The Door & Hardware Federation

The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) was created in December 2004 and its purpose was and still is to represent all of the UK’s leading door and hardware companies.  It is dedicated to achieving raised standards and maintaining them within the industry.

Their online website has become a valuable resource for everything connected to commercial, industrial and garage door hardware.

The DHF represents the interests of manufacturers and installers of industrial, pedestrian and garage doors as well as manufacturers of locks and building hardware.  It provides the professionals of the building industry in all sectors, with a single source for technical expertise.  The ultimate aim of this is to assure progress and to maintain high standards throughout the industry.

The DHF guide details the requirements for the force limitation for the safe use of vertically moving powered garage doors of all types including roller garage doors, canopy doors, retractable doors, sectional garage doors and roller shutter doors.  It describes in detail the standards that cover garage doors, and includes the important checklist that can be used by customers when selecting a garage door supplier.

The Federation have established seven specialist groups including:

  • GATE
  • GARAGE DOOR
  • GARAGE DOOR INSTALLER
  • HARDWARE
  • INDUSTRIAL DOOR
  • METAL DOORSET
  • TIMBER DOORSET

Each of the specialist groups gives advice with the intention of improving technical standards, providing advice on legislation, giving up to date practice of manufacture, design and much more.

Members of the DHF are obliged to adhere to the code of conduct.  The code covers the following;

  • Standard of workmanship
  • Products
  • Quality Assurance
  • Training
  • Safety
  • Employment
  • Business Integrity
  • Insurance

A copy of the full Code of Practice can be downloaded herehttp://www.dhfonline.org.uk/downloads/code.pdf

The DHF produced a guide to remove the risk of death or injury caused by a poorly designed automated domestic garage door.  It was produced to enable manufacturers and installers of powered garage doors to ensure that there are adequate force limitation safeguards built in to the doors.  These safeguards include a safety edge on the door leaf or a safety device incorporated into the drive system.  By ensuring that these measures are followed it will eliminate the danger of any door crushing or striking a person with a degree of force that could cause injury or death.

It is important to note that the DHF, which represents the leading UK manufacturers and installers of garage doors, produced this definitive guide as a direct result of a number of cases in the UK where users of powered doors and gates, including garage doors, have been killed or injured.

Mr Michael Skelding the DHF general manager and secretary said “In most cases where accidents had arisen it was clear that a properly designed and installed product would have prevented or mitigated the injury, even where the user – often a child – was misusing the product.  We’re confident that correct use of the DHF Best Practice Guide will go a long way towards eliminating any further tragic accidents.”

For more information about the DHF please visit their website or click here for more information on garage door safety.

 

The Benefits Of Roller Shutter Doors To Your Business

When looking for a security option that will cater for large scale commercial and industrial applications, roller shutter doors are the ideal solution. Available in a wide choice of specification and size options, industrial roller shutter doors are the ideal solution for performing a number of tasks such as providing insulation or preventing the spread of fire.

Listed below are some of the more common types of roller shutter door suitable for commercial and industrial applications.

Insulated Industrial Doors

Industrial roller doors that incorporate insulation into the shutter curtain are extremely robust and are primarily designed to help prevent heat escaping from a building. In addition to this, because the insulation is very dense, the core of the door is extremely strong making it very difficult for an intruder to break through.

Available in a pretty endless range of sizes up to 10 metres wide and 7metres high, industrial roller shutter doors can be operated manually using a chain hoist or for more convenience may be operated using a hold to run push button usually located within the control panel  of the roller door.

High Speed Industrial Roller Doors

High Speed Roller Shutter Doors

Where high volumes of traffic are required to enter and exit a building on a regular basis, high speed roller doors are the perfect solution. As the door can open and close in only a few seconds, the inside temperature of the building can be maintained far easier than if a standard roller shutter door were to be installed. Durable and hard wearing, a high speed roller door will give a little allowing should a forklift come into contact with it. This is important because it means that less maintenance will be required therefore making them the ideal solution for a wide range of applications including food manufacturing plants, distribution depots and chemical factories.

High Speed Doors

Fire Resistant Roller Shutters

Where building regulations dictate the need for a way of preventing the spread of fire or smoke, fire rated roller shutters are the perfect choice. To achieve certification, fire shutter are tested to withstand fire usually for a period of either 2 hours or 4 hours.

Where there is a requirement from the local authority to protect certain parts of a building such as a chemical store, fire rated roller shutters are the only viable solution.

