Keeping buildings secure may appear to be as simple as locking a door. However, parking and loading facilities in areas that receive substantial traffic, such as apartment complexes, warehouses, offices buildings, and condominium developments, are not always easy to secure.
Security officers and simplistic security gates are options, but they are not without disadvantages. It can be expensive for a business owner to pay for a security team, especially if armed. Gates with security grilles offer plenty of ventilation and visibility, but they are not impact-resistant, and they don’t prevent unauthorized people from accessing buildings or parking garages.
High-performance ventilated roll-up doors are the answer to high-security needs with plenty of airflow and visibility. This article will explain the benefits of high-performance ventilated doors and how to select the best one for your property.
What Is a High-Performance Ventilated Roll-Up Door?
A high-speed roll-up door usually consists of durable steel that allows airflow in and out of buildings and parking structures. The door travels vertically and coils at the top to maximize space in areas with low ceilings. The doors consist of thin strips of durable curved or flat slats that interlock to create a continuous curtain.
The door’s rigid construction and design create an attractive yet secure barrier with high-speed opening and closing operation. The addition of see-through or perforated slats increases workers’ and residents’ visibility, which helps them be more aware of the environment for their safety.
These service doors also incorporate heavy-duty materials to protect them against high winds and impacts from vehicles, pedestrians, and debris. However, they reduce the presence of air pollution inside structures with ventilated slats.
Roll-up doors reduce air pollutants and the risk of mold growth with their high-speed operation. Screen or perforated panel construction reduces unwanted pests and debris while allowing fresh air to transfer through the barrier.
Besides parking facilities, everyday uses of ventilated doors include:
Automotive retail locations
- Government buildings
- Banking industry
- Industrial facilities
- Apartment buildings
What Are the Benefits of Rolling Service Doors?
Improved Ventilation
Parking garages often have heavily polluted air due to vehicle exhaust fumes and other airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, and mold. Poor indoor air quality can be problematic for people with allergies and asthma. Without proper ventilation, the air will also smell foul.
Installing ventilated doors with perforated or fenestrated slats will help fresh airflow throughout the building. The air exchange significantly improves the air quality of the garage. Fresh air also reduces the risk of mold growth by preventing the indoor air from becoming too humid or stagnant.
Enhanced Security
Even with ventilation for maximum airflow, a high-performance rolling door offers exceptional security for interior and exterior applications. These roll-up doors have a high-speed operation, making it difficult for trespassers and burglars to infiltrate the property through that door.
As a result, your workers, customers, residents, and guests will have a more secure environment. A heavy-duty high-speed rolling door will also offer ample protection against the theft of expensive equipment, materials, and vehicles.
Stylish Design
Manufacturing companies offer a wide array of designs, styles, colors, and slat profiles for high-performance service doors. For instance, you could install a painted aluminum rolling door with curved interlocking slats or a galvanized steel rolling door with flat slats.
The doors are available in various anodized and painted colors to match your building’s architectural design and enhance its curb appeal. If ventilation and visibility are essential for your needs, consider service doors with clear polycarbonate window slats.
High Cycle
A conventional garage door can endure up to 100,000 cycles before requiring substantial repairs or replacements. Cables, hinges, roller wheels, and springs wear down quickly with frequent use.
However, high-performance roll-up doors can cycle over a million times before needing major service. Selecting a high-speed ventilated door that doesn’t use parts requiring frequent replacement is the best way to achieve high cycles.
Versatility
Ventilated roll-up doors are not solely for garages and internal and external openings. They are also superior alternatives for walls, divisions, and facades. They offer exceptional protection for various environments while optimizing the flow of traffic.
You can even install a rolling door with fire protection. These doors meet rigorous fire safety standards and prevent flames and smoke from spreading in buildings with high fire risks, such as commercial kitchens.
Energy Efficiency
Non-ventilated rolling doors are excellent at keeping climate-controlled air indoors. While these doors are good choices for energy efficiency, so are high-speed models.
Because the doors operate at high speed, there is less opportunity for heat or cool air to escape the building. As a result, the building will maintain its temperatures and reduce the demand on HVAC and humidification systems.
