In any construction project, some components of the structure are more fun and fascinating to imagine and plan than others – like the overarching design, smart features or recreational spaces. The more practical and mundane the component is, the less you want to think about it. Doors, for instance. You simply want a door to work.
But we want to encourage you to think about doors now – specifically doors for large openings – so you don’t have to think about them later. Because when you think it through ahead of time, you’ll have a door that works, and works well, for decades.
In this realm, there are three primary types: sectional, slat and steel curtain roll-up doors. The typical garage door is a sectional door, usually made up of five or more horizontal sections that travel up along parallel tracks, coming to rest overhead. Slat doors are made of smaller horizontal sections and are usually much more heavy duty. These can also use parallel tracks or roll up overhead. A steel curtain roll-up door is a ribbed metal sheet, which rolls up neatly and conveniently overhead.
At Robertson Building Systems, we believe steel curtain roll-up doors offer the best features for a wide variety of residential, commercial, industrial, governmental and military purposes. They are low-maintenance, reliable and durable options for everything from metal carports and storage units to loading dock doors, warehouse entrances and arenas. Any building that needs vehicles or any other large items moved in and out quickly and easily needs a roll-up door. And the roll-up operation of a steel curtain door means fewer moving pieces, more headroom and less space taken up by your door when it’s open.
Why would you choose a roll-up door over a sectional door?
The standard choice for residential garage doors, sectional doors have their own set of problems. They require bi-annual professional maintenance, take two to three times as long to install, and are riddled with pinch points – safety hazards for doors that need to open and close often with personnel nearby. They cost approximately 20% more than roll-up doors and come with many more parts – many more chances for something to go wrong. If you rely on a working door for business, a broken door is lost income.
Why not a slat door?
Slat doors are similar in operation to a roll-up door, but they can cost as much as three times as much and require both heavy equipment and multiple people for installation. You’ll also be waiting six to eight weeks for your door, and when it arrives, it’s likely to be one of three standard colors.
That brings us to the steel curtain roll-up door. You’ve always counted on Robertson to bring you nothing but the best products, and now we’re pleased to introduce you to one of our latest: The DBCI roll-up door. DBCI has specialized in roll-up doors for the last quarter-century, perfecting them and imagining new, innovative ways to use them and repurpose their components.
All DBCI roll-up doors are made from 26-gauge galvanized, Grade E hard steel curtains with 5/8” ribbed corrugation. That’s a grade better than the competition. DBCI also said that each of their many door models feature a corrugated drum, which not only allows for better alignment but superior cycle operation. Since the metal sheet fits flush with the corrugated drum, the door rolls up quickly and quietly.
These doors are also armed with an extruded, rust-resistant bottom bar and a taller weather strip compared to the leading brand – keeping weather, water and insects out. DBCI has done a number of strength and durability tests of their door components to see how they compare. When the competition’s components bent and even broke, DBCI’s components barely flexed under the strain.
But what about maintenance?
This may be your favorite thing about these doors. It’s one of ours. Compared to the other options on the market, DBCI roll-up doors are virtually maintenance-free. When it’s time to adjust tension, you don’t need a trained technician – just an (included) allen wrench. And as for the single spring, the most critical mechanical component of a steel curtain roll-up door, DBCI uses only oil-tempered, torsion-type springs. Better still, the spring is accessible – allowing for safe, easy lubrication.
DBCI roll-up doors come in any of 24 WeatherXL-treated colors, with custom colors available on large orders. You can choose interior or exterior locks along with other custom features. Each door is made to order, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be waiting long. DBCI prides itself on a turnaround time of ten days or less from order to delivery. And, of course, Robertson provides these doors as part of larger, turnkey projects.
Interested in more? You’re in luck, because the world of roll-up doors is deeper and wider than you’d expect. DBCI has its own in-house wind-testing facility and builds doors rated for hurricane winds – up to 140mph! For storage companies, you’ll also love the full line of interior products, like swing doors, lockers, kickplates, partitions, corner guards, burglary prevention measures and much more.
If you think DBCI roll-up doors might be a good fit for your next project – or even a structure that’s already complete – contact us today for more information.