Roll-up doors are a crucial component of many commercial and industrial facilities. They provide secure access while improving energy efficiency plus reducing the risk of theft and vandalism. But with so many factors influencing the cost of a high-quality roll-up door, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

In this article, we'll walk you through the various factors that impact the cost of a roll-up door, from materials and labor to customization and door size, helping you make an informed decision about your purchase.

Let’s dig in.

What’s in a Roll-Up Door Anyways?

Roll-up doors are constructed of high-grade steel with a small amount of aluminum.  There are varying grades of steel used in producing the door curtains, door frames, tensioner units and fasteners.

Along with the steel and aluminum, a high-end extruded rubber is also used in strategic locations to ensure that the functionality of the door is smooth and quiet. Paint and coil coating are also part of the roll up door industry. Doors can be made in specific colors based on your requirements.

Cost of Materials

As with many other goods and services, the cost of material generally has increased over time. Steel for example fluctuates based on mill supply and demand. Material cost will decrease as demand and lead-time decrease and conversely, steel cost will increase as demand and lead-time increase.

Paint costs vary pending where the color falls on the spectrum. Lighter colors tend to be less expensive whereas the darker colors are more expensive due to the specific resin and raw materials required to gain color as well as maintain it while exposed to the elements.

Coil coating and paint costs are key drivers in the price of your roll up door. Typically paint costs only increase due to the raw materials being utilized in other markets such as batteries and electric cars. Each of these markets utilize the same resins that are part of the ingredients to make paint. This highlights how adjacent markets and industries also affect us in the roll up door industry.

Freight and labor costs are also a large component of the increasing price point for roll up doors. Fuel price, inflation as well as supply & demand drive up trucking and labor costs. Diesel fuel can be volatile as well with peaks and valleys but labor cost only increases over time. New production technology can increase capacity and maintain pricing but overall, the cost generally trends north.

Labor Costs

In addition to material costs, labor costs are another factor that can impact the final price of a roll-up door. The varied cost of labor in the United States can affect the end price of a door. Since we strive to source the majority of our labor within the USA, you are paying for the best and brightest that our country has to offer.

It's important to note that the pricing of any product is based on raw material cost and manufactured cost, and that manufacturers like us must track their manufacturing costs constantly to stay competitive.

At SteelBlue, we use state-of-the-art equipment and employ highly skilled team members to ensure that our doors are manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. By prioritizing efficiency and quality, we are able to keep our prices competitive while delivering a high-quality product that meets your needs.

Door Size

The size of the door impacts the final price as well. With the number of panels and guides needed increasing as the door's width and height gets larger. The biggest impact on the door price is on the panels. The wider the door is, the wider the panels have to be.

The typical size ranges of doors that companies look to purchase are 3’0x7’0 to 10’0x10’0 for the 7530 Series, and 10’0x10’0 to 14’0x14’0 for commercial or boat/RV doors.

Fortunately, the size of a door does not have an effect on its longevity or maintenance as each door is designed with the appropriate counter-balance spring(s) system for the weight of the door.

Customization

‍You can customize your roll-up doors by choosing the size and color. The larger the door, the more metal that is used. Thus increasing door size and price of the door. Certain colors may also be more expensive, with higher tier color choices costing more to make.

While custom doors may cost more than standard ones, SteelBlue offers competitive pricing and a range of options to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our customization options.

Door Opening Mechanisms

Different door opening mechanisms include manual, chain hoists, and mechanical motors. The majority of the market uses manually operated doors for smaller sizes, while larger doors require more complex mechanisms.

The price impact of each door mechanism varies, with manually operated doors being the cheapest option, chain hoists ranging between $150-300, and motors ranging between $500-1000 depending on the door size and speed required.

Purpose of Door

Our doors serve many purposes. In line with these varied purposes, we have to add additional functionalities to make them wind resistant or insulated. Standard storage facilities would use a standard non-wind load rated door.

Specific states (i.e., Florida) typically require wind-rated doors, and certain customers in specific locations may require the door to be insulated. Insulated doors typically cost between 80-100% more than standard doors.

Typical Cost of Doors

The most common sizes and specifications of doors ordered by our clients are 3’0x7’0, 3’8x7’0, 8’0x7’0, 8’4x7’0, 8’8x7’0, 8’0x6’8, and 8’0x8’0, which are standard non-wind load rated and non-insulated doors.

The typical price ranges for doors of these sizes and specifications are between $285-500 for standard 7530 series doors. While larger or more specialized doors may cost more, we offer competitive pricing and a range of options to fit your budget and needs.

With a 40-year paint film warranty and long-lasting springs, investing in a SteelBlue roll-up door is an investment in the long-term safety and efficiency of your facility.

The Bottom Line:

Roll-up doors are an essential component of many facilities, providing both security and efficiency. While the cost of a high-quality roll-up door can vary depending on the materials used, labor costs, size, customization, door opening mechanisms, and purpose, investing in quality is worth it in the long run.

SteelBlue offers a range of high-quality roll-up doors with competitive prices and a 40-year paint film warranty. Our doors are designed to meet a variety of needs and our expert team can help you choose the right door for your business. Contact SteelBlue today to learn more about our products and how we can help you maintain a secure and efficient facility.