Roller Shutter vs High Speed vs Sectional Door: How to Choose
Compare roller shutter, high speed and industrial sectional doors by size, speed, wind load, insulation and service life, with CUBIXY specification values.
Published By CUBIXY
The CUBIXY Wind-Resistant Roller Shutter Door opens at 0.1–0.15 m/s and is designed for wind loads of 0.7–1.6 kPa. The PVC High Speed Door and the High Speed Spiral Door open at 0.8–2.0 m/s. The Industrial Sectional Door has the lowest listed thermal transmittance, 0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K). Choose by comparing these values with the requirements of your opening.
The table below compares the four door types using the values in the CUBIXY product catalogue.
Specification comparison
| Specification | Wind-resistant roller shutter | PVC high speed door | High speed spiral door | Industrial sectional door |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Inside mount / side mount | Side mount | Inside mount / side mount | Side mount |
| Maximum width | 8,000 mm | 6,000 mm | 8,000 mm | 8,000 mm |
| Maximum height | 7,000 mm | 6,000 mm | 10,000 mm | 10,000 mm |
| Opening speed | 0.1–0.15 m/s | 0.8–2.0 m/s | 0.8–2.0 m/s | 0.2 m/s |
| Closing speed | 0.1–0.15 m/s | 0.6–0.8 m/s | 0.6–0.8 m/s | 0.2 m/s |
| Design wind load | 0.7–1.6 kPa | 0.2–0.3 kPa | 1.0–3.5 kPa | 0.7–2.2 kPa |
| Thermal transmittance | 1.6–6.0 W/(m²·K) | 5.5–6.0 W/(m²·K) | 1–1.5 W/(m²·K) | 0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K) |
| Watertightness | Class 0–2 | Class 1–2 | Class 2–3 | Class 2–3 |
| Air permeability | Class 0–2 | Class 1–2 | Class 2–3 | Class 3–4 |
| Operating noise | ≤65 dB(A) | ≤60 dB(A) | ≤65 dB(A) | ≤65 dB(A) |
| Design service life | ≥50,000 cycles | ≥800,000 cycles | ≥800,000 cycles | ≥100,000 cycles (torsion springs ≥30,000) |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to +50 °C | −20 °C to +50 °C (servo drive limits apply) | −20 °C to +50 °C (servo drive limits apply) | −20 °C to +50 °C |
Roller shutter door: compact and wind-resistant
A roller shutter's interlocking curtain runs in side guide rails and coils compactly above the opening, so it takes little space around the doorway. The CUBIXY wind-resistant roller shutter covers openings up to 8,000 × 7,000 mm, is designed for wind loads of 0.7–1.6 kPa and offers curtain slats in prepainted steel, aluminum alloy or 304/316 stainless steel. Of the four types it has the lowest opening speed (0.1–0.15 m/s) and the lowest listed design service life (≥50,000 cycles). The catalogue lists factories, warehouses, logistics centers and other industrial facilities as its applications. Control options include remote control, push button and manual chain hoist.
If the opening is part of a fire compartment or a hazardous area, look at the specialized roller shutters instead: the EN Steel Insulated Fire Roller Shutter, the UL Steel Fire Shutter Door or the Steel Explosion-Proof Roller Shutter Door (Ex IIC T4).
High speed doors: highest listed speed and service life
Both CUBIXY high speed doors are servo-driven, open at 0.8–2.0 m/s and close at 0.6–0.8 m/s, and have a design service life of at least 800,000 cycles, the highest listed in this comparison. They differ in curtain, wind load and insulation:
- PVC high speed door: a PVC-coated fabric curtain (0.8, 1.0 or 1.2 mm) with brush and EPDM seals; design wind load 0.2–0.3 kPa, thermal transmittance 5.5–6.0 W/(m²·K), maximum size 6,000 × 6,000 mm. The catalogue lists logistics passages and high-traffic areas requiring frequent access and strict cleanliness control, manufacturing workshops, warehouses and logistics centers.
