Choosing The Right Commercial Door For Your Business

Name: R&S Erection of Concord
Address: 2424 Bates Ave., Concord, CA, 94520, US
Telephone: (925) 671-7606

November 15, 2018Commercial Doors

choosing the right commercial door for your business

Your business is coming together, and soon it’ll be ready to open and operate. But first, you need to choose the right commercial door for the job.

The SBA estimates that more than 600,000 new businesses open each year. If you’re opening one of them, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the equipment you need to succeed. Taking a new business from opening to profitability is much easier when everything is running smoothly.

As you buy equipment and hire workers, it’s easy to let your commercial doors become an afterthought. But in many businesses, your commercial doors will get used every day, and are an important part of operations. With the wrong kind of door, things can get held up, reducing your ability to meet client demands.

Make sure you choose the right commercial door for your company by reading this guide first!

How Commercial Doors Differ from Residential Doors

It’s tempting to think that just any old door will work. But in a business, your needs are different than in a home.

The size is an obvious different: many commercial doors need to be bigger than those used in residential locations. However, the use is also very different for a commercial door.

For example, if you’re buying a door for a loading dock, you need one that can withstand being opened and closed far more often in a given day than a residential door. It might also need to stand up to accidental collisions from heavy equipment like forklifts.

Most commercial doors are thicker than residential ones, and have insulation to maintain energy efficiency. If you have a temperature-controlled building, you’ll want to be sure that heat or cool air isn’t getting lost through the door.

You’ll also need a door that resists dents and bending in case there’s a collision. The hardware also needs to be more durable, as does the lift function on a commercial garage door. Basically, they need to be able to stand up to heavy, frequent use over many years.

Choosing the Best Commercial Door Style

Which type of commercial door will best meet your needs? It depends on the nature of your business. Here are a few of the most common commercial door types.

High-Speed

If you have a lot of traffic going in and out of a door, a high-speed option can make things more efficient. They also help prevent temperature loss by reducing the amount of time for outside air to get in, and vice versa. They can even reduce the transfer of dirt from outside to inside your business.

Garage

An overhead garage door is necessary for warehouses and any business with a loading dock. In fact, if your company needs a large door opening for any reason, the garage door is a good fit.

However, there’s also more than one kind of garage door. For example, you can choose between a steel roll-up door and a sectional door. Some companies make garage doors in all different sizes to meet the exact needs of your business.

Since these doors are large, you’ll probably want an insulated option if you need to control the temperature inside in any way. If you’re going to be running a showroom space or a space where visibility matters, consider a see-through, full-visibility garage door to let light in and showcase your products.

Storefront

If you’ll be opening a retail space, you’ll need a storefront door. These can come in many different styles, although they don’t generally need to be as big as a garage door.

Your storefront door needs to be attractive, since it’s one of the first things customers will see when they arrive. They also need to be durable, since they’ll be opening and closing hundreds of times a day, potentially. Finally, they should be easy to repair in case of damage or wear and tear.

Fire

Fire doors are a requirement if you’re running a company. They offer a way for customers and employees to get out in the event of a fire, and they also help block the fire from spreading. You should also consider installing doors that will close whenever a fire alarm goes off, to help contain the fire.

Other Commercial Doors

There are other commercial door styles, but most of these have specialty uses. For example, you can get cold-storage doors if you’re operating a climate-controlled space that needs to maintain a certain low temperature. Or, you can use a grill instead of a door for complete visibility and security. The right choice will depend on your business, and you’ll probably need to install different kinds of doors in different areas.

Choosing the Best Commercial Door Material

There are a few materials that are commonly chosen for commercial doors, for good reason. Chances are, you’ll want one of these for your business’s doors.

Glass doors are more durable than you might think: they even resist dents. Of course, they do shatter under enough force. But they give a sleek, attractive look to a space like a showroom.

Aluminum doors have a similarly modern, appealing look. You can also choose many different colors or textures for the finish. However, they’ll quickly dent under pressure.

Fiberglass doors are limited in insulation value, but they also resist corrosion from salt in the air. You can paint them or choose a number of different finishes, even faux wood.

Finally, steel doors are ideal for strength and durability. They don’t require much maintenance, and they’re easy to insulate.

Choosing the Best Commercial Door Company

Now that you have an idea of what kind of commercial door to choose, you need to pick the best company to install it.

Experience and reputation are two of the most important factors to consider. If the brand has a track record of doing good work, they’re probably a good choice for you.

If you need a great source of commercial doors and installation services, we’ve got you covered. Check out our work gallery to see more about what we can do.

