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We probably all remember hearing our parents yell, ‘Close the door behind you!’
There were a myriad of reasons to keep that door closed: bugs, weather, insulation, and safety. Bottom line, though – the door needed to be closed.
Keeping our business enclosed as well as protected is an integral part of our daily business operations. We open in the morning, close in the evening and at the end of the day want to know that when we leave – our property and assets are safe and secure.
Commercial overhead doors have come a long way in energy-efficiency, safety, and security. However, they are large, heavy, and can become a liability if not installed correctly by a professional to ensure they are OSHA compliant.
Check out these things that every shop, business, and/or warehouse owner should know about their overhead doors.
Types of Commercial Overhead Doors
First, let’s chat overhead doors.
These are the most popular types of doors used in both residential and commercial properties. They are convenient, they are efficient, and they are easy to operate.
But why choose the commercial overhead door?
These types of doors are pretty impenetrable, making them the Fort Knox of doors. Doors that close and latch into the ground don’t really leave a lot of room for entry without a key, remote, or access code. They create a peace of mind that owners can trust to keep their property secure during working and non-working hours.
Here are the types of commercial overhead doors most commonly used and information you should know about each:
Rolling Doors
These doors do exactly what their name implies – they roll up and down.
Used primarily for warehouses, storage units, and outdoor shops, restaurants, and businesses, rolling doors are specifically manufactured for strength and durability.
Once you roll one of these commercial overhead doors to the ground, it’s final – the day is done. Made out of galvanized steel, Superman would be the only impending threat that could penetrate these doors when closed and secured.
Available in manual push-up, chain pull, or motor operation – rolling doors are great choices for warehouses, car washes, machine shops, auto body shops or any other place that needs a strong, durable door that can ensure your property is incredibly secure at the end of the day.
High-Speed Doors
Known for being the safest, fastest, and best-sealing doors – the high-speed door gets you in and out with speed and efficiency in mind.
These doors can be custom-fit for any space, are reinforced with heavy-duty PVS vinyl, and can be used inside or outside. Even more useful, these types of commercial overhead doors can cater to many specific design requirements:
- High winds and/or harsh weather environments
- Hygiene, cleaning, sealing, and/or corrosive conditions need attention
- Freezing temperatures
- Cleanroom environments
With the ability to stop if someone or something is detected underneath the door, this option is one of the safest in the industry and a great option for larger volumes of foot traffic.
Sectional Doors
Probably the doors that you may recognize most often, the sectional door is exactly what it implies – multiple doors in multiple sections. These types of doors are used for fire stations, loading docks, and other locations where multiple vehicles require access.
Built to take regular usage, sectional doors are the garage door choices for many businesses based on cost, efficiency, and design. Easy to maintain and available in a variety of colors, these doors can offer secure access as well as an aesthetic appeal.
Aluminum Grilles
Need some quality security and ventilation?
Aluminum grilles are the commercial overhead door that could best fit your needs. Constructed out of galvanized steel in a handful of different grate patterns, these doors allow maximum airflow as well as maximum protection.
The standard grille is the usual go-to for storefront locations inside shopping malls or other enclosed spaces.
The heavy grille is the perfect choice for parking garages. This type of door is built stronger to withstand something like a speeding vehicle.
Counter Doors
It’s late, you’re hungry, and you want to find some food ASAP! These types of doors may have been your greeting if you showed up past normal operating hours.
The counter doors are compact, visually attractive, and durable. Used mostly for food counters at walk-up or cafeteria style locations as well as drive-throughs, these types of commercial overhead doors are smaller and more compact in design.
Able to fit most custom measurements, counter doors are perfect for smaller openings that don’t extend to the ground.
Fire Doors
Fires happen. That’s why there is a specific type of commercial overhead door to cater to this potential fiery situation.
Depending on the type of business that you need to outfit, these types of doors may be a requirement. These are rolling doors that have an added layer of fire resistance and extreme heat durability.
These types of doors are not meant for continuous use. In fact, most are equipped with the following options that only activate during an emergency situation:
- Smoke detectors
- Release devices
- Perimeter gasketing
- Vision Lites
- Powerdercoat
- VIBRATECH (a quiet close option)
Depending on your type of business, you may be required to install doors with a certain level of fire resistance. Hospitals are prime examples of where these types of doors are a necessity and a requirement.
Lock It Up
You’ve invested your time, money, and energy into a commercial business. You definitely don’t want bugs, weather, insulation concerns, or safety issues to impact your daily operations in any way.
To rest easy and know that your company or business is safe in your absence – a commercial overhead door will pacify your worry. With all of the different options available, these types of doors have become the literal gatekeepers to our businesses and warehouses.
Installing the right type of door(s) may seem overwhelming, but finding a door that is durable, reliable, and safe is a must.
Find a company with extensive knowledge between the differences of the various commercial overhead doors and outsource to a professional that can help diagnose your business needs.
After you ‘close the door behind you’, do so knowing that your business is protected with a door you trust.
