Considerations When Installing A Commercial Roller Door

Updating the doors for your retail shop, garage or other business is a significant investment. Whatever you install needs to endure and function for years to come. With an array of models on offer, it can be challenging to narrow down your choices. One popular installation is a roller door. Here are several factors to consider when making a choice.

Garage Layout

With a roller door, you need to ensure that your building has enough headroom between the top of the opening and the ceiling to accommodate the door hardware. When open, the corrugated curtain rolls up into an overhead bundle which requires a certain amount of room. The thicker the metal curtaining, the more space it will need. The benefit of roller doors, though, is that they don't require horizontal space across the ceiling as sectional doors do, which leaves you free to install lighting and storage as you please. These designs also make the most of available floor space. Because they move up vertically, rather than swinging outward, you can use the areas on both sides of the door. 

Materials

The corrugated curtains can consist of various materials, two common ones being aluminium and steel. With a protective oxide film across its surface, aluminium naturally repels rust. An additional powder-coated layer provides an attractive, durable finish. While steel is often stronger than aluminium, it can rust without a protective galvanising treatment that covers the metal with zinc. 

If security is paramount, steel can provide a sturdier entrance. The environment plays a role also. Salty, harsh air in coastal regions can corrode metals, so aluminium might offer the most resilient choice. However, the decision is not clear cut. Both metals are alloys, mixtures of various elements, and they're available in multiple grades with particular qualities. Some stainless steels, for example, classify as marine grade. You need to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Design 

The exterior of your business is crucial to its sense of professionalism and competence. Roller doors are extensive, highly visible features, and their design needs to engender a polished image. Some commercial roller doors feature transparent sections, allowing a clear view inside. Retail stores often install this style od door which usefully doesn't provide seclusion to intruders, should they gain entry.

Otherwise, you could select an opaque design. When planning your commercial roller door installation, choose a colour that matches the exterior wall: black on black, for example, or go with a contrasting bright red, green or blue. A smart grey door will tend to blend into the background. The profile and grooves of the curtain can be shallower or deeper, rounder or more angular to give a range of different looks.

For more information on commercial roller door installation, contact a resource in your area.