Check out the G-4400 commercial garage doors. These all-glass doors create an amazing space and make it easy to move cars into and out of the service area at your dealership.
How can you stand out? If you’re brainstorming ways to improve your image and your customer experience, this could be the answer.
Sure, you could spend a fortune on marketing and advertising to increase visibility and boost profts, but nothing is more important than that critical first impression that people get upon arriving at your dealership.
According to RelayCars’ blog, consumers spend 13-14 hours surfing the Internet before heading to a dealership. And now that we’ve got dealers delivering cars to consumers, it’s even more important for your dealership to stand out.
You’ve got to make the best impression right away. Your dealership needs to stand out because once someone has decided how they feel about your business, it’s going to be difficult to change their mind, no matter what you do.
When it comes to purchasing something like a vehicle, perception is everything. Customers need to see a high-quality space that is professional and well-planned in order to believe that your dealership is reliable and worth their time.
Image from Freepik. A bright, clean showroom is perfectly inviting for interested shoppers.
Let’s explore commercial garage doors and garage door openers in this case study, including the unique needs of automotive dealerships.
The G-4400 is ideal for the dealership service area, as seen in this image. Two high-speed overhead garage doors can provide a clear view and offer plenty of natural light. Cars enter through one door and exit through the other, streamlining the service department.
Stuck on picking the perfect commercial garage doors and complementary garage door openers? With the tips and insight below, you’ll enjoy a much brighter, more versatile, functional space. Plus, you’ll be able to welcome potential customers and display your best vehicles with ease.
All-Glass Full-View Garage Doors > Show Off and Situate Vehicles Easily
This all-glass G-4400 overhead garage door seen here blends in with the building and thanks to personalized color options, it even matches the rest of the windows and doors with its black-framed glass.
Our G-4400 garage doors are functional, stylish, and full of features. Read on to learn more about the features that set them apart.
Why choose us? Here are 3 reasons to consider.
1. Our selection of garage door colors include more than a dozen unique colors.
In the event that you want one of these colors for other needs, GENTEK and ROYAL (aluminum coil suppliers) offer a list of color codes here.
Looking for a color that’s not offered in the list above? Reach out now to speak to our team.
For those who need it, we can customize the garage door color so that it matches your existing dealership design, or to add a unique pop of color that will make a statement and create visual appeal.
Good to know: Your final color might look a bit different based on the paint finish (sheen) that you choose. The application technique and material of the door may also impact the visual appearance of the paint. You’ll find flat, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes that can go on wood, steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and more. Plus they can be applied with brushes or spray-on painting methods!
2. Choose from 20 garage door glass options with varying colors and levels of transparency.
We have a host of tempered and non-tempered window glass for garage doors in our G-4400 collection, designed to meet all safety standards.
Tempered glass is engineered for five times the strength of regular glass. It’s also designed to shatter into tiny, harmless pieces in the event that it does get damaged or broken.
3. We offer (limited) warranties on every all-glass commercial garage door
- All standard windows include 10 years of protection from seal defects
- Our commercial garage doors also include 10 years of rust protection
- All other components are guaranteed for one year
Injected Polyurethane Insulation for Commercial Sectional Overhead Steel Doors > Lots of Durability, Fewer Dollars Than You Think
Our energy-saving garage doors include premium insulation and top-quality garage door weatherstripping that help stave off energy and heat loss.
Here are 3 things you should know.
Our G-5000 commercial garage doors include high-pressure injected polyurethane foam, offering premium insulation so you don’t have to worry about chilly air, water infiltration, or anything else.
1. Our G-5000, G-5138, and G-5200 overhead garage door styles include all the color options below!
GOOD TO KNOW: Custom colors are also available for our commercial sectional doors.
2. We have three levels of insulation for our commercial garage doors in this collection.
- G-5138 = R-12
- G-5000 = R-16
- G-5200 = R-18
A higher R-value means the insulation is of a higher quality and provides more protection.
Depending on where you live and your climate, the R-value that you need in a garage door will vary. This is essentially a measurement of thermal resistance used by the entire construction and building industry.
You’ll find your commercial garage doors are more energy-efficient and durable when injected with high-pressure polyurethane foam.
