Warehouse doors are an essential part of large storage facilities, factories and distribution centres. But — because there are so many options to choose from — picking the right doors can feel a little overwhelming.
Here, we look at industrial and commercial warehouse doors, explaining everything you need to know before you buy.
We’ll be covering the following:
- Types of warehouse doors
- Key features to look for when buying warehouse doors
- Warehouse door FAQs
Types of warehouse doors
Not sure which kind of warehouse door you need for your business premises? Here, we’ve summarised all the different options available.
Warehouse roller shutter doors
Warehouse roller shutter doors are made from metal slats that are connected by hinges. They roll up and down quickly, using a manual or automatic mechanism. The door is stored above the door opening, so it doesn’t take up much space.
Benefits of warehouse roller doors:
- Compact design, coiling neatly above your door frame
- Made from strong, durable materials so they withstand heavy usage and provide top-notch security
- Motorised versions offer quick and easy access in high-traffic environments
Warehouse sectional doors
Sectional overhead doors are made from horizontal panels connected by hinges. When the door opens, these panels slide upwards and rest parallel to the ceiling.
Benefits of sectional overhead doors:
- Aesthetic appeal — you can get sectional doors in a variety of colours and finishes
- It’s possible to include glazed sections, giving a view from one space into another
- Because they’re stored up by the ceiling, sectional overhead doors don’t take up any doorway space
Warehouse entrance doors
For the entrance to your warehouse, steel doors are a good choice. They provide personnel with easy but secure access to the building. These doors are available in a range of shapes and sizes and come with secure hinges that protect your premises against break-ins.
Benefits of steel warehouse entrance doors:
- Strong and secure
- A variety of door finishes means you can get doors that fit with the look of your building
- Made from durable materials, they withstand all weather conditions and require minimal maintenance
High speed warehouse doors
High speed warehouse doors are designed to open and close quickly. You can get rapid roll high speed doors, which come to rest in a coil above your door frame. These doors are made from flexible material. You can also get rapid fold high speed doors, which come with reinforced steel rods that make them wind resistant.
Benefits of high speed warehouse doors:
- Fast open and close speeds allow personnel and goods to move quickly through your warehouse
- High speed doors provide good building insulation because doors are left open for the minimum amount of time
- They keep dust, debris and any other contaminants out of your warehouse
Insulated warehouse doors
Insulated warehouse doors have a layer of insulating material sandwiched between two metal sheets. You can get insulated roller shutters and insulated sectional doors.
Benefits of insulated warehouse doors:
- Insulated doors reduce the amount of noise that travels in and out of your warehouse
- These doors help you maintain the internal temperature of your warehouse, which reduces energy costs
- Because insulated doors have an extra layer of material they’re tough to break through, which means they provide excellent building security
Dock doors
Dock doors are designed specifically for the loading and unloading zones of your warehouse. They’re often paired with dock levellers, dock shelters and seals, making it easy to move goods from vehicles to warehouse — and vice versa.
Benefits of dock doors:
- Dock doors and shelters create a weather-proof seal between the vehicle and warehouse
- Docking equipment can be adapted to suit different doorways, vehicles and goods
- Dock doors help you maintain a steady temperature in your warehouse — and protect your workers from the elements
View our range of commercial and industrial warehouse doors to find the right fit for your business premises.
Key features to look for when buying warehouse doors
Security
Industrial and commercial warehouse doors are a first line of defence against unauthorised access, theft and vandalism. So look for features like advanced locking systems and reinforced hinges. Also choose strong and durable materials, like steel or aluminium.
Weather protection and insulation
The right warehouse doors help you maintain a steady temperature inside your premises, preserving goods and creating a comfortable working environment. This is essential if you manage a temperature-controlled space. But it’s also useful if you want to lower your energy bills.
So look for insulated warehouse doors that provide tight seals. Also, pick corrosion-resistant coatings that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Speed and operation
For high-traffic areas, high-speed doors help you improve workflow efficiency. Because doors open and close quickly, goods, vehicles and personnel can move through your warehouse easily, without any bottlenecks.
Automatic doors are useful in this type of environment too. That’s because automatic doors open and close more quickly than doors that you operate manually.
Durability
Commercial and industrial warehouse doors get a lot of use. So you need to be sure that your new doors can stand up to whatever you throw at them. Look for durable materials, like steel, aluminium and heavy-duty PVC. Also, assess doors for their impact and corrosion resistance.
Durable doors may be more expensive but — when you factor in their longevity and low maintenance needs — they can be a cost-effective solution.
Warehouse door FAQs
What material is best for warehouse doors?
Warehouse doors are usually made from aluminium and steel. Aluminium is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Steel is strong and durable.
Can you get customised warehouse doors?
Yes, absolutely. Here at Secure Door Systems, we provide made-to-measure doors in a choice of finishes. You can pick the colours and glazing options that best fit your business needs.
How much do warehouse doors cost?
The price of your warehouse doors depends on the size of the door you need and the type of door you choose.
Steel doors tend to be more expensive than aluminium doors. High speed and automatic warehouse doors are pricier than those that open and close manually. Insulated doors are more expensive than uninsulated doors.
To get a quote for your new warehouse doors, contact the friendly Secure Door Systems team today.
How often should you get warehouse doors serviced?
Regular door maintenance ensures your warehouse doors continue to work properly. Maintenance minimises downtime and prolongs the life of your doors. We recommend a minimum of two service visits per year to keep your warehouse doors in top condition.
Why buy warehouse doors from Secure Door Systems?
Here at Secure Door Systems, we manufacture, supply and install warehouse doors for customers up and down the UK. We also provide warehouse door maintenance and repair services.
All our doors are of the highest quality and offer the very best security for your business premises. And because we’re so confident that you’ll be happy with them, they come with a warranty, too.
Ready to replace and upgrade your warehouse doors? Give the SDS team a call to get a no-obligation quote.
