Natural stone, solid timber, facing brick: cladding a garage door in noble materials changes everything. Here is how we reinforce our aluminium frames and fine-tune our balancing system to move monumental loads in complete safety.
1. The structure: a reinforced aluminium frame
Even to carry up to 1,000 kg, we keep our expertise built on the lightness and corrosion resistance of extruded aluminium. However, the physics of a door loaded with heavy materials over large spans (up to 7 metres wide) calls for specific treatment.
- Stiffeners and structural tensioners: we integrate dedicated stiffeners and adjustable tensioners. This network of reinforcements minimises the risk of warping and deflection under the weight of the cladding, keeping the assembly rigid over time.
2. Balancing and guidance: from calculation to on-site adjustment
Contrary to common belief, the motor does not have to 'lift' 1 tonne on its own. The key lies in a counterweight balancing and guidance system, calculated and adjusted to the kilo. This happens in two stages.
- Theoretical calculation: from the project phase, the theoretical cladding weight is estimated to size the overall counterweight mass.
- Physical adjustment on site: during installation, the final balance is fine-tuned on site by adding or removing 5 kg counterweight plates.
- The result: at the balance point mid-travel, the mass is so perfectly neutralised that the door can be moved by hand with two fingers. The electromechanical drive is never overstrained, preserving its mechanics and guaranteeing its longevity.
3. Safety: mechanical redundancy and electronic control
Moving heavy cladding above an opening demands flawless passive and active safety.
- Twin 5 mm cables on each side: where a standard installation uses a single 3 mm cable, we double up with two 5 mm cables per side, offering a widely oversized mechanical safety margin.
- Integrated electronic detection: our drive (SEIP DR300) features ultra-sensitive force management. At the slightest change in pressure or obstacle along the travel, the control board instantly stops and brakes the movement.
4. Support for your projects
To ensure smooth integration on your site:
- We provide architects and contractors with installation dimensions, the required reservations and the estimated total weight of the structure.
- We guide you through the masonry prerequisites to guarantee solid anchoring before the door is delivered.
This structural approach, from theoretical calculation to on-site adjustment to the kilo, is what lets us accept cladding up to 1,000 kg where a standard door stops at a few dozen kilos.
