How European Garage Doors Are - DASMA Door and Access ...

3HeadLines Today’s Top News StoriesHow European Garage Doors AreBy Frank Goedhart,Chief Marketing Officer,FlexiForce Group, NetherlandsPass doors are common. New: 1" threshold.46 Door & Access Systems | Spring 2011DIFFERENTAresidential or commercialsectional overhead door isbasically the same productworldwide. However, severaldifferences make it impossible toexchange the European version withthe North American door.The basic design is similar.For example, both can make useof insulated sandwich sections,and both are generally guided in a2" track system.Key DifferencesIn Europe, the standard garage doorincludes angle-mounted verticaltracks with an integrated jamb seal.Since wood framing is not alwayscommon, we don’t usually haveclimate seal or stop molding.Instead of a graduated verticaltrack system, European doorstypically have fully adjustableedge hinges. Finger-protectedmeeting rails on the sections arecommon, comprising about 80percent of the market.On industrial doors, compactgear-drive jackshaft operators arestandard. In this market, thereare virtually no trolley operators,even on normal headroom doors.Optical sensors inside safety edgesand anti-drop devices are commonsafety features.There are two kinds of anti-dropdevices: one that protects against cablebreakage and one that protects againstspring breakage. Both are standard onindustrial doors, but only the springversion is standard on residential doors.Driven by StandardsThe garage door in Europe is continuallyevolving to meet a higher qualitystandard. This constant improvementis driven by the European Harmonized33Tracks have an integrated jamb seal.Cell phones now open doors.Standards, or CE norms, for doors and gates.The standards require third-party testing ofcertain performance standards that are postedfor the end user.These standards include wind load, airinfiltration around and through the door, waterpenetration around the perimeter and betweenthe sections, and the thermal insulation value(a calculated U-factor) of the door. Thesecharacteristics must be valid not only atinstallation, but also guaranteed for a life spanof at least 30,000 residential and 100,000commercial cycles.At first the CE norms encountered majoropposition in the market, but now, doorcompanies see that even end users havebecome more aware of quality versus price. Asa result of the CE norms, all door producersmake a better product today, and the productsare more objectively comparable.European TrendsWhat is hot in the European market today? Atrecent door exhibitions in Europe, we’ve seenthese product trends:continued on page 48

3 3Stainless steel-framed windows are hot products.• Thicker sections.Although 40mm(1.57") is still thestandard, panelsuppliers haveintroduced 50-, 60-,and even 80mm(3.15") panels. Thischange is beingdriven by “greensustainability”; thatis, reducing longtermenergy costsof the buildingenvelope.• Greater visual appeal. Section suppliersoffer an unlimited range of finishes andcolors including wood grains and mural artscenes. The market share for raised-paneldesigns is decreasing, while new designswith vertical grooves or high-tech flat panelstyles are increasingly popular.• Accessories. Stainless steel-framed windowsin round, square, and rectangular shapes aretrendy. Recessed illuminated lift handleswith solar-powered LEDs have just beenintroduced. The addition of high-qualitywindows or other accessories can double theselling price of the complete door, but it doesnot stop homeowners from ordering them.New: Illuminated lift handles with solar-powered LEDs.continued from page 46• Pass doors (wicket doors/walk-thru doors)are very popular in Europe, even in residentialdoors. Newest is the finger-safe pass doorintegrated in a finger-safe sectional doorfeaturing a flat or low (1") aluminumthreshold. This pass door was first introducedby Hörmann last year, and every supplier nowoffers it.• New technology. New cell phone (GSM)modules can open a door anytime fromanywhere simply by calling a certain number.Hard wiring for electrical safety devices (suchas photo eyes) is being replaced by wirelesstechnology. IR light curtains take door safetya step higher than the use of a single IR beam.Coming SoonThe service and replacement market is nowclearly recognized as a money-makingopportunity. With an installed base of aroundfive million commercial sectional doors, onwhich regular maintenance is mandated by CEnorms, major global companies are developingstrategies for after-the-sale maintenance andrepair programs.New European Union CE norms arecoming. “Burglar resistance” is one of theprincipal subjects. When a building is moresecure against burglaries, annual insurancefees decrease significantly. Of course, sectionaloverhead doors play a major part in this newhome security trend. Stay tuned!The SmartDCSwitchSwingSmartDCTMSlideSmartDCTMCall your authorized HySecurity distributor. www.hysecurity.comQuick. Easy. Profitable.48 Door & Access Systems | Spring 2011