If you have ever walked into a shop without touching the door, you have used one – but what is an automatic door, exactly? This 2026 guide answers what is an automatic door, explains how it works, the main types, where they are used, and how Coetz supplies, installs and services automatic doors across South Africa.
What is an automatic door?
An automatic door is a powered entrance that opens and closes on its own when someone approaches, without anyone having to push or pull it. It combines a door (usually glass) with an overhead operator, sensors and a controller, all set up to recognised automatic door technology safety principles so it opens hands-free and closes safely.
How does an automatic door work?
A motion sensor detects someone approaching and signals the controller, which drives the operator to open the door. The door stays open for a set time, then closes gently – while safety sensors keep it from closing on anyone in the opening. See how the mechanism and the sensors work together.
The main types of automatic door: what is an automatic door
Automatic doors come in a few forms to suit the opening and traffic:
- Sliding doors – the everyday shopfront and mall choice.
- Swing doors – a hands-free upgrade for hinged entrances.
- Telescopic doors – a wide opening within a narrow wall.
- Bi-parting doors – two panels for wide, busy entrances.
Why businesses use automatic doors: what is an automatic door
Understanding what is an automatic door also means seeing the benefits: beyond convenience, automatic doors improve accessibility for wheelchairs, prams and trolleys, keep conditioned air inside, add a professional welcome, and can tie into access control for security. That is why you see them at malls, hospitals, offices and stores. Browse the full automatic doors range to see the options.
Where automatic doors are used
Automatic doors suit almost any busy entrance – shopping centres, hospitals and clinics, offices, hotels and retail stores. For controlled entry, they pair with a door entry system so the door opens only for authorised people.
Why choose Coetz
Coetz supplies, installs and services automatic doors as one accountable team. We match the door, operator and sensors to your building and traffic, commission it to safe operation, and back it with repairs, maintenance and genuine spare parts.
Coetz has years of experience with automatic entrances across South Africa, from single shopfronts to multi-door developments. We match the operator, sensors and glass to your traffic and building, install to standard, and back every entrance with service and genuine spare parts – so the door keeps working long after the invoice is paid.
Supply, installation and service across South Africa
As a Gauteng-based team we install and service across the region and supply nationwide. Whether it is a single shopfront or a multi-door development, your automatic door is supplied, fitted and maintained by Coetz – with fast local response.
Getting an accurate quote
Now that you know what is an automatic door, thinking about one for your premises? Tell us the opening size and traffic level and browse our automatic doors range, and we will specify the right door and quote supply and installation.
What is an automatic door in simple terms?
An automatic door is a powered door – usually glass – that opens and closes on its own using an operator and sensors, so people can pass through hands-free.
How does an automatic door know to open?
A motion sensor detects someone approaching and signals the controller to open the door; a safety sensor keeps it from closing on anyone in the opening.
What types of automatic door are there?
The main types are sliding, swing, telescopic and bi-parting automatic doors, chosen to suit the opening size and traffic.
Where can I get an automatic door?
Coetz supplies, installs and services automatic doors across South Africa – tell us your opening size and traffic for a quote.
What is an automatic door: what our estimators check
Clients ask us, What is an automatic door? The honest answer depends on the opening, the traffic through it and what the building already has in place, so the checklist below is what our estimators actually work through.
- The structural opening. Measure the brickwork opening rather than an existing frame, and note whether the reveal is square.
- Traffic and duty cycle. A quiet office entrance and a centre entrance passing thousands of people a day are not the same specification.
- Power and controls. Confirm what supply reaches the head of the opening, and whether access control, an intercom or a fire panel must interface.
- Glass. Coetz™ glazes as standard with 6.38 mm clear laminated safety glass.
- Service access. Automatic door systems are installed and serviced by our team, so plan for periodic servicing from day one.
If that question applies to one specific opening on your project, send us the sizes and a photo of the existing entrance. That is normally enough for us to answer it, and to quote, without a site visit.
Leave a Reply