Improve Energy Efficiency and Protection with Loading Dock Seals

Loading docks are one of the most critical—and vulnerable—points in any warehouse or distribution center. Without the right equipment, you’re leaving your facility exposed to weather, pests, and energy loss. That’s where loading dock seals come in. These essential components help create a tighter seal between your dock door and the trailer, improving safety, efficiency, and climate control.

At Stokes Equipment, we offer a full line of Rite-Hite loading dock seals designed for performance and longevity. If you’re operating a facility in the Mid-Atlantic, understanding your options can make a big difference for both productivity and employee safety.

What Are Loading Dock Seals?

Dock seals are foam pads mounted around the perimeter of your dock opening. When a trailer backs into the dock, these pads compress to form a tight seal. This barrier helps prevent outdoor elements—like wind, rain, snow, and pests—from entering your facility. They also reduce energy loss by keeping conditioned air inside.

Dock seals are particularly useful in climate-controlled environments like food storage, pharmaceuticals, and any facility where temperature consistency matters. Stokes Equipment offers multiple dock seal styles from Rite-Hite to match your building layout, trailer sizes, and operational needs.

Types of Dock Seals Available

Every facility is different, which is why it’s important to choose the right dock seal configuration for your space. At Stokes Equipment, we carry several top-tier options from Rite-Hite:

1. Head Pad Dock Seal

This model has side pads and a head pad that compress to form a seal. It is ideal for operations with fixed trailer sizes. The head pad dock seal gives a good seal while being flexible enough for small variation trailer heights.

2. Head Curtain Dock Seal

Whenever your building hosts varying trailer heights , the dock seal works well for you. The vertically adjustable head curtain allows for tighter closure on shorter and taller trailers.

3. Rain Guard

This premium seal features a weighted top head curtain to divert rain away from the interior dock, preventing your product and loading dock from getting wet. It’s especially effective when a declined dock approach is present..

All models are available to be equipped with heavy-duty fabric choices, wear pleats, and additional reinforcement to withstand the abuse of daily use. Rite-Hite dock seals are built to last, and Stokes Equipment can help you determine which one is right for your operation.

Added Benefits: Safety and Savings

Installing dock seals is more than just a matter of keeping your warehouse warm or cool. It’s also about protecting your workforce and equipment. A well-sealed dock prevents slips caused by rain or snow entry, discourages pest infestation, and reduces white light and creates an energy efficient loading dock..

In addition, many customers choose to install industrial safety barriers in the Lehigh Valley facilities rely on for enhanced worker protection. Stokes Equipment can help integrate safety barriers with your loading dock layout to ensure a complete, secure solution. When paired with loading dock seals, these barriers help reduce accidents and improve workflow efficiency across your loading area.

Are Loading Dock Shelters a Better Fit?

Whereas dock seals compress tightly onto trailers, dock shelters work a little differently. They use fabric curtains for a seal but allow full unimpeded access into the trailer.. For this reason, shelters are ideal tall end loaded material and docks or operations with mixed fleets.

Rite-Hite shelter designs, also available from Stokes Equipment, include improved sealing and wind protection, offering you more versatility. If you’re uncertain whether a seal or shelter will be suitable for your needs, our personnel can review your dock conditions and recommend the best configuration.

Make an Informed Choice with Stokes Equipment

Whether you’re upgrading an older facility or designing a new warehouse, choosing the right dock seals or shelters can lead to big benefits. Our team at Stokes Equipment has decades of experience working with Rite-Hite products and providing tailored solutions for facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region, including loading dock seals in Philadelphia, and beyond.

We don’t just deliver equipment—we deliver peace of mind. Our experts will walk you through every option and make sure you’re set up for long-term success.

Ready to upgrade your dock efficiency and safety? Contact Stokes Equipment today to learn more about our dock seal and shelter solutions. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.