Commercial Doors, High-Speed Doors

7 Advantages of High-Speed Doors

October 13, 2017Commercial Doors, High-Speed Doors

7 advantages of high-speed doors

Taking your service doors for granted is the biggest mistake your business can make. High-speed doors create operational efficiencies, keep employees safe, and reduce costs.

Before we look at some of the advantages of these specialized doors, let’s cover the basics.

High-Speed Door Basics

High-speed doors are also referred to as high-performance doors. They serve the basic function of a barrier in commercial settings. But their most important purpose is to open and close quickly.

Other characteristics of these doors are…

power operated
sliding or rolling
horizontal or vertical orientation
high cycle (75-100 open/close per day)
breakaway features
minimal maintenance

High-performance doors, in general, allow quick movement throughout your facility.

They also have specific functions used in industries like food processing, logistics, and high-tech. Among these functions are weather resistance, security, environmental containment, and pressure stability.

Basics are great but they don’t tell the whole story. High-performance doors provide many advantages for your business. One of the seven below might be the make or break advantage your company’s been looking for.

7 Amazing Advantages of High-speed Doors

High-speed doors are versatile enough for use in auto dealerships, food processing plants, and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Their unique construction and operation allow them to fit specific needs.

Let’s look at these advantages and see how they impact your business.

Increased Security

Standard high-speed doors have built-in security functions. Their quick open/close times cut the risk of employees entering non-authorized areas of your facility.

Rigid construction doors, made with rugged aluminum slats, are used for exterior applications. They’re found in auto dealerships, hotels, and convention centers.

Some doors have no rubber gaskets between slats. This eliminates intrusion by slicing them open.

Intruders can’t get through the slats which means they stay outside, where they belong.

Keep Employees Safer

There are many reasons why businesses use high-speed doors to segregate areas of their facilities. Some areas work with corrosive or noxious materials. In others, employees produce sparks while welding.

Still in others, extreme heat or cold is necessary. Quick operation, strong seals, and durable materials keep employees and visitors safe.

The doors themselves are flexible. Because the door curtain has no rigid parts, damage and injury after collisions are reduced. On rigid style doors, transparent panels limit vehicle collisions when entering and exiting.

Some doors have intuitive signaling technology to warn employees of approaching vehicles on the opposite side.

Reduced Loss of Heating and Cooling

There are four primary features that promote energy efficiency.

tight seal
quick opening and closing
durability
wind resistance

High-speed doors seal very well on all four sides to keep hot and cold where they belong. The quick open and close cycles limit hot and cold air escaping.

Their durability comes from a design that is more damage-resistant than conventional doors. Conventional door issues like bent slats allow heat and cold to escape.

Certain high-performance doors are wind resistant up to a set number of miles per hour. This feature is very useful for keeping cold winds from affecting warmer areas.

Doors can also be equipped with insulation curtains that limit condensation and ice build-up.

This is especially important in auto dealership service departments where customers drive straight into the service bay from outside. Cars move in and out of the service bay all day, even in inclement weather.

Airflow Prevention

In some businesses, like those that need clean rooms, airflow is key. Dust and airborne debris can damage the manufacture of some products. They can also damage heating and cooling systems.

High-performance doors control airflow and reduce risk. Use them in pairs to form airlocks in pressure-sensitive environments.

Hygiene standards are another reason to control airflow in operations like food processing. Food manufacturing facilities use high-performance doors to separate waste disposal areas from the assembly line.

Increased Productivity

High-performance doors fast open/close cycle saves time and increases productivity. Products, equipment, and people move throughout your facility with ease.

Businesses where material handling and transport is a priority, thrive on volume processing and smooth logistical flows. High-performance doors allow these businesses to maximize productivity.

High-performance doors work great at auto dealerships, too. Customers are impressed when the service bay door opens many times faster than a traditional door. The faster customers can pull in and park on the service drive, the faster they can get on with their busy days.

Easier to Clean and Maintain

In the food processing sector, doors must be easy to clean and disinfect. High-speed doors with PVC curtains and stainless steel side covers are made to withstand heavy use of cleaning agents.

When conventional doors are knocked off track, a service call is usually the only option. High-performance doors feature a self-reinserting curtain that prevents downtime after collisions. Opening and closing the door returns the curtain into its side guides.

In the event a rigid door’s aluminum slats are damaged, replacement is simple. Some repairs take 15 minutes, or less. With proper security measures in place, the door can still operate while waiting for a technician.

In cold climates or environments, de-icing doors and guides are time-consuming. Equip your high-performance doors with heated side guides, insulated curtains, and defrosting systems. These options make de-icing a non-issue.

