While this one feature of car showrooms are rarely the focus of a showroom design conversation, they quietly influence how a space feels, sounds, and performs - particularly during the hotter months.
The Summer Reality Inside Showrooms
As temperatures rise, the limitations of basic access solutions become more apparent. Showrooms and service bays can quickly become uncomfortable spaces to work and visit, with heat, noise, and outside air disrupting what should feel controlled and refined.
Common challenges include:
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Service and workshop areas overheating, affecting staff comfort and productivity
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Dust, fumes, and external air moving freely between indoor and outdoor spaces
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Greater strain on air conditioning systems due to poor thermal separation
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Noise from doors and external activity interrupting the showroom atmosphere
Individually these issues may seem minor, but together they chip away at both operational efficiency and the overall customer experience.
Why Comfort Has Become Part of the Experience
Today’s car buyers typically arrive well informed. The research is done before they walk through the door. What they are responding to now is the experience, how the space feels, how comfortable it is, and whether the environment reflects the quality of the vehicles on display.
That final impression matters. Excessive heat, noise, or visual disruption can subtly undermine the sense of quality a dealership works hard to create. Comfort, consistency, and ease of movement all contribute to how premium a space feels, regardless of its size. Ultimately affecting whether the customer returns to your dealership or not.
Learning From High-End Showrooms
Luxury dealerships have increasingly moved toward insulated, high-performance access solutions which cater both to the vehicles on show and also the look and design of the facility, not as a design statement, but as a practical response to these challenges. Well-designed Sectional doors help regulate temperature, reduce noise, and maintain a clear separation between internal and external environments, while still supporting open, welcoming spaces. The Enturi Sectional Door for example, folds up into a compact unit above the doorway - no more overhead beams and unsightly railing disturbing your ceiling space.
These same benefits extend to smaller and mid-sized showrooms. Better insulation and sealing reduce energy loss, help stabilise internal temperatures, and lower ongoing cooling costs. Over time, these operational efficiencies add up.
Left: Enturi Sectional Door / Right: Traditional Sectional Door
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Energy efficiency is becoming more visible to customers, particularly in higher-end markets, but it also has clear operational advantages. Insulated doors with effective seals help maintain internal conditions, reducing reliance on HVAC systems and minimising energy waste.
For dealerships, this means:
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Consistent indoor temperatures year-round
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Lower energy consumption during peak summer and winter periods
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Improved sustainability performance without sacrificing comfort
These gains support both cost control and long-term building performance, regardless of showroom size.
A More Refined Environment
Beyond temperature control, the way doors operate affects how a showroom feels day to day. Smooth, quiet movement helps preserve a calm, premium atmosphere, especially during vehicle handovers or high-traffic periods. Reduced maintenance and fewer disruptions also contribute to a more consistent presentation of the space.
For customers, these details are rarely noticed consciously, but they are felt. A quiet, comfortable environment reinforces confidence and quality in subtle ways.
Long-Term Value for Dealership Facilities
Thoughtful infrastructure choices contribute to the overall value of a dealership property. Durable, well-designed access solutions support daily operations while also enhancing the long-term appeal and performance of the building.
For dealership owners and operators, this translates to:
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Lower maintenance and energy costs
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Improved staff working conditions
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A consistent customer experience with 'wow' factor
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Increased overall floorspace and headroom allowing for more vehicles, or better lighting options
- Facilities that age better and perform reliably over time.
Green Star for Showroom Buildings
In a car showroom, Green Star isn’t just about what’s on the sales floor - it’s about how the building itself performs. Car showrooms can achieve Green Star ratings using specific rating tools provided by the GBCA:
Green Star - Design & As Built: For new showrooms or major refurbishments, this tool rates the sustainable design and construction process.
Green Star - Interiors: This rating system focuses specifically on the sustainability of the internal fitout (e.g., materials, lighting, air quality).
Green Star - Performance: This tool is used to assess and improve the ongoing operational performance of an existing showroom building, covering aspects like energy, water, and waste management
That’s where Enturi sectional doors quietly pull their weight. With insulated panels and tighter seals than standard overhead doors, they help stabilise internal temperatures, reduce energy demand, and support the sustainability benchmarks set by the Green Building Council of Australia. Less heat loss. Less heat gain. And one more smart step toward achieving a Green Star rating.
In Every Detail
Much like the vehicles on display, a showroom is judged by how well its details come together. Sectional doors may not be the first thing customers notice, but when they function well, the entire space works better.
In modern dealerships, creating a premium environment isn’t about adding more. It’s about designing smarter, so every element supports comfort, efficiency, and experience, from the moment customers and cars enter the space, to the moment they leave.