Lower Maintenance Expenses
Even with frequent cycling, high-performance ventilated roll-up doors are low maintenance. With fast cycling, the doors have less opportunity to sustain damage due to accidental impacts. By installing these doors, you can expect to make fewer service calls and save on maintenance expenses.
A Guide for Selecting the Best Ventilated Doors
When you are ready to install a commercial or industrial ventilated door on your property, you’ll have to navigate a saturated market. There are lots of options for service doors. Selecting the right ones for your premises will provide exceptional safety for your guests and workers and maximize ventilation and visibility.
Before beginning your search, consider these steps to find the best rolling doors for your needs.
1. Determine the Door Size Specifications
Different types of doors will have size restrictions and requirements. Knowing the finished opening size specifications for your building will narrow down your selection. A finished opening is the portion of the door opening that is framed out and ready for the roll-up door installation.
To determine the finished opening size, follow these steps:
- Measure the height and width of the finished opening area.
- Measure for side room to ensure that there is enough room to accommodate the roll-up door installation.
- Measure for headroom by starting at the top of the door to the nearest obstruction, which may be the ceiling.
- Measure the clearance from the interior edge of the jamb to the nearest obstruction or wall.
2. Know the Application
Once you know the measurements for the rolling door, the next step is to understand the purpose of the door. Service doors have various applications which would require different materials and functions.
For example, insulated doors with interlocking slats are ideal for interior and exterior applications that require energy efficiency and security. On the other hand, high-performance ventilated doors with fenestrated slats are more suitable for parking garages that require safety and visibility.
Knowing the applications of your new service doors will also help you determine if you need light, medium, or heavy-duty materials. Light-duty doors are best for applications that won’t require frequent operations. In contrast, medium-duty rolling doors work well for typical settings like commercial buildings, retail stores, concession stands, or warehouses.
Heavy-duty steel service doors are ideal for high cycles. They are suitable for high-traffic environments because they offer exceptional protection, speed, and durability. These service doors also perform well in areas with larger openings, like a freight terminal or industrial building.
3. Consider the Environment
Depending on your location, you will need to comply with the local building and fire safety codes. Some regions need a roll-up door with substantial wind load protection to withstand extreme weather conditions.
High winds can also cause debris to take flight, potentially damaging roll-up doors. With exceptional wind load protection, you can be confident that your roll-up doors will withstand pressure from a forceful wind load and the impact of flying debris.
4. Estimate the Operation Frequency
If your ventilated doors have high cycles, the system will need a robust motor operation to ensure that people can easily open and close the door. Motor options will also increase the long-term value of the service doors because the doors will operate at their optimal capacity with every use. You can select a proper motor operation suitable for your roll-up doors and application.
Other Key Things To Consider Before Selecting Roll-Up Doors
Though steel roll doors are the most common variety due to their superior security and durability, you have other curtain materials to choose from for your door installation project, including different types of steel. You can install top-tier roll-up doors constructed from aluminum, tempered glass, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
Before you decide on new roll-up doors, consider which material will be best. Heavy-duty steel offers excellent durability and strength with low maintenance. Like steel, aluminum roll-up doors don’t require much upkeep, but they are also lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Another factor to consider is your ventilation and visibility needs. Ventilated doors may include a combination of door and aluminum or steel grilles or perforated curved or flat slats.
Finally, don’t forget about slat profiles. Curtain slat specifications come in many forms. Roll-up doors can have curved or flat slats to form a durable curtain sheet for improved security. You can also choose doors with perforated or fenestrated slats for ventilation without compromising the security or durability of the door.
Put Your Trust in ASI Doors for Your Commercial and Industrial Roll-Up Door Needs
Choosing the best-ventilated doors for your property will help the premises stay secure and look their best. When security and airflow are a priority, turn to high-performance ventilated rolling doors. These structures offer various components to ensure that your door installation project remains beneficial for years to come.
If you are struggling with your decision, ASI Doors can help. We specialize in these applications and other high-performance high-speed door solutions. Contact us today!