Polyurethane is a premium choice for insulation for the following reasons:
- Rain and cold weather are no match for this insulator
- Polyurethane can serve as a vapor barrier and air barrier alike
- It’s twice as effective as polystyrene insulation
- It can increase the resistance to flexion of the garage door sections because of how it’s installed
Here’s an image of garage doors with polyurethane versus Styrofoam insulation.
3. Our G-5000 commercial steel doors also include limited warranties:
- 10 years protection from steel perforation and rust
- 10 years protection from wood rot and cracking
- 10 years protection from delamination (separation of the steel from the polyurethane)
- 1 year protection on all other door elements
- 10 years protection from window seal defects (Standard windows only)
This G-5000 garage door is a smaller size, measuring just 7 x 8 feet, allowing enough room for small cars and trucks. We can create custom garage doors for all sizes, from compact spaces like this to larger doors for RVs, trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
Vertical Lift and High Lift > Dealerships and Commercial Buildings Fare Well with Elevated (Literally) Door Systems
This high lift system offers more headroom for this commercial garage door, offering tracks that hug the ceiling so the door opens all the way vertically before it starts rolling over the curve horizontally.
You’re thinking, I’ve got a garage door at home—it’s not that different, is it?
Actually, it is. Commercial and industrial doors have their own considerations, as you’ll see below.
The first concern is the amount of garage door clearance and type of lift system will be best for your commercial garage door.
You will find 6 options for garage door lift:
| Standard lift | This is the most common choice, offers headroom of 10 inches, minimum |  |
| High-lift track | If you have high ceilings or want to maximize overhead space this one offers better clearance |  |
| Full vertical model | This allows for a full vertical lift on the wall above it, ideal for commercial applications |  |
| Inclined garage door tracks | Essential for vaulted and cathedral ceilings |  |
| Front and rear low headroom | For less than 10 inches of headroom between the door and the ceiling |  |
High lift and vertical lift doors are ideal for commercial, agricultural, and industrial use because of their increase clearance.
Check out the overhead clearance of this commercial garage door. The high-lift hardware makes it easy to operate, and it is energy-efficient, quiet, and best of all, low-maintenance.
And of Course, Heavy-Duty Hardware Takes the Cake for Industrial and Commercial Garage Doors
You’ll want to have the length and thickness of springs determined by garage door experts.
Since commercial doors are usually much heavier and more frequently used when compared to residential doors, they need more durable, high-quality hardware. The springs are the most important part—they carry the weight (literally) and do the work.
It’s all a matter of calculations for weight transfer:
- Longer springs can handle more open/close cycles.
BUT
- Shorter springs are stronger
An experienced garage door expert will help you find the ideal balance between these two elements so you get the best springs for the job.
3 options for commercial hardware
For the improved clearance and ability to follow the ceiling, high-lift hardware is available for commercial doors.
| Hardware |
|
Light Duty
|
|
Heavy Duty
|
|
Super Heavy Duty
|
*The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel
What about the commercial garage door?
- Hardware for commercial garage doors is heavier and larger to handle the increased clearance and height needs.
- Commercial doors generally run between 1-⅜ inches and 2 inches thick, insulated with polystyrene or polyurethane.
- Many dealers are interested in the energy efficiency and hardiness of commercial garage doors.
- Polyurethane can provide premium resistance from bending and bowing of the garage door, due to its better adhesion and strength.
And of course, do not forget about premium commercial hardware, which is very different from residential doors!
Whatever mechanism is operating your commercial door needs to be much stronger and more efficient than a residential door’s opener system. Since it’s used far more often, the hardware needs to be solid, stronger, and capable of supporting this large door.
The track options are different for both types.
- Residential garage door tracks are generally made of thinner steel because they aren’t used as frequently.
- Commercial garage door tracks will have thicker steel with tracks and rollers that are 2-3 inches in length.
The counterbalance spring system is different.
Instead of looking at door size, consider the number of cycles a garage door will provide. A cycle refers to one opening and one closing.
For example, if your commercial garage door is used 25-50 times each day, you will need commercial garage door springs that can handle 25,000 to 100,000 cycles.
Door movement styles are different.
