PVC Strip Curtain Size, Thickness and Overlap Guide
Use verified material sizes, doorway conditions and the required curtain structure to prepare a clearer specification. This guide separates strip dimensions from finished-curtain dimensions and flags every option that still needs order confirmation.
Confirmed sizes for the current clear PVC material
The current catalog lists a main specification of 2 mm thickness, 350, 400, 450 or 500 mm strip widths and 25 m per roll. The listed base operating range is −10°C to +60°C. Other supplied information also mentions 2 or 3 mm thicknesses and widths from 300 to 500 mm, so those alternatives must be confirmed for the specific order.
Specification reference
| Item | Current catalog information | What to confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Flexible PVC | Clear or listed color; conventional overlapping strips or magnetic-edged structure |
| Main thickness | 2 mm | Whether 2 mm suits the traffic and installation; 3 mm is a listed alternative, subject to confirmation |
| Main strip widths | 350 / 400 / 450 / 500 mm | Finished arrangement, coverage and number of strips |
| Other listed sizes | 300–500 mm widths; 2 / 3 mm thicknesses | Availability and exact combination for the order |
| Roll length | 25 m per roll | Required quantity after the finished configuration is agreed |
| Hardness / density | 75 ± 5 Shore A; 1.2 g/cm³ | Final supplied material specification |
| Operating temperature | −10°C to +60°C | Actual minimum/maximum temperature and whether a cold-resistant grade is required |
Four decisions that affect the finished curtain
Thickness
Use 2 mm as the current main specification, not as a universal answer for every doorway. If you are comparing 2 mm and 3 mm, provide the traffic type, exposure and mounting details so availability and suitability can be reviewed.
Strip width
A strip width of 350, 400, 450 or 500 mm describes the material, not the finished opening width. The doorway size and chosen strip arrangement determine how many strips are required.
Overlap or magnetic closure
Conventional strip curtains create coverage by overlapping flexible strips. The magnetic PVC version uses magnetic edging to help adjacent strips meet. Confirm which construction you need before calculating coverage or quantity.
Temperature and options
Compare the actual operating temperature with the listed −10°C to +60°C range. Cold-resistant and flame-retardant options are listed, but the grade and performance must be confirmed before quotation.
What the catalog does not decide for you
Thickness and width alone are not enough to specify a finished curtain. Passage frequency, people or trolley traffic, wind exposure, indoor or outdoor use, mounting surface, floor clearance and the required barrier performance all affect the configuration. Harbor Lux should review these conditions instead of assigning a size from one generic industry rule.
How to calculate PVC strip curtain overlap
For evenly spaced conventional strips, let w be strip width and o be the shared overlap between neighboring strips. Horizontal pitch is p = w − o. With N strips, nominal coverage is C = w + (N − 1)p. Keep all dimensions in the same unit.
For required coverage greater than one strip width, the preliminary count is N = 1 + round up[(C − w)/(w − o)]. Required coverage can be wider than the clear opening when the design includes side coverage.
Ask the supplier to define its overlap percentage on a drawing. Different hanger arrangements may use different labels. This formula does not specify magnetic panel spacing, alternating layers, hanger positions or edge trimming. Confirm strip count, pitch, side coverage and total width in the final layout.
What do 50% and 100% PVC strip curtain overlap mean?
Do not calculate strip quantity from a percentage label alone. Ask for the actual strip width, horizontal pitch, shared overlap in millimetres and the hanging pattern. A supplier’s overlap label may describe its particular hanger layout rather than the ratio used in the simple formula above.
Formula boundary: for this guide, the shared-overlap ratio is o/w and the pitch is w − o. This calculation requires 0 ≤ o < w. Substituting 100% as o = w makes pitch zero, so the strip-count formula cannot be used that way. It does not mean that a supplier’s “100% overlap” hanging system is impossible; its layout must be read from the supplier’s drawing.
For example, our 400 mm width and 100 mm shared-overlap illustration gives a 300 mm pitch and a 25% shared-overlap ratio under this definition. Those are geometry inputs, not a recommended traffic configuration or a universal naming convention.
Check these four details on the quotation drawing
- Definition: which edges or layers are being compared, and what the percentage measures.
- Pitch and sequence: distance between adjacent strip positions and any alternating front/back arrangement.
