Signs Your Automatic Doors Need an Upgrade or Modernization

All technology has a lifespan, and if you’re feeling like your automatic doors might be nearing the end of theirs, don’t panic. Even if your equipment might be showing signs of slowing down, you may only need to upgrade or modernize certain parts of your doors to bring them back to life, rather than have to fully replace the whole system.

You can think of an “upgrade” as the equivalent of replacing the tires on your car—it’s normal for your tires to wear out faster than other parts of your vehicle and easy enough to switch them out for new ones. Comparatively, the “modernization” of your automatic doors would be similar to replacing your engine, safety systems, and the technology of your car to make it perform like a newer model—the vehicle still has the same body and frame, but the technology that makes it run is newer and more up-to-date.

Both an upgrade and a modernization can improve the performance of your automatic doors, but an upgrade improves one specific part of the system while modernization delivers a broader transformation. And, fortunately, both are more affordable alternatives to a complete system replacement. So, how do you know whether it’s time to upgrade or modernize your doors?

Common Warning Signs

It can be hard to assess when your automatic doors are experiencing a temporary moment of difficulty versus when it might be an indication of a larger problem. Fortunately, there are a few common warning signs you can look out for that indicate it might be time to make a change:

Your doors need servicing more than a couple times a year – We recommend getting your automatic doors serviced once or twice a year to maintain their overall lifespan, but if you’re needing more frequent servicing or repairs, it may be a sign that your doors are experiencing more deep-rooted issues that can be resolved with an upgrade or modernization.

Your doors/your door technology is older – If your automatic doors are getting up in years and showing signs of significant wear and tear, it may be time to upgrade or modernize them. Especially if your doors’ technology, such as the operator or the sensors, are outdated enough that they no longer meet current ANSI standards, you’ll want to make some changes to ensure that your doors are compliant.

Replacement parts are hard to find – Another sign that it might be time to upgrade or modernize your automatic doors is that it’s becoming harder and harder to find the replacement parts you need. If the manufacturer no longer makes the necessary components for your doors, switching to upgraded or modernized automatic doors will save you a lot of headache trying to hunt down parts that are becoming rarer and more expensive.

When an Upgrade or Modernization Makes Sense

If you’re wondering when it makes sense for you to make a change to your automatic doors, here are a few scenarios where an upgrade or modernization can make a huge improvement:

Your door panels and framing are still in good condition – If your automatic door panels and framing are still in great shape, there’s no need to replace everything. You can simply use a modernization kit in this case, which will easily replace your door’s existing motor and control. You can reuse your door panels, header, and frame, and get a brand new motor, control, belt, and carriage wheels, helping you transform the performance of your equipment at a fraction of the cost of an entire replacement.

You’re experiencing frequent disruptions or failures – Are your automatic doors down for extended periods of time, or failing so frequently that it’s causing major disruptions for visitors to your building? This could be a sign that it’s time to make an upgrade or modernization. An AAADM-certified technician can help you identify the key parts of your door system that need to be modified so that you can get your doors moving smoothly again and restore your doors’ reliability and your customers’ confidence.

Multiple major components need to be repaired or replaced at the same time – Are you at the point where several key parts of your automatic doors need to be fixed? This is a great time to upgrade your system. Especially if you’re facing repeat issues with more major parts of your doors, it might be more cost effective to install a modernization kit, rather than try to replace each part individually. This way, you can solve multiple problems in one visit.

Your repair costs keep increasing – If it keeps getting more and more costly each time you call your serviceperson, it may be time to upgrade or modernize your automatic doors. Our team of professionals can assess the cost of your previous repairs alongside what any future repairs might cost and will tell you whether investing a bit more now to upgrade or modernize your system might actually save you money in the long run.

The same issues and/or intermittent problems keep showing up, despite repairs – If you continue to experience the same issues and/or have problems that have been difficult to diagnose and resolve permanently, upgrading or modernizing your automatic doors can spare you additional headaches and costs. Rather than keep chasing down the exact issue, replacing the difficult component with a newer part can resolve the issue altogether. And because it’s no longer a simple repair or service, but rather an upgrade/modernization, some customers are able to keep the costs out of the maintenance budget and capitalize on the spend instead.

Your automatic door equipment is near the end of its lifespan – If your doors have served you well for years and are starting to show signs of their age (e.g., opening and closing slowly, sticking or jamming, etc.), it’s time to make a change. Especially if your building experiences a high volume of visitors or is experiencing higher volumes than it used to, installing a modernization kit can help keep traffic moving smoothly and prevent your doors from experiencing any malfunctions due to failing technology.

Newer parts/technologies aren’t compatible with your automatic door equipment – Technology advances quickly these days. If key components of your automatic door system no longer work with the latest technologies, you’ll need to upgrade these parts to ensure your doors stay up-to-date and compliant.

Your building is in a remote location – If your building is in a location that’s difficult to service (e.g., rural, in the mountains, only accessible via ferry, etc.) and you’re experiencing issues with your automatic door system, it may be simpler to make an upgrade or modernize your doors, rather than attempt to have multiple maintenance calls to fix the issue.

Improvements After Upgrading or Modernizing

The great news is that the benefits of upgrading or modernizing your automatic door system are plentiful and immediate:

• Fewer service calls,
• More reliable day-to-day operations with less unplanned downtime,
• Smoother and quieter automatic door performance,
• Improved user experience, including better control over the doors’ opening and closing,
• Extended equipment lifespan through updated technology and components,
• Entrance solutions that better match your building’s traffic and operation needs,
• Improved door and entrance aesthetics,
• And perhaps most importantly, higher satisfaction for all your building’s visitors.

A Real-World Example

Not entirely convinced? PetSmart, one of our customers, experienced these immediate improvements firsthand.

For a number of years, they struggled with mechanical issues with their older doors. While the doors themselves were still in decent condition, they were not operating as smoothly and consistently as they used to. Rather than completely replace all of their doors, our team worked with them to install a modernization kit, which drastically improved the functionality and reliability of their doors. Now, their cash flow has improved (as they no longer have to pay for regular repairs), their staff has more time to focus on serving their customers (as they no longer have to manage door malfunctions), and—most importantly—the pets and pet parents who shop there are now safe while entering and exiting.

It can be difficult to know whether or not an upgrade or a modernization of your system would be right for your automatic door system, and that’s where we come in to help. Our team of specialists are here to support and guide you in making the best decision for your automatic doors, helping you continue to welcome visitors into your building for years to come.