Fabric or Steel: Which Fast Door Fits Your Opening?
You can open commercial high-speed doors in seconds, and they close on their own, meaning you will get a sealed, busy opening between trips. There are two main types which are fabric high-speed doors, which have the fastest movement and safely break away when hit. The second type, which is the high-performance steel doors, provides you with a rigid steel curtain that also closes up the opening after hours. Your preferred choice between these doors should be determined by how frequently the door runs, what it has to keep out, and opening size. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each one.
Fabric vs. Steel High Speed Doors
| Fabric High Speed Door | High-Performance Steel Door | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening speed | 20, 30 or 100 in. per second | 24 in. per second (closes at 12) |
| Daily use | 100+ cycles a day, up to 500 | Rated for 400,000 cycles (600,000 option) |
| Largest size | From 5' up to 50' wide and high | Up to 14' wide x 20' high |
| Curtain | Tear-resistant vinyl-coated nylon with a full-width vision window | Steel slats, stainless option, vision panels optional |
| If it gets hit | Breakaway bottom bar pops out and resets automatically | Rigid curtain; photo eyes and a light curtain stop it if something is in the way |
| After hours | Not a security barrier | Closes the opening with steel |
| Motor | High speed motor, three-position wall switch standard | Springless DC motor with soft start and stop and a built-in brake |
| Price | About $4,347 to $21,092, mostly by size | Quoted per opening; about $15,000 is a typical industry average |
| Warranty | 1 year on parts and workmanship | 2 years on materials and workmanship; motor covered by its maker |
| Lead time | Most orders ship in about 14 to 25 days | Shown on your quote |
Which Door Fits Your Opening?
High Speed Fabric Doors
Fabric door is the most recommended if:
- There is frequent movement of forklifts and carts within an hour.
- There is a need for you to hold in heat, cold, dust, or noise.
- The width of the opening is more than 14’ or taller than 20’
- Drivers may want to clip the door frequently
See sizes and options on our high speed roll up doors page.
High-Performance Steel Doors
A steel door is the most suitable if:
- You need a steel barrier for the opening when the door is closed.
- The door is mounted in proportion to wind and weather on an exterior wall
- The size of the opening is not more than 14’ wide by 20’ high
- There is heavy traffic that can wear out a standard spring door
Compare it with our other steel roll-up doors.
How Fast Is Fast Enough?
Count Your Busiest Hour
In your busiest hour, use the opening to count the trips. For busy openings, using a slow door gets propped open, and an open door keeps out nothing.
- For a few trips per hour, choose a motorized roll-up vinyl door at about 12 in. per second.
- For steady traffic all shift, a fabric door at 20 or 30 in. per second or a steel door at 24 in. per second is the most recommended.
- The 100 in. per second rapid fabric door is the most suitable for keeping the opening closed in hot and cold areas where there is nonstop traffic.
Controls and Safety
How the Door Opens Itself
All fabric high-speed doors are engineered with a three-position wall switch. You need to add the following if you want to open them hands-free:
- Motion sensors that open the door when carts or forklifts approach
- Pull switches that drivers can easily access from the seat
- Floor loops that penetrate through the concrete that open the door only for metal carts and forklifts
- Remote control that you can carry around or mount on equipment.
- Keypads that you can use in restricted areas.
Keeping People Safe
The lightweight fabric curtain means it will not damage or injure anyone even if it comes down on an object. This is because its breakaway bottom bar takes a forklift hit instead of tearing. The steel door is equipped with a photo eye and a light curtain that makes it stop when it finds an object on its way. Plus, it also comes with a brake that prevents it from dropping.
Plan the approach as carefully as the door. OSHA requires safe clearance where powered equipment passes through doorways (OSHA 1910.176), and the door industry group DASMA publishes technical data sheets on high performance doors.
Common Questions
What are high-speed doors?
High-speed doors are motorized doors. They open quickly compared to a standard roll-up door, and they close on their own after each trip. Most of these doors use a fabric curtain, while the high-performance models use steel slats. They ensure busy openings are sealed without slowing the forklift and cart traffic.
How much does a high speed roll up door cost?
The cost of our fabric high-speed doors ranges from $4,347 to $21,092; the actual amount depends on your preferred size. The price of these doors is also determined by the opening speed, curtain weight, motor voltage, control, and safety features. Each opening of high-performance steel doors determines the cost. For reference, Construction Specifier analysis states that they cost five times more than a standard rolling steel door, citing $15,000 dollars as the average price of each door.
What is a high performance door?
A high-performance door is a motorized door designed for frequent cycling. Our high-performance steel door opens at 24 in. per second. Comes with a springless motor alongside soft start and stop, and it has a rating for 400,000 cycles and a 600,000-cycle option.
Are high speed doors worth it?
Yes, high-speed doors are worth it at busy openings. This is because a fast door closes right after each trip, thus reducing heat and cooling loss, locking out dust, and minimizing drivers' waiting time. It’s recommended that you choose a standard motorized door for openings used only a few times a day for better value.
How long does it take to get a high speed door?
The delivery time of most PAYLON orders takes between 14 and 25 days, and you will find the delivery date at the top of your quote. We manufacture each door to suit your opening, so the size and options determine your delivery time. If you need it to be delivered to you quickly, inform your sales representative.
What warranty comes with a high speed door?
Fabric high-speed doors have a one-year limited warranty on parts and workmanship. Meanwhile, there is a two-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship in high-performance steel doors. The motor is covered by its maker’s warranty. Colors like gray, tan, and white painted finishes have up to 40 years against flaking, peeling, and cracking.
What to Send for a Quote
The list below shows what you should provide to us so we can quickly recommend the right door alongside the price for you:
- The width and height of the opening
- Your busiest hour trips through the opening
- Inside opening or exterior wall
- Whether the door has to keep out heat, cold, dust, pests, and/or intruders
- The available opening power.