What Type of Automatic Door is Best for a Shop?
Choosing the right automatic door for your shop can make a real difference to customer experience, energy efficiency and day-to-day operations. But with several types of automatic shop doors available, it’s not always easy to know which is the best fit for your premises.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key benefits of automatic doors for retail, break down the most common types and their ideal use cases, and share practical advice on how to choose the right solution for your shop.
Why Automatic Doors Are Ideal for Retail
Automatic shop doors are a perfect solution for a variety of reasons, including:
Improved Accessibility
Automatic doors are ideal for creating accessible retail environments. They’re entirely hands-free and allow easy access for wheelchairs, prams, mobility aids and trolleys.
Modern Aesthetics
Give your shop a fresh new look and create a welcoming, modern entryway with a tailored automatic door.
Accommodate Heavy Foot Traffic
By opening on demand, automatic doors avoid delays caused by people stopping to open manual doors. This allows easy traffic flow at peak periods, improving customer comfort and reducing the likelihood of injuries.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Automatic doors close independently when not in use, helping to reduce heat loss and conserve energy. This keeps your utility bills down and minimises your carbon footprint.
The Most Common Type of Automatic Doors for Shops
Automatic Sliding Doors
- Perfect for high-traffic environments
- Sliding doors keep the entryway clear
- Ideal for accessibility
Sliding automatic shop doors are a staple in retail environments of all types and scales. They look sleek and help you make the most of your available space while accommodating customers of all abilities.
Automatic Swing Doors
- A cost effective way to upgrade existing doors
- Perfect for smaller shops
- Suitable for narrower doorways where sliding doors won’t fit
Automatic swing doors are ideal for smaller retail settings or those with older or narrower doorways where sliding doors aren’t an option. Existing swing doors can even be retrofitted with automation systems for a highly cost-effective solution.
Automatic Revolving Doors
- Highly energy efficient
- Remove direct connection between indoors and outdoors
- Perfect in larger shopping centres
Revolving automatic shop doors make perfect entrances for large-scale retail environments. They allow continuous traffic flow while drastically reducing heat loss and minimising energy usage.
FAQs
What safety features do automatic shop doors have?
Automatic shop doors are fitted with a range of safety features to protect staff and customers alike. Common features include motion and presence sensors, safety beams, obstruction detection, controlled opening and closing speeds, emergency break out features and fail safe operation.
How long do automatic doors typically last?
With routine maintenance and servicing, automatic doors can be expected to last 10 to 20 years, depending on usage. High traffic environments might experience more wear, so may need servicing or replacements more often, but a proactive approach can reduce this.
Are automatic doors required for accessibility compliance?
Automatic doors may not be strictly required to meet accessibility requirements, but they are a simple, cost-effective way to ensure compliance. They provide easy access for customers of all abilities.
How often should automatic doors be serviced?
Typically, automatic doors should be serviced at least once a year. However, exact maintenance schedules will depend on environment and usage. To get a bespoke maintenance plan for your automatic shop doors, call our team now on 0330 133 3795.
How To Choose the Right Automatic Doors for Your Shop
Consider Your Customer Foot Traffic
One of the first things to evaluate is your customer foot traffic. The number of people who are likely to be using your door in a day will influence everything from the size of door you should install to the type. It’s important to account for seasonal fluctuations too, in order to prevent traffic jams at peak periods.
Assess Available Entrance Space
The size of your entryway will determine what type of automatic shop door you can install. For example, sliding doors require more space either side of the entryway than swinging doors, so if your entrance is narrow, you may be limited to swinging or revolving doors.
Think About Accessibility Requirements
Consider the needs of all your customers. You should ensure your automatic doors provide comfortable access for customers of all abilities, as well as those with prams or trolleys.
Evaluate Energy Efficiency and Climate Control
Different doors offer varying levels of energy efficiency, depending on the way in which they open. Revolving doors, for example, are highly energy efficient but may not be suitable for all shops. It’s important to find a balance between climate control and suitability for your shop and clientele.
Consider Aesthetics and Branding
Aesthetics and brand consistency are highly important in retail, and you should factor this into your door choice. Select doors which help elevate the look and feel of your shop and effectively convey your brand image.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Automatic Door For Your Shop
The right choice for automatic shop doors can vary depending on the specifics of your premises. However, automatic sliding doors are usually the best choice. They provide a wide opening, maximum convenience and keep the entryway completely unobstructed.
The final consideration when evaluating your options should be long-term maintenance and servicing requirements. Choosing a lower-maintenance system can help save you time and money in the long run.
For help selecting the right doors for your shop, just reach out to our friendly team. With over four decades of experience helping shop owners upgrade their premises, we can recommend, source, install and maintain the perfect solution. Get in touch today by calling 0330 133 3795, emailing info@northerndoorsolutions.co.uk or filling out our contact form.