Industrial sectional doors are designed for large facilities, typically where trucks need to pass through. They share many features with standard garage sectional doors, but there are some key differences. Installation costs can vary depending on several factors.
As the name suggests, industrial sectional doors are installed in commercial buildings and are significantly larger because they need to accommodate large vehicles, not just cars. Due to their larger size, industrial sectional doors have different specifications compared to typical garage sectional doors used in residential properties.
How Industrial Sectional Doors Work
The basic principle remains the same: industrial sectional doors consist of panels that, like a large roll-up shutter, lift and slide under the ceiling of the building. This allows for quick opening, and since these doors are massive, their design ensures that they don’t take up space in front of or inside the building when opened.
For doors with a width and height greater than 13 feet (4 meters), even a double-wing opening would be cumbersome and take up valuable space needed for vehicle maneuvering and loading/unloading.
Materials Used in Industrial Sectional Doors
These doors are typically made from sandwich panels, constructed from double-layered galvanized steel sheets with a finish of thermally treated polyester. The galvanized steel is highly resistant to corrosion, ensuring durability and minimal maintenance, while the polyester coating provides additional protection and improves aesthetics, which can be important for commercial properties. Sometimes, aesthetics are essential for blending the building’s appearance with company standards.
The sandwich panels are substantial, with a thickness of about 1.6 inches (40 mm), and are filled with insulation that provides thermal stability and reduces noise transmission. Thermal insulation is crucial, not only to make heating the building easier and more cost-efficient, but also to prevent condensation during the winter months, which could cause the doors to deteriorate more quickly.
To prevent air drafts, seals are installed on the door’s side tracks and a rubber seal is placed at the bottom where the door meets the floor.
Are Repairs Possible?
It’s important to note that sectional door repairs are possible. Given the significant installation cost, in the event of damage—which is not uncommon in commercial settings with frequent heavy vehicle traffic—only the damaged panels can be replaced.
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Most industrial sectional doors are equipped with electric motors for automatic operation, often with remote control or button access, though manual operation is also an option. In the event of a power outage, the doors can be quickly raised or lowered using a chain system, and despite their size, the process isn’t physically demanding due to special springs that counterbalance the door’s weight. Additionally, all doors are equipped with systems that prevent them from falling, ensuring safety.
Pedestrian Door Installation Option
In facilities where pedestrian traffic is frequent in addition to vehicle access, pedestrian doors can be installed within the sectional panels. These pedestrian doors are made from the same material and color as the panels, ensuring a seamless look, with only the aluminum frame highlighting the door’s presence.
If necessary, small windows can also be integrated into the panels to allow light into the building, which is important for many industrial activities. When specifying industrial sectional doors, it’s critical to select high-quality hardware.
The hardware is the component of the system that experiences the most wear during use. Today, there are highly durable galvanized hardware options available, offering resistance to corrosion and ensuring up to 50,000 opening cycles without the need for servicing.