The 6 Best Door Installation Companies in the Bay Area
Hiring the wrong door contractor in the Bay Area is a more expensive mistake than it sounds. A door that is not properly fitted to a California-framed opening warps, sticks, and fails to latch within a season. Hardware installed without understanding the specific locking mechanism requirements for your door type becomes a security problem. Commercial doors installed without the correct fire rating create code and liability exposure that property managers discover at the worst possible moment.
The Bay Area door market has no shortage of options, from handymen who hang doors between other jobs to specialty contractors who do nothing else. The difference in quality, accountability, and credentials between those categories is significant. A CSLB-licensed contractor carries liability insurance, workers’ compensation, and a surety bond that protect you if something goes wrong. A handyman with a truck does not.
This list covers the top door installation companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, evaluated for their licensing, specialization, service area, and who they actually serve best.
Our shortlist of the best door installation companies in the Bay Area:
- Gilmore Doors & Hardware
- KP Doors & Access
- Alexander Company
- Bullzeye Installation
- Custom Exteriors Inc.
- Bay Area Custom Millwork
1. Gilmore Doors & Hardware
| Website | gilmoredoorsandhardware.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Menlo Park, CA and Campbell, CA |
| Service Area | San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and surrounding Peninsula and South Bay communities |
| Specialty | Residential and commercial door installation, hardware installation, and door repair |
| Best For | Homeowners and property managers across the Peninsula and South Bay who want a veteran-owned, CSLB-licensed contractor with hands-on expertise in both residential and commercial door work, no garage doors |
Gilmore Doors & Hardware is the top choice on this list for Peninsula and South Bay clients who want a fully licensed, bonded, and insured door specialist with the credentials and track record to back up the work. Veteran-owned and based in Menlo Park with a second location in Campbell, Gilmore serves an extensive service footprint across San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, including Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Atherton, Woodside, San Carlos, Belmont, and San Jose.
Their CSLB license (No. 1110634) covers construction projects in compliance with California state regulations. They carry general liability insurance, workers’ compensation through the State Fund, a surety bond, and hold EPA Lead-Safe Firm certification for projects in older properties. Background checks are conducted on all employees. That credential stack is the baseline any homeowner or property manager should require before a contractor touches their doors.
Their exterior door installation service covers residential and commercial entry doors, exterior doors, and exterior hardware. Their hardware installation service handles residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Their door repair work includes re-alignment, shaving, and adjustment for doors that stick, drag, or no longer latch correctly due to humidity, settling, or wear.
One important note: Gilmore does not install garage doors. Their focus is on entry, exterior, interior, and commercial doors and hardware. For clients specifically needing garage door work, they will point you in the right direction. For everything else, Gilmore is the most credentialed and well-rounded door specialist on the Peninsula.
Gilmore Doors & Hardware capabilities include:
- Exterior door installation for residential and commercial properties
- Hardware installation for residential, commercial, and industrial applications
- Door repair including re-alignment, shaving, and adjustment
- CSLB licensed (No. 1110634), bonded, insured, and EPA Lead-Safe certified
- Veteran-owned business
- Same-day service available
- Service across Menlo Park, Campbell, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Atherton, San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Cupertino, Woodside, San Jose, and surrounding communities
- Contact the team for a free estimate
2. KP Doors & Access
| Website | kpdoorsca.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Bay Area, CA |
| Service Area | San Francisco Bay Area and East Bay, including Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and San Mateo County |
| Specialty | Commercial and industrial door installation, repair, and maintenance |
| Best For | Businesses, warehouse operators, property managers, and commercial developers needing commercial door, gate, and loading dock work across the Bay Area |
KP Doors & Access is a commercial door specialist serving the San Francisco and East Bay area with CSLB license #1067587 and registered public works contractor status. Their technicians are company employees, not subcontractors, and they work across security steel doors, overhead doors, sectional doors, curtain doors, loading dock equipment, commercial fencing, and gate systems.
Their commercial client base includes warehouses, distribution centers, logistics facilities, manufacturing facilities, property management companies, shopping centers, and big box retailers. The combination of loading dock expertise and commercial door capability makes them a practical single-vendor solution for commercial and industrial property operators who need multiple systems maintained.
