Air curtains for home (or wind curtains) are specialized HVAC devices that separate conditioned air and unconditioned air.
Air curtains also prevent insects, flies, smoke, and dust to come through the door.
We can all agree that running an air conditioner is pretty much useless if we have an open door. All the cool air will escape out, and the hot summer air will enter the room. It would be a waste.
That’s why we close the doors and windows when turning the AC on. But what if we need to have that door open?
Here’s the deal:
Take a restaurant, for example. The AC inside is working great, but every time a new customer opens the door, the conditioned cool air leaves the restaurant. Hot air, flies, mosquitoes, dust, and smoke enter the restaurant.
The purpose of installing the air curtain over the door is to create an invisible but effective barrier to keep the inside air cold and clean. In short, it protects the work already done by the air conditioner:
The vertically moving air will stop hot/cold outside air from entering and protect us from smoke, dust, fumes, and insects.
Before we look at the best air curtains for home and industrial use, let’s go over a quick buyer’s guide:
Air Curtain Buyer’s Guide
Before you start comparing different air doors, you really need to know just one thing:
How wide should your air curtain be?
Most of the producers offer the standard 36-inch air curtains for home. These are the most popular residential air doors. Wider models (they go up to 72”) are more appropriate for residential use.
Here’s a trick question: What’s the difference between a residential and commercial air door?
Specs-wise there is literally no difference. The only difference is that commercial air conditioning doorway curtains are wider than the residential ones because restaurant or shop doors are usually wider than your door at home.
4 Factors To Check Before Buying Air Doors
All residential air curtains will do the job of keeping the conditioned air inside the house quite well. Nonetheless, some will be brilliant at doing that, look great, and spend less energy than others.
The 4 key specs to check when looking at any air curtain are:
- Airflow (the most important spec by far). Higher airflow is preferred to ensure not even the most powerfully-winged flies enter the area. These are also the most efficient at the high-temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. Anything above 800 CFM (cubic meters of air per hour) is considered an excellent airflow rate.
- Noise levels. Obviously, we want the air door to be completely noticeable. The quiet (below 55 dB) units are preferred.
- Power. Be sure to check what the wattage is. The more powerful (above 300W) air curtains will do a better job, but the electricity bill will be higher as well.
- Available width. If you have 48” wide doors and the offered air curtain is 36” wide, you have yourself a problem (about 12” wide, in fact). Always check if you can get a wide-enough model.
With these things in mind, we can look at a list of the best residential air curtains currently on the market:
Comparison Of The Top 5 Air Curtains For Home
| Air Curtain: | Photo: | Important Metrics: | Rating And Price: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awoco FM3509L/Y-M Available widths: 36'', 42'', 48'', 60'' or 72'' Best Overall (Both For Home And Commercial Use) |  | Air Flow: 907 CFM / 742 CFM Power: 300W / 270W Noise Levels: Low (49/52 dB) Weight: 28.7 lbs | $$$$ Check on Amazon |
| DuraSteel Aerial Titan-1 Available widths: 36'', 40'' or 48'' Most Powerful With 1177 CFM Airflow |  | Air Flow: 1177 CFM / 942 CFM Power: 380W / 300W Air Velocity: 3150 FPM Noise Levels: High (65/69 dB) Weight: 37.2 lbs | $$$$ Check on Amazon |
| Global Industrial FM-1209-2 Available widths: 36'' Best Rated With 4.9 Average Rating |  | Air Flow: 815 CFM / 670 CFM Power: 342W / 252W Noise Levels: Medium (56 dB) Weight: 28.5 lbs | $$$$ Check on Amazon |
| Strongway B072DY5T7L Available widths: 36'' Budget-Friendly Pick For Less Than $200 |  | Air Flow: 816 CFM Power: 345W Noise Levels: Medium Weight: 34.0 lbs | $$$$ Check on Amazon |
| Maxwell MASF036-N1 Available widths: 36'', 39'', 48'' or 60'' Quietest Air Curtain With 49/52 dB levels |  | Air Flow: 647 CFM / 529 CFM Power: 300W / 270W Noise Levels: Low (49/52 dB) Weight: 34.3 lbs | $$$$ Check on Amazon |
#1 Awoco FM3509L/Y-M – Best Overall Specs And Several Available Widths
Awoco is the No. 1 brand when it comes to air curtains. Awoco is inspired by German electrical and HVAC engineering. They have the widest range of exceptionally well engineer models available. The best FM3509L/Y-M models range from 36″ residential air curtains to the broad 72” residential air curtains.
What really matters, however, are the specs. Awoco has managed to create a high airflow curtain with very low noise levels. On the high setting, the airflow is 907 CFM with a quiet 52 dB noise level. That both makes it one of the most powerful and, at the same time, one of the quietest air curtains.
