Pre-Made vs Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains: Which Is Right for You?

PVC strip curtains provide a practical way to separate working areas, control temperatures, reduce draughts and maintain easy access for pedestrians and vehicles. They are widely used in warehouses, factories, cold storage facilities and commercial buildings.

When choosing PVC strip curtains, one of the first decisions is whether to purchase a pre-made PVC strip curtain kit or order a made-to-measure PVC strip curtain.

Rayflex supplies ready-made strip curtain kits for standard doorway sizes, alongside made-to-measure PVC strip curtains manufactured to suit individual openings and operating conditions.

Both options provide effective environmental separation, but the best choice depends on several factors, including doorway dimensions, traffic levels, temperature requirements, PVC specifications and delivery times.

This product comparison explains the differences between pre-made and made-to-measure PVC strip curtains to help you select the right option for your application.

Pre-Made vs Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains: Product Comparison

Both options have advantages. Pre-made kits are often suitable for straightforward installations, while made-to-measure PVC strip curtains provide greater control over dimensions, materials and strip overlap.

What Are Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains?

Made-to-measure PVC strip curtains are manufactured to suit the dimensions and operating requirements of a particular opening.

Unlike standard kits, which come in predetermined sizes, made-to-measure curtains are specified according to doorway measurements, environmental conditions and the type of traffic passing through the opening.

At Rayflex, we typically add 100mm to the overall curtain width and 50mm to the curtain length. These allowances help provide suitable coverage around the doorway and account for variations in floor levels.

For further information, read our PVC strip curtain measuring guide.

Made-to-measure curtains also allow greater control over important specifications, including:

• PVC strip width: Selected according to the opening size and traffic requirements.
• PVC thickness: Specified to suit the demands of the application.
• PVC grade: Selected according to temperature, visibility, hygiene and environmental requirements.
• Strip overlap: Adjusted to provide the required level of separation.
• Suspension system: Selected according to the fixing position and installation requirements.

You can learn more about choosing the correct dimensions in our PVC strip curtain thickness guide.

Where Are Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains Used?

Made-to-measure PVC strip curtains are particularly suitable for:

• Large warehouse and factory entrances.
• Non-standard doorways and openings beneath apex roofs.
• Areas with regular forklift and vehicle traffic.
• Cold rooms, freezers and refrigerated storage facilities.
• External entrances exposed to draughts.
• Food production and processing facilities.
• Cleanrooms and controlled environments.

Rayflex can recommend different PVC specifications, including standard clear, polar/freezer-grade, ribbed, welding-grade, perforated, frosted, anti-static and specialist ISO welding and ESD PVC.

For example, cold storage and freezer-grade PVC curtains require materials that remain flexible at low temperatures, while busy warehouse openings may benefit from thicker or ribbed PVC strips.

Main advantage: A made-to-measure PVC strip curtain provides a specification suited to the exact opening and its operating requirements.

What Are Pre-Made PVC Strip Curtain Kits?

Pre-made PVC strip curtain kits are supplied in standard sizes to suit common commercial and industrial doorways.

Rayflex stocks kits manufactured using standard PVC strip dimensions, including:

• 200mm wide x 2mm thick.
• 300mm wide x 3mm thick.
• 400mm wide x 4mm thick.

These dimensions suit different doorway sizes and traffic requirements, although the correct specification should always be checked before ordering.

Pre-made kits offer a straightforward purchasing option for customers who already know the dimensions and PVC specifications required.

Many standard kits are held in stock, allowing orders to be processed quickly. Where a kit is temporarily unavailable, Rayflex prioritises its manufacture.

Where Are Pre-Made PVC Strip Curtain Kits Used?

Ready-made PVC strip curtain kits are generally suitable when:

• The doorway matches a standard kit size.
• The application has straightforward operating requirements.
• The opening is primarily used for pedestrian or light-duty traffic.
• Standard-grade PVC is appropriate for the working environment.
• The customer understands the required PVC specification and installation process.

