- Location
- Slough, Berkshire
- Main postcode district
- SL1
- Nearby (straight line)
- Windsor (2 miles), Maidenhead (5 miles) and Gerrards Cross (6 miles)
- Survey and quote
- Free, with a fixed written quote
An inflatable dock shelter is a dock shelter with air-filled fabric cushions at the top and sides of the opening, kept deflated and close to the building until a trailer has reversed in. A fan then inflates the cushions so they press against the trailer roof and sides, giving a close seal that adapts to different trailer widths and heights, and deflates again before the trailer leaves.
Why do sites in Slough choose this?
Driving rain and wind at an open bay in Slough can wear cushion fabric, so a protective outer cover is worth considering on exposed docks. Fresh produce cooled at a packhouse in Slough stays colder during loading when the gap around the trailer is sealed by inflated cushions.
Specifying a new temperature-controlled warehouse in Slough is the ideal time to design inflatable shelters in with the doors and levellers, so controls are integrated from the start.
Before anything is ordered, we visit your site in Slough for a free survey and then send a written quote with a fixed price. From that point we manage the installation, coordinating delivery, access and any other trades. Fitting is done by specialist installation engineers engaged and managed by us, at times that suit your operation, including out of hours where agreed. You get a tested installation, a demonstration for your team and the manufacturer documentation.
Inflatable shelter, curtain shelter or dock seal: which suits a cold chain dock?
For a cold chain dock that receives trailers of different sizes, an inflatable shelter usually gives the best balance of close sealing and flexibility. A dock seal can match it on a uniform fleet, while a curtain shelter is better suited to ambient bays.
- Inflatable shelter: cushions adapt to each trailer's width and height and seal close to the body, with the full opening left clear.
- Dock seal: a tight, lower-cost seal when every trailer is the same size, but it can leave gaps on other vehicles and the pads can intrude into the opening.
- Curtain shelter: flexible and robust, but leaves small gaps that matter more at chilled and frozen docks.
Inflatables also stand clear of the trailer until it has docked, avoiding the rubbing that wears foam pads and curtains. The trade-off is the fan and controls, which need power and servicing. For frozen docks we specify the shelter alongside cold store dock doors so the two work together.
What maintenance does an inflatable dock shelter need?
An inflatable shelter needs regular checks on its fabric, fan and controls, because a puncture or a weak fan stops it sealing properly. Planned servicing catches most faults before they affect the cold chain.
- Cushion fabric: inspect for punctures, abrasion and failed seams, and patch or replace cushions as needed.
- Fan unit: check filters, motor and airflow so the cushions inflate fully and promptly.
- Retraction system: straps, weights or springs must pull the cushions back clear of the trailer.
- Controls and interlocks: confirm the sequence with the door, leveller and restraint still works.
- Frame and fixings: look for impact damage and corrosion.
Snow and ice on the top cushion can stop it retracting, so a check before winter is worthwhile. Service and repair visits are chargeable, and the price is agreed before anyone attends.
The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
What does the free survey cover?
- Clear opening width and height for each door
- Escape routes and pedestrian doors close to the bay
- Drainage on recessed or sloping dock approaches
- Control positions, isolators and any existing interlocks
- How often each door cycles during a typical shift
- Power supply at each bay, including three-phase availability
Options to discuss
Top cushion only
A single inflatable cushion across the top of the opening, paired with fixed side pads or curtains, for docks where trailer heights vary more than widths.
Protective outer covers
Hard-wearing covers over the cushions that shield the fabric from weather, sunlight and trailer contact, extending cushion life on exposed docks.
Which rules apply in England?
Sites in Slough fall under the rules for England. Structural changes such as forming a new opening or a dock leveller pit may need Building Regulations approval, and external structures such as loading houses, canopies or new dock approaches can need planning permission from the local planning authority. We check what applies at survey and build any approvals into the plan.
Questions about inflatable dock shelters in Slough
Can you work alongside our main contractor on a new build in Slough?
Yes. For new warehouses and fit-outs, we can supply and install the dock package as part of a wider project, working to the main contractor's programme, site rules and permits. We will need drawings, dock levels and the programme, and we coordinate pit details, power supplies and door openings with the relevant trades before installation begins.
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 Slough 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.
Is VAT included in your guide prices for inflatable dock shelters?
No. Our customers are businesses, so guide prices exclude VAT, which is added at the standard rate. The same guide range applies in Berkshire as everywhere else: for inflatable dock shelters, it is £6,800 to £12,800 per shelter, 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.
Do the cushions touch the trailer as it reverses in?
No, the cushions stay deflated and pulled back against the building while the trailer reverses in, so there is no rubbing as it docks. They inflate only once the trailer is in position and secured, which reduces wear on the fabric compared with foam seals and curtain shelters.
What happens to an inflatable shelter if the power fails?
If the power fails, the fan stops and the cushions gradually deflate, so the trailer can leave once loading has been brought to a safe end. At a cold store, the dock door should be closed by hand where possible to protect the store. We explain the power failure routine at handover.
Inflatable dock shelters near Slough
If your site is not in Slough itself, it may be near one of these: Windsor (2 miles), Maidenhead (5 miles) and Gerrards Cross (6 miles). Pick the closest.
Other loading bay services in Slough
Full guide to inflatable dock shelters · Everything we do in Slough
Whether it is a new bay or a fault on an existing one, call us or request a quote for your site in Slough.