- Finished coverage: strip count, side coverage and how the two outer strips are positioned.
- System fit: whether the proposed material, hanger pattern and required passage have been reviewed together.
Do not assume that a higher percentage is automatically the right choice or proves air sealing, insect exclusion or energy savings. Compare an approved arrangement with the doorway’s actual task. For existing curtains, preserve the original layout record and use the replacement compatibility checklist before ordering.
Overlap definition clarified November 3, 2026. The calculation is a geometric model, not a product test or an installation approval.
What thickness PVC strip curtains do I need?
Choose thickness, width and overlap together. Wider or thicker strips and greater overlap can increase curtain weight and passage resistance. Hanging height, flexibility, traffic and air movement determine whether that tradeoff suits the opening.
| Condition | Selection task | Checks before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent pedestrians | Comfortable separation and visibility | Flexibility, strip width, overlap and passage trial where possible |
| Trolleys and loaded carts | Reduce snagging and pulling at the mounting | Load profile, contact height, recovery and fixing strength |
| Forklift traffic | Review the vehicle and load route | Visibility, clearance, wear points and suitability of the actual system |
| Tall or exposed opening | Maintain coverage under air movement | Hanging length, wind, weight, overlap and track capacity |
| Cold room | Retain suitable flexibility at operating temperature | SKU-specific service range and material evidence |
| Repeated rubbing | Plan wear inspection and replacement | Surface options, hanger compatibility and replaceable strips |
No single thickness is a universal answer. A useful PVC strip curtain sizes chart connects the available material to its traffic, height, overlap and mounting conditions. Use the catalog reference above as a starting point, then confirm the finished design.
How to verify your PVC strip curtain selection
Choosing a thickness is only the start. Confirm the material grade, strip width, hanging length, overlap layout and suspension system as one configuration. Then check the supplied assembly against that record. A thickness label alone does not verify comfortable passage, suitable cold-temperature flexibility or the capacity of the mounting system.
1. Write down the conditions the curtain must accommodate
Record the clear opening, mounting position and required finished coverage. State the units and distinguish clear opening height from the hanging length measured from the actual attachment point. Identify pedestrians, carts or other proposed traffic, including the largest load profile and approach route. Add the operating temperature, airflow exposure and any required material documentation.
If comparing 2 mm and 3 mm options, compare equivalent widths, lengths, material grades and overlap layouts. Otherwise, a difference in passage behavior or weight cannot be attributed to thickness alone. Request confirmation that the proposed size combination and hardware are available together.
2. Review a representative sample or proposed assembly
A small loose sample can help identify appearance and surface condition, but it cannot demonstrate how a full-height, overlapping curtain behaves. Where a representative trial is practical, agree the configuration and observation method with the supplier and site team. Record the material reference and conditions, including temperature. A room-temperature trial does not verify freezer performance.
Do not introduce powered vehicles simply to test an unapproved arrangement. The traffic route and system suitability need review first. A strip curtain is not an impact barrier or a substitute for site safety controls.
3. Check the delivered material before cutting or installation
Compare the order reference, grade, quantity and dimensions with the approved specification. Use an appropriate measuring tool and the agreed method; compare measurements with the written order tolerances rather than an assumed universal tolerance. Record surface damage and attachment details before preparing the strips.
Ask for clarification if labels, dimensions or hole patterns differ. Do not cut or alter a finished magnetic panel on the assumption that it behaves like ordinary roll material. Keep photographs and packaging references so any mismatch can be traced.
4. Verify coverage and passage after installation
Use the PVC strip curtain installation guide with the instructions supplied for the actual rail. Compare the installed strip sequence, edge coverage and floor clearance with the approved drawing. Observe the agreed traffic in a controlled area and document snagging, dragging, visibility or strips remaining displaced after passage.
