Air Curtains for Automatic Sliding Doors: Do You Need One? (Dubai Guide)
A busy automatic sliding door in Dubai can open several hundred times a day. Every opening lets hot, dusty air into an air-conditioned lobby, shop or clinic. An air curtain above the sliding door creates an invisible barrier of air across the opening so the cool air stays inside even while the door is open.
Why Sliding Doors and Air Curtains Work Well Together
- High traffic: automatic doors open often and stay open while people pass, so an air curtain does useful work most of the day.
- Wide openings: bi-parting sliding doors are often 1.6 m to 2.4 m wide, which lets in a lot of hot air without a barrier.
- Dust and insects: the air stream keeps dust, sand and flying insects out, which matters for clinics, food outlets and retail.
- Comfort: staff near the entrance, such as receptionists and cashiers, are not hit by a wave of hot air every time the door opens.
When an Air Curtain Is Worth It
An air curtain is a good investment above an automatic sliding door when the entrance faces outside heat directly, has heavy footfall, or is held open for long periods, for example malls, supermarkets, hospitals, hotel lobbies and showrooms. For an internal sliding door between two air-conditioned areas it is usually not needed.
How to Size an Air Curtain for a Sliding Door
- Width: match the clear opening when the door is fully open, not the width of the glass panels. For openings over 2 m, use two units side by side.
- Height: most sliding door openings are 2.1 m to 3 m high. The OLEFINI Commercial series covers up to 2.5 m and the X-Series up to 3 m.
- Mounting: fit the unit above the door header on the inside. In a finished lobby, a ceiling-recessed unit keeps the entrance clean.
Use our air curtain size guide for the full width and height table.
Link the Air Curtain to the Door
The best setup is to switch the air curtain on only when the sliding door opens. A door contact or a signal from the sliding door operator turns the air curtain on as the door opens and off shortly after it closes. This saves power, reduces noise and extends the life of the fan.
Real Example: Dubai Knowledge Village
Merac completed a large automatic door replacement at Dubai Knowledge Village that included new air curtains installed above the entrances, so the new sliding doors and the air curtains work as one system.
Prices
- OLEFINI air curtains: from AED 2,350 (1 m) to AED 6,960 (2 m recessed). See the air curtain price list.
- Automatic sliding door systems: see our automatic sliding doors range from Portalp, Gilgen, GEZE, DORMA and ASSA ABLOY.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an air curtain if I already have an automatic sliding door?
The automatic door limits how long the entrance stays open, but hot air still enters every time it opens. On busy entrances that face outside, an air curtain reduces that heat gain and keeps out dust and insects.
Can an air curtain switch on automatically when the sliding door opens?
Yes. A door contact or a signal from the sliding door operator can switch the air curtain on when the door opens and off after it closes.
Should the air curtain be inside or outside the sliding door?
In most UAE buildings it is mounted on the inside, above the door header, where it is protected from weather and dust.
Can Merac supply both the sliding door and the air curtain?
Yes. Merac supplies and installs automatic sliding doors and OLEFINI and Teddington air curtains, so both can be planned and installed together.