PVC strip curtain thickness guide from experts with over 50 years of experience

If you're wondering ‘What thickness PVC strip curtain do I need?’, the answer depends on your doorway size, traffic type, and temperature conditions. Choosing between 1mm, 2mm, 3mm or 4mm PVC strip curtains affects durability, insulation performance, and ease of access. Selecting the correct strip thickness and total product weight is one of the most important steps when specifying strip curtains for an industrial or commercial doorway.

Whether you need PVC strip curtains for a pedestrian entrance, a cold room, or a busy warehouse loading bay, choosing the correct strip thickness is essential for durability, insulation, and ease of access.

So, what thickness PVC strip curtain do I need? In this guide, we explain the most common PVC strip curtain sizes — including 100mm x 1mm, 200mm x 2mm, 300mm x 3mm, and 400mm x 4mm — and help you choose the right dimension and product weight for your application.

If you already know your doorway dimensions, you can use our PVC strip curtain quote to request tailored advice from our expert team or our instant strip curtain price calculator to get an instant online estimate.

Why PVC Strip Curtain Thickness Matters

PVC strip curtains are designed to provide an effective transparent barrier while allowing hands-free access between working environments. However, not all strip curtains are the same. The best PVC strip curtain for warehouse division might be different to the best PVC strip curtain for forklift traffic, for example — and here we explain why.

The thickness and width of PVC strips directly determine:

  • Impact resistance of the PVC curtain.
  • Ease of access and passage through the doorway.
  • Degree of temperature separation between areas.
  • Durability of the PVC strip curtain in high-traffic environments.
  • Containment performance for dust, fumes, insects, or noise.

Selecting the correct thickness will strike the optimal balance between ease of access, flexibility, durability, and insulation.

Quick Guide:

  • Pedestrian doors → openings up to 2.5m wide x 2.5m high → 200mm x 2mm
  • Area dividers & screens → over 3m wide x 3m high opening → 300mm x 3mm
  • Warehouse doors → forklift traffic → over 4m wide x 4m high opening → 400mm x 4mm
  • Sub-zero environments → Polar Grade → 200mm x 2mm or 300mm x 3mm
  • Ribbed versions of each strip size are also available. These improve durability and allow smoother movement through the curtain, making access easier.

100mm x 1mm PVC Strip Curtains (Ultra-Light Duty)

Ideal for use on commercial fridges and multideck fridges:

100mm wide x 1mm thick

Best for:

  • Multideck fridge sizes 1200mm / 1500mm / 1800mm wide x 1500mm high.
  • Chiller blinds on multi-deck fridges / Open fronted chiller displays.
  • Deli counters.
  • Commercial refrigeration units.

Key benefits:

  • Reduces fridge energy consumption by up to 50%.
  • Keeps products cold for customers.
  • Increases lifespan of chiller units.
  • Temperature consistency - preserves the life of chilled produce.

200mm x 2mm PVC Strip Curtains (Light Duty)

The most common PVC strip curtain size for internal pedestrian doorways is:

200mm wide x 2mm thick

Best for:

  • Doorways up to 2.5m wide x 2.5m high.
  • Pedestrian access doorways.
  • Staff entrances in warehouses.
  • Internal temperature division between areas.
  • Light industrial environments.

Key benefits:

  • Cost-effective solution.
  • Flexible and easy to walk through.
  • Excellent visibility through clear PVC.
  • Suitable for pedestrian traffic.

200mm wide x 2mm thick PVC strip curtains are ideal where the primary requirement is draft reduction, hygiene improvement, or basic temperature control on pedestrian openings and doorways.

Need a 200mm x 2mm PVC strip curtain for your doorway? Use our PVC strip curtain calculator or request a fast quotation today.

300mm x 3mm PVC Strip Curtains (Medium Duty)

For larger openings, internal area division or screening applications, a heavier and stronger PVC strip specification is required:

300mm wide x 3mm thick

Best for:

  • Doorways over 3m wide x 3m high
  • Area division and factory screening
  • Medium traffic zones
  • Workstation and warehouse separation

Key benefits:

  • Increased durability compared to 2mm strips (35% more durable).
  • Better containment for heat, dust, and airborne particles — helping protect staff working areas.
  • Improved screening between work areas (35% heavier screening than 2mm PVC).
  • Suitable for industrial use (roll cages / pallet and pump trucks / light FLT access).

300mm x 3mm strip curtains are commonly used for openings above 3m wide x 3m high and for creating partitioned production zones, hygienic separation, or reducing drafts across large areas and openings.

Need a 300mm x 3mm PVC strip curtain for your doorway? Use our instant price calculator or request a PVC strip curtain quote today.

