Business owners are responsible for keeping their companies efficient and effective. The decisions they make can make lasting impacts—including what kind of commercial garage door and operator to install. Before reaching out to a salesperson, there are a few things you should know and research on your own.
How will your commercial door be used?
This may seem like common sense, but it is important to write down how your business plans to utilize the garage door. Having a clear picture of what you need from your garage door can help you and your garage door expert choose the system that is the perfect match for your company’s needs.
How you use your door influences everything about the system you choose. For example, if your business is a factory with high traffic each day, you’ll want to choose a door and operating system designed to withstand that kind of heavy use. If you are a restaurant owner and need to choose a system for your loading dock that only sees shipments once a week, you’ll probably choose a durable, yet low-maintenance option, since won’t be used as often.
What material should your door be made from, and what size should it be?
There are a few materials to consider when choosing a garage door: steel, aluminum, and fiberglass.
- Steel is durable, cost efficient, low maintenance, and the most common choice for garage doors. You can customize a steel door to match the style and aesthetic of your business as well as select one that is insulated to save on energy bills.
- Like steel, aluminum requires very little maintenance. It resists rust and corrosion by holding up to water and moisture . This kind of door is more lightweight compared to a steel door and tends to be less expensive.
- Fiberglass door are made with a steel core that’s molded to a fiberglass surface, giving you the best of both worlds. This combination makes the door last longer than the average steel door while maintaining a relatively light weight. Fiberglass doors, however, cost more up front than steel or aluminum options.
Commercial garage doors can be customized to be whatever size your business needs them to be. Measure your door areas before you contact an expert so you can be prepared when the salesperson asks. Consider different layouts to decide what would best support the functionality you need.
Which operator is best?
The garage door operator is obviously a major component when choosing a door. You don’t need to know exactly what you want before calling an expert, but it’s best to have an understanding of the options available to you. Commercial systems have features for increased security and usability, so make sure to do your research to identify the features that will be most valuable for you and for your business.
Does my business need certain features?
The door itself also has features you can pick and choose from depending on what your needs are. Ask yourself questions like these before talking to a professional:
- Does the door need to open and close quickly?
- Is price a main consideration?
- How important is the look of the door?
- Do you want extra security options?
Write down what is most important for your business, and talk it through with the salesperson when you call.
Researching all the options available to you before reaching out to a commercial door salesperson helps you have a more productive conversation about your company’s needs. For more information about what to research or the commercial garage door options available to you, subscribe to our blog or contact Doors by George today.
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