torage doors are among the most frequently utilized components in any self-storage facility. Their extensive use, combined with various environmental factors, including extreme temperatures, mean it’s crucial that they be maintained to ensure a long, productive life.
One of the first things potential customers see when they enter your facility are your unit doors. That first impression could be the difference between that person signing a contract at your facility or going with one of your competitors. This means that the doors you have installed at your site are more than an operational necessity; they are a major element in the presentation and perception of your facility as one of the first points of contact for any customer.
Let’s take an in-depth look at storage doors: why it’s so important to take care of them, how to maximize their lifecycle, and what to do when they eventually need to be replaced. To do this, Janus International posed some questions to David Alexander, who leads the Facilitate® division at Janus International. He brings over three decades of experience in the overhead door industry, offering extensive expertise in door maintenance. His insights will underscore the importance of proper door care and provide comprehensive guidance on keeping them in optimal condition.
And let’s be honest, if the doors are covered in dust or grime, people might start wondering about the cleanliness of the whole place. They might not feel too confident about storing their stuff at a facility that doesn’t look well-kept.
Just like anything else you own, taking good care of your doors can make them last longer, which protects your investment.
But really, the biggest reason to keep those doors in top shape is safety. The last thing any owner wants is for a tenant to hurt themselves because a door is faulty. If a roll-up door is hard to open or close, too heavy, or has too much tension, accidents can happen. And that is not a situation a facility owner wants to put themselves or their tenants in.
First off, there’s weather and storms. Bad weather can damage even the strongest roll-up doors. Rain, hail, snow, and wind are obvious culprits, but you don’t even need a big storm for damage to happen. Just constant exposure to the sun, wind, and rain over time can really wear down your unit doors.
Motor vehicle incidents are another issue. Accidents happen, and sometimes those trucks end up backing into your doors. These mishaps are unavoidable but can cause a lot of damage.
Another issue is when the curtain comes out of the guides. Some facilities use door curtains to help with energy efficiency. The guides are the tracks the door curtain runs along. If not used correctly, the curtain can come out of the guides, which affects the door’s functionality. And if it’s positioned wrong, it could even injure someone.
Broken springs are something you will have to deal with sooner or later. No matter how strong your door is, at some point, broken springs become an issue. When springs break, opening the door becomes incredibly difficult, if not impossible.
Lastly, there’s general wear and tear. Like we talked about earlier, doors are one of the most used parts of any self-storage facility, so wear and tear will happen. But with regular maintenance you can help minimize this problem.
Now, if you’re dealing with broken springs, that alone may not mean you need a new door. However, if your door is over 10 years old and the springs are breaking, it can be a good idea to just replace the entire door.
There’s one situation that often gets overlooked when considering replacements, and that’s when your doors are significantly faded or just need an update. A lot of people think that a fresh coat of paint will make faded doors look new again. While paint can improve the appearance, it can actually do more harm than good and might even shorten the lifespan of your door.
Painting a roll-up door can void any manufacturer warranties. These doors are built to a specific weight, and adding anything extra, even just a few coats of paint, can change that weight since they weren’t designed to handle alterations. This could put extra stress on the springs and other components, potentially leading to failure and even injury.
Facilitate by Janus International is a comprehensive facility maintenance program that handles repair and maintenance needs, allowing owner-operators to focus on running their businesses. Whether it’s expert repair and replacement services or regular planned maintenance, Facilitate can take care of your to-do list so you can concentrate on growing your business. You can relax, knowing your site is regularly maintained and in good hands.
In addition, when you factor in the advantages of a trusted company such as Access Control Technologies, which can expertly integrate your site’s network to ensure that all of your smart technology works flawlessly, you have created a safe, secure, and easy-to-monitor environment that goes beyond your doors.
Speaking of doors, another way to upgrade your facility is by utilizing the strongest, most durable unit doors. The Janus NS+ Door and NS Retrokit both offer a strong and dependable solution, further securing the safety of your customers’ valuable possessions.
The last point to bring up is that your facility’s unit doors are the main interactive component for your tenants. It’s crucial that they are well-maintained, running at peak performance, and always looking good. All of these create a positive tenant experience, which leads to positive reviews and word of mouth. In reality, your doors help market your facility to potential customers, so whatever you do, don’t neglect them.
If you’d like to explore replacing your unit doors or utilizing the services of Facilitate, contact the professionals at Janus International by visiting www.janusintl.com/self-storage/facilitate.