Products: PVC Points to Ponder

This page is where you will find helpful information and tips for choosing the right strip door or PVC material for your application. If you have any questions that are not addressed on this site, please contact us for more information.

Above-opening mount (SL) vs. In-opening mount (UL)

When possible, we strongly suggest using above-opening mount hardware (SL) with side wall coverage for the following reasons:

a) strips can overlap the sides of the opening thus creating a better air block.

b) by mounting above the opening, stress on the hanging strips is reduced at the point strips attach to the mounting hardware.

c) above-opening mount hardware allows for maximum headroom in low-clearance situations.

d) most vinyl materials have a curve across the face of the material to create a concave/convex effect for a better seal.

This means that many jamb-mount applications may have a slight gap between the side wall and the vinyl strip.

Premium grade vs. standard grade

When comparing prices for PVC strip material, take note of the quality of the material and determine if they are offering Premium or standard grade material. Although Premium grade material generally costs more than standard grade, it lasts longer and will save you money by cutting down on the frequency of strip replacement and energy lost by cracked or broken strips. Not all strip material is alike! (Note: Don't confuse standard grade with standard temp material!)

Some common attributes of Premium grade material include:

a) Full sized in thickness and width.

b) Rounded edges for employee safety.

c) Ribs on offset double ribbed material are U-shaped to provide better protection against strip damage.

Some common attributes of standard grade material include: 

a) Undersized in thickness and/or width.

b) Excessive "water marks" or distortions that reduce strip clarity.

c) Square or rough strip edge that can cut employees.

d) Ribs on offset double ribbed material are squared and relatively thin.

e) Standard material contains less ultraviolet stabilizers, thus the material is more prone to yellowing.

Offset Double Ribbed or flat Material?

 For many personnel applications (walk-in coolers or freezers), flat material is a good solution for temperature control. For high-traffic or tow-motor activity applications, however, Offset Double Ribbed material is often a better choice. The raised, U-shaped shaped ribs reduce surface scratching and scarring and effectively prolongs the "life" of the strips. The ribbed material is also less likely to hang on or stick to whatever is going through the doorway, reducing the chance of strips being ripped down. Static build-up is also minimized by the reduced surface drag. The ribbed material is also a good choice for produce operations in which produce is packed in wooden crates. Ribbed material also prevents strips from sticking together in wet and/or humid environments. Many of our customers have said that using Offset Double Ribbed material instead of flat material in high traffic areas has extended useful strip life by about 50%. 

Low-Temp or Standard Temp Material?

 As a general rule of thumb, you would use Standard temp material for exterior, cooler, or ambient interior separation. The factory rates Standard material to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, but we suggest this material not be used at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize flexibility. We recommend USDA Low-Temp material for indoor applications below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The Low-Temp material is used primarily in freezers and is factory-rated to -40 degrees Fahrenheit,though we suggest using it at no lower than -20 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize flexibility. For extremely cold freezers, such as ice-cream or blast freezers, we recommend the USDA Extra Low temp material. We suggest this material for freezer applications from -20 to -25 degrees. This material stays flexible at low temperatures; and, while rated to -75 degrees Fahrenheit, can be used to -50 degrees Fahrenheit and retain its flexibility.

What size door do I need?

Some companies list their strip doors by their actual size (10' wide by 10' high), but this can be misleading when it comes time to make your buying decision. Often, the sizes listed are actual door sizes, NOT the coverage size. In other words, if you had a 10' by 10' opening, a 10' by 10' door may not give you adequate coverage. You would instead need an 11' by 11' door to provide proper coverage for the opening. Keep this in mind when comparing prices to make sure you are comparing the right numbers. In the above example of a 10' x 10' versus an 11' by 11' door, for instance, there is a difference of 21 square feet. We recommend about 4" of overlap on each side plus 4" above the opening to allow enough space for mounting the hardware. 

Overlaps explained.

Overlap is measured at the point strips attach to the mounting hardware. Overlap at the floor may be less due to the curve across the face of the material.