Commercial Garage Door Installation in Plain City and the Columbus Area

Matching the door to the building

Commercial doors work harder than residential ones. They are larger, heavier and may open dozens of times a day, so the door type, the spring system and the operator all need to be chosen for the job.

Before recommending a door, we need to know a few things about the opening:

• The width and height of the opening, and the headroom and side room around it.
• How many times a day the door will open and close.
• What passes through it: forklifts, box trucks, service vehicles or foot traffic.
• Whether the space is heated or cooled.
• Security needs when the building is closed.
• Whether you want light or visibility through the door.

Sectional steel doors

A commercial sectional door works like a residential garage door on a larger scale. Hinged steel sections ride on rollers in tracks and are counterbalanced by torsion springs. They are the common choice for warehouses, service bays, loading docks and auto shops.

Sectional doors are available non-insulated or insulated, in several steel thicknesses, and with glazed sections for natural light. The track can be configured to suit the ceiling: standard lift, high lift that follows the wall upward before turning back, or vertical lift that keeps the door flat against the wall above the opening. High-lift and vertical-lift tracks keep the ceiling area clear for vehicle lifts and racking.

Rolling steel doors and other types

A rolling steel door is made of interlocking horizontal slats that coil around a barrel above the opening. It needs very little headroom and no overhead tracks, and the curtain is hard to force. That makes it a good fit for storage facilities, parts counters, storefront security and openings where ductwork or lighting takes up the ceiling space.

Rolling doors are generally slower and louder than sectional doors, and a damaged slat is more work to replace than a sectional panel. Other options include aluminum full-view doors with glass panels for showrooms and restaurants, and fire-rated rolling doors where a rated opening is required. If your project calls for a rated door, tell us what your building plans or inspector specify.

Springs, operators and safety devices

Commercial springs are sized by cycle life. A door that opens a few times a day and a door on a busy dock need different springs, and choosing high-cycle springs at installation avoids early failures.

Operators come in three main styles. Trolley operators pull the door along a rail, as a residential opener does. Jackshaft operators mount beside the door and turn the shaft, which suits high-lift and vertical-lift doors. Hoist operators add a hand chain so the door can be opened during a power outage. Motorized commercial doors are fitted with photo eyes or a sensing edge so the door reverses if something is in its path.

Estimate, installation and scheduling

Estimates on new garage doors are free. We measure the opening, review how the door will be used and explain the price before any work starts, with no hidden charges. Ask about warranty coverage for the door you are considering when you get your estimate.

Installation is carried out by A1’s own trained employees, not subcontractors. The company is licensed and insured, with liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Tell us about any times the opening has to stay in use so that can be discussed when the work is scheduled.

Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Call (614) 500-4377 or send a request through the website form to arrange a visit.