30×40 Tubular Metal Building with 12’x12′ Roll-Up Doors
Roll-up doors are one of the most popular choices for garage doors in the industry because they are simple, space-efficient, and typically more cost-effective than overhead doors. But just because they’re popular and cost-effective doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for your building.
If you’re considering a roll-up door for your metal building, understanding what to look for before you order one can help you make an informed decision based on how you plan to use your building. From chain hoists and locking systems to wind ratings, brush seals, headspace, and insulation, let’s go through the most common questions about roll-up doors and what you should consider before choosing one.
What is a Roll-Up Door?
A roll-up door is a type of garage door that opens by rolling upward into a coil above the opening. It is built from a 26-gauge galvanized steel curtain with a 5/8″ ribbed corrugation profile and a white finish.
Think of it like a giant roll of paper. As the door opens, the steel curtain rolls around itself and forms a coil rather than swinging outward or sliding to the side.
This design makes roll-up doors especially useful for metal buildings because they don’t require a traditional overhead track system extending into the building. Instead, the door rolls upward and stays compact above the opening.
Learn more about the difference of roll-up and overhead doors on this blog.
How Does a Roll-Up Door Work?
Roll-up doors typically operate by manually raising and lowering the door or by using a chain hoist, depending on the door size and configuration.
The operating mechanism is mounted near the door, allowing the curtain to be pulled upward or lowered into the closed position.
This relatively simple design is one of the reasons roll-up doors are commonly used for garages, workshops, storage buildings, barns, and other metal building applications.
Check out these videos where Adbeel demonstrated how a manual and chain-hoisted roll up doors work.
What is the Benefit of a Roll-Up Door?
One of the biggest advantages of a roll-up door is the amount of usable space it provides. It doesn’t require the same type of track system. Instead, the door rolls into a compact coil above the opening.
That means you don’t have to worry about overhead tracks taking up valuable interior space which can be useful when you are dealing with tall vehicles, equipment, lifts, storage racks, and other things that will require much interior or headspace in the building.
For many workshops and metal garages, maximizing usable interior space is a major advantage.
Now that we know what a roll up door is and why it’s a popular choice for metal buildings, let’s get into the commonly asked questions we get and what you need to know if you’re looking into adding it to your metal building.
1. Do Roll-Up Doors Come With a Chain Hoist?
Yes, roll-up doors can come with a chain hoist but this is generally dependent on the size.
Smaller roll-up doors such as a 10’x10’ are commonly available with a manual operating mechanism. Larger roll-up doors such as 12’x12’, 12’x10, 14’x14 or anything wider than 10’ typically use chain-hoist to operate.
Why Are Chain Hoists Used on Larger Roll-Up Doors?
As roll-up doors get larger, the steel curtain becomes heavier and more difficult to raise manually. A chain hoist makes operation easier by using mechanical advantage to help lift and lower the door. This makes it a practical option for larger roll-up doors that may be too heavy or cumbersome to operate comfortably by hand.
On the other hand, if you have a smaller door but prefer a chain-hoist operation, you can request it as a custom option. When planning your metal building, it’s better to ask how the roll-up door will operate rather than assuming every door uses the same mechanism
2. How Do You Lock a Roll-Up Door?
Security is an important consideration when choosing a roll-up door. Unlike with overhead doors where the locking mechanism may be located inside the building, certain roll-up door configurations allow you to use a padlock on the exterior locking mechanism.
This gives you a straightforward way to secure the building from the outside. However, because the lock is visible, it’s important to consider the overall security requirements of your building and what you plan to store inside.
If you’re storing valuable equipment, vehicles, tools, or other belongings, discuss the available door and security options with your builder before finalizing your building design.
3. Are Roll-Up Doors Wind Rated?
Generally, the roll-up doors that are offered in the industry are not necessarily wind rated. However, wind-rated roll-up doors are available and can be ordered when your building requires it.
This is especially important in areas that experience higher wind speeds. For example, parts of the Texas Gulf Coast including areas around Houston, Corpus Christi, and Galveston which can experience significantly stronger wind conditions than other parts of the state.
Why does it matter?
A large garage door creates a relatively large opening in the building envelope. During high winds, that opening can be exposed to significant pressure.
A properly rated and reinforced door is designed to provide greater resistance to those conditions.
If your building is located in a high-wind area, don’t assume a standard roll-up door will meet your project’s requirements. Ask about wind-rated options during the design process.
4. Do Roll-Up Doors Rattle in the Wind?
Roll-up doors can rattle, particularly during windy conditions. Because of the way the door curtain operates, some movement and noise can occur when wind pushes against the door.
The orientation of the building can also affect how directly wind hits the doors. However, there are ways to help reduce movement and rattling.
One of the ways is to add brush seals to the roll-up door. These can be installed along the sides of a roll-up door. Here at WolfSteel, we install roll-up doors with brush seals included.
The brush seals help close the gaps around the door and can put additional pressure against the sides of the door curtain. This helps reduce the air movement through the gaps around the door which can help stabilize the door and reduce rattling.
They won’t turn a roll-up door into a completely airtight opening, but they can improve the seal and help minimize some of the movement associated with wind.
5. Are Roll-Up Doors Insulated?
No. Roll-up doors are generally not insulated. It does not provide the same thermal control as an insulated overhead door. The corrugated design makes it impossible to provide an airtight seal to your building most especially if you spray foamed it.
Also, roll-up doors are made from steel, which is prone to heat transfer. Heat can pass through the door more easily which can be a challenge if you are maintaining the interior temperature of your building.
What does WolfSteel think?
Roll-up doors are a practical option for many metal buildings because they are space-efficient, relatively simple, and available in a wide range of sizes.
Their biggest advantages include the amount of usable headspace they provide and the fact that they don’t require a traditional overhead track system.
However, there are trade-offs.
Roll-up doors aren’t fully sealed or insulated, and they may not be the best choice if your primary goal is maintaining a controlled interior temperature. In high-wind areas, you may also need a wind-rated door.
If you’re deciding whether to get a roll-up door for your metal building, the right choice will depend on how you plan to use the building, where it’s located, the size of the opening, and whether insulation, weather sealing, or maximum interior space are priorities for you.
Interested in adding a roll-up door to your metal building but not sure if it’s the right choice for your project? Talk to our team about your plans, and let’s help you choose a door that fits your building and how you’ll use it.
Call us 844-941-0999
Or email us anytime at quotes@wolfsteelbuildings.com