FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What products does Robo Door manufacture?

We make trellis doors, security gates, burglar bars, driveway and garden gates, fencing, balustrades, staircases, pergolas, shutters, privacy panels, wall art and equipment covers.

Garage doors are supplied and installed by Robo Door. Browse them all on the products page.

What is the difference between a trellis door and a sliding security gate?

A trellis door folds up like a concertina and stacks at one side. A sliding security gate is one rigid panel that slides along a track beside the opening, so it needs side space. See the Sliding Security Gate.

What is the difference between a trellis door and a hinged burglar door?

A trellis door folds to one side on a track, so it suits wide openings and doors you leave open. A hinged burglar door swings like a normal door and suits a single doorway with space to open into. Trellis, hinged or sliding compares all three.

What is the difference between fixed and welded burglar bars?

Fixed (fixture) bars are trellis-style channels and uprights fitted inside the window reveal on all four sides, in the Econo, DuPlus, Deluxe and Alu-Deluxe versions. Welded bars are one-piece steel panels in a pattern, such as Spanish or cottage pane, made to the window. Welded or fixed bars helps you decide.

What is a Louvre Security Shutter and how is it different from a Roller Shutter?

A louvre security shutter closes over a window or door with angled slats that let air and light through while it is locked. A roller shutter door rolls up into a drum above the opening and suits shops, garages and warehouses. See louvre security shutters and roller shutter doors.

Which products come with optional automation?

Driveway gates, garage doors and roller shutter doors can be motorised. Driveway gates get a gate motor with battery backup, fitted to the motor maker's specification. See gate automation.

Do you sell off-the-shelf or DIY products?

No stock sizes: everything is made to your measurements. Supply-only is available if you want to fit it yourself. Request a free quote to have each opening measured.

Do Robo Door motorised gates work during loadshedding or power outages?

Yes. The sliding gate motors we fit have battery backup to their maker's specification, so the gate keeps opening and closing when the power goes. If the battery runs flat, the manual release, locked with a key, lets you slide the gate by hand. How many cycles you get depends on the battery's age and the gate's weight. The automation page names the motors and links to their specifications.

What is the difference between Deluxe, Econo, Alu-Deluxe and DuPlus?

Deluxe is our top steel trellis door: every upright slotted and riveted, aluminium tracks, 10-year manufacturing warranty and the 5-year Break-In Repair Guarantee. Deluxe uses heavier steel than Econo.

Econo is the most affordable: every third upright slotted and riveted, 5-year warranty. DuPlus is all steel with double uprights, 5-year warranty, and takes 10 to 14 working days to make. Alu-Deluxe is all aluminium for the coast, 10-year warranty, no break-in guarantee. The trellis door buyer's guide compares all four.

Do you make pet doors and child-safe burglar bars?

Tell the consultant at the site visit if children or pets use the opening. Fixed bars do not open, so keep at least one window free of them as an escape route. See the burglar bar range.

How much does a Robo Door security gate cost?

Security gates are priced per opening after the free site visit, because each one is made to size. Trellis doors start from R3,500 and burglar bars from R1,000, including VAT.

As an example, a two-door job in Gauteng in September 2026, a Deluxe Trellis Door and a steel security gate, came to about R14,500 including VAT after the 7% upfront discount. That is one job's total, not a rate. The security gate cost guide shows what moves the price.

Why do I need an on-site visit before getting a quote?

Because everything is made to measure. We measure each opening, check the wall or frame it fixes to and note how exposed it is to weather, which sets the finish and the rust warranty.

Outside South Africa and Zambia, send photos and the size of each opening instead. How the site visit and quote work walks through it.

Is the quote free?

Yes. The site visit and quote are free. Request a free quote online.

How long is a quote valid for?

Seven days from the date on the quote. Request a free quote when you are ready.

What payment terms do you offer?

South Africa: 70% deposit when you order and 30% on completion, or pay in full upfront for a 7% settlement discount on the ex-VAT total. Finance is available over 3 months interest-free or up to 24 months. A six-month layby locks your price when you accept the quote; you pay in instalments, and we make and fit once it is paid in full.

Zambia: 80% deposit and 20% on installation, or pay in full for 7% off. No finance.

Other markets: payment terms are quoted per enquiry. Details are on the payment options page.

Can I pay with cash, EFT or card?

Pay only into the bank account printed on your official Robo Door quote or invoice. If anyone sends you new bank details, phone us on the number on this website before you pay. Payment options has the deposit terms.

Do you offer financing or instalment options?

In South Africa, yes: 3 months interest-free (an admin fee applies) or up to 24 months with the first 3 months interest-free.

Apply by SMS to 33130 with your ID number and gross monthly income. We never ask for your ID number in a website form. Finance is not offered outside South Africa.