Do not correct a mismatch by adding improvised weights, increasing overlap or trimming without reviewing the cause. If fittings move, material catches on loads or required access is obstructed, keep the affected opening out of normal use under the site’s procedure until the issue has been assessed.
| Check | Record | Compare with |
|---|---|---|
| Material and dimensions | Order reference, grade, measured width, thickness and length | Approved specification and agreed tolerances |
| Layout | Strip count, spacing, edge coverage and clearances | Supplied installation drawing |
| Passage | Traffic type, load profile and observed snagging or dragging | Agreed site requirements and system limitations |
| Return after passage | Where strips remain displaced and the observed conditions | Approved layout; supplier review if unresolved |
| Supporting evidence | Photos, date, observer and outstanding actions | Order record and installation handover |
What this inspection does not prove
A successful visual and passage check does not establish an energy-saving percentage, fire rating, sound reduction, wind rating or guaranteed service life. Each claimed property requires suitable evidence for the supplied material or assembly and its intended conditions. Do not substitute a certificate for another grade or a supplier’s general marketing statement.
If the layout is correct but the curtain becomes dirty or damaged in use, follow the cleaning, inspection and replacement guide before deciding whether replacement material is needed.
Request a documented configuration review
Review the current PVC strip material information, then send Harbor Lux the opening measurements, mounting photos, traffic, temperature, quantity and destination. Include your proposed thickness and width, any sample observations and the documents you need. Harbor Lux is a trading partner; the supplied grade, compatible fittings and final scope are confirmed in the quotation.
Request a configuration review
Selection verification checklist added 13 October 2026. Order-specific drawings, instructions and site requirements take precedence.
Track capacity, curtain weight and replacement planning
Estimate strip material mass from strip count × width × hanging length × thickness × density, with compatible units. Count the full material in every strip, including overlapped areas. Add the actual weight of hangers, edging, magnets and other components where applicable.
The mounting review must consider the track section, fixing spacing, supporting surface and forces from normal use. Confirm the allowable load, anchors and corrosion suitability for the installation. Stainless steel and galvanized fittings are different specifications; request the supplied grade and finish.
Keep the final strip width, thickness, hanger pattern and overlap drawing with the order record so replacement strips fit the existing system. Ribbed material, special hardware and alternative grades require availability confirmation.
Can PVC strip curtains be cut to size?
Roll material can be prepared to the agreed strip length. Confirm the track position, hanger allowance and finished floor clearance first. Clear opening height is not automatically the cutting length.
- Confirm whether you are buying rolls, prepared strips or a finished curtain.
- Agree the mounting position and layout drawing.
- Confirm hanger allowance and floor clearance.
- Follow the supplied cutting instructions and safe tool procedure.
- Check finished lengths, coverage and passage after hanging.
Ask for approval of any proposed trim to a finished magnetic panel, because cutting may affect the edging, magnets and closure. For low-temperature use, request the continuous service range and test conditions: a brittleness result alone does not establish the finished curtain’s minimum continuous operating temperature.
Compare alternative traffic barriers in our PVC curtains vs crash doors guide.
A worked sizing example—not a standard size recommendation
Suppose the agreed coverage target is 1,200 mm, the strip width is 400 mm and the shared overlap is 100 mm. Pitch is 300 mm. The preliminary count is 1 + round up[(1,200 − 400)/300] = 4 strips, giving 1,300 mm nominal coverage. Confirm how the extra coverage is distributed on the layout drawing rather than trimming by assumption.
| Worksheet field | Illustrative value | Order confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Required coverage | 1,200 mm | Include any agreed side coverage; do not confuse it with clear opening width. |
| Strip width / shared overlap | 400 / 100 mm | Verify the hanger arrangement and the supplier’s overlap definition. |
| Pitch / strip count | 300 mm / 4 | Confirm hanger positions and final edge coverage. |
| Cut length | Not calculated from width | Use the mounting-to-floor measurement, hanger detail and agreed clearance. |
| Material grade / thickness | Not selected by this example | Review temperature, traffic and mounting load separately. |
These are transparent geometry calculations, not measurements from a customer installation or a tested performance recommendation. For cold stiffening and heat softening, see how temperature affects PVC strip curtains. For vehicle and load-route considerations, use the warehouse doorway selection checklist.
Choosing a heavy duty PVC curtain configuration
When comparing heavy duty PVC strip curtains or heavy duty plastic door curtains, review the complete doorway assembly rather than choosing by thickness alone. A thickness label does not establish a load rating, a temperature rating or suitability for forklift traffic.
Compare quotations for the same curtain construction
First identify whether each offer is for loose roll material, cut overlapping strips, finished magnetic sections or a complete curtain with its hanging system. A price for PVC material cannot be compared directly with a price that includes prepared sections, magnetic edging and mounting hardware.
