Short answer: choose a fabric high-speed door for interior openings and clean, controlled areas; a rubber door for harsh exterior openings and frequent bumps; an insulated door for freezers and coolers; and a metal door when you need security and privacy. Opening size, wind exposure, traffic and temperature narrow it down from there.
Why high-speed doors?
A high-speed door opens and closes much faster than a standard sectional or rolling door. That keeps forklifts and people moving, cuts the time the opening stays open, and helps hold temperature, dust and pests on the right side of the door. Many models have soft or breakaway curtains that reduce damage when they get hit.
Fabric doors
Fabric doors are light, fast and flexible. They’re the usual choice for interior openings between areas of a building.
- RapidFlex® 990: an interior fabric door with a flexible bottom for busy warehouses, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and distribution sites.
- RapidFlex® 991: separates controlled environments such as food and beverage areas, storage and cold storage to help prevent cross-contamination.
- RapidFlex® 992: a strutted, heavy-duty fabric door for interior or exterior use.
For exterior openings, a strutted fabric door handles wind. The RapidFlex® 993 is tested to 19.5 psf wind load and suits parking garages, warehouses and plants. The heavy-duty RapidFlex® 994 is built for large openings and tested to 22.0 psf.
Rubber doors
Rubber curtains are tough and handle harsh outdoor conditions and frequent contact. The RapidFlex® 995 has a multi-reinforced NBR rubber curtain and strong guides. For openings with little room above them, the RapidFlex® 995LH brings the same performance to low-headroom openings.
Insulated doors for cold rooms
Freezers and coolers need a door that seals well and insulates. The RapidFreeze® 997 is an insulated high-speed fabric door designed for freezers and coolers.
Metal doors for security
When an exterior high-speed door also needs to be secure, a metal curtain is the answer. The RapidShield® 998 has a solid aluminum curtain for security and privacy, and the RapidView® 999 uses scratch-resistant polycarbonate panels so you get visibility as well as speed.
How to choose
- Where is the opening? Interior openings usually suit fabric. Exterior openings need a wind-rated fabric, rubber or metal door.
- What’s on each side? Cold storage needs insulation. Food, pharma and clean areas need a door that helps separate environments.
- How often is it hit? Busy forklift lanes benefit from flexible or breakaway curtains and tough materials.
- Does it need to be secure? Metal curtains add security and privacy at exterior openings.
- How much room is there? Headroom and side room above and beside the opening affect which models fit.
Comparing a high-speed door with a standard dock door? See our guide to insulated sectional vs rolling steel dock doors.
Frequently asked questions
Are high-speed doors worth the cost?
For busy openings, often yes. Faster cycles keep traffic moving and reduce the time the opening is open, which helps with heating, cooling and keeping dust and pests out.
What happens if a forklift hits a high-speed door?
Many high-speed doors are designed to flex or let the curtain come out of its guides on impact, so the door can be reset instead of rebuilt. Check the details for the specific model.
Can a high-speed door be used outside?
Yes. Choose a model built for exterior use with a wind-load rating that suits the location, such as the RapidFlex 993, 994 or 995.
Want help choosing the right door for an opening? Request a quote or call us at 631-701-6922.
