Door Systems & Technology

Sectional doors are the most common residential garage door type in North America. They consist of horizontal panels connected by hinges that ride up curved tracks and lay flat against the ceiling when open. Sectional doors take up minimal driveway space because they open vertically, making them well-suited for most attached and detached garages.

Panel material options include steel, aluminum, composite wood, and full-view aluminum glass. Steel sectional doors are the most popular choice for residential use — they're durable, available in a wide range of finishes, and can be insulated with polyurethane or polystyrene for improved energy efficiency. Insulation matters in the Pacific Northwest, where temperature differentials between a heated garage and the outdoors affect both comfort and the longevity of mechanical components.

Roll-up doors coil into a drum assembly above the opening rather than tracking along the ceiling. They require minimal headroom and no ceiling track space, making them the preferred choice for commercial warehouses, storage units, and properties with limited overhead clearance. Residential roll-up doors (also called coiling doors) are used where ceiling space is at a premium.

Commercial roll-up doors are rated by duty cycle — light commercial, standard commercial, and industrial grades differ in slat gauge, drum size, and spring assembly ratings. Selecting the appropriate duty cycle for the expected daily use is critical; an underrated door on a busy commercial property will require frequent spring and component replacement.

Commercial properties often require doors with higher cycle ratings, greater width and height clearances, insulation for climate control, or impact resistance for high-traffic dock environments. Commercial sectional doors and roll-ups are available in sizes and configurations not typically found in residential product lines. Fire-rated doors and wind-load rated doors are also available for applications that require them.

Commercial door selection should account for opening frequency, forklift or vehicle clearance requirements, dock leveler compatibility, and any code requirements for the occupancy type. Insulated commercial doors reduce heating and cooling costs significantly in facilities where the door opens frequently throughout the day.