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Choose the best door type for your Commercial application

Many variables play into selecting the right type of product for your Commercial application. Click on a feature below to learn how each product type compares to others.

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Feature: Sectional Door Rolling Door Sheet Door
Operation ♦
Appearance ♦
Durability ♦
Cost of Maintenance ♦
Energy Efficiency ♦
Initial Cost ♦


Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
Operation
Back to top 		Sectional Door Torsion spring (high cycle available
  • Door sections are hinged and sections are guided on door track with ball bearing rollers
  • Applications: Standard lift, high lift or full vertical lift, depending on head room
  • Door is balanced throughout the door travel; typically less than 30 pounds of force required throughout the door travel
  • Spring exposed
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Rolling Door Torsion spring (high cycle available
  • Door curtain slides between heavy angle iron guides using end guide wear plates; curtain rolls into a "barrel" above door opening.
  • Door balance differs throughout the door travel. Out of balance typically adjusted by operator mechanism (gearing changed for doors that are more out of balance)
  • Designed for not more than 25 pounds of force
  • Only small doors use manual push-up operation Able to configure large "special" doors for special applications
Sheet Door Torsion spring
  • Balance differs throughout the door travel
  • Out of balance typically adjusted by operator mechanism
  • Designed for not more than 25 pounds of force
  • Doors are lighter than the rolling doors, therefore a larger range available in manual push-up
  • Over 10' x 10' use chain hoist


Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
Appearance
Back to top 		Sectional Door Typically 24" high sections hinged together
  • Very flexible in material (steel and aluminum) and steel gauges
  • Colors: baked-on enamel or custom finish Multiple exterior appearances (raised panel, flush sections, ribbed, full view glass), various window configurations
  • Various options of insulation type and values
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Rolling Door Typically 2-5/8" high slats hemmed together
  • Available in a variety of gauges and materials including aluminum and stainless steel 1 or 2 slat profiles; uniform curtain thickness
  • Foamed-in-place urethane insulation; R-values typically less than 8
  • Perforated slats allow for air flow while still providing security Windows are riveted in place; typically 2" x 10"
Sheet Door Typically 24" high sections hemmed together
  • Typically 26 gauge sheets; available in a variety of colors; best paint warranty in the industry (25-year)
  • Small windows
  • Foil covered "blanket" insulation available; R-value 3


Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
Durability
Back to top		 Sectional Door More components
  • Sections hinged with individual hinges spaced no more than 48" on center
  • Ball bearing rollers designed for size and weight of door
  • Torsion springs power unit open; easily lubricated Lift cables designed for 7:1 safety factor
Rolling Door Components comprise curtain, springs, guides and operator
  • Guides are heavy structural steel
  • Springs are enclosed in barrel and hood (not visible)
  • Curtain has continuous hinge (length of section); longer wear point
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Sheet Door Typically 24" high sections hemmed together; components similar to rolling door
  • Roll-formed guides
  • Enclosed barrel makes spring lubrication difficult


Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
Cost of Maintenance
Back to top		 Sectional Door More components
  • More moving components will result in higher maintenance cost
  • Components are readily accessible, enabling routine maintenance and increasing the life of the door
  • Replacement of components typically easier than rolling or sheet doors
Rolling Door Components comprise curtain, springs, guides and operator
  • Guides are heavy structural steel; typically no maintenance required
  • Springs are enclosed in barrel and hood (not visible) and difficult to change / maintain if one breaks
  • Notched guide enables change of slat; difficult to remove and replace damaged slats.
    		•  ♦
    Sheet Door Typically 24" high sections hemmed together; components similar to rolling door
    • Typically replace entire door sheet
    • Exchange entire barrel if spring is broken


    Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
    Energy Efficiency
    Back to top     		Sectional Door Expanded polystyrene; CFC-free urethane
    • Options for friction fit or sandwich (bonded) structure
    • R-values up to22.2 U-factors enabling government energy tax credits
    • Vary by section thickness
    		 ♦
    Rolling Door CFC-free urethane insulation or mineral wood insulation in fire doors
    • Foamed-in-place between inside and outside slat cover; no thermal break
    • R-value up to 8.1
    • Mineral wool R-value up to 3
    Sheet Door Loose-fitting foil covered "blanket" of mineral wood
    • Foil covered mineral wool "blanket" held in place by "stays"
    • Rolls onto curtain barrel; not protected from the environment on inside of door


    Buying Decision Product Product Specifications Features Best
    Initial Cost
    Back to top    		 Sectional Door Modest initial material cost; modest installation cost
    • Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly higher than sheet door
    • Depending on size of door, installation time and cost slightly higher than rolling steel or sheet doors because of the number of components and varying applications
    Rolling Door Initial cost higher; installation time and expense depends on size of door
    • Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly higher than section and sheet doors
    • Depending on size of door, installation time and costs slightly higher than sheet doors; weight of the door necessitates heavier equipment
    Sheet Door Initial cost similar to sectional door; installation time and expertise required typically least in the industry
    • Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly less than sectional door
    • Depending on size of door, installation time and costs are less than sectional doors
    		 ♦

    Commercial Overhead Door Resources for Architects