The Right Door Can Improve the Way a Building Works
A warehouse door has a simple job: open and close.
But choosing the wrong door can complicate an entire operation.
A door that's too small can restrict equipment. A poorly located opening can disrupt traffic flow. And a door that isn't designed for the required frequency of operation can become a maintenance problem.
For warehouses, workshops and commercial buildings, the door should be selected around how the facility operates.
Start With What Needs to Go Through the Opening
Before selecting the door, identify the largest vehicle or piece of equipment that needs access.
That may include:
Delivery trucks
Box trucks
Pickup trucks
Forklifts
Tractors
Skid steers
Construction equipment
Trailers
RVs
Boats
Then provide adequate clearance.
A door that technically fits a vehicle may still be uncomfortable to use every day. Think About Traffic Frequency
How many times will the door open each day?
A private storage building that's accessed a few times per week has very different operating demands than a busy warehouse or service facility.
Commercial applications with frequent door cycles should be evaluated accordingly.
Roll-Up Doors Help Preserve Interior Space
One advantage of a roll-up door is how the door stores above the opening.
Instead of requiring a swinging door to occupy exterior space, the curtain coils above the opening.
This can be useful in buildings where floor and ceiling space need to remain available for equipment, storage and operations.
Consider Insulation
If the warehouse or shop is heated or air-conditioned, insulation may become an important consideration.
An insulated door can help reduce thermal transfer through a large exterior opening while the door is closed.
For unconditioned storage buildings, a non-insulated steel door may provide a more economical solution.
Door Placement Affects Workflow
Door location should complement how vehicles and materials move through the facility.
For example, a mechanic shop may benefit from multiple service-bay doors.
A warehouse may need separate receiving and shipping areas.
A contractor building may benefit from a drive-through configuration with openings on opposite sides.
Plan the building and doors together whenever possible.
Manual or Motorized Operation?
Smaller or infrequently used doors may work well with manual operation.
Larger doors or doors that cycle frequently may benefit from powered operation depending on the model and application.
Think about who will operate the door and how frequently they will use it.
Build the Opening Around the Operation
The best commercial door isn't necessarily the biggest or most expensive.
It's the one that fits the building and the way the business operates.
Duro Doors supplies steel roll-up and commercial door solutions for warehouses, shops, steel buildings and industrial applications.
Call 800-872-5740 with your opening dimensions and building application and our team can help you select the appropriate door.