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Garage doors are among the most important parts of a commercial property. The right set will improve business operations, boost curb appeal, make insulation more efficient, reduce outside noise, heighten security and increase the building’s resale value.
Here’s how businesses can choose the right option for their unique needs.
7 Factors to Keep in Mind
Understanding commercial garage door characteristics is vital. All businesses, regardless of their size and industry, should keep these seven factors in mind when choosing their doors:
- Appearance: Do the garage doors improve the building’s curb appeal? First impressions are extremely important if businesses want to attract customers.
- Installation: How much are the installation costs? Would installing the doors force the company to make other changes to the building?
- Cycle rating: What is the garage door’s expected life span? Properly maintained doors can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years.
- Speed: How quickly can the garage door open and close? Will its speed benefit or interfere with the company’s operations?
- Wind load: How much wind can the doors withstand before showing signs of damage? Will heavy gusts affect the opening and closing mechanism?
- Insulation: Can the doors effectively withstand extreme temperatures? Can they help with the commercial building’s other climate control efforts?
- Warranty: What is the door’s warranty? What damage does it cover? How long does it last?
Some of these characteristics might not apply to all businesses, but they should still factor into the final buying decision. Keep them in mind when considering the pros and cons of different types of commercial garage doors.
Types of Commercial Garage Doors
Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and so should their garage doors. Residential spaces have limited options, but commercial operations are much more flexible. These are the seven primary types of commercial garage doors.
1. Overhead Garage Doors
Overhead garage doors — also known as sectional doors — are the most common for commercial and residential buildings. They raise on tracks and usually rest parallel to the ceiling at their fully lifted position. Wood and aluminum are the main materials used in overhead doors because they’re lightweight and match various exteriors. They can also have windows and insulation based on the owner’s request.
The standard measurement for overhead garage doors is 32 feet by 2 inches wide and 24 feet by 1 inch high. Unfortunately, one size does not fit all. These dimensions don’t align with every commercial building. Many businesses must get a different type of door with custom measurements to suit the building’s design.
2. Rolling Garage Doors
Rolling garage doors or roll-up doors are made of steel and offer more versatility than standard overhead versions. The horizontal steel sheets move up and down on roll-formed guides, rolling into a coil instead of becoming parallel with the ceiling.
The coil design minimizes side and overhead obstruction, providing maximum clearance. The minimum required amount of side clearance is 6 inches, but the door should allow for more than 12 inches as a precaution for measurement errors. Fourteen inches is ideal but not required.
Rolling garage doors tend to have higher installation costs than most others, but that’s because of their durability and customization options. Rolling doors come in light, medium and heavy-duty varieties:
- Light-duty: These are great options for garages that store small specialty vehicles, such as snow plows.
- Medium-duty: This is the best option for warehouses, factories, retail outlets and other common commercial spaces.
- Heavy-duty: These are built for manufacturing plants, freight terminals and other commercial buildings with 24/7 operations.
The steel sheets also make rolling doors more resilient to security threats and outside temperatures. Plus, since the coil design has no springs, the doors cannot snap back into place and injure employees. Overall, rolling garage doors are one of the best options for any business.
3. Service Garage Doors
Service doors are similar to rolling doors in that they’re typically made of steel and have the highly desirable coil design. However, instead of staying exposed, the coil rolls inside a protective covering that improves overall appearance. The steel is also one solid curtain instead of multiple horizontal sheets, which boosts insulation and security.
Service doors are great options for loading docks, auto body shops, warehouses and other commercial buildings that keep them open for extended periods. Businesses can customize their dimensions to fit several openings. Their insulation and security benefits also make them great options for long-term vehicle storage and seasonal applications.
4. Fire-Rated Garage Doors
Fire-rated garage doors are perfect for commercial buildings that contain flammable items, including chemicals, building materials and paper products. They consist of either steel, fiberglass or specially-made fire-rated glass. They’re typically operated manually because automatic doors can malfunction if exposed to fire or smoke.
Businesses that want fire-rated doors must be aware of local regulations before installation. For example, residential fire-rated garage doors must be at least 35 millimeters thick and withstand direct flames for 20 minutes. The requirements for commercial applications are even more stringent in some areas.
5. High-Speed Garage Doors
As the name suggests, high-speed garage doors open and close faster than any other variety. This feature reduces the time the door stays open, improving the building’s climate control and energy efficiency. Companies in warm climates that heavily invest in air conditioning can greatly benefit from high-speed garage doors.
High-speed garage doors are also great for protecting temperature-sensitive materials within the facility, such as medicine and food products. This makes them highly popular in grocery outlets, restaurants, health care facilities and pharmacies. However, it’s worth noting that faster garage doors are more dangerous to operate and can lead to workplace accidents.
6. Light-Maximizing Garage Doors
Light-maximizing doors are made of either aluminum or glass, creating a modern look that provides maximum indoor natural lighting. Their attractive curb appeal makes them a great option for service-focused commercial buildings like restaurants, hotels and athletic complexes. They showcase the building’s exterior while serving as durable garage doors.
Aluminum and glass might not be as strong as steel, but these materials are still tough enough for commercial applications. In fact, these lightweight elements put less stress on the springs, cables and other components over time, leading to a longer life span and fewer repairs.
7. Insulated Garage Doors
Insulated garage doors specialize in climate control, retaining heat during the winter and cold air during the summer. They contain multiple layers. Steel is the main component, but between each sheet is a layer of insulation that consists of polyurethane and styrofoam.
Commercial properties in climates with extreme temperatures should strongly consider insulated garage doors. This option is also perfect for buildings only operating during one season, such as snow plow garages. The thick doors provide added security as well as unmatched insulation.
Find Your Ideal Commercial Garage Doors
Commercial garage doors are among the most important building decisions business leaders must make. They play a key role in safety, security, efficiency, climate control and many other daily necessities. Company officials that understand the biggest characteristics of garage doors can make the best decision for their operations.
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