There are many different types of industrial or commercial door types to choose from and it can be difficult understanding which option is best for you. By learning more about these two industrial door types and their typical usage and functionality, it should be much clearer which one is better suited to your needs.

Roller Shutter Doors

Roller shutter doors are probably the most commonly known industrial door and consists of individual horizontal metal slats that roll up and down a steel barrel at the top of the door’s opening. These doors are excellent for maximising internal space but are limited in other areas such as thermal or acoustic insulation. There are some variations that are double-skinned, containing a foam core for a stronger structure and greater insulation but these doors are typically used in non-temperature-controlled spaces such as most warehouses or farm buildings.

Sectional Overhead Doors

Sectional overhead doors are considered one of the most efficient types of industrial doors with regards to their size and thermal insulation. Typically, these doors are manufactured from double-skinned steel panels with a foam core centre and usually have a minimum thickness of 40mm. They can range up to 100mm thick, if very high levels of insulation are needed, such as for cold storage buildings. These doors are sectional and have several solid and typically large horizontal stacked panels which slide upwards, bend around a radius then slide horizontally until fully open. They can be very space efficient by following the roof line or through the use of ‘high lift’ tracks.

Both types can provide increased ease, efficiency and security in commercial usage, however these two doors are very different in their usage and capabilities. It is important to understand the differences, so as to better choose which one is right for your property.