Commercial or industrial rolling doors make sense for several types of businesses including manufacturing, warehousing/distribution, aircraft hangars, self-storage facilities, parking garages, automobile-related businesses and many more. They provide access for material handling in and from buildings, ease of operation and offer added security against unwanted visitors to your business when rolled down. You can keep them open during the day if you like or just as needed.

Typical materials in exterior doors include steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Usually, you'll find motorized larger doors, while smaller units operate manually by pushing up/pulling down, with chain hoists or with cranks. Rolling door suppliers and manufacturers offer several types of doors to ensure you have the opportunity for making the most of rolling doors you purchase:

1. Service rolling doors suit industrial, commercial, distribution center and vehicle maintenance applications.

2. Save money with continuous sheet rolling doors for light commercial, farm and mini-warehouse applications.

3. Order special application rolling doors that accommodate pedestrian traffic or cranes or permit various levels of visual access through the doors.

4. Purchase high-speed traffic doors for your commercial, industrial or institutional application if you deal with routine high-levels of traffic.

5. Use insulated service rolling doors to conserve energy.

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

Look for economical rolling doors that do the job

Plenty of options exist for interior and exterior rolling doors that won't completely break your budget.

I recommend: For your commercial application, review all the features and benefits of The Original Roll-Up 536 Series Doors from Roll-Up Doors Direct. Perfect for low headroom conditions, the economical rolling sheet doors maintain the same standards as the company's other commercial roll-up doors, but they incorporate a 9.5 inch drum assembly that requires less headroom for installation. View the video at Rytec Corporation to learn about the company's Clear-Seal economical interior rolling door that operates at high speeds and offers full vision.

Find a rolling door that performs double duty

Avoid the extra cost and hassle of buying/operating two doors when one will do the job.

I recommend: Go to Overhead Door for an industrial rolling door or commercial rolling door that also offers fire protection. The rolling door manufacturer ensures its doors comply with NFPA-80, the standard for fire doors that increases protection against the spread of fire/smoke. Learn more about The Bug Blocker Behind Rolling Steel Screen Door System from Rasco Industries. This rolling door manufacturer offers a system that includes a rolling door and screen door with stainless steel wire mesh that lets cool breezes in while keeping bugs, birds and other pests out.

Find an exterior or interior rolling door that works in any environment

Getting the most out of your industrial or commercial rolling doors means looking for ones that function well in your environment consistently.

I recommend: Read more about the Wind-Master Operational Wind Load Service Door from The Cookson Company. With the Wind-Master, users can roll the door up and down during wind speeds up to 60 MPH. If you operate on or near the coast, protect your business with the City-Gates Model CGDADE rolling steel doors. Approved by Dade County, FL, the galvanized steel or stainless steel doors will withstand 187 MPH winds. If you need interior rolling doors for your cold storage area, learn more about the fabric doors, high-speed doors and rapid roll-up doors for the cold storage and freezer industry produced by DYNACO. These doors can withstand temperatures as low as -22 degrees, and you can also request heater/blower installation to prevent condensation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As an architect designing commercial or industrial facilities, you can incorporate specific rolling doors into your plans and drawings by downloading CAD drawings and full specifications directly from the websites of many rolling door manufacturers.
• •  Before closing the deal on your next door, ensure you receive all the rolling door hardware needed for installation and operation along with the door.

Rolling doors are an excellent way of increasing protection for your business, whether from fire or intruders. They provide an extra level of security that give you peace of mind. Commercial rolling doors have many applications and can enhance the safety of everything from warehouses to retail shops to restaurant kitchens.

In several ways these doors can add to the safety of your business. Ask yourself if the measures you have in place are enough to protect it from fire, burglary, or vandalism. Consider the following factors in implementation of rolling doors:

1. Use industrial rolling doors to help contain the spread of fire.
2. Protect your business from criminals by installing rolling doors.
3. Inquire about differing options from a rolling door manufacturer.

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

Reduce your risk of fire damage with the use of interior rolling doors

If you run a restaurant, catering business or other food service industry, you can install interior rolling doors to slow or stop the spread of flames in the event of an after-hours fire. In fact, some states have laws requiring such fire measures, along with annual inspection regulations. Counter-top doors roll down and create a metal barrier from ceiling to counter, keeping fire from moving from the kitchen to the dining area or vice versa. In a mall or open market setting, the doors also double as a protection against thieves or other criminals.

I recommend: City Gates USA sells several models of fire doors and counter-top rolling doors. Acme Rolling Doors also has several models, as well as information about fire door inspections which may come in handy once you've chosen a product.

Cut down on risk of crimes against your business with an industrial rolling door

Make your business less of a target for criminals by buying exterior rolling doors, which provide a deterrent to would-be thieves. If you own a warehouse or lease space in a shopping mall, exterior rolling doors make your business inaccessible to all but the most determined criminals, forming a locked metal barrier that keeps your merchandise and goods safe.

I recommend: Raynor specializes in security doors for various kinds of storefronts and other business aspects where visibility is a high priority; check out some of their models and specifications for ideas for your company. Alpine has a considerable line of commercial rolling doors for mall storefronts.

