Commercial Roll Up Door Sizes ‒ The Definitive Guide

June 9, 2022 | Commercial Doors

group of docking bays Given the proportions of most warehouses, few people would suspect size and spacing would be an issue when it comes to doors. However, while commercial roll up doors are designed to save space, they still require room to accommodate the opening, hood, mounting bracket, and vertical guides.

As a result, business owners need to ensure their doors have sufficient clearance before they’re installed. Once they’re familiar with commercial roll up door sizes, they’ll be able to choose an entryway that provides safe and convenient access to their building.

Roll up Commercial Doors vs. Overhead Doors

Roll up doors and overhead doors have no standard height or width. Because loading doors are typically 8-10 feet high and 8-8.5 feet wide (to accommodate standard cargo trucks), most are built to these dimensions. However, they can be custom fit for larger or smaller openings ‒ whatever meets the needs of your business.

While overhead doors serve the same function as commercial roll up doors (access, security, efficiency, and weather resistance), they require significantly more headroom or backroom. The open space above or behind them has to at least be equal to the height of the door itself. For buildings with ducts, pipes, and other equipment mounted to the ceiling, this can be a major impediment.

Commercial Roll Up Door Sizes

Commercial roll up doors offer the same advantages as overhead doors, but require significantly less clearance ‒ inches rather than feet. When it comes to sizing, the biggest concern is headroom. The taller the door, the more space you need for the hood and motor.

While they’ll never take up as much space as an overhead door, the amount of room roll up doors require may be a concern in some buildings. For example, a thirty-foot door made of standard steel or aluminum requires at least 14 inches of headspace and backspace. An insulated roll up door can require as much as 29 inches, depending on its height and thickness.

In addition to overhead space, commercial roll up doors also require room to the left and right for the guides. Ideally, each door would have at least 12 inches on either side, but modern doors can make do with six. Anything less may compromise the integrity of the building.

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Alyssa N.

I cannot sing enough praises about Anthony, the door repair man who came to our rescue when we found ourselves in the midst of a door disaster. From the moment he arrived, it was clear that he was not just an ordinary repairman; he was a superhero in disguise.

With his charming demeanor and infectious enthusiasm, Anthony approached our faulty door with unwavering confidence. His passion for his craft was evident as he assessed the situation, providing insightful explanations of the problem and assuring us that he had everything under control.

What struck me most about Anthony was his unwavering dedication to his work. He possessed a commitment to excellence and an attention to detail that was truly remarkable. Anthony patiently explained each step of the repair process to us, making sure we understood the intricacies involved.

His expertise was unparalleled. It was as if he possessed an innate understanding of doors and their inner workings. With swift and precise movements, he skillfully disassembled and reassembled the door, effortlessly navigating through the labyrinth of springs, hinges, and locks. It was truly a sight to behold.

But what truly set Anthony apart was his genuine concern for our safety. As he worked, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and reliable door, going above and beyond to ensure that our office would be protected from any potential dangers. It was evident that he genuinely cared about the well-being of his clients and took immense pride in his ability to provide them with peace of mind.

By the time Anthony finished his work, our door looked and functioned better than ever before. It was a seamless, flawless transformation that left us in awe of his skills. But beyond his technical prowess, Anthony left a lasting impact on us with his kindness, professionalism, and genuine passion for his craft.

In the end, Anthony may not have become the firefighter he once aspired to be, but in our eyes, he is a true hero. His ability to rescue us from the perils of a faulty door was nothing short of remarkable. I cannot recommend Anthony highly enough to anyone in need of door repair services. With him, you can expect nothing less than outstanding service, exceptional craftsmanship, and a genuine dedication to your safety and satisfaction.

Thank you, Anthony, for being the door repair superhero we never knew we needed.

Jayne A.

Jose did an amazing job on the locker room door for the women's locker room at LA Fitness and it is working properly

Andrew M.

John the tech was very good. He explained everything very well.

Dylan H.

Greg and Tim did a great job fixing our door!

Andrew U.

Timely installation, communicated well. Great quality rolling doors, very smooth operation.

I.R. P.

VORTEX has been servicing my business doors (BIRITE QUALITY PHARMACY, LA HABRA) for many years. Great job. However the technician DANIEL who came 2 days ago, was out standing. Very polite & professional. I thought it was door-jam but he looked at everything like Sherlock and told me it was a piece of plastic. Very honest and professional. VORTEX techs always come on time. Great job DANIEL and thanks for it

Team P.

We have a small print shop storefront close to the AT&T Center (where the SA Spurs play) and needed a retail front door. We shopped around and called a number of door companies with minimal, or should I say, less than enthusiastic efforts to gain our trust and business. Our stores structure was built in the 1950's so there were many company representatives who came to check it out and never got back to us or there quote was out of this world because of the possibility of many unforeseen issues, to say the least. Once we called VORTEX I could tell we finally had the ball rolling in the right direction. There were a number of folks involved from the beginning; the local Mgr. Randy McFarland, Scott McGauvren, to the installers including Cotton and Josh as well as a few others who's names I've forgotten. Most importantly it was a great overall effort by everyone involved ! Although not everything went as planned due to the age of the building and the unexpected obstacles, everything went as smoothly as anyone could expect. Even though they had to return after the initial installation, it was all handled in an organized and professional manner. Thanks to Mr. McFarland and his San Antonio, VORTEX group we have an awesome retail storefront door. JS

Jaime P.

Patrick from the West Valley location was extremely helpful and efficient! He was able to fully diagnose two problematic commercial door issues, one of which we have had looked at multiple times by other technicians. Before he left, he made sure we had an idea of what it would cost for repairs. Thank you Patrick for your dedication to doing the job right!

David M.

I've been using Vortex for the last three years and have no plans to use another service . Their techs are very knowledgeable and their scheduling personnel are polite and professional.

Perfect service, incredibly fast.

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Commercial Roll Up Door Sizes ‒ The Definitive Guide