Is Your Loading Dock Door a Gateway or a Barrier?

“You don’t miss water until the well runs dry,” as they say.

Loading dock doors are very much the same. They are nearly invisible to your operation until they start causing you problems. Yet, your dock door is more than just a barrier between the inside and the outside. It’s an integral part of your business that can be a gateway to cost savings and reduced downtime.

Read on to learn how investing in the right loading dock door can make all the difference for your business.

Choosing the Best Loading Dock Door

Dock doors are not all one and the same.

Different types of dock doors fit different functions. If you have the wrong kind of door for your operation, yours might be more of a barrier to business than a gateway to success. Consequently, choosing the right door is vital to your process.

There are four general topics to consider when evaluating which style door is best for you.

1. Dock Door Sizes

When it comes to dock doors, bigger is not always better.

In fact, you generally want the smallest door that meets your needs safely. Smaller doors require less power to open and close. They also reduce temperature changes, saving you money on heating and cooling costs.

Don’t skimp on necessary space, though. Ensure there is plenty of space for your forklifts to maneuver with room for human error.

Planning for a right-sized door maximizes your savings while limiting damage and repair costs.

2. Dock Door Purpose

Choose your loading dock door for a specific purpose.

The ubiquitous warehouse roll-up door is not the best fit for every facility and need. Often, high-speed doors are better options. Refrigerated warehouses find these useful as they minimize heating. Food storage and pharmaceutical companies like that they prevent contamination. Warehouses that are heated or cooled for staff comfort value automatic closure features that prevent drafts and reduce strain on the HVAC system.

No single type of door works for all industries, but with modifications such as insulation, fast roll-up doors can meet a variety of needs.

3. Loading Dock Traffic

How often will your door open and close per day?

If your loading dock door only opens once per day, certain types of doors will benefit you more than if your door opens and closes constantly throughout each shift. Each will prioritize different benefits.

For example, if your dock door opens and closes more than 55 times per day, a high-speed door pays for itself. These doors reduce energy bills while also minimizing maintenance and repair costs. Many, such as high-speed vinyl doors, pop out of the track on impact, thereby reducing overall damage.

Tracking traffic through your current dock doors will help you determine what kind of door is right for you.

4. Investment Costs

Investing in a new loading dock door of any style comes with an upfront investment.

This investment can be substantial. However, calculating the actual cost requires accounting for the whole life of the door. Consider the savings gained by improved efficiency and safety. Then, balance that against the cost of installation and maintenance. You’ll find that the right door for your facility will also have the best ROI.

As with all parts of a warehouse, considering only the big picture can reveal the actual cost of investment.

Industrial High-Speed Roll-up Doors

Increasingly, businesses are opting for high-speed roll-up doors.

Fast roll-up doors offer numerous benefits across various industries. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many businesses opt for these high-quality doors. Below are three common styles of these doors, suitable for many applications.

• High-Speed Fabric Doors. As the name suggests, these doors are made from high-quality fabric, PVC, or a combination of both. They roll up tightly and unroll smoothly for rapid opening and closing. Businesses use them for both interior and exterior doors.
• Heavy Rubber Doors. These doors are highly durable and weather-resistant. They can withstand winds of up to 88 mph and keep out even the harshest environments, making them excellent choices for heavy-duty industries.
• Industrial Rigid Doors. These doors are great for high-traffic areas. They open and close quickly, have a long service lifespan, and have low maintenance costs. Their low-profile, anodized, double-walled aluminum construction also enhances security.

These high-speed door types are available in a variety of unique models to better meet specific requirements.

Repair or Replace

Sometimes you already have the best loading dock door for your needs, and you just want to keep it working.

We can help. Our seasoned technicians have the expertise you need to install, maintain, and repair doors. We even work with and sell interior doors, insulated doors, and doors with special features like photo-eyes.

Don’t take our word for it.

Instead, listen to one of our satisfied clients, Dee E Ellis, Maintenance Manager at Calbee America, who said, “I would like to express my gratitude for the professionalism shown by [Mid Columbia Forklift's] crew while on site installing the two roll-up doors in packaging... They followed all our GMP policies, were courteous, clean, and communicated well. Please pass on that we appreciate all of their hard work."

So whether you need to replace your existing door or get it back in working order, we’ve got you covered.

Our expert team can provide you with the insight and information you need to determine whether it’s time to repair or replace. Ensure your loading dock door remains a gateway to success and not a barrier to business.

To learn more about loading dock doors or to request a quote, contact us online or visit one of our locations.

Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137

Further Reading
Are Insulated Roll Up Doors Worth the Extra Cost?
Industrial Roll Up Doors: Big Selection, Quick Turnaround
5 Loading Dock Products That Instantly Boost Safety and Profitability