When it comes to hangar doors, not all are created equal. They serve three critical purposes: to keep the elements out, climatized air in, and beasts and vermin out.

Vertical Bi-Fold Doors

The most popular hangar door option is a bi-fold door. These doors are designed to be easily opened and closed manually without power. The doors can be clad in steel, polycarbonate, or wood and can be configured to suit many styles of airplanes or hangars.

These doors offer a good value for standard-size box hangars that require a limited wind zone or environment with low winds. Typically, these doors are seen on farm buildings and nested t-hangars. They utilize a top guide rail that imposes structural load across the width of the opening, which can be a concern for some building designs.

The hydraulic door is a newer design competing with the bifold for market share. These doors operate using hydraulic pistons rather than cables or straps, which reduces maintenance needs and can offer a lower initial building height requirement. Air plenum swing doors and blast-hardened and shielded hangar doors are also available for unique aircraft or environments where a standard door won’t work.

Sliding Doors

Flying in their aircraft without clearing a significant route through the hangar door construction is made possible by the side sliding hangar door. When there is limited room, it is an excellent solution.

They are easy to use and operate with a simple manual system. They also save on structural support requirements since they don’t impose a vertical load on the building’s structure like bi-fold doors do.

They are easy to operate and offer much value for your money. They are resilient and handle a variety of climate conditions well. They keep the elements out and climatize air, as well as control the entry of creatures and other undesirable pests. In addition, these types of doors are less expensive than hydraulic swinging doors.

Hydraulic Swinging Doors

Aircraft hangar doors serve three purposes:

• They keep the elements out.
• They keep climatized air in.
• They control the entry of creatures and vermin.

Not all types of doors accomplish these tasks equally well.

When building a new hangar or retrofitting an existing one, power-operated hydraulic swinging doors are an excellent choice. They can be opened easily remotely, and their operation is smooth, quiet, and maintenance-free. They store neatly inside the building sidewall and are not prone to problems that often plague unpowered sliding hangar doors. Two sets of bifold liftstrap doors with decorative cladding are installed at these beautiful hangar homes.

Canvas Doors

Airplane hangar doors are more than a means to access a plane; they’re a primary active safety measure for aircraft and passengers. It’s crucial to be aware of the different hangar door designs available, regardless of whether you have a Cessna or Boeing, as there are numerous options to suit your requirements. The simplest solution is a simple bi-parting hangar door. These are motorized and counterweighted for easy operation and a sturdy, dependable design.

For aviators who fly experimental or otherwise unique airplanes, Hansen Pole Building kit owners turned to Schweiss for a big HydraTilt door that utilizes hydraulics to tilt up and open. The result is a self-supporting door that allows great headspace and requires less initial build height than traditional swinging doors. Plus, it’s a lot easier to install and operate. Aircraft hangar curtains are also a good option for protecting an aircraft from the elements, especially in cold weather. These are easy to install and serve with drop cords, providing a secure and affordable solution to partitioning or solid doors.