In cold rooms and throughout the cold chain, the door is where most energy is lost. Every opening lets in warm, humid air, which turns into condensation, ice on the guides and extra work for the evaporators. That is why high-speed doors for cold rooms are not an optional extra: they are one of the fastest-payback investments in a temperature-controlled warehouse.
Why a standard door is not enough for a cold room
At the transition between an ambient area and a chilled or frozen room, three problems add up:
- Thermal loss: the longer the opening stays open, the more cold escapes and the more warm air gets in.
- Condensation and ice: incoming moisture freezes on the curtain, guides and floor, creating risks for safety and for the mechanisms.
- Constant traffic: forklifts and pallet trucks pass through dozens or hundreds of times a day, so the door must be fast and withstand impacts.
GLG’s Cold range: high-speed doors for cold rooms down to -30°C
The ZipGO Cold range is based on ZipGO, our vertical-technology high-speed door, with changes to the curtain and structure that make it suitable for controlled transit between areas at different temperatures. There are two main versions.
ZipGO Cold single insulated curtain: down to -10°C
In the standard version, the ZipGO Cold single insulated curtain keeps the cold in thanks to an insulated curtain. It is the typical choice for chilled rooms, refrigerated warehouses and areas down to around -10°C.
ZipGO Cold Double: double curtain and warm chamber down to -30°C
Freezer rooms need something more. ZipGO Cold Double is designed with a double curtain and an internal warm chamber: this configuration manages the transition between areas at different temperatures down to -30°C, reducing heat loss and ensuring comfort and safety during transit.
How to choose between the two versions
| Situation | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Chilled room, fruit and vegetables, dairy, refrigerated warehouse | ZipGO Cold single insulated curtain |
| Freezer room, frozen and deep-frozen goods | ZipGO Cold Double |
| Anteroom or passage between two rooms at different temperatures | Assessment during site survey |
Besides temperature, the number of passages, the size of the opening, the presence of anterooms and the type of vehicles all matter. That is why, for cold chain projects, we always recommend a free site survey.
Don’t forget the loading bay
The point where the lorry meets the warehouse must also be sealed. The DSH-C retractable dock shelter with reinforced frame is designed to provide an optimal seal even at the sub-zero temperatures of cold rooms. We cover this in our dedicated guide to loading bays.
Food industry and hygiene
If the door operates in a food company, hygiene standards matter as well as temperature. For processing, maturing and storage areas there is ZipGO Food, designed to meet the requirements of the food sector.
Frequently asked questions
How low a temperature can GLG cold room high-speed doors handle?
ZipGO Cold single insulated curtain is suitable down to around -10°C, while ZipGO Cold Double, with its double curtain and warm chamber, manages transitions down to -30°C.
What is the warm chamber?
It is a space between the door’s two curtains that limits heat exchange between the two areas and helps reduce the formation of condensation and ice during transit.
Does a high-speed door really cut cold room energy use?
Yes: by closing the opening immediately after each passage, it reduces the ingress of warm, humid air, and therefore the workload of the refrigeration system and the build-up of ice.
Can it be installed on an existing cold room?
In most cases, yes. During the site survey we check measurements, side and top clearances and wall conditions to propose the correct configuration.
Do you supply or install doors for the cold chain? Partner with us: Become a GLG dealer and add our high-speed doors for cold rooms and loading bay solutions to your offer.
Talk to a cold storage specialist
Tell us the room temperature, the size of the opening and the number of daily passages: we will propose the right door and, if you wish, come and see the installation. You will also find all the options on our Quotes and consultation page.
