Standard Kits vs. Made-to-Measure: Which PVC Solution is Right for You?

Since 1978, Redwood Strip Curtains has been at the forefront of industrial door solutions. We’ve seen every type of warehouse, cold store, and workshop imaginable. One of the most common questions we get from facility managers and business owners is simple: “Should I just buy a standard kit, or do I need something made-to-measure?”

The answer depends entirely on two things: your timeline and your doorway.

In the world of industrial strip curtains, there is a clear trade-off between the speed of an off-the-shelf solution and the precision of a bespoke build. At Redwood, we manufacture both right here in the UK, ensuring that regardless of which path you choose, the quality of the PVC and the hardware remains industry-leading.

The Case for Standard PVC Strip Curtain Kits

Standard kits are the “buy it now” solution of the industrial world. They are designed to fit the most common door apertures found in UK commercial buildings. If you have a standard personnel door or a typical small warehouse opening, a kit is usually the most cost-effective and efficient way to get your energy saving curtains up and running.

Why Choose a Standard Kit?

1. Next Working Day Delivery: This is the big one. If you order a standard, non-personalized kit from our hook-on medium duty range before 12:00 PM (noon), we can typically get it to you by the next working day. When a cold store door fails or a pest control inspection is looming, that speed is vital.
2. Simplified Installation: Our kits come with everything you need. This includes the stainless steel or galvanised hook-on rails and the PVC strips themselves, which come pre-fitted with pre-riveted plate sets.
3. Cost-Effective: Because these are cut to “common” sizes in bulk, we can pass those savings on to you. It’s the fastest way to start seeing a return on investment through reduced energy bills.

What’s Inside the Box?

When we talk about a “standard kit,” we aren’t talking about flimsy plastic. We’re talking about industrial-grade components:

• The Rail: A heavy-duty hook-on system. You simply screw the rail to the face or underside of your lintel.
• The Strips: High-quality PVC, usually in 200mm or 300mm widths, depending on the height of the door.
• The Plates: These are the metal “sandwiches” at the top of each strip. Ours are pre-riveted, meaning you don’t need any specialist tools. You literally just “hook” them onto the rail.

The Case for Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains

Standard kits are great, but they aren’t universal. If your doorway is 2245mm high and 1830mm wide, a standard 2m x 2m kit is going to leave you with either a gap at the sides or a trip hazard at the bottom that requires manual trimming. This is where made-to-measure comes in.

When to Go Bespoke

1. Non-Standard Apertures: Large industrial openings, oversized roller shutter doors, or odd-shaped pedestrian entrances require a millimetre-perfect fit. A made-to-measure curtain ensures there are no “leakage points” for heat or expensive cooled air.
2. Specific Environment Requirements: If you are running a high-traffic forklift area, you might need a specific overlap (e.g., a 100% overlap for better wind resistance) or a specific grade of PVC, such as anti-microbial PVC for food processing.
3. Aesthetic or Safety Needs: Perhaps you need a “warning edge” with red PVC rolls on the outermost strips to mark the door frame for drivers. Or maybe you need a specific transparency for a high-visibility area.

The Trade-off: Lead Times

It is important to manage expectations here. Because made-to-measure solutions are personalised to your specific dimensions and requirements, they do not qualify for next-day delivery. Each strip is cut to length and each plate set is riveted specifically for your order. While we pride ourselves on a fast turnaround, bespoke manufacturing naturally takes a few days longer than pulling a pre-packed box off the shelf.

Technical Deep Dive: Hook-on Systems vs. Fixed Systems

Whether you go for a kit or a bespoke solution, the hardware matters. At Redwood, we predominantly advocate for the Hook-on system.

• The Hook-on Rail: This is a stainless steel or galvanised track with “hooks” protruding at regular intervals.
• Pre-riveted Plate Sets: Each PVC strip is clamped between two metal plates. These plates have slots that drop directly onto the hooks of the rail.

Why is this better?
In an industrial environment, strips eventually get damaged. A forklift might catch one, or years of heavy use might scratch the PVC, reducing visibility. With a hook-on system, you don’t have to replace the whole curtain. You simply unhook the damaged strip and hook on a new one. It takes seconds. If you are looking for bulk material for repairs, you can find standard clear PVC rolls in our shop to keep on hand.

Energy Saving Curtains: The Real Impact

The primary goal for most of our customers, whether they buy a kit or a custom build, is temperature control.

In a warehouse, an open door is a massive energy drain. In the winter, your heaters are working overtime to heat the car park. In the summer, your air conditioning is doing the same. PVC strip curtains act as a thermal barrier. They stay closed by default, only opening exactly as much as needed to let a person or vehicle through, then immediately snapping back into place.

For cold storage, the savings are even more dramatic. Using Polar grade PVC (designed to stay flexible at sub-zero temperatures) prevents frost build-up on evaporators and keeps the “cold” where it belongs. This reduces the load on your compressors and extends the life of your equipment.

How to Measure for Your PVC Curtains

If you’re leaning towards a made-to-measure solution, getting the measurements right is crucial. Here is the Redwood “Golden Rule” for measuring:

1. Width: Measure the width of the opening. If you are face-fixing (mounting the rail to the wall above the door), we recommend adding about 50mm-100mm to the total width to ensure the curtain overlaps the door frame and prevents draughts.
2. Height: Measure from the lintel to the floor. If you are face-fixing, remember to include the height of the rail above the opening.
3. Floor Clearance: You want the strips to hang about 10mm-20mm off the floor. If they drag, they will wear out faster and become a trip hazard. If they are too high, you lose the thermal seal.

If your measurements match our standard sizes: for example, a 2m x 2m or a 3m x 3m opening: save yourself the lead time and grab a standard kit.

The Redwood Quality Guarantee

Since 1978, we’ve maintained a reputation for quality because we don’t cut corners. Our PVC is REACH compliant and manufactured to withstand the rigours of industrial life. Whether it’s a simple personnel door or a complex industrial strip curtain for a loading bay, the quality of the “Redwood” brand is baked into every strip.

We understand that industrial supplies aren’t just “items” on a checklist; they are essential components of your business’s efficiency. A poorly fitted curtain is a safety hazard and a waste of money. A well-fitted Redwood curtain is a silent worker that saves you thousands in energy costs over its lifespan.

Summary: Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose a Standard Kit if: Your door is a common size, you need it immediately (next working day delivery available on orders before noon), and you want the most cost-effective solution.
• Choose Made-to-Measure if: You have a unique door size, you need specific PVC types like anti-static or welding green, or you require a specific overlap for high-wind or high-traffic areas.

Still not sure which way to go? Our team has been doing this for over four decades. We can help you work out exactly how many strips you need, what width (200mm, 300mm, or 400mm) is best for your traffic levels, and which mounting system will hold up best in your environment.

Check out our full range of PVC strip curtains today, or get in touch if you need a hand with a bespoke quote. Whatever your doorway needs, we’ve got it covered.