7 Facts You Need To Know About Roller Garage Doors
Roller garage doors, depending on which installation company you select, can vary widely in quality, design, and use of components. Being aware of the differences is key to making the right choice. To help you we have compiled a list of the top things to look out for:
Green credentials
If you are looking for top-notch insulation, then other garage door types, for instance, sectional are better. None the less, roller garage doors with double-skinned foam filled slats can provide good draught exclusion. The very best manufacturers apply robust ‘green credentials’ to the development of parts, using environmentally friendly materials to produce sustainable products. The use of 100% CFC-Free polyurethane insulation foam is an example of this.
As a ‘door type’ comparison, take ‘U’ values – a measure of how effective a material is as an insulator. According to performance data from Teckentrup, one of the largest door producers in Europe, their own sectional insulated doors around 2500mm x 2125mm in size will offer a ‘U’ value of 1.4 W/m2k, whereas insulated roller garage doors are circa 4.0 W/m2k – the higher the number, the poorer the performance.
Looking into the future, increasing demand for energy-efficient doors will be driven by the global trend for energy conservation. Governments are promoting innovation to aid high energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint. Therefore, the integration of energy-efficient products due to changes in policy and the need to construct green buildings will surge demand for garage doors with effective thermal properties. The best manufacturers are responding positively to these new edicts.
Beware of the cheapest quote
Cheap isn’t always best – It may be a ‘fly by night company’ selling a product with inferior components. This can equate to false economy in the long-term, as moving parts may need replacing sooner than you would expect. The materials used can also vary in quality and thickness. The use of aluminium is the go-to option for the slats that make-up the curtain, for its corrosion free qualities, however, be cautious if it is wafer-thin as this can dent easily. As a measure of reliability, the typical lifespan of a good roller door is 15 to 20 years.
Create a weather shield
Keeping the weather at bay is a key reason for replacing a leaking garage door if your old one is in a state of disrepair. Roller doors can be 80% sealed, with the best designs providing brush seals to almost completely close around the lintel area. Also, check for brush seals in the side guides to protect against driving rain. Likewise, with better quality you can feel reassured over how secure the curtain will be in high wind. Small details like ‘wind locks’ within the running guides keep the door stable but also increase burglar protection. Flexible rubber seals at the bottom of the curtain provide a rigid barrier to water ingress even where garage thresholds are uneven. These can also be reinforced with an internal steel strip to create a barrier to unwanted vermin. However, to get a complete seal which provides optimum protection against the elements, it is desirable to talk to a specialist about the most effective options.
Surface protection
Regular opening and closing leaves marks due to the intrinsic operation of a roller garage door. However, better models minimise these through innovative design of the rollers, belts, and side guides. Garage door surfaces are also protected from small scratches caused by soiling in that there is reduced contact between the individual layers of the door curtain, and less chance of dirt touching the surface of the door. The very best premium roller doors have straps that run in between the two surfaces to stop wear and grit accumulating, keeping the surface looking pristine for longer. When rolling up, several belts are placed between the individual layers of the door curtain, thus significantly reducing scratch marks caused by soiling.
Look for the best guarantees
As a minimum requirement, look for a 5 year+ guarantee on the motor drive. It will offer the highest quality, last longer, run quietly, and open and close in good time. Up to 10-year product warranties are available from high quality manufacturers. Yet, while most people in the garage door industry are honest, some of them are not. Inferior motors and lifting gear historically do give premature failures. So, be wary of guarantees which are not bonified. As previously mentioned, this can lead to ‘false economy.’ Cheap parts may have been installed causing hardware to fail, lead to another call out to get it fixed with exorbitant labour fees, and the installation of further low-quality products…and so the cycle goes on. Good practice would be to qualify what is covered in the guarantee and which brands are being sourced right from the start.
Accessories galore
The basic function of a roller garage door is to open vertically and provide maximum space inside and in front of the garage. The garage ceiling also remains free and can be used for lamps or as an additional storage space.
More of a surprise to people is the extra lifestyle functionality they can provide, especially with the high value brands. For example, you can stream daylight into you garage with synthetic glazing or improve the room climate with ventilation grilles made of long-lasting plastic to help prevent mould. What is more, with high-end manufactured doors, security is certified. When controlling your door with radio systems for example, interference free encryption is available akin to what you would experience from your online banking security. Better quality also equates to more convenience, with hand -held transmitters, or smart Apps on your phone enabling you to open, close and lock from your car or inside your home.
Don’t accept an unsafe roller garage door
Well-constructed roller garage doors are also some of the safest and most secure. What is more, you do not have to break the bank to have one installed. Affordable options come with sensors to reliably stop the door in the event of an unexpected obstacle. They can also include emergency release pullies or crank handles operated from inside a garage, and for those garages without a second entrance, provide a secure release in a locked safety box on the outside. In addition, keyless designs make it difficult to break in with no discernible entry points or handles. Furthermore, anti-lift curtains and robustly made vertical roller guides prevent the door from being prised open. For slightly higher price brackets, emergency electricity supplies are also an option and can bridge network power failures.
To summarise, not all roller garage doors are made equal. Some of the very cheapest single-skin designs are flimsy with questionable structural integrity. They are much less secure than those you can buy from an established supplier of good repute. For every homeowner, it should be easy to make unimpaired, well-informed decisions. This is as true of garage doors as it is of any other high-value home-based purchase. But when it is a once in a lifetime event, the stakes can sometimes seem higher. Therefore, it is vital to trust the approval ratings of customer-endorsed suppliers. They can help you make choices that are right for you.
To learn more about the specific standards we expect from roller garage doors, simply call us today or use this useful contact form to book your free survey and quote.