How to Choose the Right Automatic Door System for Your Building Type

Automatic doors provide convenient access into commercial and public premises. They also come in various designs to suit different levels of footfall and environments. 

DUK Doors brings you a complete guide on how to choose the ideal automatic door systems for your premises, highlighting the different types, where they’re best suited and the different factors to consider before choosing the ideal automatic door.

Why One Door Doesn’t Fit All 

Just because your competitors have automatic sliding doors, for example, it doesn’t mean that system will be best suited for your building. You should ask yourself these key questions to help you determine which automatic door will be best:

• What is the building type?

Different buildings serve different purposes, and their entrances must support those functions. For example, healthcare requires hands-free operation, retail stores need highly visible entrances, whereas office buildings may prioritise energy efficiency and controlled access.

• How much traffic is expected?

Traffic volume plays a major role in determining the right system. Will hundreds of people pass through every hour? Will equipment and large deliveries regularly move through?

• What are the accessibility and safety requirements?

Does your building need to comply with DDA or other accessibility regulations? Will elderly individuals, children or mobility-impaired users frequently use the entrance?

• What budget and maintenance parameters are in place?

Choosing the right door system isn’t just about upfront costs; it’s about total lifecycle value. Think about your installation budget, maintenance plans and how critical uptime is to your daily operations.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Automatic Door

Foot Traffic and Usage

This factor is one of the most essential to consider. Different businesses will have varied levels of foot traffic, with retail stores accommodating heavy levels throughout the day and during peak business hours. Healthcare settings will have unpredictable footfall at entrances to A&E, for example, but also require controlled access throughout interior zones. 

Accessibility and Regulations

Certain premises require the correct automatic door systems to meet strict accessibility requirements and regulations. Care homes and healthcare facilities require wide openings for wheelchairs and patient trollies, and education premises need systems that adhere to safeguarding regulations. 

Energy Efficiency 

Is energy efficiency a priority for your business? Some doors require less energy than others and feature openings that help businesses save on energy bills. Automatic doors with fast open-close cycles, advanced sensors and proper sealing all help to minimise your climate-controlled air from escaping and the outside air from entering.

Security and Access Control 

Automatic doors are the next level up from manual doors in terms of security. For one, they close after every use, which helps to limit unauthorised access and tailgating. The hardware of the doors is far more robust and durable than manual alternatives, and automatic doors can integrate controlled access like keypads and card readers, meaning only those authorised can use them. Fortunately, many of the different automatic door types can be integrated with access control, so if security is of a high priority, you’re in luck. 

Aesthetics and Branding

Your replacement automatic door should elevate and complement the aesthetic appeal of your building. There are options for different coloured frames, glass types such as frosted and textured, and you also have the chance to add your own branding. 

Maintenance and Longevity

It’s important to understand that to remain safe, functional and secure, installing a new automatic door comes with the commitment of ensuring it’s properly maintained. Proactive maintenance increases the longevity and security of your door and spots issues early to reduce the risk of downtime. Maintenance packages are always good to agree to, as you won’t be paying for far more costly repair jobs if something goes wrong. 

Our Automatic Door Types

At DUK Doors, we install and maintain a range of automatic door systems that are perfectly suited for different types of premises. 

Sliding Doors

Automatic sliding doors are one of the most featured door types found across various sectors. They’re available as single, double, telescopic or curved designs, and offer a wide opening compared to other door types. Many retail premises feature automatic sliding doors, thanks to a professional appearance, quick opening and an accommodating entrance that supports DDA requirements. 

Swing Doors

Another very popular option is automatic swinging doors, which are motorised hinged doors that open using motion sensors, push plates or access controls. They’re popular for hospitals, offices and retail entrances requiring accessibility and hygiene. They’re popular because of hands-free operation, DDA compliance, offering a smooth traffic flow, energy efficiency and improved convenience for people with disabilities. 