400mm x 4mm PVC Strip Curtains (Heavy Duty)

Industrial PVC strip curtain sizes vary, but 400mm x 4mm is the standard choice for demanding, high-traffic environments with regular industrial vehicle access.

400mm wide x 4mm thick

Best for:

  • Doorways over 4m wide x 4m high.
  • Forklift truck doorways.
  • Warehouse loading bays.
  • Large external industrial openings.
  • High-traffic logistics environments.

Key benefits:

  • Maximum impact resistance.
  • Durability in demanding industrial conditions.
  • Weather protection – heavy sealing for large openings.
  • Withstands repeated industrial vehicle impact.

Heavy-duty PVC strip curtains allow you to keep your main access points open whilst minimising energy loss and downtime caused by opening and closing large industrial doors. They are essential for maintaining workflow efficiency while protecting against heat loss, drafts, and contamination in busy industrial settings.

Need a 400mm x 4mm PVC strip curtain for your industrial doorway? Complete our quotation form for expert advice and product recommendation.

What Thickness PVC Strip Curtains Are Best for Freezers and Cold Rooms?

Cold storage environments require a specialist freezer grade PVC, extruded to a specific formulation. Standard PVC becomes stiff at low temperatures, which reduces effectiveness and makes access difficult.

Most commonly this will be 2mm, although we also supply 3mm thick freezer grade for applications that are extremely demanding and where traffic levels are particularly high.

For freezer environments, Rayflex recommends:

Polar Grade (Freezer-Grade) flat or Ribbed PVC

These remain flexible at permanently sub-zero temperatures due to a specialist plasticiser added during the PVC extrusion process. This prevents the PVC from becoming brittle in permanently frozen environments. Conversely, freezer-grade PVC is too soft and tacky for use in ambient temperature.

Best for:

  • Cold rooms operating below 0°C.
  • Walk-in Freezers in supermarket environments.
  • Food processing cold storage environments.
  • Temperature-controlled warehouses.

Key benefits:

  • Prevents cold air loss.
  • Maintains flexibility below 0°C.
  • Maintains consistent temperatures in freezer cold stores.
  • Reduces energy wastage on open doors.
  • Maintains capacity of air conditioning systems and reduces internal icing.

Freezer-grade PVC strip curtains are essential for energy efficiency and operational safety in cold environments.

PVC Strip Curtain Thickness Comparison Table

Application Type Recommended Strip Size PVC Grade Best For
Pedestrian Doorways 200mm x 2mm Standard flat or Ribbed PVC Staff entrances, internal access
Area Division & Screening 300mm x 3mm Standard flat or Ribbed PVC Factory partitions, screening
Industrial & Forklift Traffic 400mm x 4mm Standard flat or Ribbed PVC Loading bays, warehouse doors
Cold Rooms & Freezers 200–300mm x 2–3mm Polar Grade (Freezer-Grade) flat or Ribbed PVC Freezers, cold storage environments

This table provides a general guide — exact strip overlap and configuration may vary depending on traffic and environmental requirements.

How Do I Choose the Right PVC Strip Curtain Thickness?

When selecting the correct strip curtain specification, consider:

  • Doorway width and height
  • Pedestrian, screening, cold storage, or forklift traffic
  • Internal or external exposure to weather (wind / rain / heat)
  • Temperature conditions (ambient vs freezer)
  • Hygiene and performance requirements (food production, cleanrooms)
  • Required durability and lifespan.

If you are unsure, Rayflex provides free expert support and will recommend the correct PVC grade, strip thickness, and overlap for your application.

Get an Instant PVC Strip Curtain Quote

Rayflex manufactures made-to-measure PVC strip curtains in the UK for all industrial and commercial environments.

You can:

Prices for pedestrian-grade PVC strip curtains typically start from around £35 per m², depending on specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is thicker PVC always better?

Not always. Thicker strips are more durable, but they are heavier. Pedestrian doorways often benefit from lighter 2mm strips where pedestrians can pass with ease, while warehouse doors require heavy-duty ribbed 4mm curtains that can withstand the frequent impact of forklift trucks.

Can forklifts drive through 2mm PVC strip curtains?

2mm strips are not recommended for forklift traffic, as they wear quickly. For industrial vehicle access, 400mm x 4mm heavy-duty strips are best.

Does thicker PVC improve insulation?

Thickness and total weight of PVC strip curtains are key to insulating your application, along with the correct overlap configuration and suspension system. All elements work together to ensure optimal temperature control and energy efficiency within the space.

Speak to Rayflex PVC Strip Curtain Experts Today

With over 50 years of experience and UK manufacturing expertise, Rayflex supplies high-quality PVC strip curtain kits and made-to-measure solutions across the UK and Europe.

For a free quotation or specification guidance, contact our team or use our instant strip curtain price calculator today.