Work Smarter, Not Harder with Hand Trucks R Us's
Professional Window & Door Dollies

When installing large glass panels in a commercial building, the materials often arrive on a delivery truck at street level while the installation site is deep inside the structure. The panels are tall, heavy, and fragile, making them difficult to carry by hand through narrow hallways, around corners, or into elevators.

A window/door dolly is needed to keep each panel upright, balanced, and protected as it’s moved through the building. The dolly allows workers to transport the glass safely without straining to lift it, reduces the risk of dropping or damaging the material, and makes it possible to navigate tight or congested areas efficiently.

Key Features to Consider

Weight Capacity

• Ensure the dolly can safely handle the combined weight of your windows or doors. Exceeding capacity risks structural failure.
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  Heavy-duty models can handle hundreds of pounds.
  
  

Frame Design & Construction

• A-Frame (Tilt) Design: Very common — offers stability by letting the load lean back into a “pocket.”
  
  
• L-Shaped (“L” type) Dolly: Side support, more compact footprint, often customizable.
  
  
• Pivot-“Scoop” Design: The L-support pivots, so the dolly base stays flat — can make one-person operation safer.
  
  
• Look for welded steel for strength or reinforced frames if needed.
  
  

Base Support

• A full-width lifting plate (“special base”) distributes weight evenly, improving stability.
  
  
• Consider padding on support bars (e.g., rubber or carpet) to protect glass or door surfaces.
  
  

Caster / Wheel Type

• Pneumatic Tires (air-filled): Good for rough or uneven terrain; absorb shock.
  
  
• Polyurethane Wheels: Durable, non-marking — ideal for smooth indoor surfaces.
  
  
• Rubber or Flat-free Wheels: Good compromise; rugged and low maintenance.
  
  
• Also look for wheels with a brake (to lock the dolly) and a directional lock (to help steer).
  
  

Maneuverability & Handle

• Check how the handle is designed: a good ergonomic or telescoping handle helps a lot.
  
  
• On some models, the frame is adjustable so you can change the angle of support.
  
  
• For some designs (like pivot dollies), the mechanism can enable one-person operation, which helps efficiency.
  
  

Stability Features

• Floor locks or jack screws: helpful if you need to keep the dolly stationary while loading/unloading.
  
  
• Straps or safety bars: helps secure the load so doors/windows don’t shift or tip during transport.
  
  
• Forklift pockets: If you're using forklifts in your workflow, pockets let you lift the dolly easily.
  
  

Portability / Storage

• Collapsible Models: Some dollies fold flat for easier transport or storage.
  
  
• Weight of the dolly itself: a very heavy dolly can be hard to lift into a truck, so balance capacity vs portability.

Safety & Damage Prevention

• Padded supports reduce the risk of scratching or damaging glass or door frames.
  
  
• Make sure the design minimizes tipping risk; A-frame helps, but also locking mechanisms matter.

Customization / Optional Features

• Side walls: plywood or tubing to protect sides of doors/windows.
  
  

Ease of Use

• How easily can you load/unload? The dolly should minimize heavy lifting.
• For example, leverage-based lifting systems help you “tilt and lift” with less manual effort.
  
  
• For certain designs, the pivoting mechanism can reduce the need for a second person.