If you would rather not take credit, South African customers can use the six-month layby. Your price is locked in when you accept your quote, you pay in instalments over up to 6 months, and manufacturing and installation follow once the full amount has been paid. There is no credit check. Payment options compares finance and layby.

Will Robo Door ever ask for my bank details by email?

No. We never ask for your bank details or card number by email. Treat any message that changes our banking details as fraud and phone us on the number on this website to check. Payment options explains how deposits are paid.

When does ownership of the product transfer to me?

Our terms of sale deal with risk rather than ownership: risk passes on completion of installation, or on dispatch if the goods are collected or couriered. Ask us if you need the position in writing for insurance. Our terms of sale set this out.

How long does a typical installation take?

In Gauteng, half of our jobs are fitted within 10 working days of the deposit, and eight in ten within 20 working days (our own job records, June to September 2026). The product is made first: trellis doors, fixtures and burglar bars take 5 to 7 working days, DuPlus 10 to 14, and custom gates and shutters 15 to 21. We book the installation date with you and tell you then how long the team will be on site. Request a free quote to book the visit.

What is the lead time from order to installation?

From order: trellis doors, fixed bars and burglar bars take 5 to 7 working days to make, DuPlus 10 to 14, and custom gates and shutters 15 to 21. Add a week for hot-dip galvanising or a non-standard colour.

In Gauteng, half of our jobs between June and September 2026 were fitted within 10 working days of the deposit, and eight in ten within 20. Request a free quote for your date.

Can I install a Robo Door product myself?

Yes, most products can be ordered supply-only. You lose the Break-In Repair Guarantee on Deluxe and Deluxe Fixture if you fit them yourself, and fitting faults are excluded from the warranty. The DIY installation guide shows what is realistic.

Do you do refurbishment of existing security gates?

Yes: repairs, sandblasting and new powder coat. If the frame is badly rusted or bent, we will tell you a new gate is the better buy. Refurbishing has the details.

What happens if my walls are weak or the substrate is poor?

The wall or frame has to be sound enough for the product and its fixings. If it isn't, the repair has to be done before we install, and we will tell you at the site visit. How gates are measured and fitted explains the checks.

Do I need to disclose buried services like water pipes and wiring?

Yes. Tell us where water pipes, cables and drains run before we drill. We are not liable for damage to services you did not disclose. Professional installation explains the day.

What do I do if I notice a defect after installation?

Report visible defects or missing parts within 3 calendar days of delivery or installation. Faults that show up later go through the warranty claim process. The warranty page explains how to claim.

What manufacturing warranty applies to my product?

10 years: Deluxe, Deluxe Fixture, Alu-Deluxe, Alu-Deluxe Fixture and Alu-Deluxe Fixture Lite.

5 years: Econo, Econo Fixture, Econo Fixture Lite, DuPlus, DuPlus Fixture, Econo Burglar Bars, Robo Clear Burglar Bars and the Swing Trellis Door (hinged burglar door).

2 years: swing, garden and driveway gates, roller shutter doors, steel and aluminium balustrades, staircases, railings, fencing, pergolas, covers, privacy panels, wall art, strongroom doors, and aluminium doors and windows. 1 year: garage doors and motors. Paint and rust cover are on the warranty page.

What is the Break-In Repair Guarantee and which products carry it?

The Robo Door Break-In Repair Guarantee applies to the Deluxe Trellis Door and Deluxe Fixture only, for five years. If a forced break-in attempt damages the Robo Door-made parts, we repair or replace them.

You need a police case number, a written claim within 30 days, photos and access for us to inspect. The product must have been installed by Robo Door or an authorised installer and properly maintained. Labour is excluded unless agreed, there is one claim per incident, and any modification voids the guarantee. Full conditions.

How does the rust warranty work?

Rust warranty applies to hot-dip galvanised and electroplated steel and covers structural rust on the main frame.

It depends on where you live and how exposed the product is: up to 10 years inland, less at the coast. The full table is on the warranty page.

Why don't you give a longer warranty for coastal installations?

Salt air eats steel faster. Hot-dip galvanised steel with powder coat carries up to 10 years' rust warranty inland but 5 years in coastal suburbs and 3 years within 500 m of the sea. Near the sea, the all-aluminium Alu-Deluxe range is the better choice. See the Alu-Deluxe Trellis Door.

Why is my hinge area excluded from the HDG rust warranty?

Hinges cannot be galvanised because zinc seizes the bearing surfaces, so they are welded on after galvanising. The weld burns off zinc around each hinge; we treat it with zinc-rich cold galvanise, which does not last as long as the original coating. Check those points once a year. The rust warranty periods are on the warranty page.

What does the warranty cover and what voids it?

