July/August - 41

PRODUCT PROFILE
important to work with a manufacturer that is familiar
with bi-fold doors. Bi-folds have different load requirements
than sectional doors, and often require a more
robust structural framework, such as a larger header, so
engineers and contractors must know what will be needed
to accommodate the door.
Other structural factors must be considered as well,
Bi-fold door materials
can also be custompainted
to meet any
aesthetic requirements,
making them a natural fit
on an existing building.
capabilities and how they open. Rather than retracting
into the interior space like sectional doors, bi-fold doors
mount on the exterior of the hangar and fold up and in
half to provide full use of the opening, from the floor to
the bottom of the building's rafters. Bi-folds have a unique
truss system that allows them to be used in openings as
wide as 90 feet, making them an ideal solution for an
aircraft hangar.
Manufacturers can also tailor bi-fold doors to meet the
customer's vision for both look and function. Doors can
be customized with different colors or windows to meet
any desired aesthetic, making them a natural fit on an
existing building.
While sectional doors can be built to accommodate
openings as wide as 40 feet, a new bi-fold door also requires
less maintenance and will not break down at inopportune
times, which increases efficiency. Sectional door designs
operate with rollers and hinges, which aren't optimized
to handle both the static and dynamic load of a door that
large. Over time, these larger sectional doors will require
more maintenance than bi-folds, which have fewer moving
parts and are designed specifically to handle large loads.
By upgrading a door, customers have peace of mind
knowing there's no need to repair it every few months,
ultimately making it a more cost-effective investment.
The Update Process
The first step in replacing a traditional door with a
bi-fold door is choosing a manufacturer. A dependable
manufacturer understands structural building requirements
and communicates those to their customers early on. It's
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including whether the building is new or existing, and
if it's made of steel or wood. This is why working with
a manufacturer that considers all these details during the
initial quoting process is important. They will take the
time to ensure that the door they spec and the structural
requirements needed to support that door are accurate
from day one. Find a company that will take charge
of the entire process, from design to manufacturing to
installation. This ensures the door design and installation
are done right the first time.
Offerings to Look for
When it comes to choosing the door itself, there are a few
key things to look for. Consider a door that comes standard
with just one latch for locking it closed. A single-latch
system ultimately saves time from having to go to each
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July/August

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August
