Your thriving business depends upon the reliable operation of everything from floor to ceiling. This includes having dependable garage door openers. As all good things must end, your openers will eventually reach the end of their service life. It’s critical to know the expected lifespan of these valuable tools and signs that they are failing so your operations don’t come to a standstill at a peak time. Here is some information about how long you can expect your garage door opener to last and what you can do to extend or shorten its life.
How Long Do Commercial Garage Door Openers Last?
In general, commercial garage door openers last between 10 and 15 years. However, that can vary dramatically based on a number of factors, including the type of door, quality of materials and manufacture, quality of the installation and maintenance, how much use it experiences, and environmental factors.
What to Do to Extend the Life of Your Commercial Garage Door Opener
Some things that can shorten the lifespan of your commercial garage door opener may be beyond your control. These include floods, fires, and tornados. However, there is a considerable amount you can do to ensure the longest lifespan of your openers.
Garage Door Opener Maintenance
Regular maintenance may be the single most crucial factor you can control to extend the lifespan of your commercial door opener. While you should do your part to keep the area around the garage doors clear, many tasks require the expert services of our professional technicians.
A key maintenance task is lubricating the moving parts. Whatever type of opener you have, you need to keep things moving smoothly. Without lubrication, the door may not operate properly. It will also increase the wear on the moving parts, causing them to break down and need replacement earlier.
We also make sure that all safety measures are working as intended. This is critical for the welfare of your employees, clients, and the business itself. We also tighten any loose bolts or other parts. If the door has weather stripping or another sealant, we’ll check that, too, and replace it if necessary.
Prompt Repairs
Accidents happen, and occasionally things break down. Whether your forklift driver hit the track for your commercial garage door opener or the motor is making strange noises, call for repairs the moment you notice something amiss. Not attending to a small problem can allow it to grow into a major issue and could ultimately require a complete replacement. Quick action helps maintain the building’s aesthetics and the day-to-day functioning of your business.
Keep the Door Dry
Commercial garage doors are designed to withstand the rain and other elements. However, the door opener is more vulnerable. Do your best to keep these indoor parts dry. If your business uses hoses, try to use them away from the doors to prevent accidental spraying.
Types of Commercial Garage Door Openers
At [company_name], we offer a wide variety of commercial garage door openers, including hoists, trolleys, and jackshafts. It’s essential to get a door opener designed to handle the type of door and the amount of use it will see. The amount of use the door can handle is usually expressed in max cycles per hour and max cycles per day. If you regularly exceed these numbers, your door will likely wear out sooner than expected.
While the price of a standard or medium-duty opener may look enticing, the money is wasted if it fails prematurely. When you work with our installers at [company_name], they’ll evaluate the conditions and amount of use you expect it to see and recommend an opener that will serve you well for many years.
Lifting Power
Commercial doors can be extremely heavy, so you need an opener designed to lift this extra weight. While a residential garage door opener might have one or two torsion springs, openers for commercial garage doors usually have three or more extension torsion springs. These springs are larger and stronger than ones for residential garage doors. They help balance the weight of the door for smoother and safer lifting.
Because of the extra weight of commercial doors, commercial door openers also require more power than residential openers. Power is usually expressed in horsepower. Many residential garage doors are 150 pounds or less and only need an opener with 1/2 HP. Commercial doors can be 1,000 pounds or more and may require as much as 1.5 HP.
Safety Features
Because of the weight of commercial garage doors, they require more safety features than your standard home garage door opener. The following features are available on some of our doors:
- Pull cord emergency release
- Emergency hoist for manual operation
- Drawbar disconnect
- Programmable mid-stop
- Chain hoist with electric interlock
- Floor level disconnect
- Fail-safe release mechanism
Warranties
Commercial garage doors and garage door openers are an investment. Many of the doors we offer come with a two-year/20,000-cycle warranty.
Types of Commercial Garage Doors
There is a huge variety of commercial garage doors. The key difference between these and residential garage doors is durability and the ability to open and close many times a day. Whether it’s a parking garage door or a fire door, selecting the right door for the task is paramount.
Design Style
Like residential doors, many commercial doors are designed as overhead doors. Compared to doors that slide to the side or swing out, overhead doors need the least amount of space. You can also have a rollup door that is comprised of multiple sections.
Materials
Commercial garage doors can be made from a variety of materials. The key consideration is that it is durable and can withstand the elements. Steel doors are highly durable and provide a high level of security. However, they also tend to be quite heavy. Wood doors are also common. These typically have a solid wood core covered in a veneer. You can also have full glass or aluminum and glass doors. Glass doors allow greater visibility when preparing to leave the garage, which is why you see full glass doors at firehouses. Fiberglass doors are another attractive and durable option and are relatively lightweight.
Other Considerations
Some commercial garage doors are designed for specific purposes. A fire door will automatically close in the event the fire alarm is triggered. In other circumstances, you may need an insulated door or a ventilated door.
Call the Experts
Specializing in top-rated brands, at Garage Door Doctor, we prioritize quality construction and durability in all our projects in the Indianapolis and Bloomington areas. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition, including the prestigious International Door Association Award and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. We know your business is important and you need your garage doors to operate as intended. That’s why we offer 24/7 emergency services. We serve both residential and commercial clients. If you need installation, repairs, or maintenance for your commercial garage door or door opener, give Garage Door Doctor a call to schedule an appointment for a free estimate.
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