Revolving Doors

Automatic revolving doors rotate around a central axis, allowing continuous entry and exit while minimising air exchange. They’re ideal for high-traffic buildings like hotels, airports and office towers. They’re often chosen for their superior energy efficiency, quiet operation, enhanced climate control and impressive, professional architectural appearance. 

Which Automatic Door Type is Best for Your Building?

Care Homes and Assisted Living Spaces

Care homes and assisted living spaces require safe, quiet and fully accessible entrances. Automatic sliding doors are typically recommended for main entrances, while automatic swing doors suit internal corridors and bedrooms. 

Both these door types support wheelchair access, walking aids and staff-assisted movement. With features like touchless entry, soft-close mechanisms and obstacle detection sensors, they enhance resident safety and reduce any physical strain. 

Education and Public Buildings

Schools, colleges and public buildings experience high footfall at peak times. Automatic sliding doors are recommended for main entrances thanks to their durability and ability to manage heavy traffic efficiently. They improve accessibility for students, staff and visitors, including those with disabilities. They can also easily be integrated with access control systems to enhance site security, while energy-efficient glazing helps reduce heating costs. 

Discover the ideal automatic door for your school with DUK Doors. 

Healthcare

At DUK Doors, we’ve supplied and installed the ideal automatic doors for healthcare settings, including sliding doors for entrances and swinging doors for corridors, as well as hermetic sliding doors for areas requiring extreme hygiene and climate control. 

Healthcare settings will have automatic doors integrated with touch-free access to minimise cross-contamination and support smooth patient transfers. Along with quiet operation, sliding and swing doors help contribute to a calmer healing environment. 

Hospitality 

Hotels, restaurants and leisure venues benefit from welcoming, energy-efficient entrances, and automatic revolving doors are the ideal solution for main entrances. Not every hospitality premise is large enough for revolving doors, so sliding doors are best suited for smaller venues. 

Both these systems enhance the guest experience with smooth, hands-free entry and improved draught reduction, and in tandem help businesses reduce energy costs while creating a premium first impression. 

Offices

Office buildings require professional, secure and energy-efficient solutions. Again, automatic sliding doors are ideal for internal and mid-sized entrances, while revolving doors are best for larger corporate headquarters. 

Both support access control integration, improve traffic flow during busy periods and reduce heat loss. The result is enhanced building efficiency, improved security and a sleek corporate appearance. 

Retail and Shopping Centres

A sector that features some of the highest levels of footfall is retail environments, so they need durable doors that can handle this high frequency. Automatic sliding doors are the preferred choice for shops and supermarkets due to their wide, clear openings and reliability, while larger shopping centres may use automatic revolving doors to improve energy efficiency. These doors help to improve customer flow and accessibility, plus they enhance climate control and lower utility bills. 

Safety and Compliance Standards

Automatic doors in the UK must meet strict safety and regulatory standards to ensure safe operation for all users.

Key Safety Features

• Presence detection sensors to prevent doors from closing on users
• Safety light curtains and motion detectors
• Controlled opening and closing speeds
• Emergency break-out or manual override systems
• Clearly marked glazing for visibility
• Regular maintenance and documented safety checks

Automatic doors must comply with:

• BS EN 16005 – Safety in the use, design and testing for power-operated pedestrian doors, including swing, sliding and revolving
• The Equality Act 2010 – Ensuring accessibility for disabled users
• Approved Document M of the Building Regulations – To ensure people can access and use buildings and their facilities

Case Studies

Double Door Swing Package – St Luke’s Hospital

Same Day Sliding Door Call-Out – JCB Golf Club

New Entrance System for B&M In Cheshire

Choose DUK Doors for Your Automatic Door System

Choosing the right automatic door system comes down to your level of footfall, security, accessibility and focus on energy efficiency. Matching the aesthetics and size of your entrances with the right door is also a key consideration, as well as ensuring the right features and access requirements are integrated to suit your specific sector. 

At DUK Doors, we install and maintain a range of automatic door types across the UK, helping businesses gain seamless entrances and adhere to all necessary safety, accessibility and building regulations. Talk to our team, and we’ll help you discover the right automatic door for your premises.