Door Lite Partitions

Design with Door Lite Doors

Door lite partitions with translucent inserts offer unparalleled design flexibility, facilitating bathroom spaces that balance aesthetics and privacy.

A public restroom with wood veneer, door lite partitions with acrylic inserts and branches embedded in the insert. Headrail braced with powder coated hardware. The floor is orange tile and there is a wash basin on the left.
Definition

What are Door Lite Doors?

Door lite doors feature stile and rail construction with acrylic or glass inserts for a unique blend of design and functionality. These inserts offer customization options for texture, pattern, and opacity, providing a stylish solution in commercial restroom design.

Diagram showing door-lite insert assembly: includes measurements, stile and rail connection with dowels, and varying insert width by material.

Compatible Materials

Materials

Door lite doors are available in various high-quality materials, each offering unique benefits for different commercial restroom environments.

Compatible Mounting Styles

Mounting Styles

Door lite doors can be integrated with multiple mounting styles, providing flexibility in design and installation for diverse commercial restroom layouts.

Headrail Braced

Floor mounted pilasters with overhead aluminum bracing for stability.

A modern headrail braced restroom with tiled flooring and walls, featuring three enclosed stalls and a handwashing sink with a single faucet.

Floor to Ceiling

Pilasters secured at the floor and ceiling with minimal visible hardware.

Stunning wood veneer bathroom partition and acrylic insert door with stray crossing gold lines in floor to ceiling style. Corrugated metal backsplash.

European

Pilasters with overhead headrail and floor pedestals blend style and strength.

Commercial restroom with compact laminate partitions, applied moldings, powder coated hardware and European mounting (headrail and pedestals).

Ceiling Hung

Pilasters attached solely to the ceiling offer open floor space and a clean look.

Standard size wood grain plastic laminate bathroom partitions featuring three louver doors in ceiling hung configuration.

Floor Mount

Partition pilasters are anchored to the floor only, resulting in low-profile elegance.

Earthy, urban bathroom features honey colored wood veneer partitions with two captured panel doors in floor mount style. Brick and slate walls.

Considerations When Using Door Lite Doors

Explore the key features and considerations of door lite doors to determine their suitability for your commercial restroom project.

Features

How to Specify Ironwood

Follow our easy three-step process to start using Door Lite in your design:

The Process
  • 1

    Go to the Configurator

    Our configurator will help guide your choices of material, mounting style, door option, hardware, etc. to specify your toilet partitions.

  • 2

    Generate Your Specification

    Once you have made your selections, the configurator will generate a spec and other helpful resources for you.

  • 3

    Contact Us With Any Questions

    Call us at 360-965-6590 or email us at  specs@ironwood-mfg.com.

Deeper Dive & Resources

Discover detailed information about door lite doors to make informed decisions for your commercial restroom design.

Door lite partitions are built using true stile and rail construction, ensuring durability and a high-quality finish. The insert is secured within a mortise machined into the stiles and rails.

These partitions can be configured in various styles, including:

  • Standard sizes
  • All Gender options
  • Full Height partitions

Door lite inserts are compatible with partitions made from wood veneer, plastic laminate, and compact laminate. Panels can also incorporate door lite inserts.

Inserts are typically 3/8″ thick but can be as thick as 1/2″ and can weigh up to 40 lbs each.

Door lite inserts can be created from a wide variety of materials and manufacturers, offering endless design possibilities. Each material brings unique characteristics to the design.

Manufacturers include:

  • 3form
  • Lumicor
  • Art glass
  • Frosted or opaque acrylics

These inserts are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures. They require sample review and approval as part of the manufacturing process. Custom designs are also possible, allowing for truly unique creations.

Inserts must be between 1/4″ and 1/2″ in thickness and weigh a maximum of 40 pounds per insert.

Note that glass inserts require careful oversight and review due to their custom nature. This includes sample reviews to ensure design accuracy.

When incorporating door lite partitions into your project, keep these factors in mind:

  • Lighting: The visual impact of inserts can be significantly affected by lighting both inside and outside the stalls
  • Cleaning: Different insert materials may have specific cleaning requirements to maintain their appearance and prevent damage
  • Cost: Higher-end inserts like 3form and Lumicor may be more costly. Yield and material usage should be factored into the budget

Inserts can be custom-made, from colors and patterns to embedded objects. Acrylics like frosted 2447 or White 7328 provide affordable options, while high-end materials add luxury.

Lead times for door lite partitions vary depending on the materials chosen:

  • Standard white acrylic inserts: 6 weeks
  • Custom acrylic inserts (3form, Lumicor): 8 weeks or more

Note that custom acrylic inserts may have longer lead times than the primary partition material. Work closely with your local spec rep or Ironwood Manufacturing to ensure opacity, obscurity, and colors are ordered correctly through an approved sample.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I incorporate custom designs or patterns into the door lite insert?

    Absolutely! Door lite inserts can be custom designed, resulting in almost limitless possibilities. By collaborating with the manufacturer, you can even embed relatively flat objects such as cloth, leaves, or other materials into the inserts to meet specific design needs.

  • How do door lite doors compare to standard partition doors in terms of cost?

    Door lite doors have a higher cost compared to basic partition doors due to their unique construction and materials. However, they offer superior aesthetics and provide long-term value for distinctive commercial restroom designs.

  • Are there any cost-effective options for door lite inserts?

    Yes, frosted acrylic and white acrylic inserts are available as the least expensive options for door lite partitions. These can help reduce costs while still maintaining an attractive appearance.

  • How do I ensure proper maintenance of door lite partitions?

    Cleaning requirements for door lite partitions can vary depending on the insert material. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines strictly to avoid damage, fogging, and scratching. Some cleaning materials can degrade acrylic, so be sure to use appropriate products.

  • How thick are door lite inserts?

    Door lite inserts are typically 0.375″ thick but can vary between 0.25″ and 0.5″, depending on the material.

  • Are door lite doors suitable for high-moisture environments?

    Only door lite doors made with compact laminate frames and verified waterproof inserts are appropriate for wet areas. Other materials may not withstand high-moisture environments as effectively.

  • Are door lite doors suitable for high-traffic restrooms?

    Door lite doors offer unique aesthetic appeal but they are not well suited for high-traffic areas. In such environments, consider compact laminate captured panel or flat panel doors, which offer increased durability.

Team meeting, person raising hand for question.

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