How to Specify Garage Doors for Architects & Developers (short version)

How to Specify Garage Doors for

Architects & Developers

Technical and Style Issues

First 6 Steps in Door Selection

Joseph J. Centofanti III

Joseph J. Centofanti III Director of Strategic Management & Export Sales

jcentofanti@olymps-door.com

The Olymps Group, Inc. (USA)

Manufacturer of Sectional Garage & Industrial Doors

Olymps Door s.r.o. (Slovakia)

Olymps Door spol. s r.o. (Czech Republic)

Olymps Door BV (Holland)

Olymps Door Kft. (Hungary) Olymps Door SRL (Romania)

Objectives

• Provide maximum value for the Developer (Client)

• Provide maximum long-term value for the Villa Owner (Final Client)

• Maintain or improve Architect’s reputation

• Stay out of trouble

Design Process: Page 1

• Garage doors are a large percentage of a villa’s elevation: 10 – 35% .

• An attractive villa will suffer from a bad garage door.

• Architects often do not specify a garage door style and color in the beginning – only a “concept” style is presented. Or, no garage door.

Design Process: Page 2

• Or, a garage door style concept is presented which is not possible to realize…

• Garage door specifications are usually made after the door opening size has already been set. Door opening size affects which panel insulation types, colors and styles are available.

Design Process: Page 3 • This approach severly limits the

opportunity to have the best possible garage door at the lowest total cost.

• This is the Backwards Approach – also, known as Putting the Cart Before the Horse.

• Involve the door supplier early in the design process to achieve the best solution.

Villa Elevation % Example

Garage Doors are 25% of Elevation

No Concept Example (Model Maker Decided Door Style)

Bad Door Concept Example

Unrealistic Door Concept Example

Good Door Concept Example

Good Door Concept Detail

Technical Consultants & Developers

• Consultants and Developers usually do not have the experience and knowledge to make garage door specifications.

• Lack of practical experience and expertise to differentiate between a quality door and a sub-standard door.

• Consultants need to improve their knowledge of doors.

• Developers have an interest to to improve their knowledge of doors.

Technical Specifications

Electricaly operated, 40 mm thick insulated (PU-foam) sectional overhead door. Hot dip galvanized steel sheet, gasketed, sandwich panels. Raised (embossed) profile with woodgrain like finish on outside. Custom UV-resistant polyester or powder-coated finish. Include enclosed safety extension spring, torsion spring, cable break safety devices and spring break safety devices.

Better Example

Technical Specifications

2.2 STEEL SECTIONS A. Construct door sections from galvanized, structural-quality carbon-steel sheets complying with ASTM A 653M, commercial quality, with a minimum yield strength of 225 MPa and a minimum Z275 zinc coating. 1. Steel Sheet Thickness: 1.6 mm. 2. Exterior Section Face: Flat

Typical Example

Contractors - Page 1 • Contractors’ main interest is commerical:

to have the lowest bid in order to maximize profit.

• Factors like quality, safety, performance, style are not important to the Contractor.

• If the door is ugly, does not function properly, is unsafe or has a short life – the Villa Owner will blame the Developer – and the Developer’s reputation suffers.

• Do not let the Contractor buy the door!

Contractors – Page 2

“I don’t care if the door falls off after a year. My responsibility

is the one-year warranty period.”

Quote from one of the largest UAE contractors at one of the most prestigous Dubai villa projects.

Sectional Garage Doors Main Components

• Panels

• On-door hardware

• Spring system

• Track system

• Windows and other accessories

• Garage door motor

Garage Door Panels

Garage Door Panels • Door panels are 50 – 60% of the

garage door cost (without motor)

• Panel selection criteria:

