Large Automatic Telescopic Door Installation for Car Dealership

SDG Access recently completed the installation of a large automatic bi-parting telescopic door system at a car dealership in Grantham.

The dealership needed an entrance that could work for everyday pedestrian access while also providing enough clearance for vehicles to be driven into and out of the showroom.

The new automatic telescopic doors provide both, with two opening modes designed around how the entrance is used.

The Challenge

The existing entrance consisted of a large sliding door and fixed screen.

As the entrance is used mainly by customers and staff on foot, the dealership did not need the doors to open to its full width every time they were used.

Opening the entire entrance for every customer would also allow more warm air to escape from the showroom, particularly during colder weather.

At the same time, the dealership occasionally needs to move cars into and out of the showroom. This means the entrance must be capable of providing a much larger clear opening when required.

The challenge was to provide one entrance that could accommodate both everyday pedestrian access and vehicle movements.

The Solution: Automatic Telescopic Doors

SDG removed and disposed of the existing door and fixed screen before supplying and installing a new automatic bi-parting telescopic door system and frame.

The new system was manufactured using a standard commercial aluminium door suite, with the aluminium powder coated in the customer's chosen RAL colour.

The door leaves and main fixed screens were fitted with clear double-glazed safety glass, providing a modern appearance while allowing plenty of natural light into the showroom.

Because the entrance is positioned on a ramp and needs to accommodate vehicles, the installation was completed without a threshold.

The automatic door system was also programmed with two different opening modes.

Reduced opening for everyday access

The normal operating mode opens the doors to a reduced width, providing the access required for customers and staff entering and leaving the showroom.

Using a smaller opening for everyday pedestrian traffic also helps to reduce unnecessary heat loss from the building.

Full-width opening for vehicles

When a vehicle needs to be brought into or taken out of the showroom, the doors can be switched to full-width mode.

This provides the additional clearance required for cars to pass through the entrance without having to compromise the normal day-to-day operation of the doors.

A Flexible Entrance for the Dealership

The completed installation gives the dealership a more flexible entrance that can adapt to how the showroom is being used.

For normal pedestrian traffic, the reduced opening helps limit heat loss. When a vehicle needs to pass through, the doors can open fully to provide the required clearance.

The combination of automatic operation, telescopic sliding doors and two opening modes provides a practical solution for a busy showroom where the entrance needs to serve more than one purpose.

For businesses looking for automatic telescopic doors, this project demonstrates how the right door configuration can provide both everyday accessibility and the larger opening required for vehicle access.