Does Your Facility Need Loading Dock Seals or Shelters?
So, you have a loading dock, but now you need to protect it from the daily wear and tear of operations. You’re considering whether to add a dock seal or dock shelter, but you’re not sure which is best for your application. This no-nonsense guide makes it easy for you to decide how to defend your dock.
Loading Dock Seal vs. Dock Shelter: The Basics
Let’s first break down the key differences between dock seals vs. dock shelters.
Both act as a barrier between your facility and the elements (weather, trucks, even pests), but they offer different levels of protection.
1) Dock Seal
A rubber or canvas covering that extends out from a dock face to seal the gap between the dock and the trailer’s entrance. They typically consist of a foam pad covered in durable fabric, mounted around the dock door. Dockzilla’s dock seal has 2” more foam projection that what’s standard.
2) Dock Shelter
A frame enclosure with a fabric cover that extends around the top and sides of the trailer. They feature a frame with fabric curtains that envelope (or “hug”) the trailer upon docking. Shelters handle a wide range of trailer sizes, making them ideal for facilities dealing with diverse deliveries.
Dockzilla’s Outside-the-Building Approach: The Dock House
At Dockzilla, we do things a bit differently. We don’t sell one-off seals and shelters. We integrate them into our innovative Dock House exterior loading dock leveler, creating a complete dock defense system.
What’s a Dock House?
Our Dock House Exterior Loading Dock Leveler is a modular structure that integrates our self-standing hydraulic dock leveler and an adjustable steel frame within a vinyl enclosure. Unlike conventional pit levelers, this dock house design attaches to the outside of a facility to retrofit any dock door without permanent construction to save space, save energy and address tricky applications.
Most Dockzilla customers prefer a shelter. Paired with a Dockzilla Dock House, it hugs the truck to create a thermal vestibule and protect you from weather when a truck is in place.
Considerations for Loading Dock Seal vs. Shelter
Here are some questions our engineering team may ask to determine whether your Dock House requires a seal or shelter:
- Climate: Where are you located? Brutal winters or scorching summers? A shelter might be your best bet for extreme weather conditions.
- Vehicle Type: What kind of trucks are rolling in? Shelters offer better size flexibility.
- Traffic Volume: How busy is your dock? Seals are best for low-traffic operations, while shelters are ready to tackle high-traffic.
- Sloped Approach: If you have a tight centerline or low head room, you may want to go with a seal. However, if you have a sloped approach or want to add an exterior door, a shelter is necessary.
- Budget: Dock seals are typically a little easier on the wallet.
Contact Dockzilla Today
Consider our engineers part of your operations team. We’re ready to help you pick the toughest dock seal or shelter for your Dockzilla Dock House.
We’ll design and install a custom loading dock that cranks up efficiency and keeps your assets safe.