New Overhead Door Technology That Every Business Should Know About

Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of the J.D. Salinger penned classic The Catcher in the Rye once commented, “Certain things, they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big class cases and just leave them alone.” While some things are eternal, most everything else marches on and progresses. Garage doors are one of the things that are always advancing and becoming more sophisticated. Most people think that there’s an upper limit as to the technology and regulations that can apply to a garage door – after all, doesn’t it just open and shut? In reality, there are new safety measures and evolutions to existing mechanics every year. Manufacturing plants, distribution centres, retail stores, and warehouses all have to meet standards at the municipal, provincial, and federal level. After a period of time, it becomes inevitable that the old must be replaced with the new, and so there is a constant demand for durable, long-lasting garage doors for commercial centres. Adding new garage doors can increase productivity and allow you to do more business, but you want to ensure that you have them properly installed and accompany their addition with the right training and safety procedures. Having commercial garage doors has been proven to be a profitable investment that pays off time and again for businesses. Here’s a look at the big pieces of technology that every business owner should keep an eye on.

Why Garage Door Technology Has Raced Forward in the Commercial Sector

Most door dealers and manufacturers have their roots in working with residential buildings. For many years, this was a safe and reliable industry, and the demand was high. Therefore, most of the technology and innovations were focused towards residential garage doors. That changed when the housing boom crashed five years ago and the market changed dramatically. The people who sold garage doors realized that there was an untapped well of potential in the commercial sector. A poll on professionaldoordealer.com reveals that 92% of respondents now see commercial customers as a “huge part” of their customer base. However, the requirements for a commercial project are much higher than a residential equivalent. Doors must be prepared with a dedication to safety, employees must be trained, and there must be an overall commitment to service and quality. The rewards are well worth the investment.

The Newest Trend in Garage Door Technology is a Light Touch

A curtain wall system is meant to keep the weather out and the occupants in. This is a low bar to meet, and has been around as a style since the 1920’s. However, it has only recently become a method of construction for garage doors. This is obviously not a heavy, strong solution that works for security, and it would be out of place in an industrial setting. However, curtain walls work quite well as a style of garage doors in commercial settings. These are inexpensive, flexible, and easily transported. With modern synthetic materials and construction techniques, these walls can be installed in a fraction of the time as opposed to their heavier counterparts. They’re simple to clean and maneuver, and require absolutely no training or safety to operate. The best part is that they bring an aesthetic appeal to a commercial environment, which is a necessary part of the business. A similar development has been the trend towards roll-up doors that are made out of vinyl, mesh, or a combination of the two. These doors can be manually rolled up or have a simple mechanical automated system to do so. They are light and breezy, offering a 65% shade factor. This is a great boon towards commercial buildings that are too hot, and it helps amplify the effects of existing air conditioning. These doors are aesthetically pleasing and offer breeze and shade while keeping pests and allergens out. Just like technology and smartphones, garage doors for certain commercial spaces are becoming slimmer and lighter.

Traditional Garage Doors are Getting Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

While light and simple garage doors have a niche in commercial environments, there’s no substitution for a door that can stand up to some punishment. Every door goes through the wear and tear of business, and if a door happens to be on a loading dock or it serves as the portcullis for a great deal of cargo, then it must be able to do its job day in and day out. Technology has advanced to provide solutions to traditional garage door problems. For instance, high speed doors are on the cutting edge of garage door tech. These doors are durable without being slow, and they do not sacrifice reliability. While these doors can open at over 2.5 meters per second, they do not require excessive maintenance. A lightning fast door is ideal for environments that deal with cold storage or food packaging/processing – or just a place of business where the door is opened hundreds of times a day.

Are These Garage Doors Safe for Busy Commercial Environments?

Fast is great for a race track, but is it the trait that you want for a garage door? New garage doors for the commercial sector are built with safety as the primary concern at all times. Not only are doors built with new technologies, but they often have features that work in tandem to improve worker satisfaction and lower risk. As an example, many dock doors now come with bug meshes that keep employees delightfully bite-free. Despite the fact that progress is super speedy, employees and the public are always the top priorities of every innovation.

Don’t get left behind in the past when it comes to your garage doors for your commercial property – look to the future! There are many new and exciting innovations coming out and even more technologies await you over the horizon. If your commercial building needs a garage door installation, contact McKee-Horrigan for a conversation about your needs, a free quote, and information on the best door for your business.