What is not insignificant is also the lower-than-average energy use. The powerful Awoco motor managed to create 907 CFM airflow with just 300W of power. That’s quite impressive; having a high-efficiency well-oiled motor also explains why the FM3509L/Y-M model is so quiet.
With the magnetic door switch (comes included in the package), you can DIY Awoco air curtain installation or make the installation easier for the installer:
The high setting is most appropriate for hottest (or coldest) days. However, you can also preserve energy while still getting a 742 CFM airflow by switching to the low setting.
Awoco is very installer-friendly. It comes with a special magnetic switch, which makes installation so easy that everybody with a tool-box can do it. You can get it in following widths: 36”, 42”, 48”, 60” or 72”.
Keeping true to the German engineering standard, the Awoco will run for 5,000 hours non-stop without a problem. The motor is very reliable; the fan wheels are even made out of high-tech ABS material. In short, this is a very meticulously engineered, specs-powerful, and simple to use air curtain that well deserves the No. 1 spots.
#2 DuraSteel Aerial Titan-1 – The Most Powerful Residential Air Curtain
DuraSteel Aerial Titan-1 has a reputation of, well, being the Titan that it is. It is the single most powerful industrial air curtain that can exceed 1000 CFM airflow at a remarkable air velocity of 3150 FPM (feet per minute).
The power itself positions it as the best industrial air curtain. It’s exceptionally needed in places where keeping the air clear and conditioned is vital. Meat processing, laboratories, kitchens, freezers are only some examples of its use.
According to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), “air curtain effectiveness in preventing infiltration through an entrance generally ranges from 60 to 80%“. When working in, let’s say, a clean kitchen, you really want to keep that number close or even beyond 80% because no customer wants to see a fly in their soup.
Titan-1 achieves that by sheer airflow power alone. The incredible 1177 CFM airflow might be overkill for a home, but it’s exactly what’s needed to keep a clean kitchen, well, clean. No fly or insect will be able to withstand that airflow.
There is only one drawback, but it’s a big one: DuraSteel Aerial Titan-1 is as loud as it is powerful. It will achieve noise levels of up to 65 dB at a low-setting, and on the high setting, it will hit 69 dB. That’s a pretty high noise level for an HVAC device.
Obviously, all that airflow and power does produce quite a lot of noise. That’s why the Titan-1 is a preferable pick for residential use where the environment is already loud. Imagine a kitchen full of chefs and waiters calling orders or a woodshop. Having a 69 dB air door won’t bother them one bit. Don’t put it over the doors of a jazz club, though.
All in all, the Titan-1 is an industrial beast that is best at keeping places clean and well-conditioned. It is available in 36”, 40” or 48” widths.
#3 Global Industrial FM-1209-2 – Best-Rated By Customers
Global Industrial FM-1209-2 is a simple air curtain with great specs and an affordable price. It’s not hard to see why the trio of simple, affordable, great-specs is popular with the customers.
In fact, the Global Industrial FM-1209-2 is the best-rated air door on Amazon with a 4.9/5 rating. Most of the people are praising how well it can keep the flies out.
It has two settings: the high setting with 815 CFM airflow and the low setting with 670 CFM airflow. This is not the most powerful air curtain airflow, but most people own a bar or want to install it in their home need.
The remote control is a nice addition. Obviously, you have only 3 settings to choose from (HI/LOW/OFF) but using the remote control is just a bit more convenient than pulling out a ladder and doing it manually.
It has an average energy consumption for an air conditioning doorway curtain and medium-to-low noise levels (maximum is 56 dB).
Simple, easy to operate with remote control, great specs, and, as you’ll see, an affordable price. The FM-1209-2 is a nice and solid pick for people who like to own no-fuss HVAC devices.
#4 Strongway B072DY5T7L – The Cheapest Air Curtain For Less Than $200
Strongway is the cheap way. Their B072DY5T7L model can produce an above 800 CFM airflow (which is exactly what most of us need) and costs less than $200.
You can mount it up 8 feet above the door; it has 2 settings and an OFF switch (HI/LOW/OFF). It’s every bit as useful as the costlier models for keeping flies, insects, and smoke out.
Of course, it doesn’t have record-breaking specs, but if you’re looking for a quick and cost-effective way to create an air curtain between the indoors and outdoors, the Strongway is a way to go.
Just the fact that it weighs 34 pounds can tell you something about the reliability. Of course, with cheap HVAC devices, reliability needs to be addressed. The higher-than-average weight, however, is reassuring. A heavier device is usually translated into high-quality materials.
One truly bad thing, however, is that the Strongway B072DY5T7L is powered by a 345W motor. That means that the electricity costs will be higher than average. For example, the #1 pick – Awoco FM3509L/Y-M – can produce an airflow of 907 CFM with just 300W. The Strongway, by comparison, produces 816 CFM with 345W.
Being not as energy-efficient does mean you might be paying more than you would want because of the higher electricity bill. Right now, yes, the air curtain may cost less than $200, but the lower-than-average energy-efficiency can add $10 or even $20 to your yearly electricity bill. It’s definitely something to take into account when choosing the right air curtain.
