The 6Ws You Should Know
Air curtains are installed directly above doorways or entrances, either on the wall or ceiling. The unit must span the full width of the opening to ensure a complete air seal. For best results, installation height should match the model’s rated capacity (e.g. up to 8 ft, 10 ft, or 12 ft).
Air curtains are useful year-round. In winter, they help retain indoor heat and block cold drafts. In summer, they keep hot air, dust, insects, and pollutants from entering. Units can be connected to door sensors for automatic operation when the door opens or closes.
Choosing the right air curtain depends on your doorway size, mounting height, traffic type (pedestrian, forklift, etc.), and whether heating is required.
For a quick recommendation, you can use our online <a href=”https://miniveil.com/model-recommendation/” target=”_blank”>Model Selector Tool</a> available on our website.
If you prefer personalized support, feel free to contact the Miniveil team with your specific dimensions and usage scenario — we’ll help you select the most suitable model for optimal performance and efficiency.
Air curtains are ideal for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities that frequently open doors to the outdoors. This includes supermarkets, warehouses, restaurants, hospitals, and retail stores. Any business that wants to maintain indoor climate control and reduce energy loss can benefit from an air curtain.
An air curtain is a device installed above a doorway that blows a stream of high-velocity air downward to create an invisible barrier. This barrier helps separate different temperature zones—keeping cold air out in the winter, and hot air out in the summer—while still allowing people or goods to pass through freely.
Air curtains help reduce energy loss, improve indoor comfort, and block outside contaminants such as cold air, insects, fumes, and dust. They create an invisible barrier that allows doors to stay open for accessibility while still protecting the indoor environment.
Common Questions
Directional vanes allow the air stream to be angled slightly **inward or outward**, depending on the application and environmental conditions. This adjustment is critical for ensuring the airstream reaches the floor effectively and maintains a complete seal across the doorway.
In most cases, the air should be angled **15–20 degrees toward the draft** — typically outward — to counter incoming air pressure. This is how Miniveil air curtains are preset at the factory for optimal performance.
However, in specialized applications — such as insect control or industrial ovens — this angle may need to be manually adjusted on-site to suit specific airflow patterns and containment needs.
When a forklift or vehicle passes through the air curtain, the airstream may be momentarily disturbed. However, in most overhead-mounted applications, the airflow effectively **wraps around the vehicle**, maintaining the seal across the opening and resuming full protection immediately after the vehicle passes.
The only exception is in vertical, single-sided installations, where the opposite side of the opening is not fully protected during the brief time the vehicle occupies the doorway. In such cases, complete coverage requires either overhead mounting or a double-sided vertical setup.
Even with momentary disruption, the air curtain remains highly effective at reducing infiltration of outside air, dust, and insects.
Installation time can vary depending on the unit size, mounting method (wall-mounted or suspended), and on-site conditions such as ceiling structure and power availability.
As a general rule of thumb:
– The **first unit** typically takes **2–3 hours** to install.
– **Subsequent units** can usually be completed in **1–2 hours** each, assuming installation becomes more familiar.
This estimate assumes that two installers are working together and that a forklift or lift equipment is available to raise the unit into position. Proper pre-planning — including confirming power location, bracket layout, and mounting height — will also help reduce install time.
In standard wall-mounted applications, air curtains should be installed flush against the wall or with minimal gap to ensure proper alignment with the doorway.
However, there is no strict limit on how far the unit can be mounted away from the wall — as long as the air stream can form a complete seal across the opening. In situations where the unit must be significantly offset, **side panels should be installed** to create a controlled vestibule together with the air curtain.
If you’re unsure or working with a unique mounting condition, please consult the factory. Miniveil can typically assist with layout recommendations at no cost, or fabricate the necessary brackets and side panels for a nominal charge.
Air curtains require minimal maintenance. Basic tasks include:
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Cleaning the intake grille and filters regularly
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Inspecting motor and blower components annually
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Ensuring electrical connections are secure
These steps help maintain airflow efficiency and prolong the unit’s life.
Yes, voltage is extremely important when ordering an air curtain.
Each unit is configured based on the specified **voltage and phase** (e.g., 120V, 208V, 575V — single-phase or three-phase). This determines the correct motor selection, control components, and internal wiring.
Without knowing your exact power requirements, we cannot properly build, wire, or ship the unit. Supplying incorrect voltage to the unit can result in poor performance, motor failure, or electrical damage.
To avoid delays or compatibility issues, please confirm your site voltage and phase type at the time of order.
As the high-velocity air stream from the air curtain travels downward and reaches the floor, it splits and mixes with the surrounding air. Some of this air flows back inside, and some is directed outward.
