Industrial PVC Curtains: Thickness, Fitting and Maintenance Guide for Busy Doorways

Anyone who has tried to keep a busy warehouse, kitchen or workshop doorway both open and efficient knows the problem: staff and trolleys need to pass freely, yet heat, dust and insects drift in with every movement. For many sites the answer is a set of industrial PVC curtains, and Aircon Engineers, a supplier of air curtains, PVC strip curtains and flying insect killers, regularly advises facility teams on choosing, fitting and maintaining them. This guide explains how these curtains work, where they make the most difference and what to check before you order.

The advice is aimed at facility managers, plant supervisors, cold-room operators and restaurant owners. It will not replace a site survey, but it will help you ask better questions and avoid the most common mistakes.

How Industrial Strip Curtains Actually Work

A strip curtain is a row of overlapping flexible plastic strips hung from a rail above a doorway. People, forklifts and trolleys push through the strips, which spring back into place afterwards. The overlap forms a physical barrier that slows the exchange of air, helps keep conditioned air inside and reduces the amount of dust, draught and noise that crosses the opening.

The effect is simple but powerful. In a cooled space, every second a door stays open lets cold air escape and warm air enter, and the refrigeration system has to work harder to compensate. A curtain that closes automatically after each pass reduces that loss without slowing traffic. In a hot workshop, the same curtain stops heat and fumes from spreading into cleaner areas.

Because the strips are transparent in many designs, people on both sides can see each other, which improves safety at busy junctions. Drivers of forklifts can spot pedestrians before they cross, and staff can judge whether an area is clear without opening a door. That visibility is one of the main reasons clear curtains are preferred over solid flaps in loading areas.

Different industries use curtains in different ways. A cold store uses them to protect refrigeration, a food factory uses them to separate raw and finished areas, and an engineering workshop uses them to contain noise and splashes from welding or grinding. Knowing which of these jobs your curtain must do helps you set priorities, such as insulation, visibility or resistance to impact.

Choosing the Right Thickness, Width and Material

Strips come in different thicknesses and widths, and the right choice depends on how the doorway is used. Thin, narrow strips suit light foot traffic and small openings, while thicker and wider strips handle heavy trolleys and large doorways. Choosing strips that are too thin for a busy forklift route leads to tearing, while choosing strips that are too stiff for light traffic makes the curtain awkward to push through.

Temperature matters just as much as size. Standard material can become stiff and brittle at low temperatures, so cold rooms and freezers need a low-temperature grade that stays flexible. In very hot or welding environments, flame-retardant or heat-resistant material is a safer choice. Always tell the supplier the temperature range, the type of traffic and any contact with oils or chemicals before you order.

Overlap is another detail worth checking. Strips that overlap by about a third to a half of their width form a better seal than strips hung edge to edge. Ask whether the rail, mounting plates and hardware are included, and whether the curtain will be fitted to the wall or to the ceiling, because the mounting position affects how well the curtain closes.

If you are still deciding between a curtain and a powered option, our earlier note on air curtain versus PVC strip curtain compares the two for different doorways and shows when each makes sense.

Consider also the colour and finish. Clear strips give visibility, while tinted or ribbed strips can reduce glare, shield workers from welding flash or make traffic lanes easier to see. Anti-static material helps in electronics areas where dust attracts to charged surfaces, and ribbed designs resist scratches from trolleys. Choosing the finish in advance prevents a replacement a few months later.

Fitting, Cleaning and Maintenance

A well-fitted curtain lasts for years, but fitting mistakes are common. The rail should be level and strong enough to carry the weight, and the strips should hang a few centimetres above the floor so they do not drag and wear out. Measure the doorway height and width carefully, allow for the overlap and leave room for the strips to swing freely without catching on shelving or machinery.

Cleaning is simple. Wipe strips with mild soap and water, avoid harsh solvents that can cloud the plastic and replace damaged strips individually rather than the whole curtain. In dusty or greasy environments, a monthly wipe keeps the strips clear and keeps visibility high. Inspect them regularly for splits or hardening, especially in cold rooms, where age shows quickly.

Think about what else the doorway needs. In food areas, insects are a separate problem, and a curtain on its own will not stop every flying pest. Combining a strip curtain with a properly placed fly killer gives better protection, and this guide on choosing between an air curtain, a PVC strip curtain or a fly killer explains how the options work together at a busy entrance.

It also helps to keep a small stock of spare strips and fixing clips. A damaged strip left in place weakens the seal and invites the rest of the curtain to fail, while a quick replacement takes only a few minutes and keeps the doorway working properly. Record the dates of installation and replacement so the maintenance schedule stays predictable.

Training is the final piece. Show staff and drivers how to pass through the curtain at a steady speed rather than pushing at it, and ask them to report any damaged strips straight away. A short briefing at induction and a reminder sign beside the doorway keep the curtain in good shape and reduce repair costs over the years. Good habits protect the investment far better than occasional repairs.

Cost, Compliance and Questions to Ask a Supplier

Price depends on the size of the doorway, the thickness of the strips, the material grade and the mounting hardware. Compare quotations line by line rather than by the total, and make sure each one covers the same width, height, thickness and accessories. A cheap quote that leaves out the rail or uses thinner strips is not comparable with a complete one.

Ask the supplier how the product performs in your conditions, how long it normally lasts and what the warranty covers. In food and pharmaceutical areas, ask about hygiene and compliance requirements, including whether the material is suitable for contact with the environment you operate in. Request a site visit if the doorway is large or unusual, because a short survey prevents expensive errors.

Finally, think about the whole entrance rather than only the curtain. Good planning considers traffic flow, signage, lighting, floor condition and how staff will use the doorway during peak hours. A small adjustment, such as moving a trolley bay or adding a guide line on the floor, can make the curtain work better and last longer.

If you would like help choosing the right curtain for a warehouse, kitchen or cold room, you can ask the Aircon Engineers team to review your doorway through the Contact Us page and share the dimensions, temperature range and type of traffic you expect.