Don't run around trying to find an automatic door system that is right for your company. Instead, learn automatic doors key terms to help you narrow down exactly what you need. There are numerous types of automatic doors on the market. Trying to search through all of them can take hours. Learning the automatic doors key terms cuts that time in half.

Automatic doors key terms consist of the various types and styles of automatic doors available. There are four basic types of automatic doors: security, swing or handicap, revolving and sliding. Within each type of automatic door there are various styles to choose.

1. Learn the types of security electric doors.

2. Discover the benefits of swing or handicapped automatic doors.

3. Explore the different types of revolving automatic doors.

4. Learn what types of automatic sliding doors are available.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find examples of security electric doors

Security doors are designed to limit access to an area. There are two basic types of security automatic doors: portal and revolving. Portal doors allow one person through at a time and look like regular doors. Revolving doors are designed to rotate 90-degrees or 120-degrees before locking. These security revolving doors allow you to choose how many people enter at a time.

I recommend: View examples of various types of security automatic doors at Door Control Services. Purchase security automatic door systems from Eastern Door Service. View product specification sheets and product pictures at Horton Doors.

Understand that automatic swing and handicapped automatic doors are the same thing

Automatic swing, or handicapped automatic doors, open outward when a sensor is activated or a button is pushed. A handicap door allows wheelchairs to enter and exit the door with ease. They are also useful for those who cannot push open a door or hold it open as they pass through.

I recommend: Door Controls carries automatic swing doors for handicap access. Automatic Doors of Iowa provides a wide range of handicap accessible doors and hardware.

Find revolving automatic doors

Revolving automatic doors are available in 2-wing, 3-wing and 4-wing styles. These styles differ in the amount of partitions within the doors themselves. The 2-wing model is separated into two sections. The 3-wing model has three sections and the 4-wing model has four sections within the revolving door.

I recommend: Find automatic door prices at Royal Boon Edam, a world leader in revolving automatic doors. Visit Automatic Access Limited to view a variety of automatic revolving doors.

Discover the different styles of automatic sliding doors

There are five types of sliding automatic doors. Standard automatic sliding doors simply slide open. Heavy-duty sliding doors are best in high traffic areas. They can handle the wear and tear, and are equipped with emergency open switches. Full-breakout doors have two sliding panels and come equipped with panic exit hardware. All glass sliding doors are made with tempered glass and are available in a variety of finishes. All panels of telescoping sliding doors open to offer the maximum traffic through.

I recommend: Visit Nesdoor to see examples of all types of sliding automatic doors. They also provide a list of automatic door prices. Buy an automatic sliding door in any style from Advanced Door Automation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Retro-fit or custom-made automatic doors are available at some door companies such as Door Control Services. These doors are built to fit specific entry ways.

Automatic doors are becoming somewhat standard on commercial buildings. Customers may be carrying bags or pushing a cart. Or, they may be handicapped. Having an automatic sliding door makes it easier for everyone to get in and out of your building.

Electric doors also serve a second purpose. They can add to the aesthetics of your businesses. For instance, golden-colored revolving doors sure make a statement in front of a hotel. Some are true showpieces.

In this guide, you'll learn:

1. How to choose the right kind of door for your business needs.
2. Tackle the issue of handicap door openers.
3. How to pick an automatic door company that will back its product and service.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide what kind of automatic doors your business needs

You may want an automatic sliding door to greet customers as they walk into your business. Or, perhaps you need automatic garage doors for your trucks. Outline your needs before you start looking through the styles of automatic doors.

I recommend: Automatic Doors.com sells several types of electric doors. There are sliders, swingers, revolvers and folding doors. Planet Mobility sells swinging arms and push buttons for your handicap door.

Look at some examples before making your selection

Automatic doors come in many different looks. You can buy wood or steel electric doors. For a touch of class, there are also gold-colored automatic doors on the market.

I recommend: Sierra Automatic Doors has brochures on their website of the close to dozen automatic doors they have for sale. Stanley Access Technologies has several automatic door options right in the middle of their homepage.

Install a handicap door opener

Handicapped accessibility is a must. Handicap door openers make it possible for everyone to enter and exit your business. Choices include those that operate with a push button on the wall or electric doors that respond to a remote control.

I recommend: Free Ship Medical sells a commercial handicap door opener that uses an operating arm with a roller. That means that non-handicapped people can open the door without activating the handicap door. Open Sesame Doors sells handicap doors that operate with a remote control.

Choose a company with a reputation of quality service

Imagine having automatic doors installed then having something malfunction. You need service technicians at your disposal to perform automatic door repair.

I recommend: Incorporated Door Systems has been in the business of automatic doors since 1977. Their technicians are certified and their products are reliable. Eastern Door Service has skilled technicians to service automatic sliding doors and other electric doors throughout New Jersey.

Prepare to drop money on automatic doors.

