There are a wide variety of types of industrial curtains, and the variety is really dependent on the material. While the materials are most often polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl, any material used for this purpose is often fire- and chemical-retardant, and in some cases, transparent or opaque. Regardless of material, however, there are really two main types of industrial curtains: mobile and stationary curtains.
Stationary curtains are installed in the building they’re located in and run along metal runners located on the ceiling. Mobile curtains work in a similar manner, but are exactly what their name suggests: mobile. Typically, they consist of a detached metal framework and move along wheels for easy transportation. The curtains themselves take up the space within the metal framework and can be draw and withdrawn through the aid of rollers along the top. Mobile curtains are very convenient for separating rooms while making it so that vehicles or personnel can still pass through with ease.
The most commonly found type of industrial curtain, whether it be stationary or mobile, is the PVC strip curtain. Despite being very flexible, they are able to retain hot or cold temperatures very well. This makes it easy for machinery, such as forklifts, to pass in and out of different sections easily. This type of curtain is often found in refrigerated storage facilities, where moving products between areas of different temperatures is necessary. PVC strips eliminate the need for insulated doors and walls; instead, any size machine can go in and out with relative ease.
Other types of industrial curtains include metal and canvas curtains. Metal curtains are, as their name suggests, constructed of metal. These typically consist of large “sections” of a wall, which can be withdrawn and folded together. Canvas curtains work much like a curtain one would have in her home and are meant for more heavy-duty applications. Canvas curtains are typically flame retardant and are used in high-heat applications such as foundry work.
There are many advantages associated with industrial curtains. Many factories need to separate certain areas for health reasons, and doing so can be rather costly in many situations. In some cases, an industrial business will lease the facility it works in. Thus, building new structures can sometimes go against the lease agreement. Not only that, but putting up walls, especially large ones meant for hazardous environments, can be very expensive.