Why Standard PVC Strip Curtains Fail in Freezers

Standard PVC becomes rigid and brittle at temperatures below approximately 0°C / 32°F. In a walk-in freezer, this means strips that are stiff and hard to push through, crack along the edges under repeated use, and eventually split — leaving gaps that let warm air in and cold air out. A cracked or rigid curtain defeats the entire purpose of having one.

Polar grade PVC is formulated with a different plasticiser blend that keeps the material flexible across a temperature range of +50°C down to -45°C. This covers every commercial refrigeration application — from ambient-temperature loading docks to blast freezers. If your opening is in or adjacent to a refrigerated space, polar grade is the correct choice.

The Byson Polar Grade Options

Byson offers polar grade PVC in two formats:

1. Polar Grade Strip Curtain Kits (Recommended for Most Installations)

The standard Byson strip curtain kits are available with polar grade strips as a variant option. Each kit includes:

• Pre-cut polar grade PVC strips (2.0mm thick × 8" wide)
• Stainless steel hanging rail(s) — 1-metre sections, quantity depends on opening width
• Pre-installed stainless steel curtain plates (the HangRite system)

The HangRite mounting system allows the curtain to be mounted either in front of or inside the opening frame — useful for freezer doorways where the frame depth varies.

Available kit sizes with polar grade variants:

• 3ft W × 7ft H — select 2mm × 8in – Smooth Polar / 30% or Smooth Polar / 50% at checkout
• 4ft W × 7ft H — check variant options for polar grade availability
• 6ft W × 7ft H
• 8ft W × 8ft H
• 10ft W × 10ft H — select 2mm × 8in – Smooth Polar / 30% or Smooth Polar / 50% at checkout

When selecting your kit, you will choose two variables in addition to the opening size:

• Strip dimensions: 2.0mm × 8" (standard for most freezer doorways)
• Overlap: 30% or 50% (see the overlap section below)

2. Polar Grade Strips & Rolls (For Custom Lengths or Replacement)

If your opening height doesn't match a standard kit, or you need to replace individual worn strips, the polar grade material is also available by the strip or roll:

• Dimensions: 2.0mm thick × 8" wide
• Available lengths: 7ft, 8ft, 10ft, 30ft, and 80ft
• Strips have no pre-cut holes — drill your own mounting holes to match your existing rail or plate spacing

Byson PVC Strips & Rolls, Smooth Polar Grade – Clear with Blue Tint

The 30ft and 80ft lengths are cost-effective for facilities with multiple freezer doorways or for stocking replacement strips on-site.

How to Size Your Freezer Strip Curtain

Step 1: Measure the Opening

Measure the clear opening width and height — the actual gap the curtain needs to cover, measured from the inside of the door frame. Do not measure the frame itself.

Select the kit size that most closely matches or slightly exceeds your opening dimensions. The curtain can be trimmed to height after installation; width is determined by the number of strips and their overlap.

Step 2: Choose Your Strip Width and Thickness

All Byson polar grade kits use 2.0mm × 8" strips. The 8" width is appropriate for most walk-in freezer and cold storage doorways — wide enough to minimise the number of strips (and therefore the number of gaps between them) while remaining easy to push through.

For very large openings (roll-up doors, loading dock freezer doors), consider the custom kit with 3.0mm × 12" strips for heavier-duty coverage — note that 3.0mm × 12" is currently available in standard grade only; contact us if you need this specification in polar grade.

Step 3: Choose Your Overlap

Overlap determines how much each strip covers the adjacent strip. Byson kits offer two options:

• 30% overlap — each 8" strip overlaps the next by approximately 2.4". Provides a good seal for most walk-in cooler and refrigerated storage applications. Easier to push through, which reduces wear on the strips over time.
• 50% overlap — each 8" strip overlaps the next by approximately 4". Provides a tighter seal with less air exchange per pass-through. Recommended for blast freezers, very cold environments (below -20°C), or openings with high traffic where the curtain is pushed through frequently.

General guidance: Use 30% overlap for walk-in coolers (0°C to +4°C) and standard walk-in freezers (-18°C to -22°C). Use 50% overlap for blast freezers or any application where minimising air exchange is the priority over ease of passage.

Installation Tips for Cold Storage Applications

• Install at ambient temperature. Polar grade PVC is much easier to handle, hang, and trim at room temperature. Install the curtain before the space is cooled down, or bring the strips to room temperature before working with them.
• Mount the rail above the opening, not inside it. The top of the strips should overlap the top of the door frame by 2"–3" to eliminate the gap above the curtain. The HangRite system supports both in-frame and above-frame mounting.
• Use stainless steel hardware throughout. All Byson kits include stainless steel rails and plates — essential in cold and humid environments where standard steel will corrode.
• Allow strips to hang freely before trimming to final length. Even polar grade PVC can have a slight set from packaging. Let strips hang for a few hours at room temperature before making the final length cut.
• Replace strips individually as they wear. You don't need to replace the whole curtain. Order replacement polar grade strips by the piece using the strips & rolls product and drill mounting holes to match your existing plate spacing.

Quick Selection Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use standard PVC strips in a walk-in cooler (not a freezer)?

Standard PVC remains flexible down to approximately 0°C, so it may perform adequately in a cooler held at +2°C to +4°C. However, if the cooler door is opened frequently or the temperature fluctuates, polar grade is the safer choice — it's rated to +50°C / -45°C and won't stiffen even if the cooler runs colder than expected.

How long do polar grade strips last in a freezer environment?

With normal pedestrian traffic, polar grade PVC strips typically last 2–5 years before showing significant wear (yellowing, cracking at the edges, or loss of flexibility). Forklift traffic accelerates wear significantly. Inspect strips every 6 months and replace individual damaged strips as needed.

Do I need a special mounting rail for polar grade strips?

No — the HangRite stainless steel rail and plate system included in Byson kits works with all strip types, including polar grade. If you're adding polar grade strips to an existing installation, the strips can be drilled to match your existing plate spacing.

Can I order a custom size?

Yes — the custom kit allows you to specify your opening dimensions. Contact the Byson team to discuss polar grade availability for custom sizes.

Shop Polar Grade PVC Strip Curtains at Byson

• Strip Curtain Kit – 3ft × 7ft (select Polar grade variant)
• Strip Curtain Kit – 10ft × 10ft (select Polar grade variant)
• Polar Grade Strips & Rolls – Individual lengths from 7ft to 80ft

Need help sizing for your specific freezer opening? Contact the Byson team — we're happy to help.