Since 1978, Redwood Strip Curtains has been at the forefront of industrial door solutions in the UK. We understand that in a fast-paced warehouse or manufacturing environment, the humble doorway is often the site of your biggest operational headaches. Whether it is a temperature drop that sends energy bills soaring or a pest problem that threatens hygiene standards, the “Doorway Dilemma” is a real challenge for facility managers.
While rigid doors and roller shutters have their place, they are frequently impractical for high-traffic zones. Consequently, many businesses find themselves stuck between leaving doors open: inviting every environmental issue under the sun: or keeping them closed and crippling their workflow.
This is where PVC strip curtains come in. They provide a flexible, transparent, and durable barrier that solves the problems rigid doors simply cannot. Below, we explore the seven common doorway problems that only high-quality PVC strip curtains can fix effectively.
1. High Energy Bills & Heat Loss
In a climate-controlled environment, every second a warehouse door stays open represents money escaping into the atmosphere. This is particularly problematic in the UK, where maintaining a consistent internal temperature during the winter months is an expensive endeavour.
Traditional doors take time to open and close. In contrast, quality PVC strip curtains act as a permanent thermal barrier. Because the strips only part wide enough to allow a person or vehicle through, the majority of the doorway remains sealed at all times. This significantly reduces heat exchange between different zones.
By installing a thermal barrier, you can stabilise internal temperatures and reduce the strain on your HVAC systems. Ultimately, this leads to a noticeable reduction in energy consumption and lower monthly utility bills. For cold storage applications, this is not just a convenience; it is a financial necessity to prevent product spoilage and equipment overwork.
2. Pest Invasions (Flies, Birds, and Insects)
Maintaining hygiene is non-negotiable in food processing, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries. However, open doorways are an open invitation for flies, wasps, and even birds. While you need airflow to keep staff comfortable, you cannot afford the risk of contamination.
Standard PVC curtains are excellent at blocking pests, but for areas requiring maximum ventilation, we recommend our FlyMesh and perforated PVC options. These specialised strips allow fresh air to circulate while creating a physical deterrent that insects cannot easily penetrate.
If you are struggling with seasonal pest surges, our ultimate guide to pest control PVC curtains provides a deep dive into how to select the right grade. By using perforated strips, you solve the problem of “stuffiness” in the summer without compromising your pest-free status.
3. Dust & Debris Management
Industrial environments are naturally prone to dust. Whether it is sawdust from a timber yard or fine particulates from a manufacturing line, preventing this debris from migrating into clean zones or office areas is a constant battle.
Dust does more than just make a mess; it can damage sensitive electronics, contaminate paint finishes, and create respiratory hazards for staff. PVC strip curtains create an effective seal that traps dust within specific zones. Because the strips overlap, they form a continuous wall that blocks airborne particles even in draughty conditions.
Maintaining a clean environment becomes much simpler when you have a physical barrier that doesn’t hinder movement. This allows you to keep your storage areas pristine while your production lines continue to operate at full capacity.
4. Uncontrolled Noise Pollution
Noise is an often-overlooked workplace hazard. In large facilities, the roar of heavy machinery can easily travel through open doorways, disrupting office staff or creating an unsafe level of decibels in common areas.
PVC is an excellent material for sound attenuation. While it won’t provide the same level of soundproofing as a solid brick wall, it is incredibly effective at dampening noise between different zones. By partitioning off high-noise machinery with heavy-duty PVC, you can significantly improve the acoustic comfort of the rest of your facility.
This is especially useful for separating a loud production floor from a loading bay or an administrative office. Reducing ambient noise levels not only improves staff wellbeing but also helps you comply with workplace noise regulations.
5. Workflow Sluggishness
One of the biggest hidden costs in logistics is “gate wait.” If a forklift operator has to stop, get off the vehicle, open a door (or wait for a slow motorised shutter), drive through, and then close it again, you are losing valuable minutes every hour. Over a year, this adds up to hundreds of hours of lost productivity.
PVC strip curtains eliminate this bottleneck entirely. Drivers can pass through the strips at a safe speed without ever having to stop. The curtains close automatically behind them, maintaining the environmental seal. Furthermore, for very high-traffic areas, we offer QuickMount systems that allow for rapid installation and easy strip replacement if a section becomes damaged, ensuring your workflow never stays sluggish for long.
6. Safety Hazards and Poor Visibility
Safety is the priority in any industrial setting. Solid doors create “blind spots” where collisions between pedestrians and forklifts are more likely to occur. Even windows in traditional doors can become obscured by dirt or scratches over time.
Clear PVC strip curtains provide 360-degree visibility. Staff can see exactly what is on the other side of the doorway before they step through. For areas where safety is a heightened concern, we often supply kits with high-visibility red or orange edge strips to clearly define the boundaries of the doorway.
By providing a transparent barrier, you reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that your health and safety standards are met without sacrificing the environmental benefits of a sealed door. If you are unsure about the best layout for your space, our measuring advice can help you plan a safe and effective installation.
7. Cross-Contamination and Zonal Separation
In complex manufacturing, you often need to separate incompatible processes. For example, you might need to keep a welding zone separate from a flammable storage area, or a raw food prep area separate from a packaging line.
PVC strip curtains are the ideal tool for “zoning” a large open-plan building. Specifically, we offer anti-microbial PVC for high-hygiene areas and welding grade PVC to protect against sparks and UV flash.
Using these curtains allows you to maintain strict zonal integrity. Consequently, you can comply with industry-specific regulations regarding cross-contamination without the massive capital expenditure required for permanent internal walls. It also provides the flexibility to reconfigure your floor plan as your business grows or your processes change.
Why Choose Redwood Strip Curtains?
Solving these seven problems requires more than just “any” PVC. It requires the right grade, the correct overlap, and a robust mounting system. Since 1978, Redwood Strip Curtains has been manufacturing these solutions right here in the UK. We don’t just sell rolls of plastic; we provide engineered solutions to the Doorway Dilemma.
We pride ourselves on our speed and reliability. For standard, non-personalized items, we offer next working day delivery on orders placed before 12:00 PM. This means if you identify a problem with your doorway today, it could be solved by tomorrow afternoon.
- UK Manufactured: Quality you can trust since 1978.
- Fast Turnaround: Next-day delivery on standard items.
- Expert Advice: From FAQ support to bespoke quotes.
Ready to fix your doorway problems? You can browse our full catalog to find the perfect kit for your needs, or if you have a unique requirement, get a PVC curtain quote today from our specialist team.
Don’t let an open door drain your budget and slow down your team. Invest in a solution that works as hard as you do. For any further questions or to discuss a custom project, feel free to contact us directly. Our team is always happy to help you find the right fit for your facility.