Rolling steel doors

A rolling steel door does not ride up a set of ceiling tracks the way a sectional door does. Clopay describes the design simply: the curtain rolls up into a compact coil above the opening instead of operating on a track. That one difference shapes where these doors fit, how they wear and what a service visit looks at.

What we do: the MassGarage team installs and services rolling steel doors across all of Massachusetts, and works on the commercial operators that drive them. The rest of this page is general information to help you plan.

What counts as a rolling steel door

Manufacturers group several closures under this heading. Clopay's commercial range, for example, lists:

• Service doors for everyday openings such as shops, bays and warehouses.
• Sheet doors, which Clopay lists as coiling steel sheet doors in a range of gauges and colors.
• Grilles, coiling aluminum or steel, for areas that need security with visual access and air circulation.
• Counter shutters, which close over counters and service windows.

Janus groups its rolling steel products the same broad way, with service, insulated, grille and counter models. Within one maker's catalog, slat profile, gauge, insulation and drive differ from series to series, so the label on the door matters more than how it looks from the floor.

Questions about the opening and how it is used

Clopay's guidance is that rolling steel doors are recommended where headroom is limited, while sectional doors suit openings where side room is limited. Before choosing between them, or before replacing a door you already have, it helps to answer a few questions:

1. How much clear space is above the opening and along each side?
2. How many times a day does the door open and close, and at what times?
3. Is it opened by hand, by a chain, or by a motor operator? Janus, for one, lists a chain hoist on one of its service door series, while other models are built for motor operation.
4. Does the space need insulation, or is the door mainly for security?
5. Will people need to see or pass air through the closed opening, which points toward a grille?

Is it time to repair or replace?

Rolling doors take a lot of daily use and the odd hit from a vehicle. A dented slat, a curtain that binds in its guides or a door that is hard to lift can often be repaired. When the curtain is damaged across much of its width, the door no longer matches how the opening is used, or matching parts are hard to find, a new door may cost less over time than repeated repairs. We look at the curtain, guides, coil area and drive before recommending either path, and we explain the reasons in plain language.

Clopay's general advice on garage door springs and cables applies here too: it strongly recommends that only trained professionals handle the replacement or adjustment of springs and cables, so if the door suddenly feels heavy or drops, stop using it and call rather than adjusting anything yourself.

Getting the site ready

• Clear stock, pallets and vehicles from in front of and behind the opening.
• Make sure the controls and the power source for any operator can be reached.
• Arrange a time when the opening can be closed to traffic, and let tenants or staff know.
• Have any paperwork for the door handy, including the manufacturer name, model and serial label if you have them.

How the estimate works

Call (781) 602-0737 or use the contact page with the opening size, photos of the door from both sides and a note on how often it runs. We will look at the door in person and give you a written estimate for the repair or the new door. For new openings, our garage door installation page describes the general process, and garage door repair covers repair visits. You can also go back to the commercial overview.

MassGarage is family owned and has 15 years of experience. Not an authorized dealer for any brand. Licensed and insured, and we service and install all brands. Licensed and insured. Proof of insurance, license and 1099 available on request.

Written by the MassGarage team.