%402x.svg){kind=icon}
Australia is known for its tough climate. From the scorching summers of the outback to the cyclonic winds of the northern coast and the bushfire risks in regional communities, our buildings face some of the harshest conditions in the world.
And while walls, roofing, and insulation often take centre stage in construction, there’s one crucial feature that’s too often overlooked: the doors that protect your facility.
Why Weather-Resilient Doors Matter
Industrial and commercial doors aren’t just for access — they’re the first line of defence against the elements. A poorly chosen door can mean:
- Water ingress during storms
- Heat loss (or gain) through thin or poorly insulated cores
- Warped frames from UV and temperature exposure
- Security risks in extreme wind events
For sheds, factories, warehouses, and farm buildings, the right door isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Cyclones and High Winds
Northern Australia is regularly battered by tropical cyclones. In these regions, doors must be wind rated to withstand extreme pressure and flying debris.
At Larnec, we manufacture cyclone-rated industrial doors, such as the Sentry 200.47 PA Door, which is designed and tested to perform under severe wind loads. Choosing wind-rated doors isn’t just smart — in many cyclone-prone areas, it’s essential.
BAL vs Fire Doors
It’s important to understand the distinction between bushfire attack level (BAL) compliance and fire doors. BAL ratings focus on protecting a building from external bushfire exposure — including embers, radiant heat, and direct flames. Fire doors, on the other hand, are tested to AS 1530.4 to provide internal fire resistance, slowing the spread of fire from one area of a building to another. While some doors can be designed to meet both standards, BAL compliance and fire ratings are separate certifications that address different risks.
Compliance with the NCC
In designated bushfire-prone areas, the National Construction Code (NCC) requires that buildings incorporate products — including personal access doors — that meet the relevant BAL construction requirements. For doors, this often means using non-combustible materials such as steel, along with compliant seals, glazing (if applicable), and frames that can withstand bushfire conditions.
Larnec’s Advantage
At Larnec, our steel-clad personal access doors are naturally suited to bushfire compliance thanks to the non-combustible properties of steel. Depending on the configuration, our doors can achieve compliance up to BAL–40, giving property owners confidence in high-risk areas. Additional features such as fire-rated cores, perimeter seals, and durable metal cladding further enhance performance, ensuring our doors meet both safety requirements and the practical needs of industrial, commercial, and rural applications.
Extreme Heat and UV Exposure
Australia’s intense sun can wreak havoc on building materials. Low-quality doors may fade, warp, or break down after just a few years of exposure.
That’s why powder-coated, COLORBOND® steel-clad doors are ideal — they’re designed for UV stability and long-term performance in outdoor environments. Pair this with insulated cores (EPS or PIR), and you also improve the thermal efficiency of sheds and workshops. See our shed door solutions here!
Rural and Agricultural Challenges
On farms, doors need to handle dust, dirt, and constant use. Hinges, locksets, and frames must be durable enough for the everyday knocks of agricultural life. Many Larnec Sentry PA doors can be fitted with weather seals as an option, making them ideal for industrial, agricultural, and commercial environments.
How They Work and Where They’re Used
Weather seals are installed around the perimeter of the door frame — along the sides, head, and threshold — to close the small gaps between the frame and the door leaf. They’re typically made from durable rubber, brush, or PVC extrusions, and when the door is shut, the seals compress to form a tight barrier against dust, drafts, and moisture. This simple but effective design makes them particularly valuable in demanding environments such as farms and machinery sheds, workshops and warehouses, transportable buildings in remote areas, and even mining and resource facilities where protecting interiors from the elements is critical.