AmCraft Industrial Curtain Wall is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner this month. Prize will be awarded to the winner via email within 5 business days of giveaway completion. To enter, simply click the “Enter Giveaway” button below and follow the instructions. Only valid entries submitted via the giveaway portal will be eligible.
When putting together an acoustic industrial curtain, there are a variety of options and choices to be made. The inside layers of the curtain are where a majority of the acoustic performance takes place. However, the outer layers of the curtain are equally important. This outer layer not only determines the look and feel of your curtain, but can also impact the overall function and performance of it.
The first option is our most common for industrial acoustic curtains. An outer layer of solid PVC coated polyester (a.k.a. vinyl) forms a solid barrier between the innards of the curtain and the outside environment. As this is a solid material, it will let slightly less sound through and into the inner layers than the following two material options. This means, that less of the sound will be absorbed or reflected. However, the difference in potential sound transmission that this material offers versus another material is negligible. What this outer layer may lack in sound transmission, it makes up for in other areas. This vinyl layer has a variety of benefits. For starters, it is very durable to abrasion, scratching, cooler temperatures, and everyday wear and tear. It is also easy to clean. It can be washed down with water and a mild detergent. So while a solid PVC vinyl outer layer may keep some sound from traveling to the innards of the curtain, it will also keep dirt, dust, debris, and moisture from doing the same thing. These features make this outer material an ideal choice for rough, dirty, and/or industrial environments. Additionally, the PVC coated polyester is available in 10 standard colors, making it easy to match to each company’s desired color scheme.
PVC coated mesh is the second option for your acoustic curtain’s outer layer. This material is also durable when standing up to abrasion and cooler temperatures, as mentioned above with option one. As with any mesh, it is more open than a solid material. This mesh boasts a 70% opacity, which means that approximately 30% of the surface area covered by the mesh is open. This will allow the sound to travel through this outer layer more effectively than a solid material would. A small boost in acoustic performance (absorbing and reflecting) of your industrial curtain can be expected due to this factor. To clean this material, we recommend vacuuming it, then wiping it down with a moist cloth. You will want to be careful not to let excessive moisture or debris come into contact with this curtain, though, as these elements can harm the inside layers and diminish its acoustic qualities.
The third and final option for the outer layer of your acoustic curtain is a cloth fabric. This material is solid in coverage, but soft, as most fabrics are. It allows for sound to travel through it, but will stop most dust, dirt, and debris from passing through. In terms of assisting with sound absorption, this fabric is the best option for the outer layer of an industrial acoustic curtain. However, it is not ideal for rougher environments. Dust and dirt may stick to it, it can be torn or snagged, and it can be stained. Additionally, if moisture comes into contact with it, that moisture can bleed through to the inner layers. We would recommend a curtain with this fabric in gentler environments. As with your other options, though, it can still be cleaned. The best way to do this is to vacuum the fabric. Also, it is available in 6 standard colors.
When deciding which of the above outer material options is best for your needs, it is best to think about your environment and determine what will give you the necessary balance between durability and acoustic performance. With industrial curtains, as with all products, you have many good options at your disposal. For assistance is picking the right choice for you, contact our sales team today.
AmCraft Industrial Curtain Wall is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner this January 2018. To enter, simply click the “Enter Giveaway” button below and follow the instructions. Only valid entries submitted via the giveaway portal will be eligible.
In many ways, business and the buildings they are in are just like the people who work for them- each is different. When a company chooses a new employee, they carefully evaluate which person will fit best with their company culture, their needs, and their overall goal. Likewise, when a building to house a company is chosen, that building has to be picked based on the best overall fit with the concerns of the business.
The same can be said of modifications and customizations done to a facility. Each company will need its location to function differently, and will set their building up so that it runs as efficiently as possible. One key component of this is space division, separating processes, creating designated spaces for lunch rooms, offices, etc. In many ways, an industrial curtain can play a vital role in this and is uniquely designed to make a large scale project seamless and easy to tackle.
When a large facility is in need of space division, the custom fabricated nature of industrial curtains makes them an ideal fit. A large building will likely have many factors to consider. The sheer size of the space to be covered is the first and most obvious consideration. An industrial divider curtain that needs to span a 25 foot height and a 100 foot width, for example, would cause many issues if it were made in one piece. This vinyl divider curtain would likely be expensive to ship, as well as heavy and cumbersome to install. The modular nature of industrial curtains make them ideal for covering larger spaces. The curtain can be divided vertically, and made in as many panels as necessary, and each panel can be joined to the next with Velcro, magnets, or snaps. This makes installing the curtain much easier and still gives the look of one large, cohesive curtain wall when the panels are hung and connected.
These industrial curtain wall systems can also be made in multiple panels horizontally. This typically comes into play when a facility has a pitched ceiling and also needs to block off the space all the way up. The lower panel, called the industrial curtain wall, will sit at the lowest elevation. The upper panel, called the filler panel, is made to fit the size, shape, and slope of the facility’s ceiling. Here again, the modular nature of industrial curtain walls makes them a great fit and allows for easy install on a large scale.
Another advantage of using an industrial curtain system for a large space is that the method of installation is always the same for the entire system. These systems are designed to be user friendly, and about 90% of our customers end up installing these themselves. AmCraft strives to make the installing process as seamless as possible, mainly by using one type of mounting system for the entirety of the industrial divider curtain. So even if your curtain wall is 150 linear feet in width, you will be using the same hardware and process repeatedly to hang the entire industrial curtain. This makes mounting the curtain system both simple and approachable for large scale projects.
For more information on how an industrial curtain wall can work for your facility, either large or small, please contact one of our sales reps today.
