire, allowing you and your family extra time to evacuate. Read on to find out more about how much it costs to install a fire door, what to know before installation, and the pros and cons to consider.
What Are Fire Doors?
Fire doors are just what they sound like—doors that have added safety features to slow or prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide. In addition to giving you more time to exit safely if a fire were to break out, these doors limit the amount of fumes and smoke that can enter your home. Some fire doors release automatically when a fire alarm sounds, but others are not automated and must remain closed.
Fire doors are constructed of wood and steel, though some can be made from glass. Both the door frame and slab must meet certain requirements to earn a fire rating, which indicates how long the door can withstand fire and smoke. These ratings range from 45 minutes to three hours of resistance.
Fire Doors vs. Fire-Rated Doors
Most people lump fire doors and fire-rated doors into the same category, and to be fair, they’re close; however, there’s an important distinction. A fire door is the entire setup. Door, frame, and hardware (like latches and hinges)—all working together. It’s built to block fire and smoke from spreading, giving people time to evacuate and keeping damage contained. A fire-rated door, on the other hand, comes with proof. It’s been tested and certified to stand up to fire for a set amount of time—say, 60 minutes or even longer. That rating isn’t just a guess. It results from a controlled test where the door assembly holds its own under heat and pressure. So, while you could say that all fire-rated doors are fire doors, not every fire door is officially rated.
Fire-Resistive vs. Fire-Protective Doors
Fire-resistive doors block radiant heat in addition to smoke and flames, keeping the adjoining room cooler in the event of a fire and giving people more time to escape. The glazing, or the glass in these doors, doesn’t have size restrictions and can be as large as needed for the home.
Fire-protective doors block smoke and flames but allow radiant heat to penetrate the adjoining room. The glazing in this style of fire door has size limitations, so it can’t be greater than 25% of the total wall. Both types of fire doors must meet specific test standards to qualify as a fire door.
Are Fire Doors Required in Homes?
In most homes, you won’t find fire doors tucked between every room, and no, that’s not a mistake. Standard residential codes don’t demand fire doors throughout single-family homes because the focus leans more on smoke alarms and clear escape routes. That said, there are areas where a fire door is absolutely required, like between your home and an attached garage. That’s because garages often store things—fuel, tools, and paint—that burn hot and fast. So, building codes call for 20-minute fire-rated doors, complete with a self-closing hinge.
In taller homes, especially ones with three or more stories, some local codes might call for fire-rated doors at stairwells to help contain fire and smoke. And if you have a basement apartment, separating it with a fire-rated door might be a part of code compliance, too. So, while fire doors aren’t required everywhere, they definitely have their place in keeping a safer home. Just check your local building codes—they’ll have the final say.
Types of Fire Doors
Choosing the right fire door takes more than just grabbing the nearest heavy-duty option. Each type is built with a specific purpose, different ratings, and features depending on where and how it's used. If you want real protection without wasting time or cutting corners, you need to understand what you’re working with. While it’s always best to consult with a professional, here’s the kind of breakdown most homeowners might wish they had before staring down fire door specs and building codes.
Fire-Resistance Rating
Fire doors are labeled based on how long they can hold back fire. These ratings help contain fire in specific areas and give people more time to get out safely. The higher the rating, the longer the door can resist heat, smoke, and flames.
FD20: Rated for 20 minutes and is usually found on internal doors in homes where the risk is relatively low.
FD30: Provides 30 minutes of protection, making it a go-to in both homes and low-risk commercial buildings
FD45: Delivers 45 minutes of resistance and is often used in public buildings with moderate foot traffic
FD60: Withstands fire for up to an hour and is commonly installed in schools, hospitals, and multi-use buildings
FD120: Resists fire for two hours and is often specified for data centers, utility rooms, or control hubs
FD180: Rated for three hours and is intended for critical areas in large industrial environments
Closing Mechanism
A fire door is only as good as its closing system. These mechanisms ensure the door shuts properly during an emergency, even if no one’s around to do it manually.
Self-closing: Uses mechanical closers like spring hinges or overhead closers to shut automatically.
Automatic closing: Stays open during regular use but shuts when the fire alarm triggers
Power-operated: Opens and closes using electricity or air pressure and automatically switches to a self-closing mode if power is lost or the alarm sounds
Material
The material of a fire door plays a big role in its performance, cost, and appearance. Some doors combine materials to meet strict safety standards without sacrificing design.
Timber: Good for up to FD60 when built to the right specifications (density, thickness, and fire-sealing features) and often used where aesthetics matter, like office interiors or apartment entries
Steel: Tough and naturally fire-resistant, commonly used in backyard areas, warehouses, or secure zones
Aluminum: Rarely used alone but instead combined with other materials to help meet fire safety standards while staying lightweight
Glass: Fire-rated glass lets light through without compromising safety in areas like corridors and office spaces
Composite: Made from a mix of materials like timber, mineral cores, and steel to meet both performance and cost requirements
Style
A door's function doesn’t have to cancel out its design. Fire doors come in a variety of styles to fit everything from sleek offices to traditional homes.
