High-Speed Doors vs. Standard Rolling Steel: What’s Best for Ann Arbor Tech & Pharma?

Quick answer: High-speed doors suit busy openings that need tight control of air, temperature and contamination, such as cleanrooms, labs and climate-controlled warehouses. Standard rolling steel doors suit lower-traffic openings that need security, durability and fire protection. Overhead Door Company of Battle Creek, Jackson & Ann Arbor sells, installs and services both types.

The decision to select the most practical door for your tech or pharma facility extends beyond the Ann Arbor rolling steel vs. high-speed door cost. Energy-efficient commercial doors for laboratory cleanrooms also require an air exchange rate that minimizes contamination and air pressure fluctuations.

For Pharma/Clean Tech

The Ann Arbor tech, laboratory cleanrooms, and pharma industries require an additional layer of protection against the elements. Air contamination is an ongoing concern, but weather extremes also contribute to environmental issues. Depending on your priorities, you may be considering two options: high-speed doors and rolling steel doors.

They each have benefits, but let’s take a look at which one might work best for your unique requirements.

High-Speed Doors

High-speed doors offer superior high-cycle capabilities, environmental sealing, and climate control features.

Air exchange rate:High-speed doors open or close up to 100 inches per second, significantly reducing the opportunity for contamination and regulating interior air pressure and temperature fluctuations.

Sanitation:Hygienic materials, such as stainless steel and specialized PVC, are easy to clean.

Workflow efficiency:The speed at which high-speed doors operate means there’s essentially no wait time for entry or exit.

Rolling Steel Doors

While rolling steel doors provide excellent security benefits, they may not be the most practical choice for a pharma or cleanroom application.

Operational speed:With each use, rolling steel doors stay open considerably longer than their high-speed counterparts, creating sanitation, temperature, and air pressure challenges.

Sanitation:The structure and surface of a rolling steel door are harder to sanitize than the high-speed alternatives, which trap contaminants.

For General Warehousing

The choice between standard rolling steel or high-speed door is dependent on warehousing needs.

Standard rolling steel provides exceptional exterior durability, fire protection, and security for low-traffic areas. However, in high-traffic, fast-paced logistics warehouses, particularly those requiring climate control, high-speed doors are the preferred option.

The “Hidden” Feature

The self-repairing zipper technology used in high-speed door construction allows the material to automatically repair itself upon impact. Unlike its steel counterpart, if a forklift accidentally hits the self-repairing door, there’s zero downtime waiting for repair. The zipper technology also creates an excellent seal for preventing air loss and maintaining temperature control.

Energy Efficiency

Michigan winters are brutal. A slower rolling door lets out a massive amount of heat. Conversely, the high-speed option protects against the harsh climate by minimizing the amount of time the opening is exposed to the elements. A high-speed door pays for itself in HVAC savings alone in two to three years.

Optimizing Your Facility with the Right Door Solution

Reach out to a knowledgeable member of our team to help you make an informed decision on the most practical warehouse doors for your tech or pharma facility.

Contact us at Overhead Door Company of Battle Creek, Jackson & Ann Arbor by completing our online form. In addition to rolling steel and high-speed doors, we offer a full range of commercial doors, products, and services, including Rytec door repair. Our extensive selection of commercial applications serves a broad spectrum of industries, such as food and beverage, healthcare, and parking garages.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // DifferR

High-Speed and Rolling Steel Door FAQs

What is a high-speed door?

A high-speed door is a commercial door built to open and close much faster than a standard door, often using flexible fabric or PVC panels. Short open times limit air loss, temperature swings and contamination, which is why high-speed doors are common in labs, pharma, food and busy warehouse openings.

When is a rolling steel door the better choice?

Choose rolling steel when security and durability matter more than speed. Rolling steel doors coil into a compact space above the opening, so they work well where headroom is limited. They are a strong fit for exterior security openings, lower-traffic areas and openings that call for fire protection.

What affects the cost of a high-speed door?

The opening size, panel material, interior or exterior use, sealing and cleanroom features, and the controls and activation devices you choose all affect the price. It also helps to look at cost over the life of the door, since fast cycles can reduce energy loss and downtime in busy openings.

Do high-speed doors need special maintenance?

They need regular service like any door that cycles many times a day. Sensors, controls, seals and panels should be checked on a schedule so small problems don't turn into downtime. Our Commercial Preventative Maintenance Program includes priority scheduling and a detailed checklist with reporting.

Do you repair high-speed and rolling steel doors from other brands?

Yes. We service all brands of commercial doors, including high-speed and rolling steel doors and their operators. We also offer 24-hour emergency repair for commercial and industrial businesses. Call (800) 962-3141 or the location nearest your facility to schedule service.