If your commercial building in New York City needs an automatic entry door or an ADA-compliant entrance, you need a contractor who handles both the aluminum framing and the door hardware under one roof. Liberty Door Supply supplies and installs automatic operators, low-energy swing door systems, and full ADA entry packages for storefronts, office lobbies, retail spaces, and public-facing buildings across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
What does an ADA-compliant automatic entry system actually include?
ADA compliance at a commercial entry is not just about the door opener. It covers the full path of travel. A properly compliant installation includes the following elements working together:
- Automatic door operator: Low-energy or full-power units that allow hands-free entry. Common specified units include the LCN 2000 series, Norton 6600 series, and ASSA ABLOY SW100 for swing door applications.
- Activation devices: Push plates, presence sensors, and motion detectors positioned at ADA-required heights and clearances.
- Door hardware: ADA-compliant panic bars, exit devices, and closers. We regularly install Von Duprin 99 series panic hardware and LCN 4040XP closers on commercial storefront doors.
- Aluminum framing and glazing: Storefront frames built to accommodate operator headers, whether that is a Kawneer 350 or YKK AP AA3850 system, sized and fabricated to meet both the operator spec and the building envelope requirements.
- Clear floor space and maneuvering clearances: The framing layout must account for the turning radius and approach clearances required by ADA standards and NYC Building Code Chapter 11.
Getting one piece wrong makes the whole entry non-compliant. That is why Liberty Door Supply handles fabrication, glazing, operator installation, and hardware as a single coordinated scope.
Which automatic door systems does Liberty Door Supply install for NYC storefronts and lobbies?
The right system depends on traffic volume, door type, and the specific demands of a New York City street-level entry. Here is how we typically match systems to applications:
Sliding automatic doors are the first choice for high-volume retail entries, hospital lobbies, and transit-adjacent storefronts. We install Stanley Dura-Glide 2000 and ASSA ABLOY ICU sliding systems paired with heavy-duty aluminum framing. These units handle the constant foot traffic common at NYC retail corridors in areas like Fordham Road in the Bronx, Jamaica Avenue in Queens, and Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
Low-energy swing door operators work well for office building vestibules, medical offices, and smaller retail entries where a sliding system does not fit the footprint. The LCN 2000 Series and Norton 6600 are workhorses in this category. They push the door open slowly on activation and close it under controlled speed, meeting ANSI A156.19 standards for low-energy performance.
Full-energy swing operators are used at high-traffic single-door applications where sliding is not an option. The ASSA ABLOY SW200 handles this well in lobby applications throughout Manhattan office towers and mixed-use buildings in Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn.
Every installation includes header fabrication, operator mounting, sensor positioning, and final adjustment for door speed, hold-open time, and back-check. We test each unit before turnover to make sure the door performs to spec under real conditions.
How does NYC Building Code affect automatic and ADA entry installation?
New York City has its own layer of requirements on top of federal ADA standards. The NYC Building Code, specifically Chapter 11 on accessibility, and DOB rules on storefront alterations both apply to automatic entry work. Key points that affect our installations include:
- Alteration applications: Replacing a manual storefront entry with an automatic operator typically triggers an Alt-2 or Alt-3 filing with the NYC Department of Buildings, depending on scope.
- Hardware standards: NYC requires that exit hardware on automatic doors still allows manual egress if power fails. Panic hardware on the operator door must be fail-safe and meet NYC Fire Code requirements.
- Vestibule requirements: Many commercial buildings in NYC are required to maintain a vestibule at the primary entry. The automatic door layout must account for the vestibule depth and the swing arc of any inner doors.
- Signage and activation height: Push-plate activators must be mounted within the ADA-specified height range and positioned so they do not conflict with door swing.
We work directly with property managers, general contractors, and building owners to make sure the installation aligns with what the DOB and the project's architect of record require. No surprises at inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Do automatic doors require a permit in New York City?
Yes. Automatic door installations typically require a NYC DOB filing, especially when the work affects the building envelope or involves structural framing changes. Liberty Door Supply coordinates with your GC or expediter to keep the project code-compliant from day one.
What is the difference between a low-energy operator and a full-power automatic door?
Low-energy operators, like the LCN 2000 series, move the door slowly and require a push-plate or sensor activation. Full-power operators, like the Stanley Dura-Glide or ASSA ABLOY ICU, open quickly and automatically via motion detection. ADA applications in high-traffic NYC lobbies and retail entries usually call for full-power units.
Can Liberty Door Supply handle both the framing and the automatic door hardware in one contract?
Yes. We fabricate and install the aluminum storefront framing, glaze the door panels, and mount the operator and ADA hardware as a single scope of work. That eliminates the coordination gap between a framing sub and a hardware supplier.
If your building needs an automatic or ADA entry system anywhere in the five boroughs, call Liberty Door Supply at (347) 928-7349 to get a site visit scheduled and a scope put together.
Need a commercial glass or aluminum quote in NYC?
Get a Quote