Different Industrial Metal Door Types: A Brief Overview

The FBI’s data reveals burglary will cost businesses over $800 million per year. Fire damage to commercial buildings costs an additional $500 to $778 million.

Commercial and government buildings have unique entrance and exit requirements beyond a typical house door. They need additional safety, security, and space.

An industrial metal door can meet all of those needs. No matter how your professional space is designed, there’s the right industrial door for you.

We’re here to help you make the most informed decision on which industrial door best fits your workspace.

If you’re ready to pick an industrial door but aren’t sure what type you’ll need, read on for our guide to common industrial door types.

1. Steel Industrial Door and Frames

Steel doors are highly rated for both commercial and residential use. They add extra strength and durability, along with high security. A steel industrial door and frame will deter even the most determined door kicker.

Steel industrial doors can be well insulated to guard against energy loss. Poorly insulated doors with gaps account for 20% of heat loss, as per the U.S. Department of Energy.

This type of industrial metal door is also suitable for single traffic interior and exterior doors. Steels doors and frames can be fire-rated for protection against fires.

2. Fire Protection Industrial Metal Doors

Some industrial metal doors are designed specifically for fire protection. These doors are tested and fire-rated according to exact specifications. Fire-rated tells you how long a door can stop a fire from spreading.

Fire-rating guidelines are set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and include both the door and its frame. OSHA has specific regulations requiring fire-rated doors for government and commercial building exits.

Industrial metal doors with a high-fire rating can help your workforce exit and firefighters enter without making an alternate entrance. It can also mitigate fire damage to your workspace and supplies.

3. High-Speed Industrial Doors

High-speed industrial doors are automated to open fast and effectively. These doors have various uses, from stopping energy loss and contamination to maintaining high volumes of foot traffic.

Buildings that can utilize these industrial doors include:

• Hospitals and pharmacies
• Grocery and supply stores
• Food storage facilities
• Industries with chemical hazards
• Parking garages
• Warehouses in extreme climates

High-speed industrial doors also add security and are helpful for government buildings like police stations and secure data facilities. They require exact installation, so they don’t malfunction at crucial moments.

4. Sectional Industrial Doors

If your workplace needs to maximize space, sectional industrial doors are a good option.

These industrial metal doors can be divided into solid yet flexible sections, so they slide vertically up the entrance and along the ceiling, like a home’s automated garage door. They can also roll into a cylinder.

Sectional industrial doors are commonly installed in places where large hinged doors would be impractical and waste space. This includes professional garages, large industrial buildings, and warehouses.

5. Industrial Sliding Door Gates

Some entrances may need more security than one door can provide. Industrial metal door gates that automatically slide open horizontally combine the space-saving of a sectional door with the added security of a steel door.

These industrial door gates can have features that deter climbers. And they can add access panels, warning sensors, and intercoms for a complete security system.

This type of sliding industrial door gate is excellent for buildings that need extra security before a building entrance, like secure government facilities, apartment buildings, and car lots. They also allow for large vehicles and high traffic flow.

6. Sliding Folded Industrial Doors

Like sliding doors gates, these industrial metal doors open by sliding horizontally. But these doors are solid and made of bi-fold metal sections that open and close like an accordion.

These doors are helpful for commercial or public sector buildings that need large and open access space, but sectional and roller shutters would be impractical or detract from the aesthetics.

Examples include:

• Airplane hangars
• Boatyards
• Agriculture and animal facilities
• Bars and cafes
• Outdoor restaurants
• Colleges and universities
• Museums
• Outdoor malls
• Public or shared access pools
• Hotels with balconies

Sliding folding industrial doors won’t block ceiling or wall light like other doors. This makes them perfect for spaces that need lots of natural light, like greenhouses, plant stores, and flower shops.

7. Roller Shutter and Grille Industrial Doors

Roller shutters and grilles are versatile industrial metal doors that can fit irregular entrances. Like sectional doors, they roll up or slide along the ceiling when they’re open.

They can be solid horizontal slats or meshed slats with spaces, similar to chain links.

Meshed industrial metal doors are secure while still allowing ventilation and light. Shutter industrial doors are used in warehouses and industrial buildings for entrances that need extra security.

They’re also suitable for secure areas that require non-secure interactions. Roller shutters and grilles are helpful in:

• Malls stores
• Street shops
• Bars and beverage services
• Food trucks
• Security or ticket booths

Roller shutters and grilles can be automated or manual with industrial door handles where using automation isn’t practical or is cost-prohibitive.

8. High-Performance Industrial Doors

These industrial metal doors have the quickness of high-speed industrial doors, with added durability against harsher or more demanding work environments.

High-performance industrial doors are impact resistant in case of collisions with large vehicles or operating equipment. They’re helpful in factories, warehouses, and loading bays. Hospitals and automotive bays can utilize them too.

They can also be insulated for places with extremely low temperatures, like cold storage or cold climates that produce ice and snow. You can add hurricane-proof industrial doors rated against high wind speeds if you live in a hurricane zone.

Find an Industrial Metal Door Supplier

Once you’ve determined what industrial metal door you need, it’s time to find a reputable industrial door supplier.

Buying cheap products from an impersonal supplier won’t give you the security and safety you believe you’re buying. On the other hand, an excellent industrial door supplier will sell you high-quality products designed to fit your commercial or public sector specifications.

If you’re searching for a quality supplier, we offer free consultations and 24 to 48-hour deliveries. Connect with us to get started! We’re a family-owned business dedicated to personal success in meeting your professional needs.