Types of Strip Doors

Material and Application

PVC is the most common material used to make strip doors, and it is available in a broad range of sizes, grades, and types to fit the needs of various commercial or industrial settings. Although many strip doors are clear for visibility purposes, there are also tinted versions available for use in specific applications like welding partitions or forklift traffic lanes. In general, the PVC material used to make strip doors is rated based on the following criteria:

• Thermal Conductivity - The rate at which heat passes through the strip door
• Tensile Strength - The maximum amount of stress the strip door can withstand before stretching, tearing, etc.
• Noise Abatement - The reduction in decibels as a result of the strip door, which often depends on the thickness of the material
• Ultraviolet-Resistance - Some strip doors contain ultraviolet inhibitors to allow them to be used outdoors in direct sunlight
• Anti-Static - Some strip doors are rated for use where static can be dangerous, such as areas that contain flammable substances
• Flame-Resistance - Some strip doors are rated for flame resistance since certain states have more stringent guidelines on the use of flame retardant material

All of these properties play a role in determining where and how the strip door can be used. Polar reinforced, or low temperature, PVC doors are rated for use in freezers or in outdoor applications where temperatures may fall to as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, standard grade PVC strip doors are recommended for areas where the ambient temperature will not dip below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. We also offer ribbed PVC doors, which are ideal for heavy traffic areas because they significantly reduce the appearance of scratches and mars in the material. This keeps your workers safe by ensuring that their visibility isn't compromised.

It's worth mentioning that if traditional strip doors with individual strips seem like they would be a hassle for your application, you may want to check out our strip curtain swing doors instead. Similar in construction and design, these curtain doors have only two wide strips of material that swing open and closed for easy access to the next room.

See below for a comparison of the types of doors we carry, their temperature ranges, and the applications where they can be best utilized.

Customizing Your Strip Door

Perhaps after browsing our selection of strip doors, you've decided that buying a roll of material and creating your own customized strip door is the best option for you. Unfortunately, the dilemma of correctly sizing the strips to your doorway remains. Follow these steps to create a tailor-made strip door without the fear of wasting material!

Step One: Measure your door opening.

In addition to recording the dimensions of the doorway, it's important to note anything that may hinder the installation of the door like space limitations on either side of the door or obstructions within the door frame.

Step Two: Determine how wide the strips need to be.

Once you've recorded the overall size of your doorway, you will need to consider what type of traffic will be moving through the door. For personnel, carts, and general traffic, 6"-8" wide strips will work fine. However, if the door must accommodate larger equipment or more industrial-type traffic, then 12"-16" wide strips are preferable. Check out the chart below for some guidelines on choosing the right width.

Step Three: Decide how much overlap you want between strips.

If you're installing an exterior door, it's best to go with 100% overlap to protect against inclement weather and wind. For indoor applications, less overlap may be required.

Step Four: Determine the linear footage of PVC strip needed for your application.

At this point, you've measured your doorway, decided on the width of the individual strips, and determined the amount of necessary overlap. Using the table below, cross reference the strip width you chose with the percentage of overlap you want to get the "multiplying factor."

Then, follow these instructions to determine the amount of material you will need to create your custom strip door. This calculation gives you the answer in linear footage so you know how long of a roll you should buy to complete your project. In the example below, you would need a roll at least 104' long to create a strip door to cover your door opening.

Step Five: Identify the best strip material for your application.

The type of strip you need to purchase is entirely dependent on where you will place the strip door. For example, if you're installing the door into a freezer, you will need to purchase a low temperature strip. If visibility is important because you're placing it in a high traffic area, then a standard, clear PVC strip is the perfect choice.

Step Six: Consider how you will mount the strip door.

There are a variety of ways that you can mount your strip door, and while the most common ways are wall or in-jamb mounts, there are others to consider listed in the chart below!