#1: Insulation

#2: Color

#3: Style

Panels are the most important door component

Garage Door Selection: 6 steps

• Insulation

• Color • Opening Height

• Opening Width

• Installation

• Style

Step 1: Door Insulation

Non-Insulated

Polystyrene Insulated

Polyurethane Insulated

Insulation Advice: Part 1

Non-Insulated • Carports or separate garages Light Insulation: Polystyrene 35 or 51 mm • Separate garage with air conditioning or

heating • Garage partially attached to villa and

some thermal and/or sound insulation required

Insulation Advice: Part 2

Medium Insulation: Polystyrene 51 mm or Polyurethane 40 mm

• Garage built into villa and some thermal and/or sound insulation required

Full Insulation: Polyurethane 40 - 51 mm • Garage built into villa and full thermal

and/or sound insulation required

Step 2: Door Color

Color Issues: Page 1

Dark colors absorb too much sunlight and heat, causing these problems:

• Reduced insulation value

• Potential injury due to high surface temperatures, particularly to children

• Insulated doors can have a bowing problem

• Heat build-up will damage door finish

UV exposure affects dark colors much more than light colors. Door finish problems:

• Discoloration

• Fading

• Cracking

Color Issues: Page 2

Door color must match villa color scheme: Often seen with white doors.

Door color should hide sand/dust: Major problem in the Middle East

Dark Color = Problems

Colors: Best Appearance

True White

Golden Oak (paint)

Almond

Sandtone

Pure White (RAL 9010)

Light Ivory (RAL 1015)

Natural Oak

Light Oak

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Gray Gray-White (RAL 9002)

Golden Oak (folio)

Metallic Silver (RAL 9006)

8

Recommended Colors: UV Resistance

Golden Oak (paint)

Sandtone

True White Pure White (RAL 9010)

Almond Light Ivory (RAL 1015)

Gray

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Gray-White (RAL 9002)

8

Natural Oak

Light Oak

Golden Oak (folio)

Metallic Silver (RAL 9006)

Wood Folio Finishes • Benefits compared to paint finishes:

• Very attractive finish • Hides dents and scratches better • Hides dirt and dust

• Golden Oak suitable only for doors with minimal direct sunlight exposure.

Natural Oak Light Oak

Natural Oak polyolefin folio doors for the Al Barari project in Dubai

Natural Oak – Example of Hiding Sand/Dust

Custom Colors

Garage doors are frequently painted custom colors.

For projects, custom painting is not recommended because of cost and quality variances.

Villa Colors vs. Garage Door Colors

Garage door panels are manufactured in a limited range of colors – recommend the villa color scheme complement an available door color.

Match the villa color to the door color, particularly when the door is a significant percentage of the villa’s elevation or street view.

Insulated doors can experience positive door bowing -- when the exterior skin is hotter than the interior skin. Thermal expansion of the exterior skin -- while the interior skin does not expand -- causes door bowing.

Door Bowing: Page 1

Resulting Problems

• Door may not be able to open

• Cracking of the paint or wood folio.

• Exterior skin can separate from the insulation

Door Bowing: Page 2

Door bowing is a major problem in environments with strong sunlight and high temperatures. Avoid this problem by selecting light color door finishes!

Door Bowing - Germany

Morning - OK

Door width : 4.500 mm Color: medium green

Afternoon - Bowed

Bottom of door: 25 mm

Top of door: 20 mm

Door Bowing - Germany

Afternoon - Bowed

Step 3: Opening Height

Door Opening Heights

• Doors usually have two panel heights: depending if they are USA or EU manufacture.

• The best door opening height is based on using one panel height.

The door opening height limits potential panel styles! Choose the desired panel style first -- then design the opening height accordingly!

Step 4: Opening Width

Door Opening Widths: Page 1

Maximum Door Width depends on:

• Type of panel construction

• Overall door size

• Door engineering: on-door hardware, track system, spring system, etc.

• Environmental factors: must withstand wind speed (“wind load”) to 130 kph

Dubai has experienced +120 kph winds in recent years. During the design life of 20 - 25 years for a garage door, expect similar wind speeds. Doors must be engineered to withstand 130 kph wind speed!

Door Opening Widths: Page 2 Door Style

• Door panels with a ribbed, microprofile or flat design can be manufactured in any width and will not affect the appearance.

• Door panels with a stamped design can be manufactured in almost any width. However, the issue is the spacing between the stamps; and, at the ends of the panel. Bad spacing results in an ugly appearance.

• Consult with door supplier concerning stamp spacing and proposed door opening widths early in the design process.

