Sectional overhead doors are types of doors which are designed to slide up and overhead. The construction of these doors usually involves 3 to 8 panels. The amount of internal wall space occupied by these doors is the same as that taken by monolithic doors.
There are many types and models of these doors. All these models come with different features and colours to choose from. Some may be insulated and some non-insulated. The insulated models offer protection against cold or hot conditions. The doors are made of various materials. Common materials used are aluminium, steel, copper, and glass. Most of these doors are made of galvanised steel which comes in various gauges. You can find a 16, 20 or 24-gauge steel panel. These doors thickness also vary. The wide variety of these doors allows you to choose a product that will suit your project.
Other Features and Preferences
Some of the sectional doors may have the following features and options
• Baked-on polyester paint finish. This is ideal for providing protection against weather elements for long. It also eliminates field painting.
• Bottom weather seal made of a flexible PVC. This kind of weatherseal minimises water and air penetration. The weather seal also works well with floor conditions that are irregular as well as decreasing hot and cold conductivity.
• Superior strength panel & properly-engineered track. These ensure the door handles a lot of wind load codes and requirements.
• Heavy-duty hardware and track. The galvanised steel allows smooth, trouble-free performance.
• Easy personnel access which is facilitated by a pass door option.
• Solid construction. It is made to accommodate wind loading of 20 psf or higher.
• Electric and chain hoist operation. This particular piece has sections with an aluminium sash. Its glazing may be that of wire, DSB, polycarbonate, and acrylic. The door also has jamb seals and a 3″ track.
• Energy-saving preference.
• Micro profile panel structure that improves energy efficiency in electric doors.
• Full-section or individual section glazing.
• Plexiglass, wire glass, DSB glass, tempered glass, polycarbonate or clear Lexan glazing choices. Glazing is essential for visitor identification and external light.
• Higher cycle springs that promote high-usage and long-life. The cycles include; 25k, 50k, 75k, and 100k.
• Wider doors come with an optional steel strutting which provides their structural reinforcement.
Advantages of Sectional Overhead Doors over Single Panel Doors
Every panel of a sectional door is connected to the door track on every side unlike in single panel doors. This makes the sectional doors to be more strong and reliable.
For sectional doors, no space is needed outside a building for them to open. They slide up, overhead. Single panel doors would not allow a vehicle to be so close to the buildings. These doors are very space-saving.
Drawbacks
Although these type of doors save the space on the inside and outside of a building, they take a lot of space under buildings ceilings.
The doors can also use all the ceiling space of a building since they slide up.
Applications
Sectional overhead doors are used in many types of buildings. In most cases, the doors are utilised as garage doors. The doors are also used in Hotel loading areas, commercial centres, Hospitals, Industrial facilities, Warehouses, and showrooms just to mention a few.