How Schweiss Doors Is Innovating Hydraulic Door Technology

Schweiss Doors Erects New Manufacturing Building As Showcase For New Door Frames
Photo Credit: Schweiss Doors | DesignandBuildwithMetal.com

A leader in hydraulic doors and header frames for over 40 years, Schweiss continues to innovate. Recently featured in DesignandBuildwithMetal, their latest is erecting a new manufacturing facility to serve as a showcase for the company’s new “free-standing” header frames. The 90 by 94-foot metal building will have an inside clearance of 20 feet and will feature three hydraulic doors that illustrate the company’s free-standing header frames integrated into the hydraulic doors, allowing the doors to support themselves with no reliance on the building structure itself. Owner Mike Schweiss says, “The building and free-standing hydraulic door design will be a real exhibit that displays the new stand-alone hydraulic door. There’s nothing on the market like it.”

The doors measure 20 feet by 14 feet; 28 feet by 17 feet; and 37 feet, 7 inches by 17 feet. The Gray wall panels of the building are 3-inch expanded polyurethane sandwich panels with an R-value of 21. The doors are all sheeted with 2-inch ribbed tin with a black exterior and a flat liner inside sheeting, allowing for two inches of insulation for an R-value of 14.

Schweiss says the expansion will serve as an additional door building shop, featuring six welders and custom-designed hoist systems throughout the facility to help maneuver the door frames. Production in the new facility started during the first week of March.

About Schweiss Doors

Schweiss’ story began in 1980 when they manufactured a 12′ x 12′ bifold door and installed it on a Renville County Highway shed. Today, they have become the lead manufacturer of One-Piece Hydraulic Doors and Lift-Straps Bifold Doors for Industrial, Commercial, Farm Shop and Airplane Hangar applications. They can build it any size without sacrificing headroom and offer three styles of custom-made doors that range in size from 6′ width to 140′. These include the newly designed Liftstrap Bifold door, the “One-Piece” Hydraulic door, and their architectural Designer Door lines (pictured below).

The Schweiss Patented Lift-Strap design has virtually revolutionized the bifold door industry and made them a leader in the bifold door market. It utilizes nylon web material rated for 29,000 lbs. that quietly and smoothly lifts and lowers the door. Straps are quiet, clean, faster, rust-free, durable and longer lasting than steel cables. 

Schweiss Doors has been exhibiting at METALCON for over a decade and we look forward to welcoming them back this October in Vegas.

METALCON is produced in partnership with PSMJ Resources, Inc. and the Metal Construction Association.

Share:

More Posts from the METALCON blog:

Beyond the Roof: The Business Case for Metal Buildings

Discover why developers are increasingly choosing metal buildings for faster construction, earlier revenue generation, lower lifecycle costs, and greater cost predictability. Learn how metal building systems can reduce risk, protect long-term asset value, and strengthen project ROI – and why METALCON is the place to evaluate the solutions shaping the future of construction.

Read More »

METALCON 2026 Puts Education and Training Front and Center

Expanded program features hands-on demos, market outlooks, Florida CE credits and a new Latino Track As METALCON marks its 35th anniversary in 2026, an expanded education and training program will give professionals from across the entire metal construction ecosystem new opportunities to build skills, improve performance and prepare for the year ahead. Taking place Oct. 7–9, in Orlando, Fla., this year’s program will emphasize practical training, market intelligence, technical education and business-focused learning. With workforce development, changing codes, economic uncertainty

Read More »

The Hidden Cost of Outdated Construction Knowledge in Metal Projects

Outdated construction knowledge can quietly drain profitability from metal construction projects through delays, rework, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. This blog explores how evolving technologies, continuous training, and industry innovation are reshaping expectations — and why staying informed through METALCON helps contractors, fabricators, architects, and suppliers stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.

Read More »

METALCON to Feature MLB Pitcher Jim Abbott & Industry Economist Kermit Baker

At the only event where the metal construction industry comes together to make decisions, build partnerships and shape what’s next, METALCON’s keynotes will deliver timely perspectives on resilience, uncertainty and opportunity this October in Orlando. Inspirational speaker and Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott will deliver “Nothing Can Stop You” on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a meet and greet. His keynote will focus on resilience, gratitude and the ability to turn challenges into strengths. Through his

Read More »

Beyond the Roof: Rethinking the Building Envelope with IMPs

Beyond the Roof: Today’s Insulated Metal Panels are helping architects and designers tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges — from energy efficiency and resilience to sustainability, speed of construction, and modern building envelope performance.
At METALCON, the conversation goes deeper through the Design District @ METALCON, where architects, engineers, specifiers, contractors, and manufacturers come together to explore the future of high-performance building design.

Read More »

METALCON Launches 40 Under 40 Recognition Program

Recognizing the rising leaders shaping the industry METALCON has launched its new 40 Under 40 Recognition Program, highlighting rising leaders driving the future of metal construction. Forty professionals, age 40 and under, will be honored for their work influencing projects, teams and processes – from jobsites and fabrication floors to engineering and design – at the only event where the metal construction industry comes together to make decisions, build partnerships and shape what’s next. “The program spotlights professionals who are already making an impact

Read More »

Top Metal Construction Materials for Construction Projects

From ancient tools to modern skyscrapers, metal has always played a defining role in how we build. From ancient tools to modern skyscrapers, metal has always shaped how we build. In our previous post on ancient metallurgy, we explored how early innovations still influence today’s materials — read the full blog here. Now, that evolution is accelerating. New materials, smarter systems, and advanced applications are reshaping construction at a rapid pace. Because of this, understanding the most common metals used

Read More »

Ancient Metallurgy Lessons for Modern Metal Construction 

The evolution of metalworking is a story of constant innovation — one that began thousands of years ago. Our latest blog explores how lessons from ancient metallurgy still shape modern metal construction. At METALCON, that story continues, bringing professionals together to discover the technologies and insights defining what’s next.

Read More »