Steps to make the right choice

At first, it may seem difficult to choose the optimum industrial or commercial garage door. We're here to make your life easier. A good choice is one that really corresponds to the way the door will be used. Paying too much for a door may not be beneficial; paying too little may result in annoying and expensive repairs.

Step 1: Select a door that will be suitable for your actual application

Consult the pdf version.

Chart Doors Application

Choose the type of windows you require

Sealed thermal glasses ("thermo")

Sealed lites Acrylic
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted Clear or tinted
Sealed lites
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted
Acrylic
Clear or tinted

Full vision window section ("service station" style)

Single pane Acrylic (single)
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted Clear or tinted
Sealed lites Acrylic (double)
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted Clear or tinted
Single pane
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted
Acrylic (single)
Clear or tinted
Sealed lites
Clear, tempered, laminated or tinted
Acrylic (double)
Clear or tinted

Step 2: Choose the door system according to the degree of sturdiness you need

This depends mainly on the dimensions of the door, the material it's made of and the number of daily open/close cycles it will undergo. Consult our sturdiness scale.

The spring acts as a counterweight to facilitate the opening of the door. Choosing a spring depends mainly on the daily number of open/close cycles your door will undergo.

Here are some recommended typical systems:

  Light duty Heavy duty Super heavy duty
Garaga hardware:
  • 14-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull rope
  • Single hinges
  • 13-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull chain
  • Single or double hinges
  • 12-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull chain or chain hoist
  • Single or double hinges
  • Reinforcement bars
Spring: 10,000-cycle springs 25,000 to 100,000-cycle springs Springs for more than 100,000 cycles
Garaga hardware:
Light duty
  • 14-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull rope
  • Single hinges
Heavy duty
  • 13-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull chain
  • Single or double hinges
Super heavy duty
  • 12-gauge steel tracks and mounting brackets*
  • Pull chain or chain hoist
  • Single or double hinges
  • Reinforcement bars
Spring:
Light duty
10,000-cycle springs
Heavy duty
25,000 to 100,000-cycle springs
Super heavy duty
Springs for more than 100,000 cycles

* The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel

Recommended hardware by type of usage

Based on the assumption that a Garaga Model G-5000 sectional door is being used, here are Garaga's recommendations for hardware, depending on the application.

Recommended hardware by type of usage
Hardware Shipping Department
Size: 8' x 8'
Municipal Garage
Size: 14' x 14'
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with mounting brackets Attached to the walls with continuous angle
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle. Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle.
Type of elevation Full vertical lift
(space required: twice the height of the door)
Maximum clearance possible depending on the height available
Hinges Single Double
Number of cycles for springs 50,000 25,000
Operation Pull chain Chain hoist
Options "C"-shaped bumper springs None
Situation This type of door has a very high use frequency. Plan for quarterly checks of the door system. This type of door has a moderate use frequency since it will accommodate 1 or 2 vehicles at a time
Special note See: dock seals, dock levelers, dock bumpers.
Also: protection posts (54” high) or “Z”- style fender guards
Pusher springs if Standard Lift
Hardware Shipping Department
Size: 8' x 8'
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with mounting brackets
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle.
Type of elevation Full vertical lift
(space required: twice the height of the door)
Hinges Single
Number of cycles for springs 50,000
Operation Pull chain
Options "C"-shaped bumper springs
Situation This type of door has a very high use frequency. Plan for quarterly checks of the door system.
Special note See: dock seals, dock levelers, dock bumpers.
Also: protection posts (54” high) or “Z”- style fender guards
Hardware Municipal Garage
Size: 14' x 14'
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with continuous angle
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle.
Type of elevation Maximum clearance possible depending on the height available
Hinges Double
Number of cycles for springs 25,000
Operation Chain hoist
Options None
Situation This type of door has a moderate use frequency since it will accommodate 1 or 2 vehicles at a time
Special note Pusher springs if Standard Lift
Hardware Condominium building
Size: 16' x 6' 6"
Car Wash
Size: 10' x 12', (All thermal glass)
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with continuous angle Attached to the walls with continuous angle
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle. Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle.
Type of elevation Often limited (Low headroom) Maximum clearance possible depending on the height available
Hinges Double Double
Number of cycles for springs Maximum possible (ex.: 200,000 cycles) Maximum possible
Operation Electric trolley operator (in all cases) Chain hoist
Options Track guard (60" high) and precision rubber rollers Precision rollers (NB SS type) and galvanized springs and shaft
Situation This type of door has a very high use frequency. Monthly maintenance is required (annual service contract) This type of door operates under severe conditions and requires monthly maintenance (and even more frequently during the cold season)
Special note Electric operator accessories are important. Consult with Garaga Engineering Department  
Hardware Condominium building
Size: 16' x 6' 6"
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with continuous angle
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle.
Type of elevation Often limited (Low headroom)
Hinges Double
Number of cycles for springs Maximum possible (ex.: 200,000 cycles)
Operation Electric trolley operator (in all cases)
Options Track guard (60" high) and precision rubber rollers
Situation This type of door has a very high use frequency. Monthly maintenance is required (annual service contract)
Special note Electric operator accessories are important. Consult with Garaga Engineering Department
Hardware Car Wash
Size: 10' x 12', (All thermal glass)
Type 3" "Industrial", 12 ga. tracks
Vertical tracks Attached to the walls with continuous angle
Horizontal tracks Reinforced with 2" x 2", 13 ga. horizontal steel angle
Type of elevation Maximum clearance possible depending on the height available
Hinges Double
Number of cycles for springs Maximum possible
Operation Chain hoist
Options Precision rollers (NB SS type) and galvanized springs and shaft
Situation This type of door operates under severe conditions and requires monthly maintenance (and even more frequently during the cold season)
Special note  

