Years ago, businesses had just two options for commercial garage doors—overhead or sectional. That was it.
As industries evolved, so did the need for stronger, faster, and more efficient doors. Today, high-speed and high-performance doors are two of the most popular choices. While they might sound similar, they’re designed for different purposes and work best in different settings.
Planning a garage door installation in Reno? The right door can speed up operations, cut energy costs, and reduce maintenance issues. In this post, we’ll break down the differences between high-speed and high-performance garage doors so you can choose the best fit for your business.
Table Of Content
Understanding High-Speed and High-Performance Commercial DoorsKey Differences Between High-Speed and High-Performance Doors
How to Choose the Right Door for Your Business
The Role of a High-Speed Commercial Garage Door Opener
Contact Thompson Garage Doors Today!
Understanding High-Speed and High-Performance Commercial Doors
What Are High-Speed Commercial Garage Doors?
If you need a garage door that opens and closes fast, a high-speed commercial door is what you’re looking for.
The Doors & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) defines high-speed doors as those that open at a minimum rate of 32 inches per second (IPS). However, most advanced models operate at 60-100 inches per second. Many also feature automatic reclose mechanisms.
Pros of High-Speed Garage Doors
Fast Operation:
The faster the door, the less time wasted. High-speed commercial garage doors are great for busy workplaces where every second counts.
Reduces Energy Loss:
Since the doors open and close quickly, they help maintain indoor temperatures and keep your heating and cooling expenses in check.
Prevents Contamination:
Industries like food storage and medical facilities benefit from these doors because they limit exposure to dust, dirt, and pests.
Better Security:
A slow door is an easy target for miscreants. High-speed doors shut quickly and reduce the risk of unauthorized entry.
Best for:
- Warehouses that need to move inventory in and out quickly
- Distribution centers with a steady stream of shipments
- Cold storage or food processing plants that require strict temperature control
- High-traffic areas where efficiency is a top priority
What Are High-Performance Commercial Doors?
High-performance garage doors are built to last. These doors are made from heavy-duty materials like reinforced steel, aluminum, or impact-resistant composites. They can handle frequent use, rough conditions, and extreme weather.
Pros of High-Performance Garage Doors:
Heavy-Duty Construction:
Made from reinforced steel, aluminum, or impact-resistant materials, these doors can handle daily wear and tear without losing functionality.
Minimal Maintenance:
If your door opens and closes hundreds or thousands of times a day, you need something that won’t break down after a few months. High-performance doors are designed for continuous operation, minimizing the need for frequent garage door repair in Reno.
Stronger Security:
With tougher materials and reinforced locking systems, high-performance garage doors offer better protection against forced entry and theft.
Best For:
- Manufacturing facilities that need doors to open and close repeatedly throughout the day
- Parking garages with continuous vehicle movement
- Warehouses and distribution centers handling frequent shipments
- Airports, chemical plants, and industrial sites exposed to harsh weather and heavy impacts
- Cold storage or food production requiring sealed, insulated doors
Find the Right Commercial Garage Door
Key Differences Between High-Speed and High-Performance Doors
If you’re deciding between a high-speed or high-performance garage door, understanding their differences will help you make the right call. Here’s how they compare:
1) Speed
- High-speed doors allow for quick access in fast-paced environments like warehouses and logistics centers.
- High-performance doors open at a moderate speed but are built to handle heavy use and extreme conditions over time.
2) Durability
- High-speed doors use lightweight yet strong materials like reinforced PVC, aluminum, or steel. While durable, they may not withstand repeated impact or extreme weather, as well as high-performance doors.
- High-performance doors are built with heavy-duty, reinforced materials—often steel or thick aluminum—to resist damage.
3) Best Use Cases
- If you run a warehouse, cold storage facility, logistics hub, or food production plant, a high-speed roll-up door will help reduce wait times and maintain controlled temperatures.
- High-performance doors are the better choice for industrial sites, high-security locations, and businesses dealing with extreme weather conditions, where you’d rather have something more reliable.
4) Cost
- High-speed doors have a lower upfront cost. However, because they operate so frequently, their motors and commercial garage door parts may need more maintenance over time.
- High-performance roll-up doors are more expensive, but they’re built to last with minimal maintenance.
How to Choose the Right Door for Your Business
To make your pick between a high-speed and high-performance garage door, you’ll need to:
1) Consider Your Industry and Use Case
Start with the basics—what kind of business do you run?
For instance, if you’re running a warehouse, logistics hub, or cold storage facility, a high-speed door can keep things moving while reducing energy loss. Likewise, commercial high-performance doors are more suited to industrial plants, high-security facilities, or a site with extreme weather.
Think about the daily workload your doors go through and choose one that won’t slow you down or break under pressure.
2) Evaluate Traffic Volume
If you have trucks, forklifts, or employees constantly moving in and out, you don’t want a slow door weighing you down. High-speed doors work best for businesses that require quick access, reduced wait times, and smooth traffic flow.
If your doors are used all day long but don’t need to open in seconds, you can go with a high-performance door.
3) Factor in Energy Efficiency and Climate Control
In places like a cold storage warehouse or food production site, every second the garage door stays open affects energy costs. High-speed roll-up doors minimize air exchange and keep your energy bills from skyrocketing.
On the other hand, you can opt for high-performance doors if you’re located in an area with extreme weather. Be sure to add heavy-duty seals and insulation for all-round protection.
4) Look at Security and Durability Needs
Garage doors are one of the biggest access points in a facility, so they need to close quickly and lock securely. High-speed doors reduce exposure time —perfect for areas with high crime rates or controlled access needs.
High-performance doors aren’t as quick, but they make up for it with reinforced materials that can withstand forced entry attempts.
Also, if you operate in an area with heavy winds or frequent equipment collisions, a high-performance door will hold up better in the long run.
5) Assess Maintenance and Longevity
A door that moves hundreds of times per day will need more frequent maintenance, no matter how well it’s built. High-speed doors rely on motors and sensors, so they need more upkeep. If you’re not ready to commit to a ton of commercial garage door maintenance, choose a high-performance door instead.
The Role of a High-Speed Commercial Garage Door Opener
A garage door is only as good as the opener driving it. High-speed commercial garage door openers are designed to handle rapid open-close cycles without lag or mechanical strain.
Moreover, advanced high-speed openers come with motion detectors, light curtains, and pressure sensors that automatically stop the door if something is in the way. They can help prevent accidents, injuries, or damage to forklifts/vehicles passing through them.
Optimize Your Business With the Right Door
Contact Thompson Garage Doors Today!
The best garage door for your business comes down to how you operate and what you need most —speed, durability, or both. We hope this guide made it easier to decide between a high-speed and high-performance garage door for your facility.
Still unsure? Thompson Garage Doors is here to help. We’ve guided businesses in Reno and the surrounding areas to find the right doors for their operations, and we can do the same for you.
Call us today or request a quote—we’ll help you find the perfect fit!