The doors you find in industrial settings are very different from the ones in commercial and domestic environments. These doors are typically much larger and stronger to protect warehouses full of goods, and they’re also designed to open and close as quickly as possible to facilitate the movement of products and staff.
However, with so many different types of industrial doors to choose from, it can be difficult to find the perfect
What are the benefits of industrial doors?
First, let’s talk about why you need proper industrial doors for your business.
Industrial doors are made with high quality materials that provide extra security and protection, such as steel and aluminium. These materials are also easy to clean and maintain, reducing the workload for warehouse staff.
In addition to providing a high level of warehouse security, industrial doors are essential for regulating the environment inside a warehouse. Depending on the goods being stored, warehouses will need to remain at a certain temperature or be protected from the intrusion of dust or insects.
The quicker an industrial door can be opened and closed, the better it will be at regulating the indoor environment. These high-speed doors are also fantastic for allowing the quick circulation of vehicles and staff and for deterring opportunistic thieves.
How should you choose an industrial door?
Not all industrial doors are created equal. Based on where you want to place your new industrial door and what it’s for, you’ll need to look for different features and characteristics.
Here are the main criteria you’ll need to consider:
- Placement: Will your new industrial door be an interior or exterior door? Exterior doors should have much better security features and should be made of stronger materials to prevent break-ins, whereas interior doors should be designed to better allow the flow of staff and section off particular areas.
- Size: How large does your industrial door need to be? Bear in mind that very large and heavy doors could provide extra security but will be harder to operate efficiently.
- Operating mechanism: Manual or automatic? Manual industrial doors are typically operated with chain hoists or traction cables and can take longer to operate. Remote-controlled or automatic doors use an electrical mechanism to open and close automatically, allowing for a quicker and more efficient operation. Automatic industrial doors could use key switches, codes, remote controls, timers or transmitters and receivers.
- How it opens: How would your ideal door open? Do you need a sliding door, a push/pull door or a roller shutter that slides upwards? Consider the area you’re working with and whether there are any space constraints.
Best types of industrial doors
With these criteria in mind, let’s look at some of the most popular types of industrial doors on the market in the UK. Each type of door has its own unique features that make it better suited for particular applications, so make sure you consider all of these factors before making your decision.
Industrial roller shutters
For robust security in industrial settings, industrial roller shutters are the gold standard. Thanks to their thick metal construction, they can both deter thieves and protect your site from high winds, storms, heavy rain and the intrusion of dust and pests.
As a result, industrial roller shutters are commonly used as exterior doors for businesses and warehouses. For extra security and privacy, you can opt for thick, tightly fitted metal slats that obstruct the view of passersby, but if you need to display products or advertisements, you can choose industrial roller shutters with a grille design.
Another benefit of installing roller shutters is that they slide upwards instead of outwards, saving you precious space within the premises. You can also choose automatic or manual shutters based on their frequency of use or the level of security you need.
To learn more about this type of industrial door, read our complete guide to roller shutters.
High-speed shutters
If saving time and space is high on your priority list, high-speed roller shutters might be the best option for you. These high-speed doors are much faster in operation than their standard industrial roller shutter counterparts, which makes them fantastic for high-traffic areas.
A high-speed Rapidor roller shutter can operate at speeds of up to 2m/second, allowing them to open within 4 or 5 seconds and then automatically close. Not only is this perfect for preventing congestion during busy times, but it can also help you save money on energy bills by ensuring that the temperature within your warehouse is regulated. Other types of doors that operate more slowly may let out all of the warm or cold air in the building, making your heating or air conditioning work harder to provide a comfortable environment or protect temperature-sensitive products.
Therefore, if you need to maintain different temperatures in different rooms, you need a high-speed roller shutter. These doors are also ideal for high-traffic areas, so consider how busy certain entryways will be throughout the year before making your purchase.
Interested in high-speed industrial doors and shutters? Read our article on all of the advantages of high-speed doors.
Sectional industrial doors
Like roller shutters, sectional industrial doors slide upwards instead of outwards, making them a great choice for areas with space constraints. These doors actually slide up into the ceiling too, so they’re entirely out of the way.
Again, like industrial roller shutters, sectional doors can either feature solid slats or some see-through panels, allowing you to customise your door based on the level of security and privacy you need. And, since these doors are typically large and heavy-duty, they’re brilliant for insulating space and preventing the entry of intruders, pests and dust particles.
Steel-hinged doors
If security is one of your biggest priorities, you should consider steel-hinged doors. As the name suggests, these doors are constructed from heavy-duty steel that can’t be kicked in by intruders, making this door ideal for the exterior of your building.
For most doors, the hinges are one of the weakest parts and are vulnerable to break-ins. However, with steel-hinged doors, the hinges are fortified and custom-made to exactly fit your door frame, which means there are no weak spots to exploit.
Fire doors and fire shutters
Workplace fire safety is vital within any commercial or industrial building. To keep all employees safe, fire evacuation routes must be provided and measures must be taken to slow the spread of any potential fires, allowing everyone enough time to escape.
For fire doors, you have a few different options depending on the level of protection you need. Steel-hinged fire doors are designed to provide ultimate fire protection, with robust steel construction and tight seals that hold flames and smoke back between different areas of the building.
Another option is fire shutters. These shutters are also fully tested for fire safety and can slow the spread of fire in industrial settings. Having fire doors and shutters throughout the building will help you ensure that there are easily accessible escape routes for everyone.
When purchasing fire safety products, make sure you check that all doors and shutters comply with government legislation for industrial settings, as not having the correct fire doors could lead to legal trouble. Always purchase these items from reputable retailers who clearly state whether their products are fully tested and certified.
Read our complete guide to fire shutters for more information.
Where to find the right industrial door
When searching for a new industrial door, make sure you consider all of the relevant criteria. Where will your new door be placed? How much space is available? Will you need a manual or automatic mechanism, and is speed important for reducing energy wastage and boosting security?
Once you have a better understanding of the type of industrial door you’re searching for, it’s time to look at different retailers and compare prices and extra features. Look out for retailers that offer expert installations, UK-manufactured products with short lead times, and fully tested and certified doors that will stand the test of time.
To take advantage of all of these features and more, get in touch with SSS Industrial Doors. We offer high-quality, certified doors and shutters that are perfect for all industrial applications.
