Industrial warehouse doors serve an important function in any distribution center/warehouse operation. They can help control access to your facility, aid in managing climate control, and serve as the transfer point for goods between your distribution center/warehouse and the delivery vehicles that move them. Having high-quality industrial doors can help to improve efficiency and safety for the warehouse’s operations—but they have to the right kind of doors for the facility in question.
There are several types of industrial doors that can be installed at various points of the facility. The question is: “Which ones are right for your warehouse/distribution center?”
That’s a tricky question. Obviously, you want a high-quality industrial door that will last you for a while, but the fact that there are different types of industrial doors means that you’ll have to consider a few different factors before settling on any one type.
To help you out, here is a quick list of some different types of industrial doors for warehouse/distribution center operations, along with a few of their benefits for each.
High-Speed Industrial Doors
Technically speaking, a “high-speed” door is a modification of another type of industrial door that helps to make it more durable for a higher operating speed and impact tolerance than a non-high-speed version of the same type of door.
High-speed doors are available in many varieties, including roll up and sectional doors.
The primary advantages of high-speed industrial doors are that they increase productivity, safety, energy efficiency, and security while having a lower maintenance requirement compared to other types of industrial doors.
If you have a warehouse that you want to keep climate-controlled and sealed from the outside as much as possible, or want a warehouse door solution that you won’t have to worry about maintaining overly much, then a high-speed door might be a good option.
Sectional Industrial Doors
Sectional doors are built to be in distinct sections that move within a set of tracks. Typically, these doors include insulated panels to help with climate control and provide a solid surface that deters intruders. Many warehouses use doors of this kind.
Some sectional doors incorporate reinforced Plexiglas or other clear materials to provide extra light and visibility near the door during the day.
Bug Screen Doors
Bug screen doors use a fine mesh material to keep insects, birds, and other pests out of a warehouse while letting fresh air in. These types of doors are often desirable for facilities where air flow is a major concern. When placed at different ends of the facility, screen doors can allow for a cross breeze that helps make the distribution center cooler—reducing money spent on climate control while making the workplace more comfortable.
Roll Up Industrial Doors
Roll up doors are typically made of aluminum or steel and consist of many small sections—kind of similar to a sectional door but with narrower joints. At least, that’s the appearance from the exterior. There are a few key differences between the two beyond the width of each section of the door.
For example, where sectional doors typically require a track suspended from the ceiling to pull the door along, roll up doors are, when open, stored in a coil above the door opening. This helps to save some room in the warehouse dock area.
Roll up doors help to provide excellent climate control by sealing the doorway when closed and are far more adjustable for opening height than sectional doors.
Industrial Fire Doors
These doors are designed to close upon the activation of a fire alarm or other alert system. In the case of a fire, they help to limit the spread of fire and smoke from a blaze. Typically, these doors will be made of a heat-resistant material, such as aluminum or steel, so they can withstand the high temperature of a fire long enough to give first responders time to reach the warehouse.
Choosing an Industrial Door
Which of the above types of industrial doors is the right one for your needs? Odds are, your answer to this question will depend on your goals for your warehouse. If you want to maximize energy efficiency in a climate-controlled warehouse, high-speed doors might be your best option since they have a high operating speed. However, if you want to forego climate control and use the outside air to keep workers cool while keeping bugs and birds out, a bug screen door might be the better option.
If security is a concern, heavy-duty sectional or roll up doors might be a good idea since they often have heavy construction that helps to resist break-in attempts. If you want to minimize maintenance concerns long term, roll up doors are a good option.
If you need help picking the right type of industrial door for your warehouse or distribution center, contact us today for more information or advice! The Southern States Dock & Door team has years of experience in helping warehouse owners find the perfect solutions for their loading dock areas.
