While residential garage doors can be customized with some of the same features as commercial ones, commercial garage doors are designed specifically for applications in businesses, warehouses, manufacturing plants, municipalities and other industries.
Like residential doors, commercial garage doors are available in different materials and customization options. They are generally less concerned with style and appearance and prioritize function and efficiency. However, you can customize some to match or complement your building’s appearance.
Types of Commercial Garage Doors
Different types serve different functions, like fire protection or increased security. Some commercial and industrial door solutions serve multiple purposes at once. These are the most common overhead doors and their applications.
Roll-Up and Rolling Doors
Roll-up sheet doors are made of several panels of sheet metal, typically steel or aluminum, with a special groove and guide track design that allows the door to roll up vertically as a single, continuous sheet. They’re a good fit for facilities with limited overhead space because they do not arc like sectional doors. Many service doors in commercial settings fall into this category.
Rolling overhead garage doors, also called coiling doors, are a similar option. They are made of metal slats that form a compact overhead coil as it opens. They’re a popular alternative to sectional garage doors because they don’t require as much backroom — a term that refers to the distance from the door to the back interior wall.
Both roll-up and rolling door varieties are durable, rugged and have high-cycle and fire door options.
High-Cycle Doors
High-cycle doors are a type of rolling door built with stronger, heavier-duty materials and components than standard ones. They’re designed for frequent use, withstanding hundreds of cycles each hour — high-cycle doors from Ben Druck Door are tested and rated for a million lifetime openings.
You can combine high-cycle doors with high-speed technology if you need your door to open and close faster than standard offerings. This is common for climate-controlled and maximum security facilities.
Fire-Rated Doors
Fire-rated doors are essential in high-risk commercial environments, even if you don’t deal with flammable or explosive materials. Depending on your industry, you might be required to choose a fire-rated garage door to remain compliant with local and federal codes.
What sets them apart from non-fire doors is the use of flame-resistant materials, such as steel, and the addition of self-closing mechanisms to create a secure barrier. Some have other features, like auto reset and auto open. Their primary purpose is to slow the spread of fire and smoke, allowing employees and visitors more time to escape the facility and minimizing the extent of the damage. Because they’re so durable, these doors are also a great option for enhancing security against unauthorized access.
You might install a fire-rated door in one or more of the following locations:
- Stairwells
- Corridors and hallways
- Openings between separate fire zones
- Storage units housing combustible or toxic materials
- Mechanical rooms
- In designated areas along the planned egress route
- Parking garages
Fire doors must be inspected annually to remain compliant. Ben Druck Door offers fire door inspections and testing to ensure your door is always functioning at its full potential so you have peace of mind that your team and your property are protected. One part of this service is the drop test, which is where an experienced technician evaluates how quickly and effectively the door closes and latches without interference.
Sectional Doors
Sectional doors have horizontal panels joined by hinges, allowing the door to open and close along an arched path. If you’ve got a garage door at home, it’s likely a sectional one. The door lays parallel to the ceiling when it’s open, so ample overhead space is essential. Ensure the opening and closing path is free from obstructions like sprinklers, lights and ductwork.
Liking rolling doors, sectional doors and their features can be either manual or automatic. They’re also highly customizable — you can add features like insulation for noise and temperature control and windows or see-through panels to let natural light in.
Specialty and Custom Doors
Specialty doors may fall under any of the above categories but are for specific applications like security or interior security. Examples include:
- Security grilles.
- Blast-resistant doors.
- Four-fold doors.
- Vertical bifold doors.
- Countertop coiling grilles.
Ben Druck Door specializes in providing custom designs if you need a commercial door with unique requirements.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Garage Door
The best commercial overhead door for you depends on several factors. Here’s an easy way to break down your options.
1. Consider the Door’s Purpose
Start by clarifying what purpose the door will serve at your facility. While this varies greatly between different industries, common applications include:
- Entry points for receiving and unloading freight.
- Vehicle access at auto repair and detailing shops.
- Self-storage and bulk storage facilities.
- Parking garage entry and exit points.
- Cold storage facilities.
- Secured entrances for law enforcement vehicles.
- Fire and ambulance stations.
- Storage for maintenance vehicles and supplies.
- Car wash service bays.
Once you’ve identified its main use, list all the necessary characteristics it should have to complete that task. Is security your top priority, or is the door’s visual appeal more important? Should it have insulating properties for better temperature control? How often will it be used on an average day — enough that you may benefit from a high-cycle option? How much ceiling and backroom space are you working with?
2. Prioritize Fire Safety Compliance and Local Building Codes
Contact your local building authority to determine which building and fire codes you must meet before choosing a door. You might also be subject to the following standards:
- National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 80 establishes fire safety standards for fire doors and protective openings, while the Life Safety Code in NFPA 101 has guidelines for construction, protection and occupancy to minimize the effects of certain hazards, like fire.
- International building and fire codes: The International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) have helpful guidance for protecting life and property across industries.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA has several standards for fire safety that apply to all workplaces in the United States.
- American National Standards Institute: ANSI has several standards that may apply to the construction and selection of commercial garage doors, such as ANSI/UL 325 and ANSI A156.1.
You should also reach out to your insurance provider to see if they have any requirements for coverage, such as fire-rated doors or security enhancements.
3. Choose the Right Materials
Most commercial garage doors are constructed using steel or aluminum because of metal’s durability. When choosing between steel and aluminum doors, note these differences:
- Steel: Steel is the perfect choice for rugged industrial facilities or those that experience high traffic and frequent use. It offers more security and natural insulation than aluminum because it’s thicker — this also contributes to a higher initial investment. While steel itself isn’t corrosion-resistant, it can be coated with certain finishes that protect it against rust and oxidation.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight, often making it a lower initial investment than steel. It’s naturally corrosion-resistant, which is a better option for wet or humid environments. These doors are less secure than steel because the material isn’t as strong and dense.
Both materials are ultimately recyclable and can be customized with different design and control features.
Trust Ben Druck Door for Your Commercial Garage Door Installation and Servicing
Ben Druck Door specializes in commercial garage door installation, repair and maintenance servicing, as well as fire door inspection and testing. We offer turnkey services, so you’ll never have to guess how much a job will cost — our transparent pricing includes everything from taxes to warranty coverage.
Explore our complete commercial door offerings and request an estimate today to get started.