A dock seal is a set of fabric-covered foam pads fixed to the building around a loading bay door, usually a head pad and two side pads. When a trailer reverses in, its rear end presses into the foam, which compresses to close the gaps around the trailer body. Seals give a very tight fit but work best when the trailers using the bay are a consistent size.
Where does this fit at a dock in Argyll and Bute?
A dedicated chilled fleet serving a site in Argyll and Bute can be sealed closely with foam pads, at lower cost than fitting an inflatable shelter. Weather-exposed bays in Argyll and Bute gain the most from a well-fitted seal, since wind and rain otherwise find every gap around the trailer.
Before recommending seals for a bay in Argyll and Bute, we check how consistent your trailers are, because mixed fleets are usually better served by a shelter.
We keep the process simple for sites in Argyll and Bute. A free survey tells us what the dock needs; a fixed written quote tells you what it will cost and what is included. We then organise the installation, with specialist engineers under our management and a programme agreed around your shifts. Night and weekend work is available by arrangement. Before we leave, the new equipment is tested, demonstrated and handed over with its documentation.
When is a dock seal a better choice than a shelter?
A dock seal is a better choice than a shelter when the trailers using a bay are consistent in size, the dock height suits them, and the tightest practical seal matters. Mixed fleets are usually better served by a shelter.
- Consistent fleets: dedicated vehicles or regular hauliers using the same trailer type.
- Temperature control: chilled or heated buildings where gaps around the trailer are costly.
- Security and hygiene: fewer gaps for pests, dust and unauthorised access during loading.
- Budget: seals cost less than inflatable shelters for a close fit.
The trade-offs are that seals can leave gaps at trailer door hinges, side pads can intrude into the trailer opening if poorly sized, and the covers wear from rubbing. If your trailers vary, compare our retractable dock shelters before deciding, as they leave the full opening clear.
Why does the gap between the seal and the bumpers matter?
The distance between the face of the seal and the face of the bumpers decides how far the trailer compresses the foam, and getting it right is the difference between a good seal and pads that are crushed or leave gaps.
- Too little projection: the trailer meets the bumpers before it presses the foam enough, leaving gaps at the head and sides.
- Too much projection: the foam is over-compressed, which crushes the pads, strains the fixings and can push the trailer forward as the foam recovers.
- Worn bumpers: let trailers travel further than designed, over-compressing the seal every time.
Correct projection depends on the foam depth and your trailers, so we set it at installation and it should be checked at each service. Keeping dock bumpers in good condition protects both the seal and the leveller from repeated impact.
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute
We provide dock seals right across Argyll and Bute. Pick the town closest to your site from the list below.
Budget range for supply and fit. The written quote after a free survey is the fixed price. All guide prices.
What do the rules in Scotland mean for the work?
Doors and dock equipment installed in Scotland may carry the UKCA or the CE mark, and we pass on the documentation for everything fitted in Argyll and Bute. Because building warrant and planning questions can affect the programme, we check what applies at survey and raise any approvals early rather than assuming none are needed.
Questions
Is VAT included in your guide prices for dock seals?
No. Our customers are businesses, so guide prices exclude VAT, which is added at the standard rate. The same guide range applies in Argyll and Bute as everywhere else: for dock seals, it is £1,100 to £2,600 per set, excluding VAT. It covers supply and fit for a typical installation. Your fixed written quote after the free survey shows the net price, the VAT and exactly what is included.
What warranty comes with new loading bay equipment?
New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by product. Our workmanship terms are set out in writing in the quote for your Argyll and Bute site, so you can see what is covered before you commit. Check the warranty terms for any servicing conditions, and we can quote for planned maintenance once the installation is complete.
Can dock seals handle trailers of different heights?
Only within a limited range. A fixed head pad seals well on trailers of one height but leaves gaps over lower ones and can be crushed by taller ones. A seal with a flexible curtain head copes better with varied heights, and for very mixed fleets a shelter is usually the better option.
Are dock seals suitable for cold stores?
Yes, for cold stores with consistent trailers a dock seal gives a tight fit at a lower cost than an inflatable shelter. The pads must be kept in good condition, because water in the foam can freeze and stiffen it. Mixed fleets at cold stores are often better served by inflatable shelters.
Other services in Argyll and Bute
Full guide to dock seals · All loading bay services in Argyll and Bute