It covers defects in materials and workmanship for the period of your product line.

It does not cover an undisclosed coastal location or exposure, poor installation by others, changes you make, chemical damage that was not rinsed off, knocks and dents, or normal weathering after the paint period. Our products are security barriers; no barrier can promise to stop every break-in. The warranty page gives the period for each product line.

What maintenance must I do to keep my warranty valid?

Wash coated surfaces with mild soapy water at least twice a year, with no abrasives, solvents, bleach or acid. Rinse off fertiliser, chlorine or sprinkler water within 24 hours.

Touch up chips within 30 days, oil rollers, hinges, motor parts and tracks every six months, and check hinge welds on galvanised products once a year. The maintenance guide puts a year on one page.

How long does a Robo Door product really last?

The manufacturing warranty runs from 1 to 10 years depending on the product (see the warranty page). Beyond that, life depends on exposure and care: wash it twice a year and oil rollers, hinges and tracks every six months.

How do I lodge a warranty claim?

Email us with your quote number, the installation address and date, the finish on your quotation, photos of the problem, and confirmation that you have done the maintenance and made no changes.

We assess the claim within 10 working days of receiving everything, and repair valid claims at no cost to you. For the Break-In Repair Guarantee, include the police case number and claim within 30 days of the break-in. The warranty page lists the period for each product line.

When should I change the locks on my Robo Door product?

After lost keys, a move, or any change in who holds keys. Each lock comes with three keys, and keyed-alike cylinders are available so one key opens several doors. Request a free quote for keyed-alike cylinders.

Do Robo Door products help reduce my home insurance premium?

We can't promise that; your insurer decides. We can give you the product details and warranty to send them. Our insurance guide covers what to ask.

What are my rights under the Consumer Protection Act?

South African buyers keep their rights under the Consumer Protection Act, including the six-month implied warranty of quality in section 56, alongside our written warranties. Our terms cannot take those rights away. The warranty page sets out our written warranties.

What materials do you use?

Steel, galvanised steel and aluminium, plus solid transparent polycarbonate for Robo Clear Burglar Bars. See Robo Clear Burglar Bars for the clear option.

Should I choose mild steel, galvanised steel or aluminium?

Inland, powder-coated steel is fine. Near the coast or where sprinklers hit the steel, choose hot-dip galvanised steel. Within sight of the sea, choose aluminium: the Alu-Deluxe range does not rust the way steel does. Our materials guide compares all three.

What surface finishes do you offer?

Five finishes: red oxide and spray paint; powder coat; sandblasting, primer and powder coat; electroplating and powder coat; or hot-dip galvanising with powder coat. Paint cover runs from six months to five years, depending on the finish and how exposed the product is. The warranty page has the table.

How does where I live change my warranty?

Two things set your rust and paint warranty. The first is where you live: inland (Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the KZN Midlands), a coastal suburb more than 500 m from the sea, or within 500 m of the sea or a tidal estuary.

The second is the spot the product stands in: sheltered, an open entrance that gets some rain, or fully exposed to sprinklers and ground splash. Both are written on your quotation. The periods for each zone are on the warranty page.

What galvanising standard do you use?

We offer electroplating with powder coat, and hot-dip galvanising with powder coat. For a tender, ask us for the material documents for your product. Powder coating describes the finishes.

Do your products meet SABS standards?

If your tender, insurer or body corporate needs a SABS or SANS document, tell us before you order and we will tell you what exists for that product. Request a free quote and name the standard you need.

What lock types do you offer and which is most secure?

Trellis doors take a slam lock, a deadlock or both, up to three locks per door; one is fitted as standard. Hook locks have an anti-lift pin, and electromagnetic locks are available.

A slam lock locks itself when the door closes; a deadlock needs the key. Two locks are harder to force than one. Slam lock or deadlock explains when to use each.

What makes the Robo Door strongroom door different?

Door and frame are made together in our Alrode factory and fitted to a room we have looked at first, because the wall, lintel and floor anchoring matter as much as the door. Strongroom doors carry a 2-year manufacturing warranty. See the strongroom door range.

Can I customise the design and colour?

Yes. Choose from our design library or send your own. Standard colours are bronze, charcoal, white and sand; any other colour adds about a week. Powder coat colours that age well helps you choose.

Can I bring my own design or architect's drawing?

Yes. Send a sketch, photo or architect's drawing and we will tell you whether we can make it. We don't certify structural designs; where an engineer is needed, we build to their drawings. Drawing and design explains the service.

Can I have all my locks keyed alike?

Yes. Ask for keyed-alike cylinders when you order. See the trellis door range for lock options.

Do driveway gates include a pedestrian wicket gate?

Not automatically. We make a matching pedestrian gate beside the driveway gate, quoted separately. See pedestrian gates.

