We’ve been on an adventure to update our blog – filling it with door and grille basics, some product-specific pieces, and more. One thing we’ve been paying close attention to are common questions about our product lines, their similarities and differences, general rolling door and grille questions. There are so many great ones that we’ve decided to dedicate a new set of blogs to them called “Ask Door Daphne.”

Door Daphne is new to the industry, and probably has just as many questions (if not more) as you about rolling doors and grilles. Sometimes she feels like a private investigator, always asking “why?” but each time she does, she learns more about doors and grilles and is able to use that newfound knowledge down the line. 

Even if you’ve been in doors for 30 or 40 years, she hopes there’s something you glean from each post. Or that you come away with a new way of looking at one of our products or the industry that piques your interest. Perhaps you’ll even send in a question of your own, so we can all learn together.

Q: How do roller/rolling garage doors work? 

A: Standard roller doors work through moving through cycles/cycling (in which doors open and close) using a torsion spring that counterbalances their weight. The spring is wound and tightened by adjusting wheels on the side of the barrel it’s contained within. The barrel is held in place by our guides, which typically don’t require any additional support beams at the hood. Roller doors can be cycled by manual options such as hand cranks or chains as well as by motor operation.

To learn more about rolling doors and their parts, visit cornelliron.com/architect-tools-and-resources/rolling-door-101.

Q: How much do roller doors weigh?

A: The weight of roller doors depends on the material the door is made out of, the amount of insulation it has, and the gauge of the steel of the door. Our team can help you determine how much the door you’re looking for will weigh and what kind of operation is best (manual or motor). Because standard roller doors are designed with the counterbalance spring mentioned above to assist with lifting the door, a person opening or closing it will not bear the full brunt of the door, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be heavy or pose an issue. If a door is on the heavier side, we’d recommend letting a motor operator do the heavy lifting for you. If you have a motor operator that isn’t lifting or lowering the door correctly (or at all), this is a sign to get your door checked out by a technician. Your door springs could be broken or need the tension adjusted. To find a Cookson door dealer in your area, visit: cooksondoor.com/find-a-dealer.

Q: What size do roller doors come in?

A: Roller doors are made to fit the opening in which they’re placed. Cookson’s rolling service doors can be manufactured in almost any size – you can reach out to us to learn more.

When specifying or ordering a roller door, there are a few measurements you’ll need, including:

• the opening’s width and height
• the amount of room on each side from the opening to the nearest obstruction
• a measurement from the top of opening to the nearest obstruction
• the amount of space from the opening back into the room

To work with us on door sizing or a unique application, contact our Architectural Design Support Team.

Q: How can I get airflow and visibility without using a grille? 

A: Perforated slats are a great alternative to rolling grilles for enhanced security if you’re looking to minimize risk but still want some airflow. Cookson’s ScreenGard™ perforated slat doors (available in steel or aluminum) allow as much or little visibility as you’d like  while still securing the building.

When you’re considering your options in terms of ventilation, a standard grille will provide the most, with perforated slat doors coming in next, and finally, fenestrated slats will still offer minimal airflow with the least amount of ventilation due to their small window punched slots.

Vision windows can also offer enhanced visibility and aesthetics. With one-way and two-way options, the opportunity to customize how much those outside can see in is possible. For rolling steel doors, each pane is 10" x 1 5/8" and must be spaced 2" apart. The minimum spacing in from each guide is 12".

Q: How long do roller doors last?

Roller doors can last for decades, however, some parts of the door may see more damage than others or wear out and need to be replaced.

Doors with springs can last for the lifetime of the door cycles, but may need to be  replaced if the tension lessens or the spring(s) break due to overuse, or not being used as intended.

The amount of time your door will last depends on the door usage more so than a general length of time. Roller doors that are cycled less frequently may see a longer life, while doors that are cycled more frequently or in busy, damage-prone environments may see shorter ones. We can walk you through the best roller door for your application to make sure the right one is chosen.

*Disclaimer: Please note the information in this blog is generalized and may not be recommended in all cases. There are a lot of variations and differing applications for roller doors, so you should always contact your manufacturer and door technicians if you have a question. You can get in touch with us here.

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