KP Doors & Access capabilities include:
- Commercial door installation, repair, and maintenance
- Security steel doors, overhead doors, and sectional doors
- Loading dock equipment installation and service
- Commercial fencing and gate systems
- Registered public works contractor
- CSLB licensed (#1067587)
- Service across San Francisco, East Bay, Peninsula, and South Bay
3. Alexander Company
| Website | alexanderco.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Burlingame, CA |
| Service Area | San Mateo County, San Francisco, and surrounding Peninsula communities |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Specialty | Residential replacement windows and doors |
| Best For | Homeowners in San Mateo County and the Peninsula who want a family-owned company with 50-plus years of local experience, a showroom in Burlingame, and in-house installation using no subcontractors |
Alexander Company has been serving San Mateo County and the San Francisco Peninsula since 1971. Family-owned and now in its second generation under John and Jeff Alexander, the company carries a large showroom in Burlingame featuring full-size displays of windows and doors from Simonton, Marvin, Andersen, Milgard, Therma-Tru, and ProVia. All installation is performed by in-house staff with no subcontractors.
Their residential focus covers replacement entry doors, patio doors, sliding doors, and windows across San Mateo County, Daly City, Redwood City, Hillsborough, Burlingame, and San Francisco. They are a Diamond Certified company with over 375 verified surveys. Their familiarity with Peninsula HOA permit processes and the requirements of coastal Northern California climates makes them a reliable option for homeowners who want a specialist rather than a general contractor.
Alexander Company capabilities include:
- Residential entry door and patio door replacement and installation
- Replacement window installation
- In-house installation staff, no subcontractors
- Showroom in Burlingame with full-size product displays
- Diamond Certified with 375-plus verified customer surveys
- Family-owned, operating since 1971
- Service across San Mateo County, San Francisco, and surrounding Peninsula communities
4. Bullzeye Installation
| Website | bullzeyedoors.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Redwood City, CA |
| Service Area | San Francisco Bay Area including San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and Solano Counties |
| Specialty | Commercial and industrial roll-up doors, fire doors, and security grilles |
| Best For | Commercial and industrial property owners who need roll-up door specialists with 50-plus years of combined experience, 24/7 emergency service, and preventative maintenance programs |
Bullzeye Installation is a commercial roll-up door specialist based in Redwood City, owned and operated by Jeff Swenson and Jim Moore with over 50 years of combined industry experience. They specialize exclusively in commercial and industrial roll-up steel doors, security grilles, fire doors, and service counter doors, with 24/7 emergency service across the Bay Area and over 95 percent repeat business from their client base.
Their preventative maintenance programs and annual fire door testing and certification services, conducted per NFPA 80 and model code requirements, serve property management companies, municipal clients, industrial facilities, hospitals, and warehouses. For property managers who need reliable roll-up door coverage across multiple sites, Bullzeye’s single-specialty focus means you are working with technicians who do nothing else.
Bullzeye Installation capabilities include:
- Commercial and industrial roll-up door installation, repair, and service
- Rolling security grilles, service counter doors, and roll-up fire doors
- Annual fire door testing and certification (NFPA 80)
- Preventative maintenance programs
- 24/7 emergency service
- BBB-accredited since 2011
- Service across all Bay Area counties
5. Custom Exteriors Inc.
| Website | custom-exteriors.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Pleasanton, CA |
| Service Area | San Francisco Bay Area including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, San Francisco, and Solano Counties |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Specialty | Residential replacement windows, entry doors, and fiber cement siding |
| Best For | Homeowners planning a broader exterior project combining entry door replacement with windows or siding, particularly in the East Bay and South Bay |
Custom Exteriors Inc. has been serving Bay Area homeowners since 1997 with replacement windows, entry doors, and James Hardie fiber cement siding. With over 28,000 completed projects, they are one of the most established residential exterior remodeling companies in the region. Their installation team holds AAMA Certified Master Installer credentials and all staff are company employees.
Their product lines include Infinity from Marvin, Anlin, Therma-Tru, and ProVia. Their Pleasanton showroom carries full-size window and door displays. For homeowners replacing an entry door as part of a broader exterior refresh that also involves windows or siding, Custom Exteriors’ ability to handle all three under one project and one contract is a practical advantage over using separate contractors.
