| Buying Decision |
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Product |
Product Specification |
Features |
Best | |
| Operation |
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Sectional Door |
Torsion spring (high cycle available) |
- Door sections are hinged and sections are guided on door track with ball bearing rollers
- Applications: Standard lift, high lift or full vertical lift, depending on head room
- Door is balanced throughout the door travel; typically less than 30 pounds of force required throughout the door travel
- Spring exposed
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Rolling Door |
Torsion spring (high cycle available) |
- Door curtain slides between heavy angle iron guides using end guide wear plates; curtain rolls into a "barrel" above door opening.
- Door balance differs throughout the door travel.
- Out of balance typically adjusted by operator mechanism (gearing changed for doors that are more out of balance)
- Designed for not more than 25 pounds of force
- Only small doors use manual push-up operation
- Able to configure large "special" doors for special applications
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Sheet Door |
Torsion spring |
- Balance differs throughout the door travel
- Out of balance typically adjusted by operator mechanism
- Designed for not more than 25 pounds of force
- Doors are lighter than the rolling doors, therefore a larger range available in manual push-up
- Over 10' x 10' use chain hoist
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| Appearance |
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Sectional Door |
Typically 24" high sections hinged together |
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Very flexible in material (steel and aluminum) and steel gauges -
Colors: baked-on enamel or custom finish
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Multiple exterior appearances (raised panel, flush sections, ribbed, full view glass), various window configurations
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Various options of insulation type and values |
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Rolling Door |
Typically 2-5/8" high slats hemmed together |
- Available in a variety of gauges and materials including aluminum and stainless steel
- 1 or 2 slat profiles; uniform curtain thickness
- Foamed-in-place urethane insulation; R-values typically less than 8
- Perforated slats allow for air flow while still providing security
- Windows are riveted in place; typically 2" x 10"
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Sheet Door |
Typically 24" high sections hemmed together |
- Typically 26 gauge sheets; available in a variety of colors; best paint warranty in the industry (25-year)
- Small windows
- Foil covered "blanket" insulation available; R-value 3
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| Durability |
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Sectional Door |
More components |
- Sections hinged with individual hinges spaced no more than 48" on center
- Ball bearing rollers designed for size and weight of door
- Torsion springs power unit open; easily lubricated
- Lift cables designed for 7:1 safety factor
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Rolling Door |
Components comprise curtain, springs, guides and operator |
- Guides are heavy structural steel
- Springs are enclosed in barrel and hood (not visible)
- Curtain has continuous hinge (length of section); longer wear point
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Sheet Door |
Typically 24" high sections hemmed together; components similar to rolling door |
- Roll-formed guides
- Enclosed barrel makes spring lubrication difficult
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| Cost of Maintenance |
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Sectional Door |
More components |
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Rolling Door |
Components comprise curtain, springs, guides and operator |
- Guides are heavy structural steel; typically no maintenance required
- Springs are enclosed in barrel and hood (not visible) and difficult to change / maintain if one breaks
- Notched guide enables change of slat; difficult to remove and replace damaged slats.
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Sheet Door |
Typically 24" high sections hemmed together; components similar to rolling door |
- Typically replace entire door sheet
- Exchange entire barrel if spring is broken
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| Energy Efficiency |
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Sectional Door |
Expanded polystyrene; CFC-free urethane |
- Options for friction fit or sandwich (bonded) structure
- R-values up to 22.2
- U-factors enabling government energy tax credits
- Vary by section thickness
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Rolling Door |
CFC-free urethane insulation or mineral wood insulation in fire doors |
- Foamed-in-place between inside and outside slat cover; no thermal break
- R-value up to 8.1
- Mineral wool R-value up to 3
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Sheet Door |
Loose-fitting foil covered "blanket" of mineral wood |
- Foil covered mineral wool "blanket" held in place by "stays"
- Rolls onto curtain barrel; not protected from the environment on inside of door
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| Initial Cost |
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Sectional Door |
Modest initial material cost; modest installation cost |
- Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly higher than sheet door
- Depending on size of door, installation time and cost slightly higher than rolling steel or sheet doors because of the number of components and varying applications
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Rolling Door |
Initial cost higher; installation time and expense depends on size of door |
- Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly higher than section and sheet doors
- Depending on size of door, installation time and costs slightly higher than sheet doors; weight of the door necessitates heavier equipment
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Sheet Door |
Initial cost similar to sectional door; installation time and expertise required typically least in the industry |
- Different options determine initial cost of product; typically slightly less than sectional door
- Depending on size of door, installation time and costs less than sectional doors.
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