Garage Door Options for Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings
When it comes to designing a functional, efficient, and code-compliant pre-engineered metal building (PEMB), your choice of garage doors plays a critical role.
- Overview
Selecting the Rigth Garage Doors
Your choice of garage door is critical to the functionality and compliance of your metal building. From personal workshops to commercial warehouses, the right system optimizes access and improves energy efficiency. Steel Craft Builders provides a full range of door solutions designed to integrate seamlessly with your building, ensuring you meet specific operational needs and strict local building codes.
- Garage Door TYPES
Types of Garage Doors for Metal Buildings
Below are the most common and practical types of garage doors installed in PEMBs, along with their ideal use cases and design considerations.
Roll-Up (Coil) Doors
Roll-up doors are compact, heavy-duty doors that roll into a coil above the opening, rather than sliding on tracks. These are commonly used in storage buildings, mini-warehouses, and utility garages.
- Best For
- Equipment sheds
- Storage units
- Commercial and agricultural buildings
- Advantages
- Space-saving design (no ceiling tracks)
- Minimal maintenance
- Durable galvanized or stainless-steel slats
- Manual or motorized options available
- Code Considerations
- Wind-rated models may be required in hurricane-prone states like Florida or Texas.
Sectional Overhead Doors
Sectional doors are made of horizontal panels that travel upward along ceiling-mounted tracks. These are the most common garage doors used in residential-style garages, shops, and auto bays.
- Best For
- Shops and hobby garages
- Service centers
- Fire stations
- RV and boat storage
- Advantages
- Insulated or non-insulated options
- Clean aesthetic with window inserts available
- Easy to automate
- Available in multiple colors and finishes
- Code Considerations
- May require wind-load certifications and insulated panels for energy compliance, especially in cold or coastal climates.
Commercial-Grade Steel Doors
These doors are heavy-duty, industrial-rated sectional or roll-up doors, often used in commercial warehouses, loading docks, or high-security environments.
- Best For
- Manufacturing facilities
- Distribution centers
- Commercial garages
- Advantages
- High impact resistance
- Optional insulation for climate control
- Rated for high-cycle use
- Can include high-speed operation and safety features
- Code Considerations
- Wind-load resistance, thermal performance, and fire ratings may apply depending on jurisdiction.
Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors open by folding outward (or inward) in large panels. Commonly used in aircraft hangars, agricultural buildings, and large equipment shops.
- Best For
- Aircraft storage
- Barns and commodity buildings
- Buildings requiring oversized clear openings
- Advantages
- Extra-wide clear openings
- No internal overhead tracks
- Manual or hydraulic operation
- Can be clad with matching steel panels
- Code Considerations
- Must be engineered to withstand lateral and uplift forces. Structural framing may need to be reinforced for extra weight.
Hydraulic or Vertical Lift Doors
These doors open upward in one solid panel, typically powered by hydraulics. Ideal for buildings that require unobstructed vertical clearance.
- Best For
- Agricultural machinery garages
- Large vehicle bays
- Aircraft hangars
- Advantages
- Complete overhead clearance
- Strong and secure
- Custom sizes up to 60′ wide or more
- Easy remote operation
- Code Considerations
- Door structure and PEMB frame must be designed for the added load and proper support. Some areas may require safety interlocks or motion sensors.
- Options
Garage Door Features & Options
No matter which type of garage door you choose, Steel Craft Builders can help you customize it to meet both function and appearance requirements.
1. Insulated or Non-Insulated
Choose between insulated models to maximize energy efficiency and noise reduction in climate-controlled spaces, or economical non-insulated panels for unconditioned storage and equipment sheds.
2. Color-Matched to Building Panels
Achieve a seamless, professional aesthetic by coordinating your garage door finish with your building’s wall or trim colors for a fully cohesive exterior design.
3. Manual or Electric Operation
Select the right operator for your workflow, ranging from simple manual chain hoists for occasional use to heavy-duty electric motors designed for high-traffic commercial applications.
4. Wind Load & Impact-Rated
Essential for storm-prone regions, these reinforced doors are engineered to withstand high wind pressures and flying debris, ensuring full compliance with strict local building codes.
5. Fire-Rated & Smoke-Rated
For facilities requiring specific code compliance, we supply certified fire and smoke-rated rolling doors designed to automatically seal openings and contain hazards to protect personnel and property.
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- WHY US
Your Partner in Metal Building Garage Doors
At Steel Craft Builders, we design, supply, and install garage doors as part of your complete metal building package. Need a specific door brand, custom height, or added security feature? No problem — we’ll guide you through the right selection for your budget, building use, and
regional code requirements.
We coordinate directly with
- Architects and finish contractors
- Structural engineers
- Garage Door installers
- General contractors
Local code compliance
- Florida Building Code
- Texas Department of Insurance
- IBC and Local Amendments
- Energy Code (IECC)
- Fire Department Access Requirements
- Industry Trusted
Turnkey PEMBS Garage Door Solutions
Whether you need one residential-style overhead door or a row of commercial roll-ups, Steel Craft Builders has the experience and know-how to deliver the right solution — engineered, installed, and built to last. Contact us today to discuss your garage door options, request a quote, or explore how we can incorporate the right garage doors into your pre-engineered building design.
Getting started is easy
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