- High speed spiral door: double-sided aluminum alloy slats filled with polyurethane foam, guided in a non-contact double-spiral track; design wind load 1.0–3.5 kPa, thermal transmittance 1–1.5 W/(m²·K), sizes up to 8,000 × 10,000 mm. The catalogue lists warehouses, logistics centers, manufacturing workshops, automotive facilities, underground garages and commercial buildings.
Typical controls for high speed doors are radar, geomagnetic loop, remote control and push button.
Industrial sectional door: lowest listed thermal transmittance
The industrial sectional door has insulated panels (0.43 mm PPGI or 0.6 mm aluminum alloy skins with polyurethane foam) that run on tracks. Of the four types it has the lowest listed thermal transmittance (0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K)) and the highest listed air permeability class (Class 3–4), with a design wind load of 0.7–2.2 kPa and sizes up to 8,000 × 10,000 mm. Standard, high and vertical lift options adapt the track layout to the headroom and pipework above the opening. Opening speed is 0.2 m/s. The catalogue lists factories, logistics warehouses and specialized garages with high requirements for energy efficiency, airtightness and appearance.
Quick decision guide
- Opening speed of 0.8 m/s or more, or a design service life of 800,000 cycles or more: PVC high speed door or high speed spiral door.
- Design wind load above 1.6 kPa: check the configuration: the industrial sectional door is listed up to 2.2 kPa and the high speed spiral door up to 3.5 kPa; requirements above these ranges are confirmed per project.
- Design wind load above 0.3 kPa with a high speed door: high speed spiral door (listed up to 3.5 kPa); the PVC high speed door is listed at 0.2–0.3 kPa.
- Lowest listed thermal transmittance and highest listed air permeability class: industrial sectional door, 0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K) and Class 3–4.
- Fire compartmentation or explosive gas areas: EN / UL fire shutters or the explosion-proof roller shutter.
Not sure which fits your opening? Send us the opening size, application and required control method and CUBIXY will propose a suitable door type.
Step by step
Check the opening size
Compare the opening width and height with each door type's maximum size: 8,000 × 7,000 mm (wind-resistant roller shutter), 6,000 × 6,000 mm (PVC high speed), 8,000 × 10,000 mm (spiral and sectional).
Compare speed and service life
Compare the required opening speed and number of cycles with the table: the high speed doors open at 0.8–2.0 m/s with a design service life of ≥800,000 cycles; the sectional door is listed at ≥100,000 cycles and the wind-resistant roller shutter at ≥50,000 cycles.
Set wind and insulation requirements
Compare the design wind load and thermal transmittance you need with the table: the spiral door reaches 3.5 kPa, the sectional door 0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K).
Choose the control method
Decide how the door is operated (push button, remote control, radar, geomagnetic loop, pull switch or manual chain hoist) and include it in your enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which CUBIXY door opens fastest?
- The PVC High Speed Door and the High Speed Spiral Door both open at 0.8–2.0 m/s and close at 0.6–0.8 m/s. The industrial sectional door opens at 0.2 m/s and the wind-resistant roller shutter at 0.1–0.15 m/s.
- Which door type insulates best?
- The CUBIXY Industrial Sectional Door has the lowest listed thermal transmittance, 0.5–1.2 W/(m²·K), and air permeability of Class 3–4. The High Speed Spiral Door follows at 1–1.5 W/(m²·K).
- How do the two high speed doors compare on wind load?
- The CUBIXY catalogue gives the High Speed Spiral Door a design wind load of 1.0–3.5 kPa and the PVC High Speed Door 0.2–0.3 kPa; compare these with the design wind load specified for your opening. The catalogue lists the PVC door for logistics passages and high-traffic areas, and the spiral door for warehouses, logistics centers, manufacturing workshops, automotive facilities, underground garages and commercial buildings.
- What is the largest opening each door type can close?
- Maximum sizes in the CUBIXY range are 8,000 × 7,000 mm for the wind-resistant roller shutter, 6,000 × 6,000 mm for the PVC high speed door, and 8,000 × 10,000 mm for both the high speed spiral door and the industrial sectional door (width × height).