Conversion: 1 inch = 25.4 mm

Step 3: Select your door opener and the other accessories you will need

The choice of the door opener depends on the weight of the door and the number of open/close cycles that it will undergo. There are two types of door openers: trolley type and jackshaft.

  Light duty Medium duty Industrial duty Heavy industrial duty
Trolley-type door opener
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • ATS Model
  • Less than 12 cycles/hour
  • MT Model
  • More than 12 cycles/hour
  • T Model
  • GT Model
  • High cycles
  • APT Model
Jackshaft Door opener
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • 3900 Model
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • MJ Model
  • MH Model
  • RBH Model
  • More than 12 cycles/hour
  • H Model
  • High cycles
  • GH Model
  • J Model
Trolley-type door opener
Light duty
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • ATS Model
Medium duty
  • Less than 12 cycles/hour
  • MT Model 
Industrial duty
  • More than 12 cycles/hour
  • T Model
  • GT Model
Heavy industrial duty
  • High cycles
  • APT Model
Jackshaft Door opener
Light duty
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • 3900 Model
Medium duty
  • Less than 8 cycles/hour
  • MJ Model
  • MH Model
  • RBH Model
Industrial duty
  • More than 12 cycles/hour
  • H Model
Heavy industrial duty
  • High cycles
  • GH Model
  • J Model

Application examples for various type of building.

Fire station H MH RBH
Operator: Fire station H Fire station MH Fire station RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • EMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Light curtains
Fire station
H
Fire station H
MH
Fire station MH
RBH
Fire station RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • EMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Light curtains
Municipal garage H RBH
Operator: Municipal garage H Municipal garage RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • Loop detector (on the outside as well as the inside)
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
  • Light curtains
Municipal garage
H
Fire station H
RBH
Fire station RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • Loop detector (on the outside as well as the inside)
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade        
  • Light curtains
Apartment complex or condominiums APT HCTDCUL
Operator: Apartment complex or condominiums APT Apartment complex condominiums HCTDCUL
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Safety device (standard on L 4.0, not standard on HCTDCUL model)
  • Traffic lights
  • Radio transmitter
  • Star 450 radio receiver (to manage tenants)
Optional accessories:
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Loop detector
  • Light curtains
Apartment complex or condominiums
APT
Apartment complex or condominiums APT
HCTDCUL
Apartment complex condominiums HCTDCUL
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Safety device (standard on L 4.0, not standard on HCTDCUL model)
  • Traffic lights
  • Radio transmitter
  • Star 450 radio receiver (to manage tenants)
Optional accessories:
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Loop detector
  • Light curtains
Car wash, wash bay H RBH
Operator: Car wash, wash bay H Car wash, wash bay RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Note: The radio receiver must be enclosed in a seperate box or located away from the wash bay. Opening and closing cycles can be activated by a timer or from an outside location.
  • Light curtains
Car wash, wash bay
H
Car wash, wash bay H
RBH
Car wash, wash bay RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Adjustable timer to close (standard on L 4.0)
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Photocell safety system (standard on L 4.0)
  • NEMA 4 enclosure (opener)
  • NEMA 4 photo-eye upgrade
Optional accessories:
  • Radio transmitter
  • Exterior 3-button station with key lockout (NEMA)
  • Note: The radio receiver must be enclosed in a seperate box or located away from the wash bay. Opening and closing cycles can be activated by a timer or from an outside location.        
  • Light curtains
Distribution center H MH RBH
Operator: Distribution center H Distribution center MH Distribution center RBH
Important accessories to install:

Pneumatic reversing system

Note: Delivery doors (ex.: 9' x 8') are typically subject to high cycles, therefore important accessories become critical. You should also allow for posts on the inside to be anchored in concrete (about 54 inches) to protect the accessories in place.

Optional accessories:
  • Lights curtains
Distribution center
H
Distribution center H
MH
Distribution center MH
RBH
Distribution center RBH
Important accessories to install:
  • Pneumatic reversing system
  • Note: Delivery doors (ex.: 9' x 8') are typically subject to high cycles, therefore important accessories become critical. You should also allow for posts on the inside to be anchored in concrete (about 54 inches) to protect the accessories in place.
Optional accessories:
  • Lights curtains

These construction specifications and drawings are applicable to Garaga inc. products only.

Step 4: How to choose a garage door installer

Regarding the installation and maintenance of an industrial, commercial or agricultural garage door, we highly recommend you to ask for an expert. To find the closest dealer from your localization, please enter your zip code in the search box of the Find a dealer section above. Otherwise, if you want to install the garage door by yourself, please visit: how to install a garage door.

Step 5: Ask your garage door installer for industrial maintenance program

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