Framed Openings vs. Roll-Up Doors: Why Many Customers Choose to Install Their Own Garage Doors.

When planning your custom steel building, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is what type of garage doors to install. At The NC Builders, we offer standard roll-up doors as part of our packages—but more and more of our clients are opting for framed openings instead. Why? Because it opens the door (literally) to more insulation, customization, and convenience.

Let’s talk about why framed openings are becoming one of our most requested upgrades.

1. Better Insulation for Year-Round Comfort

If you’re planning to insulate your building, whether for a workshop, garage, or even a home office space, a standard roll-up door may not cut it. Most of the roll-up doors available through our manufacturers are not insulated—even when upgraded to electric.

By opting for a framed opening, you can hire a local garage door company to install an insulated electric door that fits your climate and building use. In areas with hot summers, cold winters, or high humidity (hello, North Carolina!), this extra insulation goes a long way in maintaining a comfortable interior and cutting down on energy costs.

2. Seamless Electric Operation for Daily Use

If you’re using your building every day—for parking, projects, or deliveries—ease of access matters. Electric garage doors provide a smooth, button-press operation that many of our clients prefer over the more manual nature of a roll-up.

Even though a few of our manufacturers offer electric roll-up door upgrades, they’re typically not insulated—and the upgrade cost can sometimes rival what you’d pay a local company to install a fully insulated electric door with all the bells and whistles.

3. Style That Matches Your Property

Roll-up doors do the job—but let’s face it, they’re usually basic white and industrial-looking. If curb appeal is important to you, framed openings give you total freedom to install a door that matches the style of your home or business.

Customers have installed:

• Wood grain finishes

• Modern glass panel doors

• Custom colors and designs

• Traditional carriage-style doors

Whether you’re aiming for rustic charm or sleek modern, the look of your garage door can tie everything together—and a local installer can make it happen with ease.

From basic to brilliant: Our expertly framed openings partnered with the client's custom garage doors transformed this structure.

4. Flexibility for Specialty Projects (Yes, Even Airplane Hangars!)

Our framed openings aren’t just for standard garages—we’ve built structures with custom openings large enough to fit airplanes. If your project calls for a specialty door or a massive clear span, we’ll provide the framed opening and structural integrity, and your door professional will handle the rest.

This flexibility is one of the reasons builders, farmers, and aviation enthusiasts across the Southeast trust The NC Builders to get it right.

5. Easy Coordination with Local Garage Door Companies

One of the best parts? Nearly any garage door company can install into our framed openings. We handle the structural work—framing the opening to your specs—and your local team pops in the garage door that’s right for you. It’s fast, efficient, and ensures you get exactly what you want.

Ready to Customize Your Steel Building?

If you’re thinking about insulation, daily use, or just want to add style and value to your building, ask us about framed openings. It’s a simple upgrade that unlocks a world of possibilities.

Call The NC Builders today at 800-789-3074 or visit www.TheNCBuilders.com to request your custom quote. Let’s build something that works for you.