Fire Rated Roller Shutter Doors

Standard Roller Shutter Doors

Designed to primarily offer great levels of security, a basic roller shutter is primarily used for small scale applications such as securing the entrance to a warehouse or storage building. Thanks to the design of this type of roller shutter door they are very difficult to penetrate due to the multi point locking systems in place on the back face of the roller shutter. Alternatively, larger roller shutter doors can be electrically operated using a key switch.

Whilst all businesses must take adequate measure to protect themselves against intruders, some security precautions are better than others. As clearly highlighted above, a well designed roller shutter door will offer security like no other product can offer. For more information on our wide range of roller shutter and roller shutter doors suitable for all industrial and commercial applications be sure to view the rest of our website.

Large Roller Doors

Woodrite Garage Doors Launch New Product Range

Woodrite Wooden Garage DoorsAs with any household item with a specific function, we expect it to work right every time, look good and require little maintenance. With the launch of the all new range of Woodrite wooden garage doors, here at Roller Doors Ltd we are able to offer the ideal products to meet the rigorous demands of modern homeowners.

Selecting the right garage door for your home begins with the design. Woodrite now offer a choice of over 40 door styles to choose from meaning there is now sure to be a garage door to meet the requirements of even the most discerning homeowner.

On the rare occasion that one of the standard garage door designs does not suffice, we are able to offer a bespoke design service that will allow for endless design possibilities in order to create that unique one of a kind garage door.

Two build types

Timber Garage Doors

In addition to the extended range of wooden garage doors, Woodrite now offer 2 types of build types. Panel build is the traditional form of wooden garage door construction as the door panel is mounted onto a steel chassis to provide rigidity and strength.

whitchurch wooden garage door

Panel-build doors are available with Super-Chassis lifting gear or Masta-Gear lifting gear.In addition to this, Woodrite produce the door with a unique feature that allows the chassis to be concealed by the door panel so all that is visible is edge to edge timber.

For more information on the entire range of Woodrite wooden garage door call us on 0844 8044 5577 and we will get arrange fro a copy to be sent to you.

 

Price Differences of Roller Garage Doors – Explained

Gliderol Roller Garage DoorsWithin the garage door market, roller garage doors prices have a wide variation, buy why is this?

Take the door curtain; there are subtle differences in appearance ranging from the curtain finish to the colours available, which are fairly minor in the scheme of things, but there are some bigger differences when comparing closely.

A cheap roller garage door will certainly have been made using components and electrical parts.  It will only be a matter of time before they start causing problems for the user or indeed fail.  Replacement parts may not be available within the UK, which the end result may be that you require a new door, at more expense.

When considering buying  new roller garage doors, it is not advised to buy on the cheap.  As with everything in life, you get what you pay for.  Take your time to look at what is available.  Look for a reputable retailer to supply your new garage door.  Ask questions to find out more about the products that are on offer.

You want to be looking at the guarantees that you are going to be supplied with.  It is normal to expect more than 2 years on a motor and 10 years on a door finish.  When it comes to automation, the market leader is Somfy.  There failure rate is almost never heard of.  It is an excellent product that comes with a 5 year warranty.

Check what safety features are going to be supplied with an automated roller garage door.  A photo cell alone is not UK compliant and if this is the only safety feature supplied with a garage door, is a potential threat to a person’s life.  A bottom rail safety edge is compliant with UK law.  This edge if it comes into contact with anyone or anything will stop and then reverse away from the obstruction.  Each year, a number of people are killed by their garage door which has either failed or been incorrectly installed.  Ensure that whichever garage door you choose, you employ an approved garage door installer to fit it.

Insulated roller doors can often have an even bigger difference when it comes to price.  There can be many variations in the amount of insulation that the door is providing.  For a domestic garage door nothing less than a foam filled 12mm gauge lath is going to benefit you in any way.  Tests have been carried out on some curtain laths that have been imported and it has been found that the foam inside is holey in parts instead of being a air pocket free lath.  Ask the retailer for a sample of the door finish, so that you can take a closer look.

Cheaper doors which are supplied with cheaper security components are not going to stand up against the threat on an unauthorised intruder gaining access to the garage space.

