Choosing the Right Strip Door for Your Application

A strip door is a low cost environmental barrier that is constructed of clear PVC strips that attach to a bracket that mounts above or within an opening. The strips overlap, creating a “wall” that separates one area from another.

First, measure the opening width and height. Check for any obstructions near the opening that may affect the mounting of a door to the surface. Common obstructions are lights, switches, vents, water and drain lines. Never assume, always measure!

Next, determine the type and volume of traffic to help determine the material width and the amount of overlap required.

Personnel - Strip Doors with people traffic should utilize smaller size strips with less overlap. Consider using 6” or 8” material with 33% to 67% overlap. Only use 4” material on very small openings with personnel only traffic. Keep in mind that smaller strips give less wind resistance, and will not hold up as well under heavy fork lift traffic.

Pallet jacks - Manual or motorized pallet jacks normally indicate that the door will get heavier traffic and larger material volume. Pallet jacks also typically have a person to guide or push. If an opening has heavy pallet and personnel traffic, consider 6” material with 67% overlap, or 8” with 25% or 50% overlap.

Fork Lifts - Fork lift traffic normally indicates heavy traffic with more abuse. Larger strip sizes should be considered with fork lift traffic. Also consider the type of load the fork lift is carrying as the strips will drag over the load. If the load is light, the larger strips may tend to drag product off of the load. Consider 8” material with 50% to 100% overlap or 12” material with 25% or 50% overlap

Opening Size to Load Ratio - If the opening is small in relation to the size of the load, you may want to consider smaller strips with less overlap as the strips are more prone to dragging over the load. For example, consider 8” material versus 12” material on a 96” high opening with an 84” high load.

Now, determine the type of material you need

Standard Clear - For use in interior and exterior applications above freezing

Standard Clear Loc Rib - For use in interior and exterior applications above freezing - more durable than Standard Clear and scratch resistant

Low Temp Clear - For use in interior applications below 40 degrees F

Low Temp Reinforced - For use in interior applications below 40 degrees F

Low Temp Clear Loc Rib - For use in interior applications below 40 degrees F - more durable than Low Temp Clear and scratch resistant

Color View - For use in areas where a visual barrier is desired

Anti Static - For use in applications with high dust or manufacturing facilities where static build-up may be a problem (flammable materials, explosives, etc.)

Weld Screen - For use around welding tables or welding machinery

Finally, considering the type of mounting to fit your needs

In-Jamb Mount - Mounts inside the jamb to the frame header so it does not take up any wall space. It can be mounted in conjunction with another door.

Wall Mount - This method of mounting the strip door overlaps the opening in width and height. The Standard overlap in height is 6”. Also called “face of wall” & “surface mount”, this method requires clear, unobstructed wall space around the opening.

Swing-Away Bracket - Consists of a single or bi-parting bracket that mounts to the face of the wall. The bracket is designed to swing away from the opening and out of the way. This door is manually opened and closed. A common application is a door that is used in cold weather, but not needed in warm weather.

Gravity Return Bracket - This strip door mounts inside jamb on gravity return hinges. Door swings open when impacted. The hinge is the same basic design as the flexible door gravity return hinge.

Sliding Track Bracket - The hardware system consists of a box track and trolleys that attach to a strip door bracket. This design requires clearance next to the opening equal to the door system.

Overhead Door Bracket - These are designed to fit around a garage door. The benefit to this design is it installs on an exterior door, but is inside the building where it isn’t exposed to the weather.

Large openings, areas with draft, and high traffic openings require wider strips and more overlap. Smaller openings, jamb mounted doors, and openings with pedestrian traffic call for smaller strips and/or less overlap.

We can help you make the right choice for your specific application. Just give us a call and we will be glad to help.