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Air Curtains for Restaurants

air curtain in a restaurant

The restaurant business is a brutal business. Around 60% of businesses fail within the first year and almost 80% of businesses close their doors before their fifth anniversary. This is extremely concerning as there are so many issues that can destroy a business before it has a chance to get started. 

One simple, but effective way to get a step ahead of the competition is to install an air curtain. Restaurants can receive a myriad of benefits from energy savings to increased employee happiness. Now you probably have a bunch of questions about air curtains. We have gathered up everything that you could possibly want to know about air curtains into one convenient location. 

Air Door Distributors is the leading expert of air curtain knowledge. Our experts will be able to find the perfect air curtain for your restaurant. First, it might be helpful to understand how air curtains function before getting into why you should purchase one. 

How Air Curtains Work

Air curtains may appear to be mysterious devices that function magically. In reality, they are actually quite simple devices that use sound mechanics to get high-performing results. Air curtains draw in air through an inlet grille from the surrounding environment. The air is then compressed and accelerated through a series of internal fans. The accelerated air will then be ejected through a directional nozzle. This will create a downward force of air that can keep flying insects and temperature differences outside of your restaurant.

Now that we have an understanding of how air curtains work, let’s jump into why you should purchase one or several for your restaurant. 

Why Do I Want One for My Restaurant?

Air curtains are now seen as a valuable tool for restaurants. If they are used properly restaurant owners can see benefits for years to come. They are not a huge investment, which is great news for your restaurant. 

Depending on your needs you can get an air curtain installed for a very reasonable price. You can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Most air curtain owners will see a return on investment within five years of their purchase. 

That is just one of the many benefits of purchasing an air curtain for your restaurant. Let’s dive into what other benefits a restaurant owner can expect from an air curtain. 

Benefits of Air Curtains for Restaurants

There are numerous benefits to installing one or several air curtains in your restaurant. 

Flying Insect Repellent

Air curtains are fantastic at keeping flying insects out of restaurants. According to some sources, just 0.1% of flying insects are able to cross the wind barrier that an air curtain creates. That is extremely impressive as no restaurant owner wants to deal with bugs ruining their restaurant.

Food sanitation and safety will improve in your restaurant as pollen, insects, dust, and fumes will be less likely to contaminate food and ingredients. Plus, no customers want to be swatting away pesky bugs while they are trying to eat. The California Health and Safety Code recommends air curtain installation in any establishment that serves of packages food. 

Energy Efficiency

Air curtains can also improve your restaurant’s energy efficiency. The downward rush of air keeps the cold or warm air outside of your restaurant. The barrier will allow your restaurant to maintain a stable temperature. Some restaurants have been able to save thousands of dollars each year by installing air curtains in specific areas. 

Customer & Employee Comfort

Customers will be more comfortable in a flying insect free and temperature stable environment. Keeping that rush of cold air in the dead of winter will let customers enjoy their meals and will increase the ambiance of your restaurant. 

Employees will also be much happier to work in a comfortable environment that is insect free. We all know that a happier employee will perform at a higher level and will be less likely to quit. You can keep your restaurant workforce happy and all it takes is an air curtain. 

Open Door Policy

Your restaurant will be able to keep its doors during business hours. An open door policy is inviting to customers as they will see an open door as an invitation to come inside. Potential customers who have simply walked past your restaurant will be encouraged to peak their heads in the door. That could be all it takes to bring in new customers who would have never stopped in the first place. 

Air Curtain Use Cases and Placements in Restaurants 

Air curtains can be placed above windows and doors to prevent the outside air from coming in. Here are a few areas that you may want to consider placing air curtains for different reasons.

Entrance

A restaurant’s entrance is potentially the most used doorway in a restaurant. The inside environment of a restaurant is going to be vastly different than the outside. An air curtain will help maintain the ideal conditions for a restaurant to operate at. 

Air curtains are also recognized as a substitute for a vestibule. A vestibule is a separate small room that is required in commercial buildings over 3,000 square feet. Air curtains can replace that and save your restaurant thousands of dollars during construction. 

Patio Openings

A patio is a great addition to any restaurant as it adds additional seating and fresh air for customers. Keeping the inside of the restaurant and the patio separate can be difficult as food and drinks are constantly going in and out. A properly sized air curtain will ensure that the inside environment will remain unaffected by the patio area. 

Food Prep Areas

Food preparation and cooking areas often having stricter cleanliness regulations and may operate at different temperatures. An air curtain will keep food clean and help keep the cooking environment the correct temperature. Your customers will be happy to know that your food is cooked up in the most ideal environment. 

Drive-Thru Windows

Fast food restaurants with drive-thrus have an open window that is begging insects to fly in. An air curtain placed strategically above the drive-thru window will prevent pesky bugs from getting right into your restaurant’s kitchen. Employees will not have to suffer from all of the car exhaust fumes as well. 

Loading Docks

Loading docks are necessary for many restaurants that serve a large volume of customers. These doors are often giant and contribute to high energy costs. A properly sized air curtain can save a restaurant hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year from simply being installed above a loading dock door. 

Walk-In Freezers

One problem that restaurants face is water buildup in entrances to walk-in freezers. When the warm air contacts the cold surfaces of the freezer, the water in the air is unleashed. This can lead to dangerous situations for employees. An air curtain will keep the warm and cold air separated, which will decrease the amount of water buildup and improve employee safety. 

Popular Air Curtain Products for Restaurants

There are a wide variety of air curtain products that restaurant owners can utilize to improve their bottom line. Here are just a few of the most popular products for restaurant owners.


CLC08-1072EB by Berner

This air curtain is potentially the most popular model for customer entrances, patios, and drive-thru windows. 


STD242-1EBE-OB by MARS

This model is designed for insect control up to 10 feet and temperature separation up to 12 feet. Loading dock doors would be a perfect area to install this air curtain over. 


SLC07-2108AV by Berner

This air curtain is ideal for walk-in coolers as well as customer entrances. It provides insect control up to seven feet and can provide sanitation certification for customer entry doors.

Air Door Distributors have the best air curtain experts in the industry. They can help you find the perfect air curtain for your restaurant. No matter your budget or needs, Air Door Distributors will ensure that your restaurant receives an air curtain that will make a difference for both your employees and customers. Call us at 1 (866) 402-1642 or fill out our online contact form today to find an air door perfect for your restaurant.