Summary of what to consider when buying a new roller garage door

  • Buy from a reputable retailer
  • Find out what the guarantees that you are going to be provided with
  • Ask the retailer for a sample of the door finish
  • Check the safety features that are being supplied with an electric roller door

Choosing The Colour Of Your Garage Doors & Roller Shutter Doors

Gliderol Roller Garage DoorsWhen looking to buy new garage doors or roller shutter doors, the vast array of colours and finishes can become confusing.

The colour selection is really pretty easy and will largely depend on the existing colour scheme of the home. For a harmonious look, pick a colour that will blend with the existing colours. Where a more bold design statement is required, try picking a bolder colour that will contrast with the homes aesthetic design.

Another factor that is going to influence the colour will be the door material the panel is constructed from. Whilst steel and aluminium garage doors are available in a wide range of colours, some doors such as sectional garage doors may be only available in a limited amount of standard colours so it will pay to look around prior to ordering to ensure you make the right choice. In addition to the standard colours, virtually every RAL colour is available as an optional extra, so for the homeowner looking to create a unique one of a kind door, this is also possible.

The one door type that is generally not for painting are wooden garage doors. It does not make sense to pay out all that money for a natural timber product top then cover it with a few coats of paint. In this instance we always recommend the use of a good quality stain that will protect the natural grain of the timber, keeping in it top condition for many years.

It is now widely recognised that colour will influence our life and our moods. By changing the colour of your garage door it is amazing the difference that can be achieved by simply changing the garage doors colour.

When used in interior design, light colours will give the appearance of light and space. To create a similar effect outside the home, try installing a light coloured garage door in white, cream or even light green. These always blend well with any property type no matter what age or architectural; design.

Darker coloured garage doors tend to absorb the light, however they do look extremely striking when used against contrasting colours and will create a really unique appearance to your home.

For more information on the wide range of colours that garage doors are available in, please feel free to browse the rest of our website where you will find a vast selection of garage door types such as roller garage doors and sectional garage doors in a pretty endless range of colours, designs and finishes.

 

Woodrite To Launch New Timber Garage Doors Range

Roller Doors Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of a new range of wooden garage doors from market leader Woodrite. As the garage door industries largest timber door suppliers, Woodrite produce wooden garage doors that are second to none in terms of quality of craftsmanship, grades of timber and choice of designs.

Available from early April 2012, to complement the existing range of wooden garage doors, a new solid panel range of doors will be available that incorporate raised and fielded panels to create a really unique appearance to the doors design.

In addition to the existing Buckingham range of doors, the new Balmoral and Warwick range of solid panelled doors will be available in a choice of 8 designs.

The manufacturing of this new range of doors has come about thanks to the addition of a state of the art automated machine router at the Woodrite timber workshop.

woodrite router

At around 10 metres long, this high speed automated router can effortlessly produce fine detail work that creates a superb finish thanks to the high speed head and cutting blade. It can even produce great detailing when cutting across the grain of the timber.

Woodrite Whitchurch Wooden Garage Doors

As you can see, the quality of finish is superb. The new Whitchurch model showcases the capabilities of this new technology superbly.

Some of the other great benefits of selecting a Woodrite timber garage door are that unlike other manufacturers who only dip the door panel once it has been built, Woodrite dip each individual parts of the door prior to construction. This method allows for a much better level of protection as the entire surface of the wood is treated with preservative including the end grains which creates a much more durable finish for protecting the timber against the elements.

Traditional craftsmanship is at the forefront of the new Balmoral and Warwick solid panel door designs. To provide years of trouble free operation, the timbers are mortice and tenon jointed to provide strength where need most. Using the finest techniques, Woodrite are able to produce a garage door that features the lifting gear fitted directly to the timber for a neat look to the inside of the door.

For more information on the entire range of Woodrite garage doors be sure to view our website.

Roller Garage Doors – Discount Prices

Roller Doors Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of some great promotional offers over the coming months. To start things off, we are offering savings on the Gliderol electric roller garage doors and also the Gliderol insulated roller garage doors.

Available in made to measure sizes in a wide range of colours to suit your homes architectural design.

For more information please call us on 0844 804 5577 and we we be please to offer any assistance you may require.

 

New Garage Doors

Research has shown that by replacing old existing garage doors with a quality new garage door to your property can increase the value of your home.  It will do this by adding kerb appeal to the front of your home.

The main purpose of a garage door is to protect your belongings, more often than not a vehicle.  A garage door is required to be strong, durable and offer protection from the elements.  If there is an old garage door that is not functioning as it should, then it may be leaking or allowing drafts into the garage space.

