PVC Strip Curtains: The Right Grade for the Right Environment
Supply and installation of PVC strip curtain systems for cold stores, food production facilities, warehouses and commercial premises across Bristol, Bath and the South West.
A Simple Solution That Only Works When It Is Correctly Specified
PVC strip curtains are the most straightforward product in our range, but that simplicity is deceptive. The difference between a strip curtain that does its job effectively for years and one that discolours, hardens, splits or fails to seal within months comes down almost entirely to whether the right grade of PVC was specified for the environment it was installed in. A standard clear PVC strip that performs well in an ambient warehouse doorway will become brittle and opaque within weeks if installed at a freezer entrance operating at minus eighteen degrees. A food production facility that installs standard grade strips risks failing a hygiene audit because the correct food-safe grade was not specified.
Brunel Doors supplies and installs PVC strip curtain systems across Bristol, Bath and the South West. We supply the correct grade of PVC for the specific environment, cut strips to the exact length required, and fit the suspension hardware so that the curtain hangs correctly, overlaps adequately and provides the separation your premises needs. We also supply replacement strips on an ongoing basis so that individual strips can be replaced as they wear without the cost and disruption of a full curtain replacement.
Correct
grade specified
Made
to measure
Replacement
strips supplied
Bristol
& South West
Strip Curtain Grades and Configurations for Every Application
PVC strip curtains are available in a range of grades, thicknesses and configurations, and selecting the right combination for the specific operating environment is the single most important decision in the specification process. We supply strips for ambient, refrigerated, frozen and hygienic environments, and we will always confirm the correct grade before any curtain is cut and supplied.
PVC Strip Curtains
Standard Grade PVC Strip Curtains
Clear PVC strips in standard grade are the appropriate specification for ambient temperature environments where the primary purpose of the curtain is to reduce dust ingress, provide a degree of separation between areas of different function, or reduce draughts at frequently used doorways. Standard grade PVC maintains its flexibility and clarity at temperatures above approximately five degrees Celsius and is suitable for general warehousing, workshop and light industrial applications. Available in strip widths from 100mm to 300mm and thicknesses from 2mm to 3mm, with the strip width and overlap typically determined by the width and frequency of use of the opening.
PVC Strip Curtains
Polar Grade & Freezer Strip Curtains
For refrigerated and frozen storage environments, standard grade PVC will not perform. At temperatures below approximately five degrees Celsius, standard PVC loses its flexibility, becomes brittle and begins to crack and split, particularly at the points where strips are pushed through by passing traffic. Polar grade PVC maintains its flexibility and transparency at temperatures down to minus thirty degrees Celsius, making it the correct specification for refrigerated stores, blast freezing rooms and frozen food storage environments. For very cold applications such as blast freezers, specialist ultra-low temperature grades are available. We will confirm the correct grade based on the operating temperature of the environment before any strips are supplied.
PVC Strip Curtains
Food Grade PVC Strip Curtains
Food production facilities operating under BRC, SALSA, Red Tractor or other food safety accreditation schemes require PVC strip curtains that are manufactured to food contact standards. Food grade PVC strips are formulated without plasticisers or additives that could migrate into food products, and they are typically produced in a colour that makes contamination visible during inspection. Blue is the most common colour used in food production environments for exactly this reason. If your facility is subject to food safety audits, specifying standard grade PVC strips at internal doorways could create a non-conformance finding. We supply food grade strips with the appropriate certification documentation for your records.
PVC Strip Curtains
Anti-Static PVC Strip Curtains
In environments where electrostatic discharge is a concern, such as electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical production or certain chemical storage applications, standard PVC strips can generate and hold static charge that damages sensitive components or creates a hazard. Anti-static PVC strip curtains are formulated to dissipate static charge safely without generating the discharge events that standard PVC can produce. They are available in standard and polar grades to cover both ambient and temperature-controlled applications.
PVC Strip Curtains
Ribbed & Vision Panel Strip Curtains
For high-traffic openings where forklift trucks pass frequently, a ribbed profile PVC strip provides greater resistance to wear and tearing at the contact points than a flat strip, extending the service life of the curtain in demanding conditions. Where visibility through the curtain is a safety requirement, for example at a crossing point between a forklift route and a pedestrian walkway, vision panel strips with a clear central band in an otherwise coloured curtain provide sightline through the doorway without sacrificing the temperature or dust separation function of the curtain.
Why the Grade of PVC Matters More Than the Price
PVC strip curtains are available from a wide range of suppliers at a wide range of price points, and the temptation to buy the cheapest option is understandable when the product looks identical regardless of grade. The difference becomes apparent within weeks of installation in the wrong environment. Standard grade strips in a freezer environment harden and crack. Incorrectly sized strips in a wide opening leave gaps that defeat the purpose of the curtain entirely. Strips cut too long pile on the floor and create a hygiene and trip hazard. Suspension hardware that is not rated for the weight of the curtain sags and allows strips to separate at the top.
We supply PVC strip curtains as a complete, correctly specified system. That means confirming the operating temperature of the environment before selecting a grade, calculating the correct strip width and overlap for the width of the opening, cutting strips to the precise length required for the floor clearance of the specific installation, and fitting suspension hardware that is rated for the weight of the curtain and appropriate for the structural surface it is being fixed to. We also supply replacement strips on an ongoing basis as individual strips wear or are damaged, which is significantly more cost-effective than replacing the full curtain each time.
