- Location
- Coleraine, County Londonderry
- Main postcode districts
- BT51 and BT52
- Nearby (straight line)
- Limavady (13 miles), Ballymena (24 miles) and Magherafelt (26 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.
Where does this fit at a dock in Coleraine?
Fresh produce cooled at a packhouse in Coleraine stays colder during loading when the gap around the trailer is sealed by inflated cushions. Pharmaceutical distributors around Coleraine working to tight temperature limits may want the close seal an inflatable shelter gives during every load.
Frozen food stores in Coleraine loading trailers of varying sizes can use inflatable shelters to keep warm outside air away from the open door.
Before anything is ordered, we visit your site in Coleraine 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.
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.
How much does an inflatable dock shelter cost?
An inflatable dock shelter typically costs £6,800 to £12,800 per shelter, excluding VAT, supply and fit. It costs more than a curtain shelter or foam seal because of its cushions, fan and controls, and the closer seal it gives.
Costs are driven mainly by:
- Size: door width and height, and the range of trailers to be sealed.
- Cushion layout: a top cushion only, or top and side cushions.
- Fan and controls: standalone push-button control or full integration with the door, leveller and restraint.
- Frame and covers: the steel frame and any protective outer curtains.
- Cold store features: insulated frames or heating where ice is a concern.
- Site work: wall fixings, power supply, powered access equipment and removal of an old shelter or seal.
We fix the price in the written quote after a free site survey, which also confirms whether your trailer range suits an inflatable shelter.
The same published guide range applies across Northern Ireland; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
Survey checklist for your dock
- How drivers are prevented from pulling away too early
- Traffic routes for vehicles and separation of pedestrians
- Scope to convert ground-level doors into docks or add lift tables
- Working hours, shift patterns and windows for out-of-hours work
- Wheel guide positions and yard markings for reversing vehicles
- Yard gradient and the slope of the approach to the dock
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.
Interlocked controls
Controls linked to the door, leveller and restraint so the shelter inflates before the door opens and deflates only once it has closed.
Which rules apply in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland, the CE mark (or CE with UKNI) applies to powered doors and dock equipment. We hand over the documentation for each item fitted in Coleraine, and because building control and planning are handled by the council, we check what applies at survey before any dates are set.
Questions about inflatable dock shelters in Coleraine
Can you work alongside our main contractor on a new build in Coleraine?
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 details do you need from us to quote for inflatable dock shelters?
To get started, send the site address in Coleraine, the number of bays or openings, approximate sizes, and photos of the dock from inside and outside. Tell us what vehicles you load, what goods you handle and any temperature requirements. Drawings help on new builds. We then arrange the free survey and confirm the details before the written quote is issued.
How long does installation take at a site in Coleraine?
It depends on the equipment, the number of bays, the condition of the dock and whether any building or electrical work is needed. We agree a programme with you after the survey, setting out which bays are out of use and when. Larger jobs are usually phased so that part of the dock stays open, and out-of-hours working can be arranged.
Can a punctured cushion be repaired?
Small punctures and tears can usually be patched, and a badly damaged cushion can be replaced on its own without changing the frame or fan. Repairs are carried out on a chargeable visit, with the price agreed before anyone attends.
Is an inflatable shelter worth it at an ambient dock?
An inflatable shelter works at any dock, but at ambient bays a curtain shelter or dock seal usually gives enough sealing for less cost. Inflatables make most sense where temperature, hygiene or energy use makes the closest practical seal worth paying for.
Inflatable dock shelters near Coleraine
Looking beyond Coleraine? Our pages for Limavady (13 miles), Ballymena (24 miles) and Magherafelt (26 miles) describe the same loading bay services and how to get in touch.
Other loading bay services in Coleraine
Full guide to inflatable dock shelters · Everything we do in Coleraine
Use the quote tool to tell us about the doors, levellers or shelters at your Coleraine site, and we will be in touch to arrange the next step.