PVC strip curtains in Greater London

In short

A PVC strip curtain is a row of flexible, overlapping plastic strips hung from a rail across a doorway, so that people and vehicles can pass through while the strips fall back to close the gap behind them. At loading bays they hang behind the main door or across internal openings, reducing draughts, dust and temperature loss for much less than the cost of a powered door.

What matters for PVC strip curtains in Greater London?

Smaller trade units in Greater London with a single goods door may find a strip curtain the most economical way to keep the working area warmer in winter. Measuring an opening in Greater London for a strip curtain takes only a short visit, and we note traffic, temperature and fixings at the same time.

Food and packaging businesses in Greater London can choose strip grades suited to regular cleaning, helping to separate dispatch areas from production.

The survey is free, the quote is written and the price is fixed: that is how every installation in Greater London begins. We then manage the work from start to finish. Fitting is carried out by specialist installers under our management, phased so the operation keeps moving, and nights or weekends can be booked by arrangement. On the final day we test the equipment with you and hand over the operating and maintenance information.

Which strip width, thickness and grade should I choose?

Choose the strip size by the size of the opening and the traffic through it, and the grade by temperature and use. Wider, thicker strips seal better and resist forklifts, but are heavier to push through on foot.

Pedestrian doorways: typically 200 mm wide by 2 mm thick strips with a modest overlap.
Forklift openings: typically 300 mm wide by 3 mm thick, with a larger overlap.
Large dock openings: typically 400 mm wide by 4 mm thick, which hang well in draughts.
Low-temperature grade: stays flexible in chillers and freezers, where standard PVC would stiffen and crack.
Ribbed strips: raised ribs take the wear from forklifts and keep the strips clearer for longer.
Specialist grades: anti-static, tinted or opaque, or welding grade for screening.

Overlap matters as much as thickness. A full overlap gives a better seal in cold or dusty areas, while a partial overlap is easier to walk through.

Are strip curtains safe where forklifts and pedestrians share an opening?

Strip curtains can be used where forklifts and pedestrians share an opening, but only if the strips stay clear enough for both to see through and the route is managed. Visibility is the main risk.

Clear strips scratch and cloud with use, so a driver may not see a person on the other side.
Ribbed strips and regular replacement keep visibility better for longer.
A separate pedestrian door beside the vehicle opening is the safer arrangement.
Floor markings and mirrors help where a separate door is not possible.

At very busy openings, a high-speed dock door with vision panels and safety sensors may be the better long-term answer, because it opens fully for each vehicle and closes again behind it. We can price both so you can compare the cost and the practical difference for your traffic.

Towns we cover in Greater London

Choose a town below to see how we handle PVC strip curtains in that part of Greater London.

Guide price

£180–£1,100 per opening, ex VAT

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 England mean for the work?

Sites in Greater London 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

Is VAT included in your guide prices for PVC strip curtains?

No. Our customers are businesses, so guide prices exclude VAT, which is added at the standard rate. The same guide range applies in Greater London as everywhere else: for PVC strip curtains, it is £180 to £1,100 per opening, 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.

Which building and safety rules apply to a site in Greater London?

It depends on which UK nation the site is in. England and Wales use Building Regulations approval, Scotland uses building warrants and Northern Ireland uses building control approval from the council. Workplace safety is regulated by HSE in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland, and energy rules differ between nations. For your site in Greater London, we check what applies at survey and design to it.

Which grade should we use in a freezer?

Use a low-temperature or polar grade in a freezer. Standard PVC stiffens in the cold, so it cracks and stops falling back into place, leaving gaps. Low-temperature grades are formulated to stay flexible in chilled and frozen conditions, so they keep sealing after each vehicle passes.

Are strip curtains a good alternative to a high-speed door?

Strip curtains are a good low-cost option for moderate traffic, but at very busy openings a high-speed door often performs better because it clears fully for each vehicle and closes behind it. The right choice depends on traffic volume, visibility needs and budget.

Other services in Greater London

Full guide to PVC strip curtains · All loading bay services in Greater London