Finally, doors equipped with patented push/pull drive technology require little maintenance. The design purposely limits wear on moving parts.

Cost Savings

A standard rolling steel door, in a 2m high opening, opens and closes in 11 seconds. A high-speed security door, in the same opening, opens and closes in 2 seconds. This increased speed creates a number of cost savings, like the following:

reduced HVAC maintenance costs from better environmental controls
reduced heat and air conditioning costs
reduced repair costs from collisions
reduced workers compensation costs from fewer door-related injuries

These massive advantages make it easy for high-performance doors to revolutionize your operation.

An Open and Shut Case

Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves. But high-speed doors are no joke.

They provide so many benefits that pay for themselves. A 21st-century business literally cannot afford to go without them.

RS Door offers high-performance doors from Dynaco, featuring their patented push-pull drive technology.

To see all the advantages we’ve talked about today, click the link for a free high-speed door estimate.

Commercial Doors, Warehouse

What You Need To Know About Commercial Overhead Doors

September 7, 2017Commercial Doors, Warehouse

what you need to know about commercial overhead doors

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.

Commercial Doors

Fire Door Maintenance

June 30, 2016Commercial Doors

fire-door-maintenance

Maintenance of your commercial, industrial and personnel doors is always important. It is required for the doors to work safely, reliably and efficiently on a daily basis. Fire doors, however, take extra-special priority when it comes to door maintenance.

Regular Fire Door Maintenance is a Must

Fire doors are designed specifically to keep fires and smoke from spreading from one area of a building to another. They are made from highly-specialized materials and their equipment and hardware are designed to automatically close, prevent the spread or exacerbation of fire.

Obviously, failure on your part to maintain, repair and/or replace fire doors and parts as needed can result in serious damage to your building and/or its occupants. Additionally, it can result in steep fines and other penalties if ill-maintained fire doors are not repaired immediately, or are the cause of harm to people or property.

Here are tips for busy business and building owners should keep in mind, to ensure their fire doors are up to par the next time the Fire Marshall comes around for an inspection…

Download the NFPA 80 Handbook. While it doesn’t make for the most exciting reading material, it’s a good idea to run through the National Fire Protection Associations handbook (NFPA 80), which outlines the safety standards for fire doors.

Work With a Licensed Fire Door Installer. One of the smartest things you can do is work with a licensed commercial door installer who specializes in fire doors. The same people who install the doors will also be qualified to provide scheduled, routine inspections. Call around to various door vendors in your area to find one who offers annual or semi-annual inspections.

They will calendar your inspections so you don’t have to remember them. During their fire door inspection, the technician will perform routine maintenance services, including lubricating of moving parts, tightening up of any loose screws or attachments, etc. Any additional parts and replacement issues will be discussed with you and an estimate will be given. Basic repairs can take place right then and there, more complicated repairs or replacements that require special parts orders will be calendared ASAP.

Perform Your Own Inspections. A door that works fine today can stop working fine tomorrow. For this reason, we recommend that building owners and/or maintenance personnel do weekly or monthly inspections on their own – depending on what makes sense for the door’s use and location.

Things to look for, as per the NFPA 80 guidelines include:

Door surfaces and frames do not have holes, breaks, cracks or notable issues.
Glazing, vision light frames, and glazing beads are intact.
Doors, frames, hinges, hardware, and thresholds are aligned and are adequately tightened.
There are no missing or broken parts.
Door clearances around frames and at thresholds are appropriate.
Self-closure devices operate as designed, without a delay.
Coordinators are installed with an inactive leaf closing before active leaf.
Latching hardware operates and secures the door when closed. The door should not push open without operating the appropriate lever, handle or push-bar.
Auxiliary hardware does not interfere with operation of the door assembly.
Modifications do not void the label.
Gasket and edge seals are verified for presence and integrity.

Keep a map on hand that has all fire doors clearly indicated. Building personnel can use this to check that all mapped fire doors are working properly and do not show any signs of abuse, excess wear-and-tear or other signs that repairs are required.

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure that the doors are inspected and maintained as per NFPA recommendations and your local fire safety code. These inspections and repairs should be carefully documented and stored in case they are need for future reference. Always note the specific inspector’s name, the date, time and findings in as much detail as possible since a fire door’s conditions can change very quickly.

Would you like assistance with fire door maintenance, installation or inspection? Give us a call here at R&S, (925) 671-7606. We’ve provided reliable fire door installation, repair and maintenance for Bay Area clients for more than 50 years.

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