For example, a standard pedestrian doorway in a warehouse, workshop or commercial building may require a simple curtain to reduce draughts and separate working areas.

In these situations, a ready-made kit can provide a suitable option without the need for a custom specification.

Browse our pedestrian PVC strip curtain kits to view available products.

Main advantage: Pre-made kits offer convenient ordering and faster dispatch when the required size and specification are available from stock.

Which PVC Strip Curtain Should I Choose?

The best option depends on where the curtain will be installed, the size of the opening and the type of traffic passing through it.

Standard Pedestrian Doorways

For a standard internal doorway with regular pedestrian access, a pre-made PVC strip curtain kit is often the simplest option.

Provided the kit matches the opening dimensions and working conditions, there may be no need to purchase a made-to-measure curtain.

Warehouse and Manufacturing Openings

Warehouses and manufacturing facilities often have larger entrances, variable temperatures and frequent movement between working areas.

Both options may be suitable, depending on the opening size and activity levels.

For larger entrances or busy working environments, made-to-measure PVC strip curtains offer greater control over strip thickness, width and overlap.

This helps ensure the curtain is specified for the demands of the site.

Regular Forklift and Vehicle Traffic

Doorways used by forklifts, pallet trucks and other industrial vehicles require careful consideration of PVC thickness, strip width and traffic frequency.

Made-to-measure curtains are generally preferable for heavy-duty applications because the material can be selected according to the opening height and operating conditions.

Ribbed PVC may also be recommended for applications where strips experience regular contact with moving vehicles.

Cold Rooms and Freezers

Temperature control is particularly important in refrigerated storage environments.

Standard PVC can become less flexible at low temperatures, so cold rooms and freezers may require specialist polar or freezer-grade PVC strip curtains.

Rayflex supplies standard-size freezer kits using 200mm wide x 2mm thick PVC, which may be suitable for smaller cold room entrances.

Larger openings or applications with specific temperature and traffic requirements may benefit from made-to-measure curtains and alternative suspension systems.

Our freezer-grade PVC strip products are developed for low-temperature applications.

Large or Non-Standard Openings

Made-to-measure PVC strip curtains are usually the preferred choice for unusually shaped or oversized openings.

These may include wide warehouse entrances, openings beneath sloping roofs or doorways requiring specific fixing arrangements.

Manufacturing a curtain for the opening reduces the need to adapt a standard kit and allows the PVC specification to be selected according to the environment.

Are Made-to-Measure PVC Strip Curtains Always Better?

Not necessarily.

If a pre-made PVC strip curtain kit provides the correct dimensions, PVC grade, strip thickness and overlap, there may be little advantage in ordering a made-to-measure alternative.

For straightforward internal doorways, a standard kit can provide an appropriate and cost-effective solution.

However, larger industrial entrances, cold storage facilities, loading areas and busy forklift routes often require additional consideration.

The important factors are:

• Opening width and height.
• Temperature and environmental conditions.
• Pedestrian or vehicle traffic frequency.
• PVC strip width and thickness.
• Required strip overlap.
• Installation and suspension requirements.

Choosing the correct specification helps ensure the curtain provides suitable separation while allowing people and vehicles to move through the opening.

Get Expert Advice on PVC Strip Curtains from Rayflex

Whether you need a standard doorway kit or a made-to-measure industrial PVC strip curtain, Rayflex can help you select the correct product for your requirements.

Our specialists can advise on PVC grades, dimensions, strip overlap and installation requirements. If a pre-made kit is suitable, we can recommend the appropriate option. Where a specialist specification is required, we can provide a made-to-measure solution.

Get the specification right. Get the price right.

Browse our PVC strip curtain range, or use our PVC Strip Curtain Quote and Instant Price Calculator to enter your opening dimensions and receive an online price estimate.

Alternatively, call 01925 638 753 to discuss your requirements with the Rayflex team.