There are many benefits to using Gymnasium Divider Curtains in an athletic facility. I covered them in a recent post. There are seven basic models available from most gymnasium equipment manufacturers and each style has its own unique benefits and features. So how do you know which gym divider is right? The following is a quick summary of each model and the benefits and disadvantages of each model to provide guidance on picking the style that best fits a specific application.
Walk-Draw
Walk-Draw curtains are the least expensive style, because they aren’t motorized. This also makes them simple to use and install.
A Walk-Draw can have curves and/or turns as necessary. The fabric is always hanging somewhere on the track, so if you have bleachers on both sides of the gym this style can’t be used because there is no place to “store” the fabric. It also isn’t good for attachment heights over 25 feet, or total square footage over 1,500 feet, because the fabric gets too heavy to easily pull along the track.
The square foot limits can be skirted by putting multiple fabric sections on the same track and putting hook-and-loop on mating ends to give closure.
Fold-Up
This is the least expensive of the electrically operated curtains. It’s a real workhorse curtain–it’s very reliable and there’s very little to go wrong with it. The Fold-Up is also a very durable product.
This style is not as aesthetically pleasing because of the cables and grommet lines. It requires about 30 inches below the attachment point for storage, which can be a problem with low ceiling heights.
These curtains can be made in very large sizes–we’ve made them as tall as 50 feet, and as long as 200 feet. The Fold-Up is the only electrically operating curtain that can be made as a radius (Radius-Fold) to follow running tracks, etc.
Ridge-Fold
The Ridge-Fold divider approximates the contour of the roof line when folded, allowing the curtain to fold higher in sloped or peaked buildings, where other curtains can only be as tall as the lowest point.
This model’s operation is similar to that of the Fold-Up, but without a drive shaft. The custom winch has individual cable drums for each lift line–the drum size makes each line roll at the speed necessary to follow the roof contour.
The Ridge-Fold offers the same advantages as the Fold-Up—durability, reliability, etc. However, field verification of the roof slope is critical. There are also some limitations on the combination of the maximum height combined with the slope–i.e. low slope curtains can have a greater maximum height than steep-sloped curtains.
Roll-Up
The Roll-Up is a well-tested design that requires only 24 inches of storage space below the attachment point, helping with low ceiling heights–to get clearance for volleyball, etc.
With any divider curtain, the user needs to make sure area is clear before operating, but this is especially true for the Roll-Up. The curtain utilizes belts to lower and lift the curtain. A little extra caution should be used to make sure there are no appendages or sports equipment caught behind the belts.
The Roll-Up’s slower operation may require slower or larger winches at larger sizes. The maximum attachment height is about 32 feet, and maximum length for a single curtain is around 130 feet.
Top-Roll
With the Top-Roll, there are no belts or cables to roll, so it’s more aesthetically pleasing than the Roll-Up. With a large diameter tube on which to roll the fabric, this unit rolls up more quickly than other models. It stores in as little as 14 inches from the attachment points, making it ideal for very low ceiling heights–i.e. below 18 feet.
With the Top-Roll model installation is very critical. The carriers and drive pipes must be perfectly plumb and level or the fabric may prematurely wear. The fabric will always show “tracks” at the drive pipe support carrier locations. The maximum height for a Top-Roll divider is 30 feet and the maximum length is 100 feet.
Mid-Roll
As with the Top-Roll, there are no belts or cables to roll, so the Mid-Roll is aesthetically pleasing.
The fabric rolls up quickly, because the fabric rolls in the middle so there’s a “double” rolling action. When raised, the Mid-Roll stores in as little as 14 inches from the attachment point.
The curtain fabric never makes contact with support rollers, so it does not show “tracks” like a Top-Roll model.
This model is only for attachment heights between 18 and 32 feet, with a maximum size of 3,000 square feet.
Electrical requirements and costs may be greater when installing a Mid-Roll, because above 60 feet long or 1,500 square feet there will be motors at both ends.
Whatever site conditions you are facing, Draper has a gym divider solution. For more information, click here.
