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This article covers everything you need to know about elevator doors. It covers elevator door types and elevator door opening mechanisms. Also, consider how much an elevator door costs and how to choose the right elevator door type.
This comprehensive information is from a door manufacturer’s perspective.
At Dazen, we manufacture and supply different elevator doors. They include car doors and landing doors. We also offer automatic doors, manual doors, swing doors—you name it.
For an elevator door that will meet your specific requirements, you can contact our door expert today.
An elevator door consists of an elevator landing door (outer door) and car door (inner door). It also includes a guide rail frame, door operator system, trickle wheel, we block, door frame, and sill.
Elevator Car Door
Elevator car doors are the doors that open into the elevator shaft. They act as barriers between the elevator car and the shaft. The car door allows you to enter and exit the elevator car from the building floors.
The elevator car door consists mainly of a door operator, door panel, safety device, and car sill.
The door operator is the power source of the elevator door system. It works by using an electric motor to open and close the doors.
The door operator consists of the electric motor, controller, and deceleration mechanism. It also includes a transmission mechanism and a guiding mechanism. It also comes with a door knife device, car door interlock switch, etc.
Elevator Landing Door
An elevator landing door is installed at each floor entrance to the elevator shaft. The landing door gives you access to the elevator car.
The landing door includes the door mechanism, which may include motors, pulleys, cables, and controllers.
Elevator Door Types
When choosing a car door or landing door, the door mechanism is a vital factor to consider. It describes how the elevator door opens and closes.
Automatic Center Opening Doors
Automatic center openings are doors that open from the center. They act like a pair of curtains, sliding to both sides.
They are available in different designs. They include 2-panel, 4-panel, and 6-panel center opening doors.
Two-panel center opening doors is the most common compared to others.
They are used in various types of buildings, such as offices, shopping mall, residential, villas, and hotels.
Automatic Telescopic doors
The automatic telescopic doors work by sliding horizontally and overlapping one another. This makes them compact yet provides a wide opening.
They are more suitable for applications such as hospitals, warehouses, service elevators, etc., where large instruments, beds, supplies, etc., are frequently transported.
There are three types of automatic telescopic doors. They are: 2-panel and 3-panel telescopic doors.
You choose between the two based on elevator door size and space. Also, consider the efficiency, and accessibility.
2-Panel Telescopic Doors
They slide horizontally and telescope to open and close. Minimizes the space required to open and close elevator doors. It requires less maintenance than doors with more panels. In addition, its installation and operation are less complex.
3-Panel Telescopic Doors
The panels slide sideways and telescope to open or close the car. The extra panel makes 3-panel doors have a wider opening. This improves convenience.
Swing Elevator Door
Swing elevator doors open by swinging on hinges. It’s like how you open a regular door in a building.
Elevator doors can swing manually or automatically. But mostly, they are manual.
Swing elevator doors are mostly landing doors for home elevators. They are also suitable for buildings with limited space.
They save space and reduce costs. They have a simple system and are easier to install than sliding doors.
How Do Elevator Doors Open and Close?
The doors open and close by communicating with different parts of a door system.
1. Control System: The elevator system is the elevator’s brain. It receives signals from buttons and sensors to determine when and where to open or close the doors.
2. Door Operator: You can liken the door operator to the human muscle carrying out an activity. It opens and closes the door through the motor once it receives a signal from the control system. It also consists of gears and pulleys.
3. Sensors: These are the “eyes” of the doors. They are placed around the door frame to detect obstructions and ensure safe operation. When they detect something, such as people or objects, they stop the doors from closing.
4. Opening and Closing Sequence:
- When the elevator door arrives at a floor, the control system gets signals. The signals order the doors to open. The motor in the door operator then gets activated, causing the doors to open.
- While it is fully opened, passengers enter or exit the elevator.
- After a specified period or by pushing a button, the control system orders the doors to close. The motor in the door operator reverses. It pushes the doors until they shut.
- If the door finds an obstruction, the doors will stay open to prevent accidents.
Elevator Door Material
Stainless steel door panels are common in elevator doors. But not all elevators are stainless steel. Some elevator doors are made of painted panels, glass, and wood decoration panels. This guide will help you choose the right material for your elevator door.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is highly popular due to its exceptional strength, resistance to wear and discoloration, ease of cleaning, attractive appearance, as well as its safety and fire protection properties. Currently, 80% of elevator doors on the market are crafted from stainless steel.
You can choose plain or decorative steel for your elevator door. You can also choose between 201 and 304 steel. However, regardless of the type chosen, stainless steel generally has a thickness of 1.2mm or 1.5mm.
- Aesthetics: Plain stainless steel gives a clean and minimalist look. But decorative stainless steel has many patterns and textures, they add beauty to your elevator door.
- Functionality: Plain stainless steel is easy to clean and resistant to corrosion. Decorative stainless steel may require extra care when cleaning.
- Budget: Since it undergoes extra processes, decorative stainless steel is more expensive.
Painted Panels
The panels are painted. They come with many finishes and can be customized to meet specific designs.
Aside from its visual appeal, they are tough. They can withstand the wear and tear of elevator use. This ensures that the elevators keep their appearance over time.
Glass
Elevator doors made of glass offer a modern and elegant look. They create a perception of openness and space in the elevator. They reduce the need for artificial lighting. They let natural light pass through, lighting the interior.
Glass elevator doors come in various styles and finishes. These include decorative patterns, clear, mirrored, and acid-etched. You can choose based on your personal preference.
They are durable. They are also easy to clean and long-lasting. This makes them a practical choice for panoramic elevator.
Wood Decoration Panels
Wood decoration panels offer elegance and durability. They also have insulation and customization options.
They are suitable for elevator swing doors. They offer a warm and inviting atmosphere. They create a sophisticated look that fits many interior design styles.
How Much Does an Elevator Door Cost?
The price of an elevator door is influenced by various factors, such as the material used, the size of the door, and whether the core components are imported or not. As a manufacturer of elevator doors, Dazen provides the following reference prices:
- Dazen stainless steel elevator door: $270-$285 for the landing door, and $710-$730 for the car door.
- Dazen spray-painted elevator door: $185-$190 for the landing door and $630-$657 for the car door.
If you need more specific pricing, you can get in touch with our elevator door experts. We will respond to your inquiry within 8 hours.
Factors Affecting the Price of an Elevator Door
Door Material: The cost of materials differs from one to the other, which significantly impacts the cost of the door. High-quality materials often come at a premium price.
Design Complexity: Customization options such as unique finishes colors, branding or decorative patterns increase the manufacturing cost. Hence, increase the overall price of the door.
Size and Dimensions: larger or non-standard-sized doors comes at higher costs compared to standard doors. That’s because it requires more material and manufacturing effort.
Safety Features: Safety features such as sensors, interlocks, or emergency opening mechanisms, increase the cost of the door. However, they are essential for compliance with safety regulations.
Door type: Automatic opening and closing mechanisms or touchless controls, come with a higher price tag due to the integration of technology.
Brand: Reputable brands may charge higher prices for their products compared to rising brands or generic options.
Elevator Door Manufacturers
1. Fermator
Originated in Spain, the main market is Europe, Mid East, and South America.
2. Mitsubishi
Originated in Japan, main market is China, South East Asia, and South America.
3. Dazen
At Dazen, we manufacture and supply high-quality and durable elevator doors across the globe. We also supply well-known brands such as Fermator. And certificated by EN 81-20/50 and CE certification.
If you struggle to find the right elevator door for your building, kindly get in touch with our experts now. We will provide you best solution.