Strip Replacement and Ongoing Supply Across Bristol & the South West
PVC strip curtains are a consumable product. In a busy environment, individual strips will be pushed through repeatedly by forklift trucks, pallet trucks, pedestrians and goods, and over time they will show wear, discolouration and eventually tearing. The correct response is to replace individual worn strips as required rather than waiting until the entire curtain has deteriorated, which is both more cost-effective and keeps the curtain performing correctly throughout its life.
We supply replacement strips cut to length for the curtains we install, and we can supply strips for curtains originally installed by other suppliers provided the strip width and thickness are known. For clients who prefer to carry a stock of spare strips on site and manage replacements themselves, we can supply strips in bulk cut to the required length. For clients who prefer a managed approach, we can carry out periodic inspections and strip replacement as part of a wider maintenance agreement covering all door and shutter systems on the site. We serve businesses across Bristol, Avonmouth, Bath, Yate, Thornbury and the wider South West.
Trusted to Specify and Supply Across Regulated and Commercial Environments
While PVC strip curtains are a simpler product than a high speed door or a fire exit door system, the environments in which they are often installed, food production facilities, pharmaceutical sites and cold storage operations, are among the most regulated in the commercial sector. Our SafeContractor approval means we are already pre-qualified for clients in food production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, retail distribution and public sector organisations that require formal contractor vetting before work begins on site. CSCS cards confirm our engineers are qualified to work on commercial and industrial construction sites. Where food grade PVC strips are specified, we supply product with the appropriate food contact certification documentation, providing the evidence trail your food safety team and auditors require. DHF membership underpins the quality standards we apply across all our work, including the specification and installation of what some might consider a straightforward product.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which grade of PVC strip curtain I need?
The primary factor is the operating temperature of the environment where the curtain will be installed. For ambient warehouses and workshops above five degrees Celsius, standard grade PVC is appropriate. For refrigerated environments between zero and minus five degrees, a cold store grade is required. For frozen storage at minus eighteen degrees and below, a polar grade must be used. For food production facilities subject to food safety audits, a food grade PVC with food contact certification is required regardless of temperature. We will confirm the correct grade during the enquiry process before any strips are cut and supplied.
How wide should the strips be and how much should they overlap?
Strip width is typically determined by the width of the opening and the type of traffic that will pass through it. A 100mm strip width with a 20 to 30 percent overlap is common for pedestrian doorways, while a 200mm or 300mm strip with a higher overlap percentage is more appropriate for forklift access points where the curtain needs to resist being pushed through and return quickly to position. We calculate the correct strip width and overlap for your specific opening as part of the specification process.
Can individual strips be replaced without replacing the whole curtain?
Yes, and this is the recommended approach. Individual strips can be replaced on a like-for-like basis as they wear or are damaged without removing the suspension hardware or replacing the entire curtain. We supply replacement strips cut to length for the curtains we install, and we can supply strips for curtains installed by other suppliers provided the strip dimensions are known. Replacing individual strips as they wear is significantly more cost-effective than full curtain replacement.
How long do PVC strip curtains last?
In a correctly specified installation, a PVC strip curtain in moderate use should last between two and five years before full replacement is needed, with individual strips being replaced on a rolling basis throughout that period. In high-traffic environments where strips are pushed through many times each day, service life will be shorter and a ribbed profile strip may be a more cost-effective long-term choice. The single biggest factor in curtain longevity is correct grade specification for the environment. A correctly specified curtain will outlast an incorrectly specified one many times over.
Are your PVC strip curtains suitable for food production facilities?
Yes. We supply food grade PVC strips manufactured to food contact standards, with the appropriate certification documentation. Food grade strips are the correct specification for any internal doorway in a food production facility that is subject to food safety auditing under BRC, SALSA, Red Tractor or equivalent schemes. We can advise on the correct grade, colour and overlap for your specific facility and provide the product documentation your food safety team requires.
PVC Strip Curtain Supply and Installation Across Bristol, Bath & the South West
We supply and install PVC strip curtain systems for food producers, cold storage operators, pharmaceutical businesses, distribution warehouses and general commercial premises across the South West. We serve clients across Bristol city centre, Avonmouth, Severnside, Bedminster, Yate, Thornbury, Chipping Sodbury and Portishead, and we supply to businesses in Bath, Keynsham and Weston-super-Mare. Replacement strip supply is available by delivery or collection for clients across the wider South West who manage their own strip replacement programme.
Bristol
Yate
Keynsham
Avonmouth
Thornbury
Weston-super-Mare
Bath
Portishead
Chipping Sodbury
You May Also Be Interested In
Roller Shutters
Loading Bay Doors
Sectional overhead doors, dock levellers and dock shelters for warehouse and distribution centre loading operations across Bristol and the South West.
Industrial Doors
Industrial Doors
Heavy-duty sectional, folding and sliding door systems for manufacturing, logistics and warehousing environments across Bristol and the South West.
High Speed Doors
High Speed Doors
Rapid roll doors for environments where speed, energy efficiency and high cycle frequency are all critical requirements.
Get the Right Strip Curtain Specification for Your Premises
Tell us about your opening, your operating environment and your traffic type and we will confirm the correct grade, width, overlap and suspension system for your application. No obligation, no pressure. Call us on 01454 882212 or use the contact form below.