This issue may seem small to some, but did you know that any gap you find near a parked trailer in a loading dock could be costing you money? Air conditioning and heating can escape through these gaps, which, per dock position, could cost hundreds of dollars a year. Unwanted outdoor elements such as rodents, bugs, rain, wind, and dust can also get into your warehouse facility, which could create an unsuitable work environment for your employees, cause warehouse inspection issues, and contribute to product damage.
Dock seals and dock shelters can help you deal with these issues so that your products are the only things that are leaving your loading dock door. Dock seals and shelters keep a warehouse environmentally controlled, but they can also serve a variety of applications. You will be able to make a more informed decision if you know the differences between the two.
A dock shelter forms a seal by sealing the perimeter of the trailer to enclose it. Fabric curtains that are fitted with fiberglass stays apply pressure against the trailer’s sides. The shelters are not designed to be compressed into the trailer and are subjected to less damage from daily use, because they service a variety of trailer styles and heights and also fit larger dock door openings. For maximum loading and unloading efficiency, they allow for complete, unobstructed access to trailer loads.
Compared with foam dock seals, dock shelters don’t provide as tight of a seal; however, newer models include features that make them as effective as foam seals. A less expensive or older dock shelter does not efficiently seal a trailer door hinge, which amounts to around 2.5 square feet of open space at each dock position where contaminants flow in and energy flows out. In addition, the tops of the trailers have inadequate sealing. When trailers are backed in, most of the trailer tops leave large corner gaps. On the other hand, newer models have side curtains with an edge hook that wraps around the hinge found on both sides of the trailer for a complete seal. Weighted, gravity-based corner gaps and head curtains are tightly sealed to the trailer tops through an engineered head curtain/side-curtain function.
Trailers compress into foam pads known as dock seals whenever they back in and rest against a dock bumper, where they form a seal around three of the trailer’s sides. A dock seal is an inexpensive alternative to dock shelters in that they provide a relatively tight seal. It is important to bear in mind that loading docks with heavy traffic flow can wear down the seals over time. Dock seals are recommended for minor variations in the style and size of the trailers that are being served.
Foam compression dock seals restrict access from a forklift to a trailer because of their design. The reason this happens is that when the dock seals are compressed by the trailer, the fabric and foam from the side pads enters the opening of the trailer. On the other hand, if space is an issue, dock seals tend to take up less space on the outside of a dock, which could make them a good choice for your warehouse operations.
Some dock seals accomplish more than others, just like dock shelters. Our dock seals are top-of-the-line, and include features that protect against certain types of damage such as trailer friction and pressure, head pad pop-off and sag, and burns from trailer marker lights.
Our comprehensive comparison chart below will give you a better idea of how dock shelters and dock seals stack up.
Price
Dock Seals: Low-end models are less expensive than dock shelters. Top-of-the-line models are more expensive.
Dock Shelters: Priced based on durability and sealing effectiveness. Generally higher prices than dock seals.
Seal Effectiveness
Dock Seals: Effectiveness is very good or excellent, depending on if the top is sealed with a head pad or a head curtain, and whether the seal has additional features.
Dock Shelters: Depending on the model, some shelters offer first-rate sealing effectiveness that’s on par with top-of-the-line dock seals. Some shelters leave large gaps. Sealing effectiveness is also affected by the type of trailer that’s being served, which is why it is important for you to select the right model for your needs.
Adaptability
Dock Seals: Work well with applications that have relatively small dock openings, limited trailer-sized services, and/or tight spaces between door openings.
Dock Shelters: Service a variety of trailer styles and heights, and can fit larger dock door openings. The likelihood of them becoming damaged over time is low.
Head Curtain
Dock Seals: Can only be adjusted manually.
Dock Shelters: Gravity and weight are used to keep in contact with the trailer’s roof and position the trailer top automatically on higher-end models.
Resilience
Dock Seals: Prone to wear and tear over time. Friction-resistant fabric and replicable reinforcement boots can be added to reduce wear and tear.
Dock Shelters: Not as likely to become damaged due to wear and tear.
When you are deciding whether to purchase a dock seal or a dock shelter, one of the most important factors you should consider is determining which solution will effectively eliminate gaps at your dock. No matter which option you choose, both have advantages and disadvantages.
Contact us today! We can help you decide which solution will work best for your environment.