Door Opening Widths: Page 3 Bad Cassette Spacing - Dubai

Door Opening Widths: Page 4

Oversize Door Widths – CAUTION !!!

• Many garage door specifications in the Middle East are too wide -- up to 9.000 mm!

• Maximum standard width for European industrial doors is 6.000 mm.

• “Excessive” means more than 4.267 - 6.300 mm (depending on door panel type).

• Oversize doors are dangerous! Door weight can exceed 250 kg. Injury or death can occur!!!

• Oversize doors are not suitable for residential use!

Wind Load: Page 1

UAE has experienced +120 kph winds in recent years. During the design life of 20 - 25 years for a garage door, expect similar wind speeds.

Doors must be engineered to withstand 130 kph wind speed!

Wind Load: Page 2 • Double side

hardware: top brackets, side hinges, rollers and steel panel end caps

• Support Struts

• Extra intermediate hinges

• Track and vertical angles: industrial

Wind Load Failure Example

Garage door turned inside out!

Automobile Damage

Wind Load Failure Example

Door failure lead to partial roof failure

Wind Load Failure Example

Wind Load Failure Example

Door mostly withstood wind forces. Door destroyed, but garage protected.

Step 5: Installation Requirements

Installation Requirements • Ensure architectural designs and

specifications provide sufficient space for garage door and motor installation.

• Attention to installation requirements will save time, costs and re-work later.

• Watch out for pipes, beams, ducts and lighting fixtures!!!

• Watch out for window locations in the garage that can interfere with the horizontal door tracks!!!

Installation Requirements

Minimum Recommended

H – Door opening height

Track radius 300 mm 380 mm

h – Headroom required 320 mm 450 mm

D – Horizontal track length H + 440 mm H + 700 mm

m – Motor rail length H + 1200 mm H + 1370 mm

F – Horizontal track height H +70 mm H + 150 mm

Z – Vertical track height H - 330 mm H – 410 mm

Side room 110 mm 150 mm

Headroom

Minimum of 320 mm (450 mm recommended)

Headroom is the space required for spring system installation. Measured from top of door opening to bottom of ceiling or other obstruction.

Headroom Notice pipe affects headroom!

Sideroom

Minimum of 110 mm (150 mm recommended)

Sideroom is the space required for vertical tracks installation. Measured from side of door opening to wall or other obstruction.

Backroom

Minimum of H+1200 mm* (H+1370 mm recommended)* *Motorized door

Backroom is the space required for horizontal tracks and motor installation. Measured from the lintel.

Backroom

Step 6: Door Styles

Garage Door Panel Styles

• Cassette • Ribbed

• Flush (flat)

• MicroProfile

• Carriage House

Most Common Styles

Cassette Style: Short Cassette

Most common style. Suitable for most villas.

Cassette Style: Short Cassette

Cassette Style: Short Cassette

Cassette Style: Short Cassette

Cassette Style: Long Cassette

Less “busy” looking than short cassette. Very suitable for villas with wide doors.

Cassette Style: Long Cassette

Cassette Style: Long Cassette

Cassette Style: Long Cassette

Ribbed Style: Standard

Ribbed Style: Standard

Ribbed Style: Standard

Ribbed Style: Standard

Ribbed Style: German Middle Rib

Ribbed Style: German Middle Rib

Ribbed Style: German Middle Rib

Ribbed Style: German Middle Rib

Flush Style

Flush Style

Flush style is not recommended except when absolutely required to meet design criteria! • Difficult to manufacture without waves

in exterior steel sheet (“oil canning”). • Lack of embossment or ribs reduces

panel strength – important for large doors.

• Dents and scratches show easily – affecting long-term door appearance.

Flush Style

MicroProfile Style

MicroProfile Style

Carriage House Style – page 1

Carriage House Style – page 2

Carriage House Style

Carriage House Style

Carriage House Style

Carriage House Style

Carriage House Style

Decorative Hardware Low Cost Way to Enhance a Door

Simple Handles

Fancy Handles

Hinges

Clavos

Decorative Hardware Festival City - Dubai

Decorative Hardware Festival City - Dubai