How do Hangar Doors Work?

Rolling Hangar Door Construction for NAS-JAX

 

Hangar doors, like any door in the world, serve to protect the interior of a building and keep unwanted people or things from entering. A hangar door’s purpose is to protect your vehicles or other possessions from harsh elements and to allow for easy entry and exit. Whether it’s for aviation, marine, commercial, or residential use, a hangar door can work in many different ways. Let’s break down the different types of hangar doors and how they may best fit your needs.

The Types of Hangar Doors

There are several types of hangar doors, but the three most common types are sliding, overhead, and bi-fold hangar doors. Sliding doors, or rolling doors, operate with a roller on a track to open and close horizontally. These hangar doors can be electric or manually operated. If covering a large opening, sliding hangar doors may have multiple panels and several tracks. Rolling doors are both reliable and inexpensive, making them a viable option.

Overhead doors operate with a counterweight attached to cables and a motor. Hydraulic hangar doors are also a popular option, as a hydraulic motor is typically favored over an electric one. These kinds of hangar doors swing open outwardly, so this space must be available to operate properly. Overhead hangar doors sit flat when opened, so when installing one, consider a slight angle for water run off. Overhead hangar doors provide superior insulation and convenience with how they open, which is why they are so popular. 

Bi-fold hangar doors fold in half horizontally and then raise up. These are a popular option, as they don’t take up as much space as an overhead door or a sliding door. In its open position, it exerts minimal force on the endwall. Bi-fold doors are also popular for their natural slope that allows for runoff.

Which Hangar Door is Right for Me?

Determining which hangar door works best for your hangar is dependent on both your needs for how the door should perform and the cost of the door. Costs for the different types of hangar doors will vary based on size and any extra features that come with it. For example, hydraulic hangar doors can operate with an automatic open and close feature. 

Because of their efficiency and durability, the choice you make for your hangar door will ultimately be the best one. Make the right choice for the quality of your hangar door, and contact Well Bilt Industries for the best quality and efficiency.