Bullet Proof Entry Ways

mdshunk

I'm getting ready to rehab a 4 unit, 2 up 2 down. There is a front and back entry way, with the front and back doors to each unit being inside off a common entry way and stairway.

I'm interested in opinions on finish materials that would make these entry ways as bullet proof as possible. Currently we have:

• Front doors currently, steel insulated flush double doors, thinking steel with a glass feature and panic hardware
• Floor finish is currently sheet vinyl over 3/4" ply, thinking VCT.
• Entry door to each unit presently flush hollow luan, thinking flush steel on steel buck.
• Stairway currently painted wood, thinking covering with Jonsonite type product
• Stair handrails currently wood on residential brackets. Thinking steel rail fabbed at local weld shop.
• Walls, currently Marlite. I don't know what to do here. Possibly drywall with wainscot and scuff rail/chair rail and linen type wallcovering above.
• Ceilings, currently 12x12 acoustical tile. Thinking about just painting, possibly add some crown in place of the quarter round.
• Lighting fixtures, currently 2 lamp incandescent "bedroom lights", thinking surface mounted 4' fluorescents.

The goal here is to make the common interior spaces maintenance free, and finished in such a way that less than careful movers can't do much damage. Inside the units, I'm on familiar territory. These common entry ways in the front and the back trouble me at the moment.

Mike Finley

Commercial grade porcelain tile on the floors with dark colored epoxy grout.

That's all I got. Interested in seeing what comes up for all the rest.

K2

I'd be thinking a little bit about noise if it's like 4-plexes that I'm familiar with. Tenants don't like to hear everyone comming and going and slamming doors. I'd be looking at the cheapest commercial carpet with a quality pad. I've pulled up the carpet and reused the pad a couple of times on rentals. Commercial slow closers on the doors would be nice.

nadonailer

Yeah, carpet would be a good move. On the stairs, too? I like the tile idea also.....

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mdshunk

Indeed. I did a little work in an "old people's" apartment building, and each tennant door off the common hall was so fitted. Never gave that a thought. One of the current tennants complains that the light bulbs in the front downstairs entry way don't last long, because people slam the main front door and jiggle the fixture.

Yes, that thought did cross my mind. I was concerned about the durability of such a product to impact. I'd entertain it if I knew a little more about it. I know that ceramic is out. Changing a porcelain tile is a much bigger project than changing a VCT tile. I did flagstone in an entryway on a house once, and that turned out okay. After it was done, I regretted it. It looked dated. For common areas I won't consider carpet, commercial grade or otherwise, even for a millisecond.

Mike Finley

I doubt impact would be a problem. It takes just about an act of God to help me drill through porcelain tile when installing them in a shower and you have to drill holes for the plumbing valve, and this stuff is probably grade II at best.

I stole this from somewhere for ya

In the United States there are five grades assigned to floor tiles, whether they are imported or produced in this country. The grades are in Roman numerals, with grade I being the lowest and V the highest. I know of no one who makes grade I tiles however, so let's start with II.

Grade II tiles can be used in residential applications where light traffic is expected. Bathroom floors, for example, do not receive very heavy traffic.

Grade III tiles are adequate for any residential use, including kitchen and entry floors, which receive considerable traffic. These tiles might also be used in light-traffic commercial applications -- perhaps beauty parlors and other businesses where there is not a heavy and continuous volume of foot traffic..

Grade IV tiles are rated commercial, although they are also commonly used in homes. These tiles will hold up in just about any application, including grocery stores, bank lobbies, etc.

Grade V tiles are used in industrial settings, where they are expected to receive heavy abuse and exposure to various chemicals. Not many grade V tiles would be used in the home. They usually look too commercial.

You want bullet proof or maintenance free, in big commercial sky scrapers here in Denver we have lots and lots of tile in the lobbies. I imagine they get more traffic and abuse in a month than a 4 unit will see in 100 years.

If that isn't enough for ya, take a look at some of the 800 year old tile floors in Italy.

mdshunk

I appreciate that information, Mike. I would rather see a porcelain tile floor rather than VCT anyhow. This information certainly makes that decision for me. I don't think I'll be going to Italy anytime soon, though.

I wish I had some better ideas for the walls.

Teetorbilt

I thought that you were really trying to make them 'bullet proof' like we did back in the 60's and 70's. Enough time to flush everything before the cops made it in. LOL

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