Dock shelters can keep your loading dock area safe and comfortable by keeping weather and pests out of your building, while keeping conditioned air inside where it belongs. Raymond West sells, installs and maintains solutions from some of the world’s top dock shelter manufacturers.

What Is A Dock Shelter?

The majority of dock shelters are constructed with a wood or metal frame that may be either flexible or rigid. Fiberglass or fabric is generally attached to the perimeter and fabric drapes attach to the face of the shelter. These drapes seal the perimeter of the trailer when it’s flush to the dock door opening. Generally, shelters are put to use for larger door openings, and in operations where there is less uniformity in truck sizes. On average, shelters may achieve about 70% air flow efficiency.

Rigid Dock Shelter

By far the most popular, rigid shelters are commonly utilized for oversized openings in applications where there is little uniformity in trailer height and unobstructed access to the back of the trailer is needed. Stiff sides and head frames are reinforced by steel supports that are generally configured with fiberglass sides to maximize light during daytime work. The head frame doubles as an awning to protect the dock area from wet weather.

Inflatable Dock Shelter

Inflatable shelters, like rigid ones, seal the sides of the trailer enabling unrestricted access to the trailer. Inflatable shelters use a blower to inflate when a trailer is backed up to the dock door. Inflatable shelters are usually integrated with an interlock system, along with the door and/or the dock leveler, where the shelter is allowed to inflate only when the dock leveler and door are in the correct positions. Inflatable shelters come in many shapes and sizes for a wide range of uses.

What’s The Difference Between A Dock Seal And Dock Shelter?

Dock seals are made from compression foam covered with durable fabric. They’re attached around the perimeter of a bay door. They create a firm seal when a truck backs up to the door.

In contrast, dock shelters have a frame that surrounds the dock door opening with drapes attached to the frame. When a truck backs in, the drapes enshroud the trailer entry and form a seal.

Dock Shelters Near Me

To learn more about dock shelter capabilities and options, get in touch with a loading dock equipment specialist at Raymond West today! Our team of of highly trained experts can help with the design and specification of a wide range of dock equipment options.

Raymond West's Las Vegas facility serves all of the Las Vegas Valley, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Enterprise, Winchester, Whitney and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Las Vegas Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2555 E Washburn Rd
North Las Vegas, NV 89081
(702) 651-6480