Dock shelters and seals in Kent

The short version

We can supply and fit retractable, inflatable and foam dock shelters in Kent and across the South East, with replacement curtains for existing frames and accessories such as guide lights, wheel guides and rain gutters.

Area: Kent
Nation: England
Main town: Maidstone
Survey: Free for new installations

Options for dock shelters and seals in Kent

Inflatable seals. Air bags inflate around the parked trailer for a tight seal.
Replacement curtains. Damaged curtains can be swapped without replacing the whole shelter.
Weather protection. Goods and staff stay out of the weather while the trailer is being worked.
Foam seals. Compressible pads for a tight seal where vehicles are a uniform size.
Temperature control. Less heated or chilled air escapes around the trailer while the door is up.

Examples of work we can quote for

Specifying deeper top curtains for bays that receive double-deck trailers alongside standard trailers.
Replacing worn dock bumpers before fitting new shelters so trailers stop at the correct distance from the wall.
Installing inflatable dock shelters at a chilled goods-in to help hold temperature while trailers are unloaded.

What the law expects at a loading bay

Across Great Britain, including Kent, loading bays bring together several duties: maintained work equipment under PUWER 1998, safe traffic routes under the Workplace Regulations 1992, and safe powered doors under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Dock levellers should meet BS EN 1398, and the site's risk assessment should cover vehicle creep and drive-aways.

Access, phasing and timing

For busy sites in the South East the work can be split across visits — preparation and framing first, door installation and commissioning second — so the opening is only out of action for the shortest time.

Prices for dock shelters and seals in Kent

Dock shelters and seals guide prices
Item	Guide price (ex VAT)
Dock shelter (retractable)	£2,195 – £5,495
Inflatable dock shelter	£6,495 – £11,995

Guide prices for supply and installation unless stated, excluding VAT, which is added at the current rate where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after a survey, before any work starts.

Frequently asked questions

Which dock shelter suits our Kent warehouse?

Retractable shelters suit most mixed fleets. Inflatable shelters give a tighter seal for chilled, frozen or sensitive goods. Foam seals suit uniform fleets. We recommend one after recording your vehicles and dock on survey.

How long does dock shelter installation take in Kent?

Typically half a day to a day per shelter, depending on size and fixings. We schedule work bay by bay so loading can continue at the others while each shelter is fitted.

Can a dock shelter in Kent be fitted with our existing leveller?

Usually, yes. The shelter fits around the dock door and works with most existing levellers, provided the bumpers stop the trailer at the right distance from the wall. We check the bumpers and leveller lip on survey.

Towns in Kent we cover

We cover 23 towns in Kent for dock shelters and seals, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Tunbridge Wells.

Other services in Kent

More about Dock shelters and seals. Last updated 19 October 2026.