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Cold rooms, blast freezers and refrigerated storage facilities present the most demanding conditions for PVC strip curtains — and also the environments where the right curtain makes the biggest difference to energy costs, food safety compliance and operational efficiency.
Why Cold Rooms Need Specialist PVC Strip Curtains
Standard clear PVC strip curtains are formulated for use at ambient temperatures — typically between 5°C and 40°C. In cold room and blast freezer environments, where air temperatures can fall to -30°C or below, standard PVC becomes stiff, brittle and eventually cracks. The plasticisers that give PVC its flexibility migrate out at low temperatures.
Polar grade PVC — also called freezer grade or cold room grade — uses specialist plasticisers selected for stability at low temperatures. Quality polar grade PVC remains flexible and pliable down to -30°C, maintaining its curtain function throughout the temperature range of even a blast freezer operating at -25°C.
Polar Grade PVC: Technical Specification
- Temperature rating — minimum -25°C for standard cold rooms; -30°C for blast freezers
- Strip thickness — 3mm recommended for cold room entrances
- Strip width — 200mm for pedestrian access, 300mm for pedestrian and light goods, 300-400mm for forklift access
- Transparency — clear polar grade PVC maintains good visibility for safety
Energy Savings: The Business Case for Cold Room Curtains
Cold rooms are among the most energy-intensive areas in food businesses. An unprotected cold room doorway in continuous use can account for 30-40% of the refrigeration plant's total energy consumption. A well-specified PVC strip curtain with appropriate overlap (minimum 30%, ideally 50%) can reduce cold air loss by 60-80% — typically delivering payback on the curtain investment within 6-12 months.
HACCP Compliance Requirements
In food facilities, cold rooms are typically a Critical Control Point (CCP) under the HACCP food safety management system. PVC strip curtains contribute to HACCP compliance by reducing temperature fluctuation during access events, providing a physical barrier reducing airborne contamination, and supporting pest exclusion when combined with brush strip seals. For BRC/BRCGS and SALSA audited facilities, documented curtain maintenance and replacement schedules are good practice.
Sizing Your Cold Room Curtain
Measure the clear opening width of your cold room doorway and the drop height from your intended mounting point to the floor. For cold rooms, the curtain should extend at least 100-150mm beyond the floor. Strip overlap of at least 50% by width is recommended for cold room applications. For most cold room applications, a twin track rail system is the optimum choice — the double-layer staggered strip configuration eliminates cold bridges and provides significantly better thermal performance. All metal hardware should be stainless steel or galvanised steel to resist condensation-related corrosion.
Browse our cold room and freezer strip curtains or contact our technical team for a bespoke recommendation. Free UK delivery on all orders.