From concept to installation, a building owner has a lot of decisions to make when purchasing and installing a new overhead door for a shop or equipment storage building. With a broad selection of doors — bi-fold, hydraulic and tracked — sometimes narrowing a decision can be challenging. The process doesn’t have to be a hassle, however. Whether it’s time to retrofit an old agricultural building or build something new, consider these four key items before making a decision on a new agricultural, aviation or commercial door.
Choose Convenience
Pesky latches are easy to forget. Certain overhead bi-fold doors come standard with a single-latch system and safety switch for easy operation. A single-latch ultimately saves time compared to a double-latch system, and the safety switch eliminates the risk of damage that can be caused when a user forgets to release the latch.
For more convenience, some manufacturers offer an automatic latch, which allows operators to open the door with the push of a button — even from the comfort of a vehicle.
Beyond convenience, bi-fold as well as hydraulic doors provide building owners easy access to equipment by not obscuring the building’s opening. This allows users to use the full height and width of the doorway when entering or exiting — ideal for retrofitting an old building to accommodate today’s large machinery.
Photos courtesy of Midland Door Solutions.
Midland Door Solutions’ hydraulic doors operate as much as 25% faster than other large doors and allow use of the full height and width of the building’s opening for agricultural and commercial buildings and airplane hangars.
Choose Speed
Large sliding doors can be a pain to open and close, especially in the winter. With a bi-fold or hydraulic door, the process is simplified — saving time and money as well as getting quick access to equipment.
Hydraulic doors — the fastest choice — open as much as 25% faster than other large doors. When choosing a door, look for a strong, durable operating system with an electric over hydraulic power unit, up to 5 horsepower.
Certain Bi-fold doors use nylon straps that wrap over itself to lift the door. Straps like cable systems account for stresses that are five times greater than the weight of the door, but due to the wrap effect it increases the speed of the door.
Choose Durability
Make your investment last by choosing an all-steel door — one built with heavy-gauge steel tubing and a robust truss system. This delivers unwavering strength and durability — even in harsh weather — compared to doors constructed with a combination of wood and steel. Another aspect to consider is component durability. Look for doors built with cold-formed steel hinges welded to the door’s frame and linked together with cold-formed hinge pins.
Beyond the doorframe construction, look for a door designed with a solid welded construction rather than bolt-together designs. Solid welded doors offer a stronger frame design with less chance of parts loosening over time, resulting in virtually no maintenance.
Choose Reliability
When considering retrofitting a new door on an existing building, the strength of components is especially important. Retrofitting saves time and money while expanding a building’s opening to accommodate today’s new, larger equipment. Make sure the construction is done right though.
Work with a manufacturer who understands what it takes to make a door that lasts. A good manufacturer will start by inspecting the structure — from the jamb and steel header to foundation — to ensure the building is suitable for a retrofit. Upon inspection the manufacturer will design a new steel header and jamb to mount to the face of the building. From there, the manufacturer should work closely with the contractor to ensure the support frame jamb and header system are adequately sized for the existing structure.
Also, using a heavy-gauge steel frame structure allows for the building to handle the stresses exerted by the door. While no frame is truly self-supporting, when a manufacturer and contractor work together, an effective solution can be developed for any type of building.
With all of these factors, it’s important to work closely with a manufacturer. Choose one willing to work one-on-one with customers to build a door to exact specifications — on time and on budget. Find a company that will take charge of the entire process, from design to manufacture to installation and finish work. This ensures the door is done right the first time.
Plus, a partnership with a manufacturer means questions get answered and, if needed, warranty work gets completed quickly. Whether building from the ground up or making the old new again, take your time, follow these steps, and partner with the right manufacturer. FBN
Jason Myrvik is the president of Midland Door Solutions and offers more than 20 years of industry experience. As president, his responsibilities include overseeing the manufacturing and installation departments and ensuring the best customer service. He can be reached at [email protected].
