Protecting Elevators, Preserving Value

Marking 20 years, Pittsburgh-based Door Guard’s custom elevator cab protection systems serve properties throughout North America.

by Kaija Wilkinson

Alumni Center building on the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus, oversaw modernization of the building’s four, 25-year-old elevators, he knew special care had to be taken to protect the cabs’ signature feature: intricately designed glass panels on the back wall of each unit. In September 2024, McCombs and his team began evaluating various elevator cab protection systems for the elevators, which now included new control systems and fixtures. When they found Door Guard, the team was impressed by both the design and construction of the products. Property owner/manager University Gateway Corp. inked a contract with Door Guard to fabricate two sets of custom cab-protection systems. McCombs recalls:

“The process was straightforward. We took photos and sent these, along with shop drawings of the panels, to verify specific details about each cab wall. We then selected color options that complemented the new design. One of our concerns was the potential loss of ambient lighting in the cabs when covering the backlit wall. Door Guard recommended a great solution that added clear Lexan (polycarbonate) strips imbedded into the Door Guard panels that replicate the backlit design of the glass cab wall.”

Fabrication took approximately five weeks, with McCombs’ team receiving the panels in two custom-built wood shipping containers. McNamara Center operations staff uncrated the panels and installed them, delighted by their “perfect fit,” McCombs remembers. Installation can be handled by one person, although two speeds up the process. Installation instructions were very clear, he said, and the recommended ratcheting friction mounting system and tool worked very well. McCombs is just one of many satisfied Door Guard customers throughout North America. Based in a well-connected industrial park just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company holds fast to values instilled by the man who founded it 20 years ago.

The Beginning

A Vietnam War veteran and member of the U.S. Army’s highly decorated 101st Airborne Division, the late Briane Hartley conceived a line of elevator cab-protection products that led to the founding of Door Guard Inc. in 2005 after spending 30 years in the plastics industry. As marketing manager at NOVA Chemicals, a leading North American producer of plastics and chemicals, Hartley saw an opportunity for a product that could protect a building’s elevator cabs and fixtures while maintaining a professional look. In his role at NOVA, Hartley provided technical insight and handled customer strategy, experiences that continue to help Door Guard navigate material sourcing, compliance and product development with an eye toward both performance and innovation. He also observed several large corporate transactions firsthand, giving him further insight on how to run a business.

Today, Door Guard is led by Hartley’s widow, Lynne Hartley, with day-to-day operations overseen by General Manager (GM) Julie Podolinsky. They hold fast to Briane Hartley’s values of expert craftsmanship, technical precision, innovation and customer service.

The Signature Solution: the Cab Liner

Door Guard offers cab and door liners, as well as protective coverings for elevator ceilings, floors and walls. Its flagship product is the Cab Liner, which converts passenger cabs to service cabs in fewer than 5 min. The Cab Liner boasts a:

• Lightweight, tough foam substrate with a durable laminated veneer
• Locking compression system that does not require adhesives or pad pins to hold the liner in place
• Call buttons, cameras, mirrors and handrails all remain fully operational while the Cab Liner is being installed. The liner passes the ASTME E-84 flame spread and smoke development test.

With precision-engineered designs, Class-A fire-rated materials and a commitment to craftsmanship, Door Guard has become the go-to partner for property managers who value both performance and presentation.

Door Guard’s Locking System, a locking plate mechanism embedded in the panels, utilizes a compression fit so nothing attaches to the cab interior. Elevator protection, Podolinsky says, “should be as refined and upscale as the building it serves,” continuing:

“With precision-engineered designs, Class A fire-rated materials and a commitment to craftsmanship, Door Guard has become the go-to partner for property managers who value both performance and presentation. We’re there whether you need lasting protection or expert design guidance.”

A close-knit team of seven “dedicated professionals who take pride in every project” they do are based at the 5,300-ft² Door Guard facility. The space, Podolinsky says, is “designed for precision craftsmanship and efficient production.” The company is always open to adding “talented, detail-oriented carpenters” who share its commitment to craftmanship and customer satisfaction to its team.

CAD Ensures Precision

Employees start each project with detailed layouts created with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to ensure precision and strong performance. The result, Podolinsky states, are custom-made solutions known for their quality, durability and exceptional fit.

At press time, the McNamara Center’s Door Guard protection panels had been in place for roughly six months. McCombs said his team noticed minor indentations from delivery carts in other parts of the cabs, but the glass panels remain pristine. “It was evident that, without the Door Guard panels, the glass panels could have been damaged to the point of requiring replacement,” he observes.

Looking Ahead

Door Guard’s primary customers are owners, managers and developers of commercial and residential buildings, including luxury condominiums where appearance, protection and professionalism are a must, Podolinsky says. The company has the strongest presence in markets like NYC and Southeast Florida — areas known for high-end developments and demanding building standards.

Thanks to diligent supply-chain management, the tariff roller-coaster has not affected Door Guard, which has found that referrals — especially from large corporate property management firms — have been its best marketing tool. “We’ve earned a reputation for reliability, precision and customer care,” Podolinsky says. “Satisfied clients are our best ambassadors.”

Door Guard continues to expand its reach into new geographical markets as it maintains the quality for which it has become known. One of its main challenges has also been its biggest reward: balancing production timelines with growing demand, Podolinsky states. “We know that each product is built with care,” she says. “The most fulfilling moments are hearing from satisfied customers and sharing photos of the finished installs with our fabrication team, which reinforces the pride we take in our work.”

Door Guard Products

In addition to its signature Cab Liner and Locking System solutions, Door Guard offers:

• Cab Ceiling Protection: A complete protection system for elevator cabs that must be purchased with Cab Liner due to design specifications. With this solution, all lighting is exposed with either cutouts or clear Lexan for visibility. A ceiling access panel is available as an option.
• Door Liner: Offered in six solid colors, Door Liner can be used on loading and unloading levels. This low-profile solution protects cab entrances and does not require adhesives since it uses locking-plate technology.
• Wall Guards: This solution extends protection from the elevator to lobby walls, hallways and reception areas. It is installed using 3M products that are easy to use on glass, marble, wood and metal surfaces.
• Floor Protection: Made entirely of domestically produced recycled rubber, this easy-to-clean solution installs in seconds, lasts for years and boasts a custom fit for complete floor coverage.