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Dock Seal vs. Dock Shelter: What’s the Difference?

Dock Seal vs. Dock Shelter: What’s the Difference?

All effective loading and unloading operations depend on dock seals and dock shelters in warehouses and distribution centers. They seal the gap between trailers and the dock door to keep out rain, dirt, and pests and maintain stable temperatures. Although both dock seals and dock shelters serve the same purpose, they differ in usage and benefits.

The following section differentiates between dock seals and dock shelters, their working, and application.

The Difference Between Dock Seal vs. Dock Shelter

Dock seals and dock shelters both are critical to sustain business revenue and optimizing dock operations. This blog will highlight their major differences briefly to help you make an informed decision.

Dock Seals vs. Dock Shelters: Working

Dock seals are soft and padded barriers that are supposed to fit against the trailer. Once a truck backs up to the dock, the pads compress to make a seal across it. The compression of the foam reduces gaps and keeps out air, dust, and other things. Dock seals are very helpful for products that are to be either kept cold or hot since they work better in insulation. It works best on trailers of identical sizes since pads must fit tight to work correctly.

On the other hand, dock shelters have a more flexible design. They don’t thrust into the trailer. Instead, they use flexible fabrics to unfold around the sides of a trailer. That way, they could take as many sizes of trailers as possible without losing protection. However, they do not perform as well as dock shelters regarding maintaining an internal temperature.

Dock Seals vs. Dock Shelters: Usage & Applications

In dock seal, high temperature and security requirements can be operated successfully. It is used in cold storage rooms, food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical companies, and others. The close seal maintains temperatures, reducing energy costs and preventing the products from spoiling.

In contrast, dock shelters are much more versatile and accommodate companies dealing with different types of trailers. Because they can fit most sizes, dock shelters are perfect for busy distribution centers and logistics firms. They may not provide the same insulation as a dock seal, but they do protect the dock area from rain, dust, and pests.

Dock Seals vs. Dock Shelters: Durability and Care

They are effective but degrade faster, especially where there’s a high workload. The pads may wear out after some time because of pressure or exposure to extreme weather conditions. A business needs to inspect its pads often and change the worn out ones.

However, Dock shelters tend to last longer, especially in high traffic environments. The fabric curtains and fiberglass stays of a dock shelter are resistant to harsh climates and don’t break down as quickly as foam pads. Still, it’s always advisable to check them for tears and other forms of damage because any problem would impact their functionality.

Dock Seals vs. Dock Shelters: Cost Considerations

A dock seal is lighter because it has a simpler design and fewer components. Therefore, they have to be replaced more frequently in a busy location. Companies with stiff temperature requirements should opt for dock seals. However, it requires weekly or monthly maintenance to function for a longer period of time.

While installation is relatively more expensive, a dock shelter lasts much longer in high-traffic locations. In addition, it is more flexible and accommodates larger trailer sizes compared to dock seals. Companies opting for dock shelters will save money on future replacement and repair but pay a premium when purchasing.

Dock Seals vs. Dock Shelters: Which One to Choose?

Choosing between a dock seal and a dock shelter should be done with a wise understanding of your requirements. Businesses that demand good insulation and deal with trailers of nearly the same size should opt for a dock seal. Conversely, dock shelters would be best for companies that deal with different truck sizes.

Ideal Seal Manufacturing offers a wide range of dock seals and dock shelters for your businesses at competitive rates. We provide personalized solutions to optimize the docking operations and streamline the business cash flow.

Conclusion

The use of dock seals or dock shelters depends on your needs, the size of trailers, and budget. Both dock shelters and seals improve efficiency and safety in general at the loading dock. Employing anyone would result in better revenue generation and productivity.

Take your first step towards transforming your business docking operations. Stay connected with our blog for more information about dock seals and dock shelters.

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