Automatic door prices can be quite high. Think about it--they are high tech automatic door systems made of durable materials. Get an estimate before ordering because automatic door prices vary depending on the style and size you choose.

I recommend: PrivateDoor.com's automatic door prices range from $600 to about $1000. Gentleman Door prices range from $400 to $1000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure a warranty comes with your purchase of automatic door systems.

Automatic doors allow customers to enter and leave your business without having to rearrange a handful of bags or maneuver a shopping cart. This helps minimize customer frustrations and boosts customer satisfaction. Supplies for automatic doors keep the doors working properly. If an automatic door breaks, it slows down traffic coming in and out of your business. Keep replacement parts and supplies handy to ensure the doors keeping opening and closing at your customers' command.

When looking for supplies for automatic doors, you need the manufacturer's name and the door's model number before ordering parts. There are three different types of supplies for automatic doors: motors, controls and cosmetic parts. Motors for automatic doors are available new or refurbished. Automatic door controls allow you to activate the door when needed. Cosmetic parts include items such as rollers and hinges.

1. Locate a replacement motor for automatic doors.

2. Find replacement controls for automatic doors.

3. Purchase cosmetic parts for automatic doors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Be prepared to replace an automatic door motor

Motors are what open and close the automatic doors. Without a backup motor to replace a broken one, your doors may become more of a nuisance than anything else. Some companies rebuild broken motors to meet factory standards or they simply supply you with a new motor. All brands of door motors are unique to their company and should not be replaced with another brand.

I recommend: Buy rebuilt and brand new automatic door motors as well as other necessary automatic door parts with same day shipping at Door Control Services. 1A Auto Parts carries replacement motors for automatic sliding doors. Visit Zhangzhou Kylin Electronics for rolling automatic door motors.

Buy controls for automatic doors

Controls for automatic doors are the boxes and panels that manage each door's movement. These boxes include the controls for handicap door openers, automatic sliding doors, automatic swing doors and automatic revolving doors.

I recommend: Find replacement push buttons and switches for automatic sliding doors at Door Controls International. Alcorn McBride carries control panels for electric doors. Disability Systems provides all of the controls needed for an automatic handicap access door.

Locate push plates and cosmetic parts for electric doors

Cosmetic parts for automatic doors include items such as push plates, pads, rubber jams, locks and rollers. These items assist the door's motors and the automatic door systems' controls.

I recommend: The Automatic Door Store sells a wide variety of push plates, hinges, pads and other parts required for the maintenance of automatic doors. Compare the list of accessories and automatic door prices at Detex. Adams Rite supplies cosmetic parts for almost any automatic sliding door.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Locating one door supply company that carries all your supplies for automatic doors and automatic door repair parts saves you time and minimizes the cost of shipping multiple packages.

The electric door comes in many different styles from an automatic sliding door to the basic automatic opening door. Proper installation is important for many reasons. First and foremost, doors must meet certain government standards for disability compliance. If you don’t install them properly, doors can have electrical problems or even cause other serious injuries.

Automatic door prices may be an initial shock, but if you own a business, you must comply with standards. Manufacturers usually offer professional installation, but they will also offer helpful suggestions for do-it-yourselfers. Follow government set standards when it comes to maintaining your doors so you know they stay up to code. Get help with:

1. Following ADA guidelines.

2. Installing automatic garage doors or entry doors.

3. Maintaining and replacing broken automatic door parts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow guidelines when installing automatic doors

All automatic doors installation and maintenance must meet government standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Before you choose a door, make sure you understand regulations and their affect on your door installation. Whether you are installing the door or you are having a professional install it, you'll still want to make sure they follow all regulations.

I recommend: Get helpful installation and maintenance advice from the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers. They offer links to installation and maintenance resources as well as helpful hints to keep your doors working properly. Review the Americans With Disabilities Act and U.S. Department of Justice standards for the handicap door. The act was established to provide equal opportunities for disabled Americans.

Install automatic doors using helpful manufacturer suggestions

Handicap door openers and automatic door units must be properly installed to work correctly and be compliant with ADA standards. If your tackling an installation job yourself, make sure you follow manufacturer suggestions. You can also find other helpful information on the Internet to help you maintain standards.

I recommend: Horton Automatics provides a wide selection of learning materials associated with the installation and maintenance of automatic doors. Facility Management.com is a useful source when it comes to installing and maintaining automatic doors. They offer several tips for proper installation.

Maintain and replacement electric doors parts in a timely fashion

Follow proper safety and maintenance procedures to ensure your automatic doors stay up to code. Simple daily checks and scheduled maintenance and inspections are necessary to find any problem parts that may need replacing. Find maintenance tips and other useful information from your manufacturer or automatic door supplier.

I recommend: Read how to properly maintain your automatic doors in the article "ANSI and the Customer at Your Door" at Buildings online. Progress Automatic Door provides a full line of parts and accessories for automatic door systems.