Samson Atlante: The Robust Choice for Large Industrial Openings
When you need to secure a large warehouse opening, aircraft hangar, or agricultural barn without the complexity of overhead tracks or high-maintenance springs, the Samson Atlante Straight Sliding Door is the engineered solution. Combining traditional reliability with modern thermal efficiency, these doors are designed to work hard in the toughest UK environments.
Built for Strength, Designed for Warmth
At the core of the Atlante system is a robust 52mm double-skinned steel panel filled with high-density polyurethane foam. This construction does two things: it creates a formidable security barrier against intruders, and it delivers exceptional thermal insulation. Unlike single-skin roller shutters that bleed heat, the Atlante helps maintain a stable internal temperature, lowering your energy costs and protecting your stock from damp and frost.
Fully CE marked and compliant with UNI EN 13241-1 safety standards, the Atlante offers a "fit and forget" solution for businesses that value long-term reliability over short-term savings.
Supply and Installation
Made-to-Measure Precision with Flexible Installation Options
We understand that no two industrial buildings are the same, which is why we don't stock "standard" sizes. Every Samson Atlante door is manufactured to your exact dimensions, ensuring a perfect seal and professional finish whether you are replacing old barn doors or outfitting a new warehouse.
We also offer complete flexibility in how you buy. For tradespeople, we can provide the door as a comprehensive Supply Only kit for straightforward self-assembly. Alternatively, Samson Doors offers a full Survey and Installation service across the UK, where our engineers handle everything from the initial measure to final safety commissioning.
Operating Arrangements and Stability
The Atlante is a straight sliding door and can be configured in several different ways depending on door size, weight and site conditions. It can be installed internally or externally, making it suitable for new buildings and retrofit projects alike.
Available configurations include:
Top-hung without floor track: The door is suspended from a top track and guided at floor level by a wedge system. This keeps the floor clear while maintaining stability.
Top-hung with floor track: A floor track is fixed into the concrete to guide the base of the door, improving stability and smoothness, particularly on wider or heavier doors.
Bottom-rolling with floor track: The door weight is carried on wheels running on a bottom rail, with the top section guided by ball-bearing rollers.
For very large openings, a dual-track arrangement can be specified. This allows the Atlante to cover widths of almost 30 metres, making it suitable for large industrial bays and wide access openings.
Sizes and Configuration
All Atlante doors are made to order. Sizes are determined by the opening and usage requirements, with the operating system selected accordingly.
The straight sliding format allows flexible panel arrangements, whether the door slides fully to one side or uses multiple leaves, depending on the available space and how the opening is used day to day.
Colours and Surface Finishes
The Atlante is available with a wide choice of surface finishes to suit both industrial and more customer-facing buildings.
Finish options include smooth panels, smooth panels with a woodgrain effect, and stucco texture. A broad range of factory-painted colours is available, with additional colours and laminate foil finishes offered as optional extras.
In most cases, the external face is chosen to suit the building appearance, while the internal face is kept neutral and practical.
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Glazing, Access and Practical Options
The Atlante can be supplied as a fully solid door, partially glazed, or almost fully glazed depending on the application.
Glazed versions are commonly used in showrooms, internal workshops, garages, garden centres and internal factory zones, where light and visibility are important while still maintaining separation and control.
Optional features include:
- Integrated pedestrian access doors
- Enhanced weather sealing
- A range of locking systems
These options allow the door to be adapted for security, access frequency and environmental control.
Manual or Electric Operation
The Atlante can be operated manually or fitted with electric motor drive.
Electric operation is usually specified for larger doors or where frequent opening is required. The motor and control system are selected based on door size, weight and expected daily use to ensure smooth and reliable performance.
Control options range from simple hold-to-run systems to more advanced configurations where required.
Thermal Performance
The 52 mm insulated panel used in the Atlante has an individual panel U-value of approximately 0.5 W/(m²·K). This figure relates only to the panel itself.
