Different Types of Elevator Doors — All You Need To Know

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Designing an elevator requires considerable consideration of materials, budget, and quality. However, another important thing to pay attention to is the type of elevator door you install. Elevator doors come in all shapes and sizes. Beyond just their opening styles, they are even more diverse.

They are made of different materials, operate at different speeds, and serve many different purposes. Each door has advantages and disadvantages, and you need to choose the right door to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.

So, read on as this guide tells you about the elevator doors that will help you end up with the best one for you.

 

Learning the Basics About Elevator Doors

If you have an integrated elevator on the way up, you’ll see two different door systems at play: landing doors and cab doors. For efficiency and cost-effectiveness, it will be necessary to have a door at each landing and a separate door for each entrance.
While most lift cabs typically have only one front door, commonly referred to as an entry/exit-same-side configuration, there are cases where you may encounter a second entry point on the opposite side. Conversely, a new cab door would be required in rare cases.

Elevators can also boast three doors, providing three distinct access points to the vehicle. Reducing the number of destinations or taxi gates not only reduces costs but also reduces the potential for service issues.

 

Elevator Door Systems for Standard Elevators

There are two separate door systems for standard elevators: the landing and car doors (cab doors).

Landing Doors

These are the doors you see on each building floor where the elevator stops. Landing doors are there for the safety of people waiting for the elevator and to prevent access to the elevator shaft when the car is not present. They open and close automatically when the elevator arrives at a particular floor.

 

Car Doors (Cab Doors)

These are the doors that enclose the elevator car itself. Car doors provide access to the elevator’s interior and are responsible for ensuring passengers’ safety during the ride. They open when the elevator reaches a floor and stay closed while the elevator is in motion.

 

How Elevator Doors Work

Elevator doors are deceptively simple! As simple as it may sound, the opposite is true. They have a clever design that puts your safety first and at the same time allows you to move quickly. They operate within an interconnected system to ensure safety and efficiency.

The elevator itself must be properly aligned with the floor. To set that up, sensors continuously measure the position of the car to ensure a smooth transition as passengers enter and exit. A series of events are unfolding as the elevator comes down to you.
The inner door, which is the door you interact with, opens first. The control system sends a signal to a motor that energizes the opening mechanism. This motor is usually electric and works in conjunction with a pulley system or linear drive to pull the door open.

The outside door follows, often going in opposite directions. These doors usually open automatically but can be operated manually in an emergency.

It is important to configure the two gates to ensure that there are no differences or discrepancies. The sensors we discussed detect an obstruction or resistance when closing the doors, and respond by blocking the doors and causing potential damage The elevator doors will not close if something or someone is in the way.

 

Elevator Door Types By Door Opening Method

You must have been in too many elevators at this point. And one thing you may have noticed is that not all elevator doors open the same way! Here is a detailed breakdown of all the different methods of unlocking with their advantages and disadvantages.

 

Swinging Elevator Door

These doors open automatically, usually your regular double doors variety. One of the main differences between swinging elevator doors is the way they work. Instead of sliding up, these doors pivot on hinges and swing in or out to allow access to the elevator.

They are one of the cheapest you can find. However, vibrating elevators require more space than usual. Passengers may need to physically push or pull on swinging elevator doors, which can be difficult for individuals with limited mobility.

 

Manual Elevator Door

As you can see, the passenger doors have to be manually opened and closed. Moreover, these are one of the cheapest options as they save not only the initial cost but also the operational costs. However, they are the easiest to use and unlikely to be used in a commercial environment.

Manual operation can sometimes cause issues such as doors being left partially open, not closing at all, or even opening at the wrong time, which can disrupt elevator performance and compromise safety.

 

Automatic Elevator Door

Automatic doors are by far the most convenient when it comes to passengers. They don’t take much time either. But these things are expensive.

Sensors on these doors detect a stable floor and open automatically, without any problems. Automatic elevator doors are the main choice in almost all residential and commercial elevators.

 

Sliding Elevator Door

This elevator door is the most common type. The doors slide up and the lift opens from the center. They are ideal for people with disabilities and those who need comfort.

 

Scissor Gates as Elevator Door

The grid table system consists of interconnected steel frames or supports. When closed, these frames provide a compact barrier and save space. To move, passengers or elevator users manually extend or collapse doors, similar to how an accordion or scissors machine works.

Although it offers greater visibility and ventilation, a canvas door is not the safest option. In addition, some have even complained that they are not so good looking.

 

Elevator Door Types By Door Opening Configurations

There’s one last thing to consider before picking the best elevator doors, and that’s their opening configuration.

Single Speed Elevator Door

The door Single Speed Elevator Door type operates at a constant speed for both opening and closing. This makes it predictable and avoids any sort of accidents. These doors consist of a single door panel that moves horizontally to provide access to the elevator car. The use of a single door simplifies the design and operation of the elevator door system.

Single Speed Center Elevator Door

Featuring a single door in the center of the car, it’s space-efficient but may limit accessibility within the elevator. The fixed speed of these doors may not always provide an optimal level of safety. If a sudden obstacle in the door’s path, a variable-speed system might be better at slowing down or stopping to prevent accidents.

2 Speed Elevator Door

These doors open quickly for access and close slowly for safety. It improves passenger safety and improves overall passenger efficiency. 2-speed elevator doors can adjust to different conditions, balancing speed and safety.

Based on factors such as passenger traffic, floor clearance, and safety considerations, they can adjust their speeds to provide a smoother and safer elevator experience.

2 Speed Center Elevator Door

Like 2-speed doors, it combines fast entry with slow closing security, making efficient use of space. They open from the middle and save time during arrival and departure.

3 Speed Elevator Door

These are the most advanced elevator doors. The three-speed doors are designed to operate at different speeds during different stages of elevator travel.

When the elevator is at a standstill and passengers are boarding or exiting, the doors open slowly, allowing plenty of time for a safe and secure entry or exit.

Once the doors are fully open, they switch to control speed well-controlled and effective operations to get the passengers going. When the elevator is ready to depart, the doors close faster to reduce passenger wait times. However, these features come with high installation and maintenance costs.

 

 

Elevator Door Types By Material

There are limited options when it comes to the building material of elevator doors. You can get them in either stainless steel or glass.

Stainless Steel Elevator Doors

Stainless steel elevator doors are the go-to option. They are sturdy, classic, and long-lasting. Not much can harm stainless steel, and that’s why these doors have such profound longevity if properly maintained. You can get them in:

  • Decorative Stainless Steel
  • Plain Stainless Steel

Glass Elevator Door

Before you think about the safety of glass as a door, the glass used here is not regular. It is tempered glass that is as strong as metals. It promotes proper visibility through the doors while also taking their aesthetic appeal to new heights.

 

Get Yourself the Right Elevator Door

If you’ve reached this point, you likely realize how important it is to invest in a quality elevator door. Dazen is your first choice!
We understand that finding the perfect elevator door takes more than just money. Investing in the right elevator door is about quality and safety. Dazen is a well-known manufacturer and supplier of elevator parts. We have a dedicated team that specializes in customizing elevator doors to your specific needs.

Here at Dazen, you can also find famous elevator doors like the Fermator Door, and Mitsubishi Door. Being an integral part of the supply chain of China’s globally leading elevator industry sets us apart as you benefit from competitive pricing and fast delivery.

Our commitment to quality is based on a one-year free warranty. Each year we deliver over 200 of the 40HQ elevator doors. These statistics speak volumes about the trust people have placed in us over the years. Plus, our fast delivery ensures that you won’t have to wait for your elevator doors to arrive. So, get in touch today!

Share this

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Send Your Inquiry Today

en_USEnglish