Have you ever known someone who would happily buy the same $12 pair of shoes over and over instead of the $36 pair that would last much longer (and save them more money overall)? Or someone who doesn’t want to pay for an oil change every six months but will shell out hundreds to fix their car when it inevitably breaks down? The same kind of “penny wise and pound foolish” thinking happens with roll up doors, too.

The pull of saving money now and buying a cheaper door while value engineering the correct, more expensive door out of the budget can be strong. In the case of high performance roll up doors, which are usually more expensive than standard roll up doors, this is often what happens. But just as our fictional people above could have saved money in the long run, so could those who install incorrect, cheaper roll up doors. In fact, installing an incorrect door for your application could cost more than twice as much as it would have cost to choose the more expensive, but correct, door initially.

The advantages of choosing the right roll up door are a win-win: you save time and money while making a smart decision for your facility. Read on to learn more about the benefits of installing the right roll up door the first time.

Benefit #1: Increased Productivity

Installing a high performance rolling door in place of a standard overhead rolling door can increase your productivity through:

• Time saved. A high performance rolling door operates at speeds of up to 24 inches per second, while a standard overhead rolling service door operates at about eight inches per second. That’s a huge difference that can save you, your facility and your employees a lot of time rather than waiting for a door to open or close.
  

• Longevity and durability, especially during peak cycles. High performance rolling doors are built for heavy, continuous use. Unlike standard rolling doors that can be negatively impacted by overuse, high performance rolling doors do not require much maintenance aside from a daily once-over to ensure everything is working as it should. These doors are also springless, removing the worry of door springs breaking with extended use. 

Benefit #2: Ramped Up Safety

Not only will high-performance rolling doors increase your productivity time, they can also increase the security of your building and the safety of your employees.

Concerns about injuries or damaged equipment because of a freefalling standard overhead door can be a thing of the past. While a standard commercial garage door may encounter snapped springs and a door that closes without warning, high performance rolling doors are springless, eliminating worry about faulty or broken springs. Standard commercial rolling doors may have some kind of built-in protection, but high performance rolling doors can offer even more than the typically seen photo eyes. This can be anything from advanced light curtain safety technology to a soft start and stop thanks to the door’s high tech operator.

Benefit #3: More Money Saved

Installing the right rolling door for your application can also save you (lots of) money. The opening and closing cycle at eight inches per second of a standard roll up door lets blustery winter winds and scorching summer air barrel into and throughout your facility. On the other hand, a high performance rolling door cycles much faster at 24 inches per second. This means reduced air exchange and improved energy efficiency in your facility, especially with insulated models.

The right rolling door can also save you money on the employee efficiency side of things. Doors manufactured for high performance typically offer 300,000 cycles of maintenance-free operation, with some models able to be upgraded to 500,000 cycles. With less down time and fewer workarounds needed for out-of-commission doors, employees and equipment can pass through openings faster and easier.

Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish on this one: go with a high performance rolling door if it best fits your application.

 
Cornell is the industry leading rolling door, security grille and closure product experts since 1828. To inquire how Cornell's long history of innovation and customer service can help you with your next rolling door project, call 1-800-233-8366!