When installed, the complete door assembly will have a higher U-value due to perimeter gaps and the nature of sliding door operation. For doors of this type and quality, fitted U-values are typically in the region of 1.3 to 1.4 W/(m²·K).
The Atlante includes a gap beneath the door, with a brush seal option available. For building regulations or formal energy calculations, the fitted door U-value is the relevant figure. With bespoke sliding doors, a single declared value is rarely possible due to the number of variables involved.
Summary
The Samson Atlante straight sliding door is a practical, durable solution for industrial and commercial buildings requiring large, reliable access openings.
It offers a strong insulated panel construction, flexible installation options and a wide choice of finishes and configurations. The sliding design saves space, operates quietly and suits applications where frequent or partial opening is required.
Made to measure and adaptable in specification, the Atlante is designed to be straightforward to use and dependable over the long term.
Get in Touch
Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and discover how the Bredasys Samson Atlante can elevate the functionality and appearance of your premises.
Call us today on 01933 44 88 50
Email enquiries@samsondoors.co.uk or check out some of our more standard doors in our online shop.
Product Ranges
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A simple insulated straight sliding steel door system with configurable panels and tracking, suitable for internal or external use across many sectors.
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A well-established range of straight sliding steel doors, available in general-purpose and fire-rated versions. |
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Samson Atlante & PSD Sliding Doors: Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose a straight sliding door over a roller shutter?
Straight sliding doors are significantly more reliable for low-use or very large openings. Because they don’t rely on springs or cables under tension, there is far less mechanical stress on the components. They are also easier to operate manually in a power cut and allow for partial opening—letting you create a small gap for pedestrians without opening the entire door and losing heat.
Can these doors be installed without a floor track?
Yes. The Samson Atlante can be specified as a "top-hung" system where the door is suspended entirely from the upper track. This leaves your floor completely clear of obstructions, which is ideal for forklift traffic or uneven ground. For very large or heavy doors, a bottom floor track is recommended to provide extra stability against wind load.
How effective is the thermal insulation?
Very effective. The 52mm double-skinned steel panels are filled with high-density polyurethane foam, offering a panel U-value of approx. 0.5 W/(m²·K). While the fitted U-value of the entire door system (typically 1.3 - 1.4 W/(m²·K)) accounts for seals and tracks, this still offers superior insulation compared to a standard uninsulated roller shutter, helping to reduce energy bills in heated warehouses.
Are they suitable for high-frequency use (opening many times a day)?
While they can be automated for regular use, sliding doors are generally slower to open than high-speed roller doors. They are best suited for openings that are used a few times a day (e.g., morning and evening) or for "occasional" access bays. If you need rapid cycles for a busy logistics hub, we might recommend a high-speed roller door or Sectional door instead.
Can I match the colour to my building cladding?
Absolutely. We offer a wide range of standard factory finishes, but the steel panels can be powder coated to almost any RAL colour. We can also supply woodgrain laminates or stucco textured finishes if you need to match existing architectural features or hide potential scuffs in a busy yard.
Do I need a pedestrian wicket door?
Not necessarily. One of the main benefits of a sliding door is that you can simply slide it open by a metre to let a person through. However, if you want a dedicated, lockable access point without moving the main door, we can integrate a wicket door directly into the main panel with a low-threshold option to prevent trip hazards.
Are these doors fire rated?
The standard Atlante is a general-purpose industrial door. However, we do supply dedicated fire-rated sliding doors (tested to 60, 120, or 240 minutes) for separating warehouse compartments. Please specify if you require fire certification at the quotation stage so we can offer the correct model from our fire-protection range.
How difficult is the maintenance?
Maintenance is very low compared to other door types. Because there are no counterbalance springs to re-tension and fewer moving parts, a simple annual check of the rollers, track lubrication, and a visual inspection of the seals is usually sufficient to keep the door running smoothly for decades.