Weigh your options for the types of rolling doors available to you

Various kinds of rolling doors exist, including the counter-tops and full-size solid doors mentioned above, as well as horizontal rolling doors for irregularly-shaped storefronts and metal grates and grills that allow your merchandise or advertising to remain visible while still protected by a sturdy layer of security. You can also get doors to protect sensitive files and information in office cabinets. Evaluate your business and decide what rolling door is best for your needs.

I recommend: Some of your options for rolling door suppliers include The Cookson Co., which sells many types of rolling doors, including fire and grill doors, and Cornell Iron Works, which provides a product comparison chart to view information on a plethora of rolling door uses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you file for the proper permits before installing your rolling doors. Such a project may fall under municipal or state construction laws.
• •  Investigate the insurance advantage of rolling doors. Ask your business' insurance company if there are discounts on your premium for the installation of extra security measures. Many firms have such policies, because cutting down on your risk of fire and robbery means cutting down on their risk of having to cover losses.

Rolling doors installation education and training is necessary for home improvement specialists, rolling door distributors, and rolling door manufacturers. When it comes to purchasing a rolling door, all three of the persons listed above are involved. Manufacturers make rolling doors. Rolling door suppliers sell rolling doors to consumers. However, not all distributors complete the installation of the door. Therefore, a technician becomes involved.

Because installing rolling doors is different from the most commonly installed hinge doors, they require more training and education for proper installation. Some businesses devoted themselves solely to installing rolling doors such as garage doors and rolling industrial doors. When thinking about the type of education and training that you need for a successful business, consider the following:

1. Will you install both residential and industrial rolling doors?

2. Do you plan to distribute and install rolling doors?

3. How much do you already know about installing rolling doors?

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

View manuals and technical data sheets from rolling door manufacturers

Most rolling door manufacturers publish an installation manual along with their product. These manuals are very helpful for learning how to install rolling doors. Manufacturers design them to give directions for specific models. Information from other sources may only discuss installation instruction in general and not for a certain model. Other publications are available that discuss specific models of rolling doors.

I recommend: DASMA offers manual instructions on installing rolling doors from the rolling door manufacturer. Clopay Door offers viewers free downloads of garage door installtion manuals.

Attend seminars and courses pertaining to rolling doors installation education and training

Some organizations offer certification in door installation. If you work for a contractor, getting a certification is a plus. The organizations conduct courses, seminars, and conferences to educate people on installing doors in order to gain certification. Even if your business does not require a certification, the courses may make your work more productive and profitable. Businesses that work primarily in door installation have certified door installers on their staff.

I recommend: The International Door Association offers programs on installing doors from interior rolling doors to commercial rolling doors to exterior rolling doors. The Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation discusses courses for gaining door installation certification.

Seek instructions on installing rolling doors

Many receive training for home improvement and construction jobs on the job and learn by observing others and asking questions. In lieu of on-the-job training for rolling door installation, it is possible to learn from others about door installation on the Internet. Home repair websites often offer tips and suggestions for tasks such as installing rolling doors.

I recommend: AAA Remotes offers detailed instructions on installing an overhead rolling garage door. The site lists tools and rolling door hardware for getting started and illustrations. GPS gives information about exterior rolling doors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When it comes to rolling doors installation, also study rolling doors with automatic openers. These doors require some education in wiring as well as door installation.

Rolling doors are handy in that they can offer security while taking up little space. These doors can be very sturdy and fire or smoke proof.

Rolling doors work well in commercial, industrial and business applications. These doors are versatile, and could work well in many situations. The key words below will help you and your business find the rolling door that will work well for you.

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

Rolling service doors

Rolling service doors are heavy-duty and are built to be easily operated. They are supposed to last for a long life cycle, and be low maintenance. The rolling service doors have finishes that resist corrosion, and work well in garages, self-storage units and more.

I recommend: Cookson Door has rolling service doors that are heavy duty and long-lasting.

Insulated rolling doors

Insulated rolling doors are good for areas where cold temperatures are a consideration. These doors have an insulating hood made of neoprene and snap-on weather stripping that runs the along the guides.

I recommend: ACME Rolling Doors has insulated rolling doors as well as helpful information at their site.

Service fire door

Service fire doors are rolling doors are meet standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. These rolling doors are designed so they close when there's a fire or the fire alarm goes off. The service fire door works well in commercial, retail, industrial and other applications, and can work with masonry and other materials.

I recommend: Overhead Door has a selection of fire service doors.

Smoke control doors

Smoke control doors are rolling doors that are designed to work in conjunction with service fire doors by creating a smoke barrier from any public space. They have a fire rating of 1-1/2 hours.

I recommend: West Coast Door has a very informative site, and offers smoke control doors.

Counter doors with seal and trim

Counter doors with seal and trim are rolling door curtains that have guides, hoods, brackets, bottom bars as well as operating mechanisms and other features. It can be entered between door jambs.

I recommend: All-Rite Doors and Door Systems has an great site that gives a lot of information about its counter doors with seal and trim.

Motor operators

Motor operators are the motors that actuate rolling doors. These are designed to be used with specific doors. For example, 1/3 to 3/4 horsepower motors that are belt or gear driven are designed to work with small and medium rolling doors.

I recommend: R & S Manufacturing has a selection of motor operators.