As you can imagine, water damage is one of the biggest risks to metal components in industrial doors. Corrosion and rust can often take time to build up, but once it does, the damage it does can be irreversible. Therefore, any door you choose to install on your premises needs to be fit for your purpose and last you a long time.
Metal doors in most areas of the UK keep the risk of corrosion under control because of the finishes that help to protect against adverse weather and conditions. Even in the rainy UK, that does not compare to the impact wet conditions have on steel doors in more extreme environments, such as on an oil rig or ship.
Doors do not need to be directly exposed to moisture daily or battered by waves every day to start to suffer from corrosion; coastal areas will usually see more corrosion than areas inland because the humidity is much higher near the coast. Saltwater is also far more corrosive than fresh water. The combination of salt and humid air means metal in these conditions corrodes 10 times faster than it would inland.
Of course, a weather-resistant steel door in a coastal town or a warehouse close to the docks will not rust overnight, however, it still does not offer the best protection from corrosion in a coastal or maritime setting. We need to make sure that your door will offer you the best protection for a long time.
Steel doors for coastal properties and maritime usage
Specialised marine-grade steel doors are recommended for any high humidity environments with high humidity or exposure to moisture because they offer maximum resistance to the damage caused by harsh conditions, using zinc-coated, galvanised and stainless steel to ensure optimum protection. With the added protection of weather seals around the doors to keep water out, the marine-quality paint also means that the colour lasts as long as the metal.
These doors have become essential for use at a wide range of commercial and industrial coastal locations, such as oil rigs because they resist the wear and tear that would cause a regular steel door to become irreparably damaged. Due to swimming pools facing similar challenges with their doors, they are popular choices there too.
A wide range of other industrial doors will work well in wet environments, but they will require more upkeep and maintenance to prevent damage and will likely have a shorter lifespan than other doors that have been designed to work well in these conditions.
If you have any questions about selecting the appropriate industrial door for your business, including marine-grade doors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can advise you of the level of protection you require for your particular environment and the best way to achieve it with minimal upkeep and additional expense. Doors are tailor-made to your exact size, material and aesthetic needs and we will find a solution that works for you.