Retractable Loading Bays
- Retracts flat to a building when not in use
- Manufactured from galvanized box section steel and heavy-duty 650gsm PVC
- Custom-made to fit your requirements
- We design, manufacture and install using our dedicated inhouse teams
Enquire
Speak to our team 01925 814525Our retractable loading bays can increase the efficiency of your industrial operations.
Our loading bays and warehouse dock retractable tunnels are meticulously engineered to create covered spaces between buildings and unloading vehicles. Our innovative retractable design provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing the tunnel to retract against a building during clear weather and extend to form a sealed passageway between the building and vehicle in adverse weather conditions. Notably, larger tunnels serve a dual purpose by transforming into temporary storage areas, accommodating forklifts within their expansive interiors.
Our commitment to durability is reflected in the construction materials. We utilise galvanized box section steel and heavy duty 650gsm PVC on a robust kedar system, ensuring resilience and prolonged longevity. Stuart Canvas offers a comprehensive service package, encompassing design, supply, and installation, supported by a dedicated Research and Development team capable of addressing any unique covering challenges or requirements you may present. Our tunnels can be crafted as ‘free-standing’ or ‘fixed,’ providing adaptability to your spatial needs. Additionally, the inclusion of floor-mounted or sunken tracking options facilitates seamless movement within the tunnel structure.
With a rich history spanning over 50 years our solutions cater to a diverse range of specifications, from large-scale fixed installations to dynamic retractable designs.
Contact
Discuss all your requirements with our expert team. They can advise on the best options and solutions for your project. They can also send you a free quotation.
Design
Our in-house designers will create detailed digital CAD files to ensure accuracy in the design of your project.
Produce
Our team of expert craftsmen will use their years of experience alongside our cutting-edge machinery to handcraft your project.
Deliver
Once your project passes our quality control, it will be distributed via secure carriers or by our specialist installation team.
PVC material is durable, sturdy, waterproof, and tear-resistant, giving it versatile applications. PVC is simple to maintain; it can be cleaned with a wet towel or washed with soapy water. It is waterproof with great weather resistance, including rain, snow, hail, UV rays, and frigid temperatures. We offer PVC in 580gsm to 900gsm weights with our most popular being 610gsm, which offers a great balance between performance and aesthetics. PVC is also available as a fire retardant option.
Manufactured from 580gsm PVC, this durable PVC comes in a variety of striped colours, making them versatile for different aesthetics. Specifically for canopies and market stalls, they offer ideal protection against the elements, being both waterproof and UV stabilised, ensuring longevity and reliability in outdoor settings.
Clear PVC is ideal for creating window sections in tarpaulins and covers, to allow extra light through. Clear PVC is available in 580gsm and 610gsm weights. It is UV-stabilised and offers the same waterproof and weather protection as coloured PVC.
Our heavy duty polyester cotton canvas fabric is a woven fabric with a composition of 50% Polyester and 50% Cotton. It is naturally breathable, and its ability to regulate temperature and moisture makes canvas fabric unique. This water-resistant material creates an organic look and feel.
This recyclable material offers a fabric weight of 350gsm whilst providing a tensile strength that is greater than a heavy duty PVC of 610gsm. The material is entirely PVC-free as it is manufactured from recyclable polypropylene. It can come with a polypropylene rope inside the hem. It also has a high UV durability of at least 5 years for Northern Europe. Recyclable polypropylene can be used on any application in which PVC would typically be used. It is also available in an extra-heavy duty 600gsm weight.
Durable and stylish multi-purpose ripstop fabric is available in a range of vibrant colours. Ripstop Canvas is a specially woven fabric that prevents tearing and ripping, making it ideal for projects that require the organic look of canvas but need the strength and durability that ripstop can provide.
Woven Polyester offers the perfect balance of science, toughness and style. It is a lightweight, highly water resistant, breathable, non sagging and durable fabric, ideal for covers, awnings, UV strips, upholstery, cushions, umbrellas and sun shades. It is available in two weights with various finishes and a wide range of colours to suit all applications.
