Airflow
Mesh vs solid vs glass rack doors
Guide · reviewed 2026-07-04
For air-cooled equipment, use an 80% perforated (mesh) door front and rear. It maximises front-to-back airflow. Use solid doors only where airflow is handled another way (e.g. rack-door cooling), and glass doors for display or low-heat use.
Why perforation matters
Servers pull cool air in the front and exhaust hot air at the rear. A door that blocks that path traps heat and raises inlet temperatures. An 80% open-area mesh door is the standard because it lets equipment breathe while still providing security and structure.
When to use each
| Mesh (80%) | Default for air-cooled servers; best airflow |
|---|---|
| Solid | With rack-door cooling, or non-airflow enclosures |
| Glass | Display, reception or low-heat equipment |
High-density cabinets that exceed what perforation can handle should pair a solid or cooling door with rack-door cooling, which rejects heat at the cabinet rather than relying on room airflow.