Can I cancel a custom order?

Before production starts, yes, though we may charge a reasonable admin and design fee. Once production has started, the order cannot be cancelled and we may keep the deposit. Our terms of sale set out the rule.

Do you deliver products without installation?

Yes. Supply-only (DIY) is available in all twelve markets. Robo Clear Burglar Bars come cut to any size, with one-way screws or rivets, caps and washers, and an installation guide.

The Break-In Repair Guarantee on Deluxe and Deluxe Fixture only applies when Robo Door or an authorised installer fits the product. Installation or supply-only compares the two.

When does risk in my product pass from Robo Door to me?

When we install, risk passes to you once the installation is complete. When you collect or a carrier delivers, it passes on dispatch from our factory. Our terms of sale set this out.

Do you ship to remote rural areas?

Yes, supply-only orders ship anywhere we can reach by road. For installation far from Alrode or Lusaka, any travel cost is shown on your quote before you accept. Request a free quote and tell us your town.

What if my installation is delayed beyond the quoted date?

We phone you with the reason and a new date. Delivery dates in our terms of sale are estimates, so a delay does not cancel the order. Our terms of sale set this out.

Where are your factories located?

Two factories: 18 Barium Street, Alrode, Alberton, South Africa, and Plot 1008950, Great North Road, 6 miles, Kabangwe, Lusaka, Zambia.

Trellis doors, security gates and burglar bars are made there. Garage doors are supplied and installed by Robo Door. Read factory-direct from Alrode and the Lusaka factory guide.

Can I see samples before I order?

Yes. Our consultant brings samples to the free site visit. Request a free quote to book the visit.

Which countries does Robo Door serve?

Twelve: South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, DR Congo, Seychelles and Tanzania.

In Gauteng our own team measures and fits; elsewhere in South Africa the Robo Door location for your town does, and in Zambia our Lusaka team. In other markets the Robo Door distributor fits, or we supply for your own fitter. Supply-only orders ship from our Alrode or Lusaka factory. Request a free quote from any of the twelve.

How do lead times differ for cross-border orders?

Making the order takes the same time as in South Africa: 5 to 7 working days for trellis doors and burglar bars, 10 to 14 for DuPlus, and 15 to 21 for custom gates and shutters, plus a week for hot-dip galvanising or a non-standard colour. Shipping and clearance come on top, and your quote gives the date. Fitting is booked once the order arrives. Buying from outside South Africa explains each step.

Who handles customs clearance and import duty?

Your quote states the transport cost and who clears the goods for your order. Ask before you accept whether import duty is included, because it depends on the country and the route. Buying from outside South Africa explains each step.

Is financing available outside South Africa?

No. Finance is for South African orders only. In Zambia you pay 80% to order and 20% on installation, or in full for 7% off; elsewhere terms are quoted per enquiry. Payment options sets out each market.

How fast can you respond to a quote request in my city?

In Gauteng we usually visit within two working days of your enquiry, and most quotes go out on the day of the visit (our job records, June to September 2026).

Elsewhere, call or WhatsApp us with your town and we will give you a date. Request a free quote to book yours.

Do you support body corporate and complex installations?

Yes. Send us the estate or body corporate rules on colour and design before the site visit and we quote to them. Several units can be measured on one visit. Our trustee approval guide explains the approval step.

What languages does Robo Door support?

The website and our quotes are in English. Buying from outside South Africa explains each step.

How does Robo Door handle my personal information (POPIA)?

We use your details only to prepare and follow up your quote. Our Privacy Policy explains what we keep, for how long, and how to ask the Information Officer to see, correct or delete it.

What additional services beyond manufacturing do you offer?

Design and drawing, laser cutting, sandblasting, powder coating, refurbishing, installation and gate automation. Each is described on the services page.

Do you do laser cutting for other companies and projects?

Yes. Send a CAD or vector file and we quote the cutting. We cut decorative panels, screens, brackets and signage parts. Laser cutting has the details.

Can I bring an old gate to be sandblasted and powder-coated?

Yes. We sandblast and powder-coat existing gates and steelwork at our Alrode factory. We look at the item first and quote the work. Sandblasting has the details.

Do you service and repair other brands' products?

Often, yes. We look at the gate, door or motor first and tell you whether a repair is worth it or a replacement is cheaper. Request a free quote and send photos first.

Do you offer maintenance contracts for commercial properties?

We quote servicing for automated gates and shutters on commercial sites after looking at the equipment. See gate automation for the motors we fit.

Coating line at the Robo Door factory in Alrode

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Custom-made burglar bars, gates and security doors, manufactured in our own factories in Alrode and Lusaka.

300,000+ products installed at over 49,564 properties since 2005

Coverage across 12 countries on the African continent

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