What was the Biggest News at Expo 2000?

© 2000 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Summer 2000
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 28

What was the Biggest News at Expo 2000?

Pat Hoffert, Metro Overhead Door, Portland, Ore.
Manufacturers Carried: Wayne-Dalton, Stanley, Northwest, Windsor, R&S, Raynor, Genie, Lift-Master
Years in Business: 16

I think Wayne-Dalton’s DoorMaster operator was the biggest announcement. They say it’s UL-approved without photo-eyes. It has a DC motor, and it can be installed in limited headroom. We plan to install a few in low headroom situations or in a garage where a beam is in the way of the rail. If they work out for us, we will incorporate them in our line of operators.

Martin and Northwest displayed copper doors, and I heard that a third company also showed one. It was amazing that all three companies came out with it at the same time. Everybody I talked to was talking about the copper door. Because it’s an expensive door, it might not sell a lot, but it’s for upscale houses.

Raynor had a nifty fabric door, and they said the cost was only a third of the price of a typical high-speed fabric door. If somebody hits it, they can put it right back in the track. It was interesting because it had no springs, and it operated with just a Lift-Master EGJ operator.

Dan Pregler, Overhead Door Company of Dubuque, Iowa
Manufacturers Carried: Overhead, Ideal, GADCO
Years in Business: 18

The biggest news was the ArmorTite concealed counterbalance system. It provides a more attractive installation, it’s safer for the homeowner, and it’s easier to install.

Besides that, I was glad to see that the Overhead OverDrive opener will be here June 19. It opens at twice the speed of a regular door, and it’s much quieter. It’s got a DC motor, and the entire motor assembly looks like a light in the garage. I think it’s a new and innovative product for the industry.

Dave Hatheway, Automatic Door Specialists, San Diego, Calif.
Manufacturers Carried: Raynor, Clopay, Overhead, Windsor, Holmes, Lift-Master, Genie
Years in Business: 21

I thought the exotic metals like copper and stainless steel were quite interesting, and I’m glad to see the manufacturers refining their composite doors. Although steel is our mainstay, more customers are trying to get away from it without going to wood.

Opener technology is constantly changing. I am glad to see progress towards quieter and higher-end machines. We need products that differentiate up from the hardware stores and big boxes.

One manufacturer now has a rail-less opener, but unfortunately, it can only be used on their door. Many homes in our area were not designed with sectional doors in mind. We are often replacing one-piece tilt-up doors where beams and headroom are a problem. A reasonably priced rail-less operator would really help us.