In NJ and New York City, space is a premium. There are really 3 different ways to do an overhead door or rolling door with low headroom (also known as low clearance garage door or low profile garage door). Below you will find a quick guide with a comparison chart at the end for those looking for a low headroom sectional and rolling overhead door for tight spaces:
- These doors are appropriate for high-traffic situations while meeting the low headroom/low clearance requirements of parking garages and other commercial structures.
- The low lintel design only needs 11 inches of clearance at headroom.
- The motor is compact with variable speeds allowing up to 60 inches per second. It has soft acceleration and deceleration for smooth starts and stops.
- Track is applicable for building applications where headroom is limited and standard track will not work.
- Springs are mounted at the front of the horizontal track.
- Trolley motor operator or push up operation required, not applicable for jackshaft type operators.
- Track is applicable for building applications where headroom is severely limited.
- Springs are mounted at the rear of the horizontal track.
- Trolley motor operator or push up operation required, not applicable for jackshaft type operators.
- This is not recommended for medium to high usage and cycle environments.
Cost Comparison Chart
The below chart will help you understand the best product for your unique building.
#1 - High-Performance Rolling Door for Low Clearance
#2 - Sectional Door with Low Headroom (torsion spring in front)
#2 - Sectional Door with Low Headroom (torsion spring in in rear)
| High-Performance Rolling Door for Low Clearance | Sectional Door w/Torsion Springs in Front | Sectional Door w/Torsion Springs in Rear | |
| Acquisition Cost | $$$$$ | $$ | $$ |
| Cost of Ownership During Operation | $ | $$$ | $$$$$$ |
| Warranty | 5yr Mechanical 2yr Electrical , 2yr Door Panels |
1yr Warranty, but No Warranty Over 10 Cycles a Day | 1yr Warranty, but No Warranty Over 10 Cycles a Day |
| Cycle Life | 1M+ | <20K | <10K |
| Emergency Egress Release | Standard | Not Available | Not Available |
| Long-Term ROI for High-Cycle Applications | No Stars |
To learn more about other options, check out our product catalog and choose the right commercial door and dock for your facility. Spend some time looking at the sectional doors, rolling steel doors, other industrial doors and the accessories like commercial operators that you can find at the Overhead Door Company of The Meadowlands & NYC (Division of Loading Dock, Inc.). You will appreciate not only our amazing selection but also the level of customer service and care you receive from our team of overhead door experts. You can also read other entries in our blog.