An open trailer at the dock is a big hole in your building. In central Mississippi, that hole lets in heat, humidity, rain and insects, and lets out the air you’re paying to cool. Dock seals and dock shelters close that gap. Partridge Door Company supplies, installs and replaces dock seals and shelters for warehouses and distribution buildings across central Mississippi.
Dock seals
A dock seal uses foam pads covered in heavy fabric, mounted on the sides and top of the dock opening. When a trailer backs in, it compresses the pads and they form a tight seal around the back of the trailer.
- Best for: docks where trailer sizes are consistent and you want the tightest seal for energy savings.
- Watch for: pads that are torn, flattened or no longer spring back. A worn seal leaks as much as no seal.
Dock shelters
A dock shelter uses a frame with fabric side and head curtains that reach out and wrap around the trailer, without pressing hard against it.
- Best for: docks serving a mix of trailer sizes, and docks where full trailer-width access matters for forklifts.
- Watch for: torn curtains and bent frames from trailer impacts.
Choosing between them
Dock equipment is customer-specific. We don’t rely on a single brand. Instead, we can source a wide range of dock systems on the market and match them to your building, your trailers and how you load. We’ll look at your trailer mix, door size, dock height, how far trailers sit from the wall and how you load. Seals and shelters work together with the rest of the opening, so we also check the dock leveler, bumpers and the dock door.
Why it matters in Mississippi
Central Mississippi summers are long, hot and humid. Every unsealed trailer gap pulls warm, wet air into the building. That adds load to your cooling system, causes condensation on cold floors and products, and makes the dock harder on your crew. A well-fitted seal or shelter keeps the dock drier and safer, and it helps temperature-sensitive goods stay in spec. Pairing it with an insulated dock door improves the opening further when the door is closed.
Replacement and repair
We service and replace seals and shelters of all makes and models: replacement pads, wear pleats, side and head curtains, and frames. Replacing just the worn parts is often enough to get a good seal again. Seals and shelters can also be checked as part of our commercial preventive maintenance plan. → Loading Dock Equipment · Maintenance Plans
Service area
We install dock seals and shelters in Jackson, Pearl, Clinton, Flowood, Madison, Ridgeland, Brandon, Byram, Raymond and Vicksburg.
Dock seal and shelter FAQ
What is the difference between a dock seal and a dock shelter?
A dock seal is a set of compressible foam pads that the trailer presses against, which gives a tight seal. A dock shelter is a frame with fabric curtains that wraps around the trailer without pressing on it, which leaves the full trailer opening clear and handles a wider range of trailer sizes.
What is the purpose of dock seals?
Dock seals close the gap between the trailer and the building. That keeps conditioned air in and heat, rain, dust and insects out. It also keeps the dock floor drier and more comfortable for your crew.
When should dock seal pads be replaced?
Replace pads when the fabric is torn through, the foam no longer springs back, or you can see daylight around a parked trailer. Replacing worn pads early is easier than dealing with water damage and high cooling bills.
Do you install seals and shelters on existing docks?
Yes. We add or replace seals and shelters on existing docks, and we service units of all makes and models.
Is your work covered by a warranty?
Yes. Our products and services come with a 1-year warranty, followed by the manufacturers’ warranties.
Seal up your dock
Call (601) 372-4874, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or contact us online.