Wall Mount Fitting with Bracket Down
Regular End Fitting
Adjustable End Fitting
Mounting hardware for Track Systems
Choose from 5 different Mounting Systems:
Chain or Beam Type Mount
Works well when attached to a support member immediately above the top of the curtain.
Threaded Rod Type Mount
Works well when the attachment points are substantially higher than the top of the curtain.
Ceiling Type Mounting
Mounts directly to ceiling or any flat horizontal surface – must be directly above the curtain.
Wall Type Mounting
Mounts directly to any vertical surface.
Beam or Truss Mounting
Attaches directly to I Beams or roof trusses. The clamps are secured with set screws and rotate for proper orientation.
Where do I start?
Step 1
Please identify the exact area you wish to enclose with industrial Curtains.
Step 2
Figure the required height of the vinyl curtains. Should there be more than one height dimension – calculate the linear feet of each dimension separately, if possible.
Step 3
Figure the total linear feet required taking into account curved sections and please add approximately 10% for gathering or desired overlap.
Step 4
Review the available mounting systems, please keep in mind there should be a support member for every five feet of track, closer together if possible for insulated Curtains.
Step 5
Identify which mounting system will work best for your physical situation. Should you encounter difficulty with any of these specifications, please call us – we will be glad to help you.
By: Mark Deutsch
If your facility is using industrial curtains to separate different areas or workspaces, it’s important to know whether they are flame-rated. Likewise, if you’re considering implementing a curtain wall system in your location, you’ll want to research the options available to you as well as your specific use for them, in order to determine whether you’ll need flame-rated curtains or not.
Dividing Workspace Using Curtains Vs. Permanent Walls
Curtain walls are an economical solution to creating different areas within a larger facility for different projects, and can be a flexible and durable option. They’re a less-expensive way to create different work enclosures in a building, and since they can be retracted or moved easily, they’re a more versatile option as well. One valuable feature is that they are flame-rated, much the same as interior walls are. Installation is quick and easy, and these curtains can contain loud noises, debris and dust, when fabricated for that application.
What Industries Can Benefit from Flame-rated Curtains?
It would be a disservice to list only a few industries that would benefit from fireproof curtains, as a fire can happen in virtually any location, and in the event of an emergency, flame-rating a section is better than a situation that is left completely unprotected. That being said, there are a few industries where fire may be more likely than others, and therefore flame-resistance should be seen as more of a necessity rather than an option when choosing industrial curtains. Industries like the auto industry or other businesses that perform a lot of welding or soldering—anything where sparks can fly or have flammable materials on location—should consider only using flame-rated curtains as opposed to curtains that are not flame-resistant. In the event of an emergency, this forethought can be the difference between property damage and property being destroyed.
Flame-rated curtains are especially useful when it comes to employee safety, as they can shield workers from welding arc, flash burns and sparks. If your business works with metal fabrication, durable goods manufacturing, or metal cutting and welding, consider installing flame-rated curtains to help protect your employees and improve their work environment and conditions.
What Renders These Curtains Flame-rated?
Some of the fabrics used for creating high temperature – flame resistant curtains include silicone-coated fiberglass, slag shed fiberglass, vermiculite-coated fiberglass, and fire-proof or flame-resistant vinyl. At AmCraft, we use 18oz. fire retardant vinyl polyester, mesh and fabric coated flame-rated materials. We also offer lighter weight materials for applications that do not need as much fire resistance.
The reason that the above listed materials can be classified as flame-rated is that they do not support flame. There are different degrees of flame rating. On the lighter, less stringent end of the specter, a material will burn when an independent source of flame is applied and self-extinguish when that independent source of flame is removed.
On the other side of the flame-rating spectrum, some material will not ignite even with an independent source of flame directly applied. The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) reviewing your situation is your best source of an accurate assessment and recommendation of the flame rating you will need for compliance.
When you’re debating using industrial curtains, be sure to consider the benefits that flame-rating options offer—keeping your employees safe is a concern, but so is protecting your property and facility in the event of an emergency. When something is as easy as choosing a curtain that’s been manufactured for safety, why not select that option?
Wash bay curtains from AmCraft Manufacturing can be made to fit a range of sizes and can be designed in many configurations. These curtains are made to work with the drainage pitches built into your floor, which helps maintain a clean and safe work area for employees and other patrons. Industrial divider curtains from AmCraft meets the needs of many industries, including the automotive industry. These body shop curtains make it possible to use a large space for many different projects and to keep jobs separate.
Partition Off Your Wash Down Area
Wash bay curtains help you contain the overspray from powerwashing or other messy jobs, like painting. They can be installed to be one-, two-, three- or four-sided enclosures, and are less expensive to build than fixed walls. Contain the mess of mud, dirt, water, soap and other debris from wash-down jobs using industrial body shop partitions from AmCraft while enjoying the convenience of having no excess clean-up after you’re done working on a project.
Additional Benefits of Wash Bay Curtains
Other benefits of using industrial wash bay curtains in your workspace:
Automotive wash bay curtains from AmCraft are long lasting and durable, and are easy to clean. They are also resistant to almost all wash down chemicals, so no matter what the job is, these curtains can stand up to it.
Industrial Curtains from AmCraft
AmCraft Manufacturing is proud to provide a variety of industries with the solutions they need for industrial curtains that can help divide workspaces and separate job spaces. Auto body curtain partitions for your wash bay are no exception – they are easy to install and replace, and can help to control contamination as well as temperature, odors, sound, and light. Industrial curtains may also be customized with your business’ logo or brand colors.
For more information about industrial curtain walls including body shop wash bay partitions, contact AmCraft today.
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