Automatic Doors

[TechGuy]

Howdy all,

I just bought an express exterior tunnel in PA. It has an old garage door at each end that the employees open by hand when the wash is open. In the winter, the doors are still left open and they run several portable kerosene heaters and knock the ice off the equipment. There are no automatic doors.

I'm thinking that we need at least one automatic door just to keep the wind from blowing through. The tunnel faces north/south. The exit of the tunnel faces the street (north). I am also concerned about long-time customers seeing a closed door and assuming the wash is closed, despite any signage I may add.

Two questions:

1. Would you recommend adding an automatic door to the entrance only (south), exit only (north), or both?

2. I've been looking at Wyndstar, which look very nice, although expensive. Also, they don't look like they'd be enough for security when closed. Any recommendations?

Thanks and happy holidays!

 

[car washing systems inc]

Howdy all,

I just bought an express exterior tunnel in PA. It has an old garage door at each end that the employees open by hand when the wash is open. In the winter, the doors are still left open and they run several portable kerosene heaters and knock the ice off the equipment. There are no automatic doors.

I'm thinking that we need at least one automatic door just to keep the wind from blowing through. The tunnel faces north/south. The exit of the tunnel faces the street (north). I am also concerned about long-time customers seeing a closed door and assuming the wash is closed, despite any signage I may add.

Two questions:

1. Would you recommend adding an automatic door to the entrance only (south), exit only (north), or both?

2. I've been looking at Wyndstar, which look very nice, although expensive. Also, they don't look like they'd be enough for security when closed. Any recommendations?

Thanks and happy holidays!

We have done airlift xrs at 2 tunnels and they work great, they still have regular doors that they close at nite and open the airlift

 

[TechGuy]

Thanks for the quick reply! The Airlift XRS look great, too. How does the cost compare to the Wyndstar? How did you install the Airlift doors in addition to the existing doors? I'm guessing the Airlift could be installed on the exterior?

 

[Whale of a Wash]

In our harsh environment--Today is 3 outside and the alaskan doors with
magnaglides are working perfectly. Down to 20 outside we don't need to heat
the bays they stay above freezing. The alaskans would eliminate one door, and
for the iba they have plastic tracks -keeps ice build up to a minimum. Between the kerosene heaters and knocking ice off, alot of expenses.

 

[car washing systems inc]

Thanks for the quick reply! The Airlift XRS look great, too. How does the cost compare to the Wyndstar? How did you install the Airlift doors in addition to the existing doors? I'm guessing the Airlift could be installed on the exterior?

I dont now how the price compares to wyndstar i have never sold or installed them. Airlift can be installed on the outside. The nice thing about Airlift is if you get the model with the emergancy release if the door fails you are back in action in a few seconds rather than cranking the door up witch taked some time.

 

[Mr. Clean]

We put the Airlift XRS in before last winter and couldn't be happier with it. Considered the Wyndstar also, but chose Airlift for three reasons: Voltage, Airlift had a 120V option; their speed slightly faster with at 120V; emergency release mechanism from outside was smoother. No chain involved. Prices were similar. I would recommend installing on north end assuming this is where prevailing wind comes from. We also installed a pressure treated 2x6 as a sill to prevent drips on exiting vehicles.