Research has proven that people like buildings with automatic doors, it makes it so much easier to enter and exit, especially when you are carrying anything or are in a wheelchair etc. However, there are so many different variants to choose from that making this important decision can be a bit tricky.
The good news is that there will be a door that fits your needs to a tee, there being so many types to choose from, most of which are highly configurable. So, whether you are fitting new doors to an existing building or starting with a blank canvas on a new build, there is a door for you.
However, it may be that you will also want to discuss the matter with your architect, contractors, even perhaps the local planning authorities before making the final decision.
To help, we have created this short guide to automatic doors and why they are a great thing to fit.
The Healthcare and Education Sector
It is no surprise that over 90% of people expect to find automatic doors in hospitals, far more than the users of educational buildings. Whatever the setting, automatic doors offer convenience, providing easy access to all users, while also reducing energy costs (by ensuring that no doors are left open) and increasing security (especially when combined with access controls).
The type of door is also determined by the room it is allowing access to. Some rooms after all have special requirements, like hygienic seals, or smoke and air infiltration, for labs, food preparation and clean rooms. Then there are doors that also act as fire barriers, in this case they need to be rated as fire resistant for a number of hours. Security doors on the other hand, have to both withstand an attack and be easy to combine with access controls of some sort, these ranging from full bio access to simple card readers or number pads.
Which Type of Door do people prefer?
Studies reveal that the huge majority of people prefer sliding doors, only around one in ten like swing doors and just 2% like folding doors.
However, saying this, it is the location of the door that is often the driving reason to fit (a) rather than (b) as in many instances a swing door will just not fit or would be unsafe.
What Types are available
Swing Doors
Swinging doors are best used in areas where there is directional, one-way traffic. If two way traffic needs to be catered for, one door can be used for “In” and the other as “Out”, this also assisting traffic flow. One door is not really suited to two-way traffic and all require room on both the approach and exit (swing) side of the door and could well need safety devices like guide rails.
Folding Doors
This type of door is best suited to applications where a ‘wide-open entrance’ which can take two way traffic is required and where there is limited space (making a sliding door an impractical option). In such cases folding doors with two or more sliding panels are the best option. This type of door’s unique folding action providing a much larger opening area than sliding doors, while removing the need for the sweep area needed for swing doors. As with the other types of doors they are normally are suitable for both interior and exterior applications.
Sliding Doors
Automatic sliding doors can be supplied various configurations depending upon the available space. This type of door is very suitable for simultaneous, two-way traffic or, where necessary, to control directional traffic. This is achieved by setting one door as “in” and the other door as “out.” It will also be easier for you to find a door maintenance contractor since this type of door is not rare and most door maintenance companies know how to fix problems with it.
Sliding doors come in versions that are all glass, whilst others have muntin bars or stiles. This makes them the perfect choice for showcasing an attractive entrance hall or well-manicured lawn. Where a larger access area is needed there is even a telescopic version that can provide an entry space which is 25% higher than standard sliding doors of the same physical size.
Revolving Doors
This type of door is often associated with areas that require greater access control, or where there is a need to create some form of air lock with the outside world. They also offer the highest level of energy savings of all types as there is never any danger of the inside air being in direct contact with the outside environment.
If you need more help is selecting an automatic door for your premises, please do contact Record UK, or visit https://www.recorduk.co.uk/en/types-of-automatic-door/automatic-revolving-door-range they have decades of experience and will be able to give you the very best of advice.