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How much clearance does a roll up door need?

Rollup doors typically need 5 inches to 11 inches of sideways clearance.

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Headroom, or overhead clearance, is the amount of space above a door frame needed to accommodate an overhead door when it's in the open position. Rollup doors are often the preferred option for installations with limited clearance. While sectional commercial doors usually require as much headroom or backroom as the door is tall, coiling doors roll neatly into a compact bundle and stay tucked away above the door frame when the curtain is up. If you're fitting your building with security shutters, grilles or rollup doors, you'll need to consider the amount of headroom required for your application. Since rollup doors are typically low profile, most buildings do not run into spacing concerns. If your doorway has very little clearance, you may be able to find compact models to fit your needs. You can also contact us to find out if we can design a custom solution for a limited headroom installation.

What Is the Minimum Headroom Needed for a Rollup Door?

The headroom required for a rollup door depends on its size. Since the curtain coils up into itself above the door frame, a taller door will result in a wider coil diameter. Besides the coil, a rollup door will also feature an operator motor positioned above the door frame and contained in a hood. While these components take up much less space than a sectional door in the open position, they will require some headroom. Rollup garage door clearances can vary by model. Some feature thicker curtains that demand more clearance. Others, like high-performance or heavy, high-security doors, may require larger motors and more overhead clearance. Minimum headroom requirements for various Cookson rollup door models include:

How to Measure for a Rollup Door

When measuring for a rollup door, pay attention to three critical dimensions to determine if you have enough room for the model you want. Those measurements include:

1. The Opening

The empty door frame's height and width will indicate the height and width of the door you need. Measure these dimensions to the nearest 1/4 inch. The size of the curtain will also determine your requirements for side and overhead clearance.

2. The Side Room

Whether you choose wall-mounted or between-jamb guide configurations, you'll need some space on either side of the door to support your guides. The sides will also need to fit the hood's overhanging components, namely the operator and the adjuster. To measure the side room, start from the edge of the jamb on either side to the wall or nearest obstruction. Rollup doors typically need 5 inches to 11 inches of sideways clearance. See the technical specifications for your chosen product and door size for more details.

3. The Headroom

The headroom is the distance between the top of the open doorway to the ceiling or the nearest obstruction. For a rollup door, a certain amount of overhead clearance is required for the hood and the motor. Depending on your door size and your chosen door type, you may need anywhere from 10 1/2 inches to 31 inches of headroom. Cookson specializes in custom sizing specifications and excellent design flexibility for rollup doors. If you're looking for a rollup door for an application with limited headroom or are wondering how much headroom you need for a particular Cookson door model, contact us today. We'll work to develop a made-to-order rollup door to fit your needs.

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Which is best composite or wood door?

Compared with wooden designs, composite doors will not warp, rot or discolour. You'll save money on maintenance and save even more on thermal efficiency and peace of mind. Your new composite will be a true upgrade for your property, with truly bespoke designs that are built to last.

There are many key differences between traditional wooden doors and modern composite doors for homeowners to be aware of. Composite doors deliver exceptional levels of performance compared to doors that are created with a singular material like uPVC, aluminium or wooden doors. As a result, they combine several high-performance components to keep your property safer, more secure and thermally efficient all through the year. Compared to this, authentic wooden doors are unable to offer the same levels of performance. The debate of composite doors vs wooden doors continues among homeowners who feel strongly about both designs and the respective advantages that each provides. Those choosing timber doors will most likely do so because of their highly sought-after aesthetic and the look it lends their home, most ideally suited to classic or heritage properties. However, with Endurance, we’re proud to offer composite doors that are available in a range of bespoke styles, colours and finishes, so you can achieve a similar appearance to that of traditional wooden doors. As a result, you can enjoy your new front door’s modern performance without compromising on aesthetics. In order to help you make an informed decision, we’ll take you through the comparison of composite doors vs wooden doors so you can make an informed decision when it comes to what’s right for your home. You will want to weigh up the factors that are important to you, such as traditional wooden door prices and composite door features and benefits, to find the perfect way to improve your home.

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