Panel Doors: Feature raised or recessed panels (with hidden fire protection underneath) and can match traditional or contemporary interiors
Glazed Doors: Consist of fire-rated glass panels, which allow for visibility and natural light while staying code-compliant
Louvered Doors: Include specially designed vents that close off automatically in a fire
Sliding Doors: Stay open until a fire alarm triggers closure, and are useful in areas with limited swing space
What to Know Before Installing a Fire Door
While fire doors provide some peace of mind, a severe fire can still melt even the highest-grade steel. Also, a fire door won’t be of any use to you if the closing mechanism isn’t working or if you leave the door open.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering replacing your interior doors with fire doors.
The Door’s Rating
Fire doors have intumescent strips that activate and swell when they sense excessive heat. These strips determine a fire door’s rating. Ratings range from 45 minutes to three hours, though door companies can customize your door’s rating. These ratings are just as significant as fire extinguisher ratings.
The Door’s Placement
It’s recommended that you install a fire door between sleeping areas and places where a fire is most likely to break out. Most fire doors are interior doors that lead into the attached garage, but other possible locations include the top and bottom of stairwells or at either end of long hallways. If you have a two-story home, fire doors become even more important, as upper levels can be difficult to evacuate.
Whether the Door Is Self-Sealing
Some fire doors expand, creating a seal between rooms so that the door can’t be opened. Self-sealing doors may be a good choice for a door that shuts off the garage from the house. This way, residents can use a different door to exit the home or the garage.
On the other hand, if the room doesn’t have another exit, a self-sealing door is definitely not a good choice.
Local Building Codes
Finally, check your local building codes before installing a fire door in your house. They may specify a minimum required rating for certain types of entryways. Consult the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for their standards for fire doors, as well. You’ll want to have this information before installing an entryway door or learning how to install a storm door. A door installation pro knowledgeable and experienced with fire doors can help you complete this project.
Fire Door Pros
The benefits are clear. Fire doors can help keep your family and property safe from fire and smoke. When closed, they provide a barrier to prevent fire from spreading, and when opened, they provide a crucial means of escape.
Safety: Fire doors save lives by stopping or slowing a spreading fire.
Prevent damage: Aside from protecting you and your loved ones, fire doors can help protect your property from smoke or fire damage.
Soundproof: Depending on the fire door’s rating, it may be completely soundproof, sealing out sounds from outside if used as a garage door or area to seal off bedrooms.
Many options: When you think about fire doors, you may think they’re unattractive, but they’re available in many styles and materials to fit your home’s aesthetic.
Increased property value: Because of the protection fire doors provide, they often increase a home’s value.
Fire Door Cons
There are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind with fire doors. Installing fire doors might not be the best choice for everyone.
Pricey: Fire doors can be expensive and thus may not be suitable for every budget. You’ll also need to hire a local pro to install the door.
Require regular inspections: Fire doors must be inspected regularly for safety, which can be costly.
Only as good as their fit: Installing a fire door doesn’t automatically protect your home. If it’s not a good fit, doesn’t latch, or is left open, it won’t work.
May not provide long protection: Depending on the fire rating you can afford, your door may not provide protection long enough for dire circumstances.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Added protection from fires | High cost |
| Soundproof | Regular inspections are necessary |
| Wide range of style and material options | Must be fitted and installed properly to be effective |
| Increased home value | May not offer much extended protection time |
Cost to Install a Fire Door in Your Home
Fire doors cost an average of $400 to $900. For an exact quote, contact a door installation expert near you.
A fire door’s cost depends on many factors, including:
Location
Fire rating and material
Door size
Necessary modifications, such as modifications to the frame or door jamb
Delivery costs
Installation costs
Since a fire door can be lifesaving in a fire, it’s one area of home improvement that you shouldn’t cut corners on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire doors are constructed to have certain resistance levels regarding fire. A traditional door can typically resist fire for less than one minute, whereas fire doors can resist it for 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the fire door rating. Fire doors give you and your family a better chance of safely escaping during a fire than standard doors.
Start by checking the top or side edge of the door. Look for a certification label or metal tag stamped with details like the fire rating and information on the manufacturer. Even if it’s painted over, the tag should still be visible. Next, look along the edges for slim intumescent strips. They’re designed to swell up and seal gaps when exposed to heat. Finally, check if the door closes itself. Most fire doors have a self-closing mechanism, like an overhead closer or spring hinges. If none of these are obvious, contact a fire safety professional to help verify your door.
Certified fire door inspectors should inspect fire doors. These professionals receive training to specifically assess the condition, functionality, and compliance of fire doors. They often hold credentials from groups like the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) or the International Fire Door Inspector Association (IFDIA). While fire marshals won’t usually do hands-on inspections, they’ll check that doors are being maintained properly during routine safety audits. If a building relies on fire doors for code compliance, it needs someone who understands the details—the difference between a cosmetic issue and a safety failure—and standards to sign off with confidence.
You might be able to turn a normal door into a fire-rated door, but you’re better off purchasing one that meets all NFPA 80 standards. If you want to DIY a normal door into a fire door, you’ll need a self-adhesive intumescent seal, metal hinges, fire-resistant glazing, and a self-closing device, but you’re always better off buying a certified fire door.
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