Standard Welded Frames
Factory-welded frames fabricated in Orlando for new construction.
- Fire: 20 min to 3 hr
- Hurricane-Rated assemblies
- Gauge: 14 to 18
Hollow metal frames are the steel door frames used in commercial buildings. Mills & Nebraska fabricates welded, knock-down and security frames at its 36,000 sq ft Orlando, Florida facility, with in-house Intertek-certified labeling for fire and wind.
A frame carries the door, the hardware and often the fire or wind rating of the opening, so gauge, anchors and hardware preps are chosen together with the door and hardware schedule.

3 product lines. Open any product for full specifications, ratings, standards and FAQs.
Factory-welded frames fabricated in Orlando for new construction.
Frames that ship in pieces and assemble on site for renovations.
Reinforced frames with anti-pry features and detention-grade options.
A side-by-side summary. Ratings and options depend on the specific listing or approval, so confirm each opening against its schedule.
| Frame type | Available gauges | Fire ratings | Construction | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Welded Frames | 14 (heavy duty), 16 (standard), 18 (light duty) | 20, 45, 60, 90 min, 3 hr; temperature rise options | Factory-welded corners, set before or with the wall; labeled in house for fire and wind | New construction, stairs, corridors, elevator lobbies |
| Knock-Down Frames | 16 (standard), 18 (light duty); 14 by manufacturer | 20 min to 3 hr, per manufacturer listing | Ships unassembled, field assembled without welding | Renovations, tenant improvements, occupied buildings |
| Security Frames | 12 (maximum security), 14 (enhanced security) | Up to 3 hr | Anti-pry tabs, welded anchors, steel stiffeners; ASTM F3038 | Correctional, banks, data centers, government |
New construction: welded frames are set before or with the wall and give the most rigid frame.
Renovations and tenant improvements: knock-down frames suit walls that are already built or hard to reach.
Rated walls: the frame's fire label must cover the rating the wall requires, together with the door and hardware, and exit stair enclosures may need temperature rise assemblies.
Exterior walls: coordinate the frame with the door, weatherstripping and threshold, since humid outdoor air meeting an air-conditioned interior can cause condensation at the opening.
Before fabrication, confirm the wall type and anchors, jamb depth, hardware preps and fire rating, since changes after fabrication are difficult.
Mills & Nebraska provides hollow metal frames from manufacturers including:


See all of our manufacturer partners.
Frames are fabricated, prepared and labeled under one roof, with installation and hardware scheduling available.
Industries where our frames are specified:
Stocked frames are available with Same Day lead times. Custom frames are quoted per project, and in-house Intertek-certified labeling means rated frames do not wait on an outside labeling service.
Yes. Our 36,000 sq ft Orlando facility fabricates custom frames with the sizes, gauges, anchor types and fire ratings your project requires.
Welded frames have factory-welded corners and are set before or during wall construction, giving the most rigid frame for new construction. Knock-down frames ship in pieces and are assembled on site, usually around finished drywall openings, which suits renovations and tenant improvements.
Most commercial openings use 16 gauge frames. Use 14 gauge for heavy-use, exterior, security or oversized openings and for many 90-minute and 3-hour fire-rated frames, and 12 gauge for security frames. The fire listing and the door's duty level set the minimum.
Send your frame schedule or drawings, from simple knock-downs to complex fire-rated assemblies, and our team will confirm gauges, anchors, preps and ratings before fabrication.