Ask each supplier to specify the material grade, section width, thickness, finished hanging length, arrangement and included fittings. Do not transfer dimensions or temperature claims from a conventional strip roll to a finished magnetic curtain, or from PVC to a mesh screen door.
Review thickness with the rail and fixing system
For the same material and dimensions, increasing thickness adds material mass. Obtain the finished assembly weight rather than judging the installation from strip thickness alone. Ask for the allowable rail load, fixing requirements and assessment of the supporting surface for the proposed assembly. Normal-use forces must also be considered.
Record the actual traffic: people, manually pushed trolleys or powered equipment. Supply the dimensions of the largest load and its approach route. A thicker curtain is not automatically easier to pass through or appropriate for every vehicle. Where vehicle suitability is uncertain, compare PVC strip curtains with crash doors before choosing a barrier.
Check what a sliding-rail option includes
A rail material name does not describe the full system. Request a drawing showing the rail profile, hangers, fixing positions, operating direction and any space needed to park the curtain beside the opening. Confirm whether the quoted arrangement is fixed, removable or designed to slide.
If an offer mentions a double track, ask how the two tracks operate and which curtain sections and fittings are included. Do not assume that an aluminium rail, a hanging-system upgrade or a sliding description is compatible with every curtain width and thickness.
Confirm bottom weights separately
If a quotation includes added bottom weights, confirm whether they are standard or optional, their position and mass, and the attachment method. Include them in the assembly weight review. An added-weight notation does not establish a wind rating or guarantee reliable closure in an exposed doorway. Do not attach improvised weights without approval for the assembly.
Use a written comparison checklist
- Match the product construction and finished coverage across quotations.
- Confirm the actual thickness, section width and hanging length as a compatible combination.
- Separate material-only pricing from the complete assembly and list all included fittings.
- Review rail capacity, support requirements, any bottom weights and operating clearance.
- Confirm the material grade for the minimum and maximum operating temperatures.
- Record traffic suitability and any limitations in the final quotation.
For overlapping-strip material, review the PVC strip curtain product specifications. For sectional magnetic configurations, review the magnetic PVC door curtain. Send opening measurements, mounting photos, traffic, temperature, quantity and destination for a configuration review and quotation.
Is a 3 mm PVC curtain automatically heavy duty?
No. Thickness describes one part of the product. Confirm the material grade, curtain dimensions, closure arrangement, hanging system, fixings and intended traffic together. A thickness figure alone does not establish a service life, test certification or forklift rating.
Information to send for a configuration review
- Opening width and height
- Measurement unit
- Inside-frame or outside-frame mounting
- Photos of the doorway and fixing surface
- People, trolley or other traffic type
- Traffic frequency
- Minimum and maximum temperature
- Indoor or outdoor exposure
- Roll material or finished curtain
- Quantity and destination
Frequently asked questions
What thickness is available for the PVC strip material?
The current main specification is 2 mm. Other supplied information also lists 3 mm as an option, but availability and the exact size combination must be confirmed for each order.
Which PVC strip widths are listed?
The main listed widths are 350, 400, 450 and 500 mm. Other supplied information describes a 300–500 mm range. A quotation should confirm the actual width and finished arrangement.
Does a 25 m roll mean the curtain is 25 m high?
No. The 25 m figure is the material roll length. Finished curtain height and width are specified separately.
Should I order overlapping strips or a magnetic PVC curtain?
Choose the construction before calculating quantity. Conventional strip curtains rely on overlap; the magnetic PVC version uses magnetic edging to help adjacent strips close. Doorway use and the preferred passage experience should be reviewed first.
Can this material be used in a cold room?
The base listed operating range is −10°C to +60°C. A cold-resistant option is also listed, but the grade and suitability for the actual minimum temperature must be confirmed before ordering.
Continue your selection
Review clear PVC strip material
See the current roll sizes, temperature range and ordering notes.
Compare the magnetic PVC version
Review the finished curtain structure with magnetic edging.
Have the doorway measurements ready?
Send the opening size, photos, traffic, operating temperature, quantity and destination. MOQ starts from one piece for eligible finished configurations.
Final dimensions, materials, options and performance are confirmed in the quotation.