Sectional doors
Sectional doors are a type of industrial door consisting of several horizontal panels connected by hinges. These panels move (open and close) vertically along tracks that are installed along the ceiling and walls of the garage.
Sectional doors have several advantages over other types of doors, such as a larger drive-through width, better thermal and acoustic insulation, easy operation, and safety, as they are equipped with springs and stops that prevent them from falling. Sectional doors are made from various materials, such as steel or aluminum, and offer a wide range of designs, colors, and surface finishes. Sectional doors can also be equipped with various accessories, such as windows, doors, or motorized drives with remote or wall-mounted controls. The disadvantages may include a higher purchase price and more complex installation and maintenance. This is the most common type used in prefabricated halls.
Accessories for sectional doors
- Integrated doors with a standard threshold height from 105 to 150mm depending on the type and manufacturer of the door
- Integrated doors with a lowered threshold of 20mm
- Fully glazed sections with an aluminum frame – double or triple plastic glazing or safety glass
- Hydraulic dock leveller including sealing flaps around the door
- Plastic windows inserted into the door sections
- Ventilation grilles or entire sections – ideal for garages
- External lockable button for closing or opening the door
Types of sectional door hardware
- Standard hardware – the space from the door lintel to the shaft axis is 46cm
- Low headroom hardware SL – the space above the door lintel is less than 46cm
- High lift hardware VL – the door rises up to the roof
- Vertical – guillotine – the space above the door is higher than the door height +0.6m
Door manufacturers we use:
- KRISPOL – catalog for download
- TOORS – types of panels and catalog for download
- SPEDOS – catalog for download
Advantages and Characteristics of Sectional Doors:
- size, opening and closing,
- materials and insulation,
- safety features and easy operation,
- design, aesthetics, and colors,
- installation and maintenance,
- low noise and speed.
Size, Opening and Closing
Sectional doors can be supplied in sizes up to 7-8 m, but they must be reinforced with strengthening elements in each panel for stability and strength. For larger sectional doors, integrated doors are no longer recommended. There are no height limitations for the doors; the only limiting factor is the height of the building. The sections move vertically along rails, which allows for smooth opening and closing of the door. This movement system enables the doors to minimize the space required when open.
Materials and Insulation
Sectional doors can be made from various materials such as steel, aluminum, or even wood, but most commonly sandwich panels with PU core are used. The section is strong enough to ensure the stability and safety of the door. Sectional doors are equipped with insulated panels that help maintain a constant temperature inside the building. This is important for energy efficiency and indoor comfort. The most common are sandwich panels with a thickness of 40mm, but some manufacturers produce panels with a thickness of 60mm or even 80mm.
Safety Features, Electric Drive and Operation
Modern sectional doors are equipped with various safety features such as obstacle detection sensors and systems for stopping the door in case of danger, such as optical safety edges or more complex infrared grids used for integrated doors with a lowered threshold. Sectional industrial doors can be operated manually or automatically. Automatic operation allows convenient opening and closing of the doors using a remote control or key/button switches located next to the door. Every door is equipped with a safety chain for emergency opening in case of power failure. Sometimes sectional doors are supplied with an external button located on the outer shell, which allows the door to be opened from the outside, e.g., if there are no other doors or entrances to the interior in the hall.
In most cases, sectional industrial doors use an electric industrial drive GFA/400V, exceptionally 230V. We most often use motors from the manufacturer GFA ELEKTROMATEN SE. These motors are special drives for sectional doors with weight balancing. The drive is usually installed directly on the door shaft. They consist of a worm gearbox with a hollow shaft, emergency manual control, integrated limit switch, and a motor or electric motor with an integrated direct or frequency inverter. The motor can be supplemented with an external remote control receiver.
Design, Aesthetics, and Colors
The slats of sectional doors can be designed in various styles and surface finishes to match the aesthetic preferences of the owner or the building design. Most commonly, panels are used in STUCCO, MICRO, or smooth DESIGN finishes. Door sections are available in many colors according to the RAL color chart. Non-standard door colors are achieved by painting in the required color as requested by the investor or designer.
Space Efficiency
Sectional doors move vertically along the wall, minimizing the required space on the sides or above the opening.
Installation and Maintenance
Proper installation and regular maintenance are important for the optimal function of sectional doors. We cooperate only with verified suppliers who, according to the law, also provide paid annual door servicing, which is necessary to maintain the warranty! Servicing is also carried out earlier if the door has completed a certain number of open-close cycles.
Low Noise and Speed
Modern sectional doors can be designed to minimize noise during opening and closing. The doors move relatively quickly up and down, but the speed can be increased by adding a frequency inverter to the motor. The average opening speed is about 0.2 m/s. For doors with a high-speed drive or frequency inverter, it is up to about 0.5 m/s. The noise level of the door is affected by lubrication during regular servicing.
Sectional industrial doors are suitable for various industrial and commercial uses, such as factories, storage facilities, service halls, and more. Their convenient opening, aesthetics, and safety features make them a popular choice for many types of applications.