Steel Garages: When Should You Have A Rolling Sheet Door
There's more than one way to open a door! Rolling doors have several advantages and disadvantages you should know about.
A popular trend for commercial buildings, including steel garages, rolling sheet doors have many advantages. They not only have a classic and sleek design, but they also offer heavy-duty weather protection. However, there are some things to consider when deciding whether a rolling sheet or steel curtain roll-up door is suitable for your commercial operation. Here we look at the advantages and disadvantages of having this type of door installed in metal buildings.
Advantages:
They are Wind Resistant
Roll-up garage doors made from corrugated steel were originally developed so that people could open them with ease. With advances in technology, they are now used on pre-engineered steel buildings, including storage facilities, warehouses, and garages, because of their durability and wind resistance. Wind-rated rolling sheet doors have been proven to “stand up” in extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes and tornadoes, as they are not attached to a door frame and clamp shut during high wind events.
They are Durable
As a door is one of the largest openings to a building, a rolling sheet metal door provides added protection from elements causing damage to the building’s interior. This includes from:
- Rot
- Mould
- Corrosion
- Weakened door frames
- Interior finish damage
- Structural failure
They Are Compact, Easy to Install and Maintain and Customizable
In comparison to a sectional door, which typically floats up and overhead into a building, a rolling sheet door is operated with the furling and unfurling of a single large, pleated sheet of metal and does not require a connection to the ceiling or roof of a structure. As rolling doors store up in a tight coil, their compact cylindrical design requires minimal internal space and therefore reduces interference with other building components. And as they use fewer moving parts, roller doors require minimal maintenance. They are also easier to customize to not only to look aesthetically pleasing but also to fit any opening.
Disadvantages:
- A rolling sheet door typically has a lower capacity of insulating material to resist heat flow (R-value) than an insulated sectional door.
- If damaged, the full door will require replacing.
- They can be expensive if fire-rating is required.
- As the door clamps shut during heavy winds, they may not be ideal for those who work in emergency services and who need access to the outside quickly.
For more information on how rolling doors are used in pre-fabricated buildings, read our blog: What Makes Roller Doors so Popular for Pre Engineered Steel Buildings.
Metal Structure Concepts is one of the leading designers and installers of professionally constructed buildings made from steel in Western Canada. Need a new metal building for your commercial operation? Contact us for a free estimate.