Some companies offer a ‘facelift’ for an existing garage door.  This is not widely recommended as adding a front to the door is adding additional weight to the hardware.  The hardware that will have been issued with the original door is to suit and carry that weight and no more.

There are many different types of garage doors available and with garage door prices varying considerably, therefore it is wise to spend some time looking at the various options available and weighing up what you require a new garage door to offer.

Things to consider are;

  • Type of doors available – roller door, sectional door, up & over door etc
  • Material – steel, aluminium, timber, fibreglass etc
  • Colour
  • Style (if applicable)
  • Finish – painted or laminated
  • Insulated or not
  • Glazing
  • Manual or electric operation

All of the above will alter the garage door price being charged.  It may be sensible to set a budget for your new door.  It is often easier to eliminate the garage doors that do not meet your requirements or choice first.  Garage doors are available to buy as a manual door and upgrade to an electric operation at a later date.  This is one way to spread the cost of a new purchase.  In the long term it is more beneficial to buy everything at the same time as you will pay a delivery fee buying at a later date.

At www.rollerdoors.co.uk  you can view a wide range of garage doors and roller garage doors that are all made to order.  All orders are processed by one of our friendly team members directly with our manufacturers.  Garage doors are manufactured and delivered within a 2-3 week lead time.  We work alongside some of the leading UK door manufacturers who make quality products for all of our customers.

Whether you decide to keep your existing garage door or purchase a new one, it is very important to remember that all garage doors require annual servicing to ensure that they are operating both smoothly and safely.  Garage doors are heavy items that if they are not working properly could cause a serious accident or more.

 

Roller Shutter Doors Variations

We can supply a vast selection of domestic and commercial roller doors, roller shutters, roller shutter doors. We believe that in order to ensure your property is fully protected you need to have the right physical security barriers in place. Our extensive product knowledge allows us to match the correct shutter to meet you individual requirements. Available in bespoke sizes in mm increments to ensure the perfect fit. Roller Doors Ltd offer this service at no additional cost over standard sized roller shutters.

Along with the obvious security benefits a roller shutter brings, we also offer our range of security shutters to include some of the following benefits;

Insulating Properties – Foam filled insulated roller shutters or roller garage doors are the ideal solution to any property looking to not only increase security levels but also reduce heat loss. The dense core of the roller door profile acts as a barrier, keeping the heat inside a building much more effectively than double glazing alone. For this reason, insulated roller shutters are extremely popular for domestic installations.

Vision Slats– If you are looking for roller shutter doors that will not only provide security but also let light pass through then the provision of vision windows is a possible option. They windows can be glazed or unglazed to allow ventilation of the space, whilst still maintaining the buildings security.

Punched or Perforated Profiles – Ideal for shop windows and shopping centre applications, perforated roller shutter doors allow a significant amount of light to pass through the shutter curtain. This shutter is a must have option for allowing shoppers to view your products during times the shop is closed or for protecting high value window displays such as jewelers.

Operation – From simple manual operation of a small roller shutter to the control of a number of large roller shutter doors using one control, we are sure to have a product to meet your needs.

Colour– Our range of roller doors are available in a range of standard colours that do not affect the price or for an additional charge may be specified in a wide range of colours. Some of the roller shutters are also available in a choice of any RAL colour. Alternatively, if you are looking for the shutter to have a wood grain appearance, we offer many of the products in a range laminated finishes to give the appearance of real wood.

 

Roller Shutter Doors

roller shutter doorsRoller Doors Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new range of products to their existing product range.

As a leading supplier of roller garage doors and sectional garage doors in the UK, Roller Doors Ltd are firmly committed to supplying only the very best physical security products throughout the UK and Europe.

Since the riots in the UK last year, we have seen a significant increase in demand for quality roller shutters and roller shutter doors to protect vulnerable domestic and commercial properties. Due to the increase in demand for this type of product, now available is whole range of bespoke roller shutters to buy online.

Available in either electric or manual operation, roller shutters are quick and easy to install and will provide peace of mind that your belonging will stay safe when you are away from the property.

There are many benefits to roller shutters:

  • Provide formidable protection from vandalism and burglary
  • Serve as an effective visual deterrent
  • Are attractively designed
  • Can shield strong sunlight by working as a blind
  • Offer a complete blackout
  • Insulate your home from cold or noise
  • Can be neatly installed on either the outside or inside of your premises

For more information on the wide range of products we offer please browse our website.