March 29, 2024

Residential and commercial garage doors are built differently.

Ask any premium garage doors supplier, and they’ll advise against using residential models in your industrial garage. That’s because garage doors manufactured for residential purposes aren’t made for heavy-duty use.

To help you choose the right one for your premises, we’ve outlined five differences between residential and commercial garage doors. So, keep reading! 

Garage Doors

1. Appearance

A critical difference between residential and commercial garage doors is appearance. While the former is more focused on aesthetics, the latter prioritizes functionality. And let’s be honest– garage doors are installed for security purposes, so appearance rarely matters. 

Residential garage doors are available in a plethora of colours, and most models come with a couple of add-on features, such as windows and photocells. Commercial ones, on the other hand, have conventional appearances and come in neutral tones like beige, white, etc. 

2. Size

Another significant difference is the size, as commercial garage doors are much larger than residential ones. Garage doors for homes are generally seven feet in height and eight to nine feet in width. 

While the size varies depending on the application, overhead doors are typically 24 feet high and 32 feet apart. Industrial options can be even bigger to accommodate heavy-duty machinery. 

3. Material

Residential garage doors are made from an array of materials like wood, steel, vinyl, fibreglass, etc. But commercial ones are constructed of selected materials that are highly durable and can sustain roughhousing, such as galvanized steel and aluminum. 

Wood is also used at times, but only the composite variants are long-lasting and can survive adverse weather. Security is paramount when it comes to commercial garages, and that’s why doors made of solid metals are much sought-after by garage owners. 

4. Opening Capacity

How many times do you open your garage door? Maybe twice or thrice a day at maximum; in fact, there are some days when you don’t take out your car at all, so the garage door isn’t used. However, that is not the case with commercial garage doors, as they are opened and closed all day long.

That’s why door openers for commercial garages are built to respond quickly and sustain damage for a long time. But that’s not the case with residential door openers– so they won’t last long if you install them in commercial establishments. 

5. Cost

Lastly, residential and commercial garage doors vary a great deal in cost. The latter is bigger in size, made using durable material, has a greater opening capacity, and hence, is comparatively expensive. However, if residential garage doors are heavily customized, they can cost a lot too.

Conclusion 

Although you can save a few dollars by installing residential garage doors in your industrial garage, it won’t be cost-effective in the long run. It may keep malfunctioning after short intervals, and you will have to fork out money to get it repaired time and again.

Want to upgrade your garage door? Contact a reliable garage door supplier today!