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Shelters and seals · Egham

Retractable dock shelters in Egham

We take enquiries about retractable dock shelters from businesses in Egham and across Surrey, and manage each job from the first conversation to completion, with specialist engineers working under our management.

Guide £1,900–£4,400 per shelter ex VATFree site surveyTW20
Book a free survey0800 088 6248
Location
Egham, Surrey
Main postcode district
TW20
Nearby (straight line)
Staines (2 miles), Ashford (4 miles) and Windsor (4 miles)
Survey and quote
Free, with a fixed written quote
Retractable dock shelters, in short

A retractable dock shelter is a fabric shelter fixed to the building around a loading bay door, with flexible top and side curtains carried on a sprung or pantograph steel frame. When a trailer reverses in, the frame retracts and the curtains drape against the trailer's sides and roof, closing most of the gap while leaving the full width of the trailer opening clear for loading.

Is this right for your site in Egham?

Docks facing open ground in Egham can catch rain driven sideways into the bay, which a well-fitted retractable shelter helps keep out. Retail and e-commerce distribution centres in Egham with high trailer turnover need tough sprung-frame shelters that recover quickly after each departure.

Third-party logistics sites in Egham receiving trailers from many hauliers usually need a shelter rather than a seal, because widths and heights vary.

We keep the process simple for sites in Egham. 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.

How do I size a retractable shelter for my trailers?

Size a retractable shelter to the largest trailer you receive, with a projection deep enough for opened trailer doors and the leveller lip, and curtains that still reach the smallest vehicles. The trailer mix sets almost every dimension.

  • Width: wider than the trailer, so the side curtains drape along its sides rather than across the opening.
  • Height: high enough for the tallest trailers, with a top curtain deep enough to reach the roof of the lowest.
  • Projection: deep enough for the rear doors, folded back along the trailer sides, to sit inside the curtains.
  • Curtain cut-outs: vertical slits let the side curtains wrap around hinges and rear fittings without tearing.
  • Guide stripes: contrasting stripes on the curtains help drivers centre the trailer.

If your fleet is uniform, a seal may give a tighter fit. Our guide to shelters and seals sets out the trade-offs.

How much does a retractable dock shelter cost?

A retractable dock shelter typically costs £1,900 to £4,400 per shelter, excluding VAT, supply and fit. Most of the variation comes from size, projection and the curtain specification.

  • Size: width and height, set by your door and the largest trailers you receive.
  • Projection: deeper shelters cost more but leave room for opened trailer doors and the leveller lip.
  • Curtains: heavier-grade fabrics, slit side curtains, adjustable top curtains and guide stripes.
  • Frame: sprung, pantograph or rigid, in a galvanised or painted finish.
  • Fixings: fixing to cladding usually needs a steel subframe or spreader plates.
  • Access and removal: powered access equipment in the yard, and taking down an old shelter.

On an older shelter with a sound frame, new curtains may be all that is needed, and we will say so if that is the case. Every price is fixed in the written quote after a free site survey.

Guide price, Egham
£1,900–£4,400 per shelter, ex VAT

The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.

What we look at on site

  • Gaps around trailers where heated or chilled air escapes
  • Age and condition of the equipment already in place
  • How often each door cycles during a typical shift
  • Drainage on recessed or sloping dock approaches
  • Working hours, shift patterns and windows for out-of-hours work
  • Wind exposure at the dock, which affects door and shelter choice

Options to discuss

Guide stripes

Contrasting high-visibility stripes on the curtains that give drivers a clear target to aim for when reversing onto the bay.

Sprung-frame shelter

Side frames on springs that fold back when a trailer pushes in and recover when it leaves, a robust choice for busy docks and mixed fleets.

Which rules apply in England?

Sites in Egham 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 retractable dock shelters in Egham

Can you work alongside our main contractor on a new build in Egham?

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.

Is the site survey in Egham free?

Yes. For new installations, replacements, upgrades, conversions and complete bays, the site survey and written quote are free and come with no obligation. The survey lets us measure the openings, check the dock and structure, and understand how the bay is used, so the quote reflects your site. Repair and servicing visits are different: they are chargeable, with the price agreed before anyone attends.

Which building and safety rules apply to a site in Egham?

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 Egham, we check what applies at survey and design to it.

Can a shelter be fixed to a cladded wall?

Yes, but cladding on its own is not usually strong enough to carry a shelter. We fix through to the building's steel frame behind the cladding, or use a steel subframe or spreader plates to spread the load, and confirm the method after inspecting the wall.

What projection should a dock shelter have?

Projection should be deep enough to clear opened trailer doors and hinges and to suit the leveller lip and bumpers. Shelters are commonly made with projections from around 500 to 1,000 mm, and we recommend a depth once we know your trailers and leveller.

Retractable dock shelters near Egham

Sites close to Egham get the same service, including those in Staines (2 miles), Ashford (4 miles) and Windsor (4 miles), with every job run the same way.

Other loading bay services in Egham

Full guide to retractable dock shelters · Everything we do in Egham

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