When you begin your search for a coiling overhead door or security grille, you may be surprised to learn how many options exist. While these products provide security, they can offer so much more, fitting any need your commercial building might have. We created this guide to educate you on all your choices and help you find the best type for your building.

What Is a Coiling Door?

Coiling doors are metal slatted doors that roll up above the opening. As the door opens, it forms a compact coil. In comparison, a sectional door needs exceptional backroom, since these doors often hang parallel to the ceiling when open. Coiling doors remove many issues often associated with sectional garage doors. They don't have cables or hinges that wear out and eventually require maintenance and replacement.

Coiling roll-up doors are often used in commercial settings because they stand the test of time with less frequent maintenance. They provide a secure barrier against intruders and weather events. Doors typically come with solid slats for outdoor security and weather protection.  They can also come with perforated or windowed slats for enhanced visibility and airflow.  For increased visibility and ventilation, different rolling grilles give you the best air flow and view while still providing security. 

Coiling doors consist of heavy-duty galvanized steel, stainless steel or aluminum, making them extremely durable. Depending on construction, some doors can withstand high-force winds, while other doors provide enhanced protection against mob-style break-ins. These doors are incredibly customizable and can include perforated slats or even vision windows.

Types of Coiling Roll-Up Doors and Security Grilles

While there are two basic types of rolling closures — doors and gates (also known as grilles) — there are many options and features that make each style unique.

Rolling Doors

Max Protection Doors

There are two primary threats to commercial properties — storms and unauthorized entry. Cornell's Max Protection rolling doors have increased strength and security to stop these dangers in their tracks. These doors can create a safe room to protect against a hurricane or tornado, withstanding winds up to 200 mph. Models designed for government buildings and high-security businesses can withstand organized crime attacks and other mob-style assaults for up to 60 minutes.

High-Performance Doors and Grilles

High-performance rolling doors offer the twin benefits of speed and durability. They are incredibly long-lasting, with the MicroCoil Grille offering up to 500,000 low-maintenance cycles. Some models of doors can exceed 1 million cycles while maintaining a low lifetime cost.

 

High-performance overhead coiling doors open three times faster than standard doors. When opening and closing frequently to maintain security or ensure temperature control, those extra seconds are priceless. These models are excellent for busy loading docks and other commercial applications where shaving off precious time is key to staying competitive.

Fire-Rated Doors

Insulated Doors

Insulated coiling garage doors offer protection from extreme temperatures. Foam-insulated doors improve climate control, keeping spaces warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They also result in lower energy consumption, since the HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard. Another benefit is their ability to muffle noise. This trait makes them perfect for blocking sounds from nearby traffic or noisy operations from next-door businesses.

Counter Shutters

Counter shutters work the same as overhead coiling garage doors. Instead of covering a doorway, they fit a countertop or window frame. They're excellent for ticket booths, concession stands, food courts, service windows and cashier counters. They work for both indoor and outdoor use by securing cash registers and other assets. For foodservice operations, counter shutters can also have fire ratings to protect against grease fires and stop smoke from spreading.

Overhead Coiling Doors From Cornell

Coiling doors and security grilles are crucial to many businesses, even if they are sometimes overlooked. If one doesn't work when needed, it can impact a company's productivity and reputation. That's why it's vital to take careful consideration when selecting coiling doors for commercial properties. You need to find the right type of door for your application — one with innovative features made by a trusted brand. 

• Custom design: Every architectural element should complement the others and add functionality and purpose. At Cornell, we work alongside architects to design custom door solutions. We aim to understand your concept and offer colors, slat shapes, windows, graphics and innovative designs to fit any door or window frame. We can even provide smart solutions to hide the coil or increase security, safety and ease of use.
• Made to fit: Every commercial coiling door from Cornell is made to fit your exact opening. Narrow windows or wide warehouse entrances pose no issue for Cornell doors - we build to order. We can even create multi-height entries for different-sized openings and custom bottoms for steep slopes.
• Aesthetics: We believe coiling doors can be beautiful — that's why we've been in this industry since 1828. We contribute to the aesthetic design of a space with solutions like woven mesh and elegant methods for hiding the door when not in use. Get inspired by some of our past projects.
• Security: Of course, one of the main goals of a coiling door or grille is to protect what's inside. Between our max protection products and our many locking options, our doors give you peace of mind and security.
• Performance: Our coiling doors are low maintenance. We get how essential it is to have a door that opens and closes on command without a hitch. Whether you're looking for quiet operation, storm defense, higher speeds or a long lifespan, our doors have the features you need.

Contact us to learn more and find the coiling door that's right for you. Or, visit our architect portal to start designing your door today.