Custom Exteriors Inc. capabilities include:
- Residential entry door and patio door replacement
- Replacement window installation
- James Hardie fiber cement siding
- AAMA Certified Master Installers on staff
- 28,000-plus completed projects since 1997
- Showroom in Pleasanton
- Diamond Certified company
- Service across all major Bay Area counties
6. Bay Area Custom Millwork
| Website | bayareacustommillwork.com |
|---|---|
| Location | Bay Area, CA |
| Service Area | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Specialty | Custom cabinets, windows, and doors |
| Best For | Homeowners and contractors who want custom millwork and door solutions with fine craftsmanship backing |
Bay Area Custom Millwork specializes in cabinets, windows, and doors for residential clients across the Bay Area, with a craftsman-level approach to custom and specialty door work. Voted Best of the Bay for Home Contracting, they bring fine craftsmanship to door projects that require custom sizing, specialty materials, or design coordination with broader interior and exterior work.
Bay Area Custom Millwork capabilities include:
- Custom and standard door installation
- Window installation and replacement
- Custom cabinetry
- Craftsman-level finish work
- Residential service across the Bay Area
How to Choose a Door Installation Company in the Bay Area
Bay Area door projects come with specific considerations that do not apply everywhere else.
CSLB licensing
Every general contractor and door contractor in California must hold an active CSLB license. You can verify any contractor’s license status at the CSLB website before signing a contract. Unlicensed work voids manufacturer warranties, creates liability if a worker is injured on your property, and creates disclosure obligations when you sell your home. Ask for the license number before any conversation about pricing.
Residential vs. commercial expertise
Residential door installation and commercial door installation are different trades with different requirements. A contractor who primarily hangs residential entry doors does not have the same expertise in commercial hollow metal frames, hardware prep, and fire rating requirements as a commercial specialist. Match the contractor to the project type. Gilmore Doors & Hardware handles both with equal depth. KP Doors & Access and Bullzeye Installation focus on commercial. Alexander Company and Custom Exteriors focus on residential.
Permits
In most Bay Area cities, replacing an exterior door requires a permit. San Mateo County cities, Santa Clara County cities, and San Francisco all have their own permit timelines and inspection requirements. A contractor who tells you a permit is not needed for a straightforward exterior door replacement in a California city is either wrong or cutting corners. Ask specifically whether a permit is required for your project and whether the contractor pulls it.
Hardware and security
Door hardware is not interchangeable. Lock grade, strike plate depth, hinge count, and door prep all affect security performance. A commercial-grade entry door installed with residential-grade hardware does not perform to the security standard the door is rated for. Ask your contractor to walk through the hardware specification before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for door installation in San Mateo County?
In most San Mateo County cities, replacing an exterior door requires a building permit, particularly when the project involves structural framing changes, changes to the door opening size, or work in older homes that may trigger lead-safe requirements. Some like-for-like replacements in newer homes may not require a permit, but this varies by city. Gilmore Doors & Hardware’s team can advise on permit requirements for your specific project and jurisdiction as part of the free estimate process.
What is the difference between a door installer and a general contractor?
A door installer specializes in door and hardware systems. They understand door prep, frame tolerances, hardware compatibility, weatherstripping, and the specific requirements of different door types. A general contractor manages broader construction projects and may subcontract door work to whoever is available. For a dedicated door installation or repair project, a door specialist like Gilmore Doors & Hardware will typically produce better results than a GC who handles doors as one of many trades.
How long does commercial door installation take?
Most single commercial door installations are completed in one day. Larger projects involving multiple doors, loading dock systems, or complex hardware and access control integration take longer depending on scope. KP Doors & Access and Bullzeye Installation both provide itemized estimates with project timelines before any work begins, so commercial property managers know what to expect before committing.
Does Gilmore Doors & Hardware install garage doors?
No. Gilmore specializes in entry, exterior, interior, and commercial doors and hardware. They do not install garage doors. For garage door work, a dedicated garage door company is the right call. For all other residential and commercial door work across the Peninsula and South Bay, Gilmore is the most credentialed option in the market. Contact them directly to discuss your specific project.