Specially designed windbreak material is manufactured from robust polypropylene. It is UV stabilised, making it ideal for year round outdoor use. The material blocks the majority of wind from passing through, creating a still air area behind it. The porous nature of the martial prevents it from acting like a sail in high winds, while still offering protection.
Designed to provide a controlled environment for the germination of grass. It also provides frost damage protection to grass during freezing conditions. It is manufactured from 155gsm black porous material which can be produced as a single skin to a triple skin cover.
Heavy duty PVC mesh is an extremely strong hard wearing fabric with a high tensile strength. The mesh allows for wind to pass through while still creating a strong barrier; it is ideal for areas requiring increased ventilation. It can also be added to PVC material to create an opening, for example, to create a window on a PVC machine cover to the retractable tunnel.
Our semi-translucent material is reinforced and designed to allow sunlight through onto the grass below in sporting venues. It is available in set and bespoke sizes, and we can add reinforced hems, eyelets, and grab handles.
We can offer a wide range of netting weights and materials. These can be used in ball sports as ball stop netting and in mobile batting cages. Our netting can also be used in industry as debris netting and cargo nets. Our netting is available in a range of colours to suit all uses.
- We can offer both channel and anti-lift tracking options, depending on the size and application of the tunnel
- Suitable for concrete and hard-standing floors
- Can help reduce ‘lift’ caused by wind
- Allow for smooth and easy manoeuvrability
- Allows for a tunnel to be moved into different locations rather than being fixed on tracking
- We can offer a range of caster wheels for different surfaces, including astroturf
- Swivel wheels can be added for extra movability
- We can add bespoke windows to allow extra light into a tunnel on the sides and roof
- We can manufacture both mesh and clear PVC window sections, the mesh allows for extra ventilation whilst the clear PVC keep the tunnels waterproof
- Window can be added to each Keder section
- Our electric motors allow you to open and close a tunnel with the click of a button
- We use a durable pully system connected to our heavy duty electric motor to create an effective retracing mechinsuim
- Our expert design team can advise on the best solutions to electrify your tunnel project
- With our remote control electric motor systems, you can operate the retracting mechanism from a distance
- Our simple-to-use remote control can be operated from indoors, allowing users to be inside a control office and open and close the tunnel ready for use
- Make your tunnel standout with contrasting keder PVC sections
- Ideal for sports clubs, match the clubs brand colours to the tunnel
- Contrasting colours can also be used to make the tunnel visible for health and safety
- Perfect for loading bays, our expert team can use a range of fixing methods to suit all wall materials
- We can use detectable fixings that allow retractable tunnels to be removed if needed
- Extra PVC flaps can be added to reduce water ingress at the site of connection
- Create extra weather protection by closing front and rear doors to a tunnel
- We can add windows to allow extra light into the tunnel
- Ideal for free-standing tunnels used to cover work areas
- Our in-house printing team can add your branding and full-colour images directly onto tunnel sections
- We can also create removable printed sections for each kedar panel. Each section is held on with velcro and allows you to change the printed sections quickly and easily. These are ideal for sports clubs where the sponsor logo can change regularly
It is important that a retractable tunnel or temporary structure is subject to correct use and maintenance while in use.
DOWNLOAD Maintenance & Guidelines
Replacement Wheels can be purchased from our online shop.
Our seasoned install manager oversees our in-house installations teams. With decades of experience and SSSTS qualification, he brings extensive knowledge and skills to our teams.
Depending on the job requirements, our install staff can hold CSCS cards along with ASMA, IPAF, and FLT certifications, ensuring they are equipped to handle diverse tasks safely and efficiently.
From working at height to groundwork, we use a wide range of machinery tailored to suit every job. Our arsenal includes diggers with various ground working attachments and our own scaffold tower, welding machines, and a fleet of vans and extra long wheelbase trucks.
We maintain contracts with major suppliers of plant and powered access equipment, ensuring access to top-quality resources for every project.
Retractable Tunnel Case Studies
Our Credentials