Residential garage doors usually move with limited or standard clearance.
Commercial doors also have the option for vertical lift and elevated movement for taller doors and those with different clearance above the doors.
There are several other parts to commercial garage doors, based on frequency of use and avoiding service interruptions. Building owners will want to attach the utmost importance to choosing the right parts to prevent expensive repairs and early wear and tear.
Commercial Garage Door Openers > So Much Power You Might Call Them Super Openers
The jackshaft-type operator is mounted on the side of the garage door, providing a perfect solution for high-lift garage doors. We love its power and utility, and the option for manual chain lifting if the automatic opener isn’t needed.
The cost of garage door openers for your commercial doors will vary significantly. There are a few factors that will impact the cost:
● Voltage
You’ll have to choose between 115, 220, and 550 volts. Try to use 220 instead of 115 if possible.
● Engine power
You’ll also have to select between ½, ¾ or 1 hp for the power of the door’s engine. Small doors do fine with less power while larger doors should go up to 1 hp when necessary.
● Central or side opener
Any vertical or raised movement needs a side (jackshaft) door opener. And make sure that this includes a chain hoist for manual use.
You’ll find North American commercial garage door openers offering the options of 115, 220, and 575 volts, while residential openers only offer 115 volts.
The LiftMaster model RBH operator: The LEADING jackshaft commercial and industrial garage door opener.
- Powerful enough to lift large doors in a single movement
- Durable enough to perform more cycles in commercial spaces
- Ideal for commercial sectional doors that are larger or feature high/vertical lift
Wait, what’s RBH?
RB is short for “roller bearing” and the H refers to the chain hoist included with the system. The RBH operator from LiftMaster includes heavy-duty roller bearings that provide smooth operation and a longer life.
Check out the diagram below to see the components of garage door openers and get an idea of how they work.
LiftMaster RBH Features
Clutch
The clutch engages when you press the open/close button on the garage door. This helps slide the door a little and avoid sudden, jarring movements for smooth opening and longevity.
Operator Motor
- If the motor overheats, overload protection will shut the system down.
- When problems occur, error codes are generated so the door can be fixed promptly and efficiently.
- The motor starts quickly, like a racehorse leaping out of the gate, thanks to its high starting torque.
Timer
- Custom time setting allows you to keep the door open for a specific amount of time, between one second and 99 minutes.
- TimerSecure feature ensures that the motor won’t idle if there is a breakdown.
- There’s a mid-course stop feature that saves time, energy, and opening cycles.
- Dealership Mode: One simple press allows the door to open to a set height, stays open for the required time, and then closes.
Wall control panel
The handy wall control panel includes a Maintenance Alert System (MAS) that notifies you when something is wrong. A flashing LED light indicates maintenance or inspection needs, as well as potential needs for repairs.
G-4400 commercial garage doors > The only one always watching with dual-sided photo eyes (CPS-UN4)
The photo eyes are housed in durable polycarbonate that resist dirt, water, debris, and other potential damaging elements. They can be used indoors or outdoors and they have solid sensors to signal alignment. These are great for dealerships, car washes, and repair shops that experience a lot of rain or debris since they won’t be affected.
Remember, when you choose a commercial garage door opener that works with your commercial building’s 575-volt system can also offer lower power bills.
Our Commercial Garage Door Specialists Can Assist with Choosing the Best Garage Doors and Systems for Your Dealership or Commercial Building
Now that you know more, reach out to the garage door experts from T.M. Kenney Door Systems. We’re here for everything you need:
- Free consultations at your dealership or in our showroom.
- A free, detailed quotation that includes the details of your specific job, taking into account that the factors surrounding your needs impact the cost of your garage door installation..
- On-site measurements for a complete, accurate, professional quote.
- A Planned Preventive Maintenance program ensures your garage doors are always in good working order. As the biggest moving parts of your dealership, your garage doors let your customers (and your money) in so that you can continue to grow.
So, what have we learned from this case study? Select a commercial garage door that truly meets your needs as a dealership. Be willing to invest a little extra for a premium garage door system. You could choose to pay less now, but you’ll spend a small fortune on repairs and service calls.
Call us now at 631-589-4078!
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