If you need a good metal building, you also need a good metal garage door. Whether you need a walk-in door or a traditional garage door, we have the perfect door for you at Metal Garage Central. We use only the highest quality products, and we are determined to help you make your doors last as long as you need them. That’s why we wrote this article with some great metal building door tips!
Which Door Do I Need?
When your new prefab metal building is installed, you want it to be everything you have dreamed of. Whether you realize it or not, your doors are a big part of that. Doors can make or break your new investment. You need to have the right accessibility and functionality. How do you know what kind of door you need? Well, the best place to start is by understanding the types of doors you can choose from. We offer two categories of doors here at Metal Garage Central.
The first category is walk-in doors. These doors are just like the doors you have in your house. They are standard size doors that are usually placed on one of the metal building’s sides. They allow you to enter and exit your building without having to open the main door.
The second category of door that we offer is the overhead style door. They are your traditional garage doors that are wide and tall enough for cars and trucks to enter and exit the structure. However, unlike the walk-in doors, there are multiple styles of overhead doors. Here are some quick summaries:
• Roll-Up
Metal building Roll-Up doors are one of the most common overhead door options. They come in two types: manual and electric. This type of door is a long steel sheet that can be rolled up in order for you to enter and exit the structure. Manual Roll-Up doors use a pulley system that you operate, whereas electric Roll-Up doors open and close themselves at the push of a button.
• Sectional
A Sectional metal building garage door is similar to the previous option, it can be manually operated or electric. This door is comprised of multiple flat panels that run on a track. The track runs along the length of the door and then extends upward, parallel to the ceiling. This allows the door’s sections to run up the track and be neatly tucked away. This is an advantage that the previous option does not have. The Sectional door will be flush with the ceiling when opened.
• Bi-Fold
Bi-Fold garage doors are similar to household accordion doors. They are made of two panels that are hinged together in the center. The door folds itself in half and becomes level with the ceiling, the way the Sectional door does. The option is not electric, but it has a quaint, residential look. It is easy to operate and enhances the charm of your home.
• Sliding
Sliding metal building doors operate in the exact same way that French doors do. You manually slide one panel to the side, opening your metal building for your car or truck to enter or exit. These doors have a traditional, homey charm about them. It is important to note that these metal building doors cannot be automated.
• Hangar
Hangar metal building doors are typically hydraulic doors. They are one single panel that hinges at the top of the door. The hydraulic actuators open and close the door. If you need to be able to get in and out of your building quickly, this is a great option. This is also the best option for a building that will store large vehicles, such as aircraft, large farm equipment, and boats.
Tips for Making Your Metal Building Garage Doors Last a Lifetime
Now that you know what your options are for metal building doors, you need to know how to protect the doors you choose. After all, you want your door to last as long as your premium steel building, and look its best, too! We have four tips to share with you that will keep your doors in top condition.
Tip #1: Protect Your Doors
The first way to keep your doors in top condition is to protect them. That may sound obvious, but it is true. You need to protect them both during installation and throughout their use. You might be wondering how to do this, but there is no need to worry. It is a straightforward process.
During installation, you need to ensure that the hinges are installed correctly, and that the door is level. If either of those things are messed up, the door will not function properly. You also need to make sure that the door will not hit anything when it is opened, and that there is enough space between it and the door frame to prevent unnecessary friction.
Your job is easier after installation. You need to make sure that you keep the area around the door clear of debris. You also will want to make sure the door doesn’t knock into something when it is opened. This could cause dents, scratches, or other damage.
Tip #2: Make Corrections Early
The next tip goes along with the first one. In protecting your doors, you are supposed to be keeping an eye out for dents, scratches, rust, and any other issues. If you notice any of these things, go ahead and correct them. Do not wait because the issue is “not bad enough yet.” Correcting your issues early allows you to save money and extend the life of your door. If you wait until the issues are “bad enough,” you may have to completely replace the door.
Tip #3: Know Your Paint
We understand that tastes change, and you may want to paint your metal building door at some point. There are a couple of things you need to consider if you want to paint your doors.
The first thing is size. Does your door already fit snugly into the door frame? If so, you probably do not want to paint it. A layer of paint may not seem thick enough to affect the size of your door, but we promise you that it is. We have seen it happen too many times. A customer paints a door that fits snugly into its frame, and then they can’t get it to close.
The second thing to consider is the paint itself. You cannot use just any type of paint on a steel door. Just as there are paints designed for interior versus exterior walls, there are paints specifically designed for steel. You need to ensure that you are using one of these paints. Otherwise, the paint will likely come off, and you will have wasted your time. The type of paint is doubly important if your metal building garage door has already been painted. You need to make sure that your new paint will not react badly with the old paint. Some paints do not work well together, and it could cause damage to the door or for the new paint to not stick.
Tip #4: Be an Inspector
Our final tip goes hand-in-hand with our first one. Just like you should be actively protecting your door, you should be regularly examining it. No, you do not have to scrutinize every part of it any time you enter or exit, but you should glance over it. We have already explained how important it is to catch any scratches, dents, or rust early.
We Are Quality
Metal garage doors are a necessity to a good, functional building, but you have to take care of them if you expect them to last. We gave you four great tips: protect your doors, make corrections early, use the right paint, and inspect them. If you follow those tips, your metal building door will last a lifetime. So will your metal building if you choose to buy from Metal Garage Central. Our prefab metal buildings stand the test of time because they are durable and rugged. It gets better than that too because our team of building specialists is even higher quality than our buildings. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to help you however you need it. Call us today at (980) 223-3072 to see what we can do for you!