PVC Strip Curtain Overlap: Warehouse Measurement Guide

An opening can look fully covered and still leak warm air, let in dust, or become difficult to pass through. The PVC strip curtain overlap controls how well the curtain closes while allowing people, trolleys, and forklifts to move through.

A suitable measurement depends on the doorway size, strip width, traffic level, wind pressure, and temperature difference between areas. Get the overlap wrong and the strips may leave gaps, drag across the floor, or resist busy warehouse traffic. Start with the doorway itself, then match the curtain specification to how the opening operates.

How much PVC strip curtain overlap does a warehouse need?

Overlap describes how much one PVC strip covers the next strip across the doorway. A 50% overlap on a 300 mm strip means the strips overlap by 150 mm.

Choose overlap for the working conditions

A general warehouse doorway often starts with 200 mm or 300 mm strips and around 50% overlap. This gives a practical balance between separation and easy access.

Cold stores, chilled areas, windy external openings, and locations where pest control matters may need a closer seal. In these settings, a 100% overlap or a double-row curtain can reduce gaps more effectively. However, heavier or closely packed strips need more force to move, so they may slow forklift traffic.

The correct PVC strip curtain overlap also depends on the strip thickness. Thick strips resist damage and drafts, but they are less flexible than lighter internal-door strips.

Avoid choosing overlap by appearance

A curtain that looks dense when hanging still needs to close properly after repeated traffic. Forklifts can pull strips sideways, while temperature changes can make PVC contract or curl. A few damaged or missing strips can create a noticeable gap.

For that reason, the specification should consider the opening’s daily use rather than relying on a visual estimate. UK Doors & Shutters supplies made-to-measure PVC strip curtains for different doorway sizes and operating conditions.

Measure the warehouse doorway before ordering

Measure the clear opening, not the outside dimensions of the wall or door frame. The curtain must cover the route people and equipment actually use.

Record width, height, and mounting space

Measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening. Use the widest result. Then measure the height at the left, centre, and right sides, using the tallest result if the lintel or floor is uneven.

Also record:

• The clear width between the finished sides of the opening.
• The height from the finished floor to the underside of the lintel.
• Available headroom for the mounting rail or suspension brackets.
• Side space for wall fixings, returns, pipes, lights, and nearby equipment.
• Any slope, threshold, dock leveller, or raised floor beneath the curtain.

Check whether the rail will mount directly to the wall or hang below a structure. A beam, roller shutter box, conveyor, or sprinkler pipe may reduce the usable height.

Check the doorway around active traffic

A busy opening needs more than a width and height measurement. Note whether users include pedestrians, pallet trucks, forklifts, or delivery vehicles. Record the direction of travel and whether traffic approaches from both sides.

The HSE warehousing guidance says workplace traffic routes should suit the people and vehicles using them. If pedestrians and vehicles share the same route, review the HSE guidance on separating pedestrians and vehicles before fixing a curtain in place.

Calculate the strip quantity and overlap

Once the clear width and strip size are known, you can check whether the proposed PVC strip curtain overlap provides full coverage.

Use the pitch calculation for a single row

First, calculate the overlap amount by multiplying the strip width by the overlap percentage. Then subtract that amount from the strip width to find the pitch, which is the distance between adjacent strip positions.

For example, a 300 mm strip with 50% overlap has a 150 mm overlap and a 150 mm pitch. Across a 3,000 mm opening, 3,000 divided by 150 gives approximately 20 strips before allowing for the end positions.

This is a planning check rather than a final cutting schedule. The rail layout, side coverage, brackets, and manufacturer’s fitting pattern may change the final quantity.

At 100% overlap, a simple single-row pitch calculation no longer applies. The installation may need two rows or a specified hanging arrangement, so follow the supplier’s drawing rather than assuming that a single row will provide a complete seal.

Order the correct strip length

Strip length should suit the tallest clear opening, measured from the planned rail position to the floor line. Strips should normally hang close to the floor without dragging, bunching, or catching on a threshold.

If the floor is uneven, the installer may need to account for the highest point and the route of wheels beneath the curtain. Ordering to the shortest height can leave an uncovered gap at one side.

Strip length also affects movement. Excessively long strips can fold under wheels and become damaged. Short strips may reduce contact between adjacent sections and weaken temperature control.

Fit the curtain for reliable daily use

Correct measurements matter, but the mounting rail and surrounding area also affect performance. A badly fixed rail can move under repeated contact, changing the overlap across the doorway.

Keep the rail secure and the floor clear

The rail must suit the wall or supporting structure and carry the combined weight of the strips. Fixings should remain accessible for future strip replacement. Leave enough room for strips to swing through without catching on the frame, shutter guides, lights, or stored goods.

The bottom edges should stay aligned after installation. If one section curls, splits, or hangs higher than its neighbour, cold air and drafts can pass through the gap.

Review safety, fire, and maintenance requirements

PVC strip curtains control access, airflow, dust, and temperature. They don’t provide the same intruder protection as a steel roller shutter or security door. A warehouse may need a strip curtain for daytime movement, combined with an electric or manual shutter for secure closure when the premises are unattended.

Don’t assume that PVC strips provide fire protection. If the doorway sits on an escape route or forms part of a fire separation, check the design with the responsible person or fire risk assessor. The government’s fire safety risk assessment guidance provides useful principles for commercial premises, although the site’s own risk assessment remains the deciding document.

Inspect the rail, hooks, clips, and strips regularly. Clean away grease and warehouse dust, then replace split or missing strips before the overlap becomes uneven. A measured replacement is usually easier and less disruptive than waiting for the curtain to stop working properly.

Conclusion

The right PVC strip curtain overlap comes from matching the strip width, overlap pattern, doorway dimensions, and traffic conditions. Measure the opening at several points, check the mounting space, and calculate the strip pitch before ordering.

A 50% overlap often suits general warehouse use, while colder or windier openings may need a closer or double-row arrangement. For a site-specific measurement and quotation, Contact Us before installation, especially where forklifts, fire routes, or existing shutters share the same opening.