This separation is expected and is part of the barrier effect. Importantly, if the air stream is properly aligned and remains **laminar** as it exits the nozzle, most of the air that ends up outside originates from **outside entrainment**, not from conditioned indoor air. This is why nozzle design — and the components that feed air into it, such as flow diverters — is so critical.
Miniveil air curtains are carefully engineered to optimize laminar flow at the nozzle and minimize unwanted turbulence, ensuring the air barrier remains strong and energy-efficient from top to bottom.
Low air velocity at the nozzle may indicate one of several possible issues. The most common causes include:
– **Fans rotating in the wrong direction**: This usually occurs when a 3-phase unit is wired incorrectly. The unit may still blow air, but at significantly reduced volume. The solution is simple: have a qualified electrician **swap any two of the three power wires** to reverse the fan rotation.
– **Incorrect voltage**: If the unit is wired for the wrong voltage or phase, it may operate at reduced power or fail to start. Always confirm electrical specs before energizing the unit.
– **Obstructions**: Blockages at the air intake or nozzle can restrict airflow. Ensure that filters, inlets, and outlets are clean and unobstructed.
– **Blower or fan misalignment**: Internal fans that are loose, off-balance, or misaligned can reduce performance and increase noise.
If you’re unsure of the cause, consult a qualified technician or contact Miniveil for technical support.
While air curtains are primarily designed for **environmental separation** — to block outdoor air, dust, and insects — they can also contribute to **improved indoor air circulation**, especially in tall or open buildings.
Miniveil air curtains can be specifically engineered with top air intake, which helps draw warmer air from higher levels and push it downward to floor level. This **destratifies the air** and improves comfort where it’s needed most.
In certain applications, especially where ceiling height is significant, ductwork can be install.
Air curtains are generally designed for indoor or sheltered mounting. Installing them outdoors, fully exposed to weather elements like rain or snow, can damage internal components and reduce efficiency. However, in partially covered outdoor environments, weather-resistant models with proper enclosure ratings (e.g., NEMA) may be used with caution.
No. For effective performance, the air curtain must span the entire width of the door opening. If the unit is shorter than the door, it will leave gaps where outside air can enter, compromising the protective barrier and reducing effectiveness.
Yes. Air curtains may not perform effectively if:
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The unit is too small for the doorway width or mounting height
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The installation height exceeds the model’s rated capacity
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The unit is not aligned properly or is angled incorrectly
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The surrounding air pressure difference is unusually high (e.g., strong wind tunnel effect)
Proper model selection and installation are essential to ensure optimal performance.
An automatic door switch allows the air curtain to turn on when the door opens and turn off when the door closes, helping save energy and extend the unit’s lifespan.
With every Miniveil air curtain purchase, we include a **universal surface-mounted magnetic switch** at no extra cost.
If your door has special requirements — such as tracks or sliding operation — we also offer other optional door switch types that may better suit your installation. Contact us to learn more.
Miniveil air curtains are engineered with a focus on performance, reliability, and value. Key design criteria include:
– **Laminar airflow** for effective environmental separation
– **High-efficiency blower motors** for strong performance with low energy consumption
– **Ultra-quiet operation**, suitable for commercial and retail environments
– **Ease of installation** and adaptability to various mounting conditions
– **Minimal maintenance requirements**, with easily accessible components
– **Durable housing**, available in stainless steel or powder-coated finish
– **Robust controls**, designed for long service life
– **Maximum flexibility**, with multiple control and activation options
– **CSA certification** for electrical safety and quality assurance
All Miniveil air curtains come with a **2-year warranty** on workmanship, parts, and controls (from date of manufacture), provided the unit has not been subject to misuse, misapplication, or unauthorized repair.
By combining high quality with cost-efficiency, Miniveil delivers one of the best overall values in the air curtain market — built for lasting performance in both commercial and industrial applications.
An air curtain should be mounted just above the top of the doorway or doorjamb, as close as possible without obstruction. Mounting the unit too high reduces its effectiveness, while mounting too low may interfere with pedestrian or equipment clearance.
If there is an obstruction preventing direct mounting above the door, the unit should be moved outward by 1 inch for every 3 inches it is mounted above the doorjamb. This ensures that the airstream clears the frame properly and avoids turbulence, maintaining a smooth and effective air barrier.
Yes. Miniveil air curtains are manufactured to meet or exceed OSHA safety standards, including electrical and mechanical safety. However, OSHA does not have air-curtain-specific regulations — compliance relates to overall equipment safety, which we rigorously follow.