Industrial Curtain Walls FAQs

What is a curtain wall?

Curtain walls are similar to traditional solid walls or rigid panelized systems in that they define and protect an area. As the name implies, however, fabric curtain walls are very different because they offer a high degree of flexibility. They can be quickly and easily installed, dismantled, or reconfigured.

A curtain wall can be used in place of a conventional wall in virtually any non-loadbearing application. Stationary versions can be affixed to existing building structures like ceiling joists, or custom metal framework and sliding versions operate on a track and trolley system.

The fabrics used to form the actual walls differ in materials and properties, allowing them to be precisely matched to the application. Insulated and non-insulated systems are available. However, the operating environment and site specific factors dictate the type of fabric wall and the configuration best suited for a given situation.

What is the price difference between rigid walls and fabric curtain walls?

The simplicity of curtain walls and their components (vinyl fabric, insulated batting, and thread) culminate in a product that doesn't require a specialized sub-contractor and allows for a speedy installation with minimal interruption to your daily operation. This results in savings of roughly 40-60% over traditional construction costs on most projects.

What is the process for ordering this product?

Start by contacting your local Rite-Hite Representative. Our trained rep will come to your facility and perform a site survey, recommending the best product for you. After ordering, your wall will be custom-designed for your needs and space. Rite-Hite can professionally install it, or you can do it yourself with directions provided during a free consultation. Your satisfaction is guaranteed throughout this entire process.

What is the warranty on curtain walls?

Rite-Hite offers a 12-month money-back guarantee of customer satisfaction, as well as a 5 year parts warranty.

Can I use fabric curtain walls outside?

Absolutely! Past customers have used Zoneworks curtain walls to close off open loading docks, enclose trash compactors, or seal off a walkway between buildings. The flexible design of curtain walls allows us to custom-design a solution for your needs.

Can I use Zoneworks products in a food or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility?

Yes. Zoneworks offers a variety of materials and construction methods to suite your specialized needs.

Can you put forklift passage doors or egress doors (man-doors) in Zoneworks walls?

Yes, we can incorporate any type of door (PVC strip doors, High-speed doors, Impact doors, Sectional/Rolling Steel Doors, Zoneworks fabric doors, Steel man-doors, etc.) with the addition of steel framing supplied by Zoneworks or fabricated locally per our provided drawings.

Do I need a permit to install your product?

In most municipalities, these barriers are considered temporary so you won't need a permit. However, we encourage you to check with local building authorities including local and state fire officials to determine if any changes to fire suppression systems or methods must be amended upon completion of the curtain wall installation.

Can I install this myself or with in-house personnel?

Absolutely. Anyone with mechanical aptitude can install this product after reviewing our architectural drawings and discussing with our sales staff or engineering staff. Typically, we conduct a pre-installation site visit or conference call to make sure all parties understand the procedures and answer any questions or concerns before the installation begins. We find this to be very effective in resolving any potential issues. However, if you don't have the man-power or time to complete the installation, we offer full turn-key installations so that you can concentrate on your business or daily operations.

Can the curtain walls be installed between racking?

Yes. This is a great benefit of our product. In the majority of cases, you don't even have to remove the product in the racks. You may have to remove the rack support brackets depending on their spacing, but then simply drop our curtain wall panels in the flue space between the racks. If needed, you can make a small penetration in the curtain panels and re-install the rack support brackets through the curtain panels to maintain the seal and structural integrity of your racking.

How quickly can curtain walls be installed?

It depends on the size and type of curtain being installed, what additional options are included (e.g. doors), and the application. In general though, installing curtain walls is much faster than rigid walls, taking hours or days, not weeks or months.

Can I move Zoneworks curtains if my needs change?

Yes, all Zoneworks curtain partitions can be moved and reconfigured to suit your needs.

How hard is it to remove/relocate/re-configure the wall once in place?

Very easy. Simply back out the fasteners that were used to install it originally and remove the curtain or order additional panels to increase the size or linear run of the wall(s).

Will you offer support if I want to re-configure my walls?

If you ever want to relocate or reconfigure your curtain walls, we are here to help. Contact your local Rite-Hite representative and they will visit you to learn about your needs and walk you through the steps to get it done.

Do Zoneworks curtain walls attach to the floor or need to attach to the floor?

Typically they do not and we don't recommend it unless there is a heavy negative or positive pressure situation. Our sweeps at the bottom of the panels seal against the floor and can be trimmed in the field to match any voids or elevation changes in the floor slab. In the event the curtain needs to be anchored to the floor, steel angles can be positioned on the floor and the curtain secured to the angle. Hook and loop fastener attached floor anchor straps are also available.

Can you trim Zoneworks walls around obstructions (pipes, conduits, etc.)?

Yes, this is very common. Typically, our patch tape is sufficient for most cuts but if extensive trimming is required we may recommend stapling and/or patch tape. We supply specific instructions for this process so that you make as few cuts as possible to reduce installation time. Regardless, this is routine and is much faster than trying to custom fit a traditional wall or insulated metal panel wall around obstructions.

What colors are available?

There are 5 standard colors available for the Flame Retardant Vinyl: Blue, White, Forest Green, Gray, and Tan. There are 3 additional colors available (Yellow, Red, and Black), but these are subject to roll minimums and additional lead times. Custom colors are available if the PIM# is provided and a minimum yardage is purchased at additional cost. Lastly, FDA Fabric (antimicrobial material for wash down applications) is only available in White.

What sizes are available?

Each order is custom sized to the specific project. We can manufacture any height you need and each panel is 5'W and connected vertically every 5 feet for quick and easy installation.

Are there different types of materials available?

Yes, depending on the application. We offer materials specifically for high heat loads, wash down scenarios, etc. Please consult with our sales staff for recommendations.

Can you put corporate logos or slogans on Zoneworks products?

Yes. We have an on-site screen printing facility that can add many enhancements (at an additional charge) to get your safety message, corporate mission statement, or product differentiation across to employees or customers. If using corporate logos or trademarked slogans, we'll need logo artwork and permission to use it.

What is a valance panel or upper filler panel?

A valance panel is a smaller panel used to fill the void between the bottom of the bar joist to the roof deck when running the curtain wall perpendicular to bar joists. The valance panel in this case will overlap the larger curtain, mounted to the underside of the bar joist, to make the seal. Since this situation usually requires some field trimming around bar joists, we supply the valance panel to make it easier to install with a smaller piece of material rather than trying to hang the entire height of the curtain. If the curtain is running parallel to the bar joist, a valance panel is typically not required and the curtain will be mounted at roof deck elevation. The exception to this would be if there are numerous obstructions, in which, we would recommend a valance panel to expedite installation.