Air curtain systems – find manufacturers and suppliers

Air curtain systems generate a directed, usually narrow jet of air above an opening, e.g. door, gate or loading bay, which aerodynamically separates two climate zones.

People, vehicles and goods can pass through the opening, while heat, cold, dust, insects or odors are largely kept out.

Below you will find the mode of operation and types of air curtain systems, their use and their advantages:

Functionality, physical principle, of air curtain systems:

1. Air jet/"jet":
   Air emerges from a nozzle at a defined speed and direction. Its momentum ensures that the jet continues to the ground, or to the opposite side, instead of tearing off.
2. Stabilization:
   Side walls, a slightly inclined discharge direction and coandă adhesion to surfaces help to stabilize the jet.
3. Thermal effect:
   The air jet can be heated or, less frequently, cooled to ensure comfort near the opening and to compensate for cold/hot air flows.
4. Pressure differences & wind:
   Air curtains act against infiltration (unwanted outside air) due to building or wind pressure. The greater the ΔT and pressure differences, the higher the volume flow rate and jet impulse must be designed.
5. Control:
   Sensors for door status, outside temperature, air quality or person frequency control stages/speed and, if necessary, heating output.

Types & designs of air curtain systems:

According to jet direction/mounting position:

• Horizontally above the opening:
  This design with the air discharge direction downwards is the most common. Unobtrusive, suitable for "doors" in shops and offices.
• Vertical sideways:
  Narrow columns to the left or right of the doorway. Good for limited lintel height or very wide openings.
• Floor/recessed variants:
  Nozzle in the floor or invisible in the ceiling. Architecturally elegant, more complex to install/maintain.

According to air flow:

• Free-blowing:
  Intake from room air, discharge via the opening, air disappears into the room zones.
• Recirculating:
  Air is collected again at the floor/opposite and returned to the unit - more efficient and stable with high openings or industrial doors.

After temperature control:

• Heated:
  Electric heating elements, hot water, steam, heat pump. Most common case; increases comfort, reduces cold air waste.
• Unheated:
  Pure barrier effect, e.g. in cold stores.

Special designs:

• High performance/industrial roller shutters:
  Large volume flows and high impulse for high/wide openings.
• Cold/freezer areas:
  Minimizes mist formation, ice and moisture migration.
• Hygiene/clean room:
  Very uniform, filtered jets with defined flow direction.
• Insect protection:
  Specific nozzle geometry and speeds at goods transfer points or kitchens.

Typical applications of air curtain systems:

1. Retail & hospitality:
Open entrance doors without draughts, better visibility/invitation, less odor transfer.

2. Office and public buildings:
Comfort and energy savings in high-traffic doorways.

3. Industry & logistics:
Hall doors, airlocks, ramps; reduces heat loss, fog and dust ingress, enables faster processes.

4. Cold stores & food:
Minimizes icing, keeps temperature zones stable, improves visibility and safety.

5. Healthcare/Laboratories:
Zone separation (odors, aerosols, particles) - complementary to door/airlock concepts.

Advantages of air curtain systems:

• Energy & costs: significantly less heating/cooling losses due to open doors. At the same time, doors can remain open for longer.
• Comfort: Reduced draughts, stable temperature in the entrance area.
• Hygiene & quality: Less dust, exhaust fumes, insects, moisture and odors; less fog/ice in cold areas.
• Operational flow: No physical barriers; flow of people and goods remains unhindered.
• Visibility & safety: Better visibility and collision-free working compared to strip curtains.

Air curtain systems create an invisible barrier that effectively separates two climate zones. Whether in a store, industrial hall or cold store - correctly dimensioned and adjusted, they reduce energy losses, increase comfort and improve processes. A suitable design, good control and regular maintenance are crucial for their effectiveness. This makes air curtains an efficient and practical component of modern building and process air conditioning technology.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing air curtain systems:

Buying air curtain systems is more than just choosing a device based on door width. To ensure that the system functions reliably, saves energy and provides the desired level of comfort, the technical framework, structural conditions and planned use must be taken into account. A structured look at the most important criteria makes it easier to evaluate offers, avoid bad purchases and implement economical solutions in the long term.

• The width and height of the door or gate determine the required air flow rate.
• The surroundings are just as important: stairwells, wind load, pressure differences or strong temperature gradients influence how strong the air jet needs to be.
• Air curtains can be installed above, to the side or in the floor.
• The choice depends on the space available, the appearance and service accessibility.
• Before purchasing, it should be clear whether there is sufficient space for suction, mounting and maintenance.
• A powerful, uniform air jet is crucial.
• Professional manufacturers specify impulse or jet data, not just volume flow.
• For high or wide openings, recirculation solutions or devices with a high jet impulse are preferable.
• If the air is to be heated, electric heaters, hot water coils or heat pumps can be considered.
• The choice depends on the available media, energy costs and the building infrastructure.
• Another important factor is controllability and the ability to control the heating output as required.
• A modern control system automatically adjusts the output to the door status, outside temperature or visitor frequency.
• Interfaces to the building management system increase integration. Manual switches alone are often inadequate and lead to energy losses.
• Acoustics play a major role in sales rooms, hotels or office buildings. Reputable suppliers specify sound pressure levels.
• The design should not be neglected either - in prestigious areas, the system should blend in harmoniously with the architecture.
• In certain applications, such as food or clean room areas, filters and easy-to-clean components must be provided.
• Simple filter maintenance protects against loss of performance and hygiene problems.
• The purchase price is not the only deciding factor.
• A system with good control and adapted heating technology saves significantly more energy and costs in the long term than a cheap appliance in continuous operation. Life cycle costs and maintenance costs should therefore be included in the calculation from the outset.
• Air curtain systems are endurance runners. Professional purchasing therefore takes into account whether the manufacturer or supplier offers a reliable service, how quickly spare parts are available and how easy maintenance and cleaning are.
• Experience from similar projects, certifications and compliance with standards, e.g. EN standards on air performance and acoustics, are good indicators of quality and professionalism.

Purchasing air curtain systems requires a holistic view: From opening dimensions and energy supply to control, design and service, numerous factors come into play. If you take these points into account, you not only get a functioning device, but also a solution that saves energy, improves comfort and works reliably for years. A careful analysis of requirements and a comparison of competent suppliers are therefore the key to a sustainable investment.

Air curtain systems can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Air curtain systems from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.