#5 Maxwell MASF036-N1 – The Quietest Air Curtain On The Market
Last but not least is the Maxwell MASF036-N1. It’s not the strongest, not the most powerful air curtain. However, it does have a certain quality that’s very important when it comes to choosing an air conditioning doorway curtain:
The sound of silence.
With the 49/52 dB noise levels, it’s the quietest air curtain and perfect for home use. If you don’t enjoy hearing a constant low noise, the Maxwell MASF036-N1 might even be the smartest choice for you. It’s as silent as a cat.
Nonetheless, we cannot go past the fact that it has low airflow. In the high gear, the maximum airflow does reach 647 CFM. That is, however, about 200 CFM below the average. That’s is not ideal, but it does explain why it can be so quiet. The blower has to blow out less air.
A great thing is that this air curtain for home is available in wider models as well. You can pick among 36”, 39”, 48” or 60” models. Especially the 60” is nice to have for balcony doors which are usually wider.
Do You Need An Advice For Your Situation?
If you didn’t find an appropriate air curtain on the list above, you are free to comment on your specific situation. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an industrial or residential air curtain. We’ll try to help you either way.
Hope this helps.
Can I have an air curtain for three sides of a covered patio with 10-11’ height at edges? Or would it be ineffective at bottom 2-3 feet or would 68’ of curtain, even with 50+/- dB, be too noisy?
Hello Pat, you’re asking exactly the right questions. With 11′ height, you would need an air curtain with high wattage and 900+ CFM airflow just to reach those bottom 2-3 feet. The concern is that having 3 of them together can generate a lot of noise. If you have a small patio, that’s not optimal. However, if you have a big patio, the distance from the center to every air curtain would be bigger; that will reduce the amount of noise.
I have a French door leading to a covered deck. Likely, most often there will be only one side propped open, except during a party when both side are propped open. Is it best to get an air curtain above each door and run them according to whether there is only 1 or 2 doors propped open? Or should a get a longer air curtain and just run it no matter if there is 1 or 2 doors propped open. OR do they make a longer air curtain unit that has two separate fans built in that can be run independently of one another. I hope this makes sense. Each door is 36″ so the total width is 72″. Thank you.
Hello Dale, the purpose of using the air curtain is to create a closed system. That means that every door that is opened should have its own air curtain. If you have 1 air curtain but 2 doors, the conditioned air inside would leak out of the 2nd door. As a general rule, all open doors should have one unit. Of course, if you have the 2nd door open for 5 or 10 minutes per day, you are better of investing in a powerful air curtain for the 1st door; for those 5-10 minutes you might lose the conditioner air but after you close the 2nd door, a powerful air curtain should do the job of sealing the room well enough. Of course, the air conditioner will have to work extra hard to restore the conditioned air environment again.
Is vevor a good brand air curtain
We don’t have experience with Vevor; didn’t hear anything bad nor anything good. Specs-wise, it looks solid.
Are any of these products made in usa?
Of course. Awoco, for example, is based in California.
Can you mount on air curtain on the outside of the doorway
Hello Brad, of course you can, just make sure that’s wide enough to cover the whole doorway.
Hello,
I need an air curtain that can be recessed into an interior soffit above an 8′ high, 144″ wide door opening from our great room (kitchen/family room) to the pool deck. We are considering the Berner ARD12. Do you have any other suggestions, or thoughts on this model for a residential application?
Thank you!
Hello Margarita, Berner ARD12 is a good choice. Berner IDC14-4144AA-G is also a good choice but it’s quite expensive. Just check that you will have a sufficient CFM; the air above the pool can be quite humid (80%-100% relative humidity). If that air would start entering the great room, you might have a mold problem quickly.
There is an arch, not a door, between our master bedroom and bath. Even though we open the bathroom window when using the shower, a lot of moist air goes into the bedroom. Could an air curtain between the bedroom and bath be a solution?
Hello Saul, air curtains are most commonly used to keep the conditioned air inside but that’s not the only use. You can use it to keep moist air out of the bedroom, yes.
Would these air curtains prevent gnats and such from breaking the barrier as well? Could I attach any of these to a aluminum storefront system or hang them from above?
Hello Kevin, gnats usually can’t break through the 200 CFM barrier. Some of the bigger ones might penetrate through. Air curtains should be attached directly to the wall. The aluminum storefront system might work but you really have to try that and see if it static enough.
I’m looking for an air curtain which can be installed outside, and can withstand Canadian weather.
Any recommendations?
Hello Paul, outside means in terms of patios and such? All of these air curtains can be used outside, just the effectiveness might be lower than in indoor use.
do any air curtain have a door activated switch.
Hello Nicholas, yes, the #1 Awoco units (all widths) are basically air curtains with a magnetic door switch. Hope this helps.
What is your opinion about mounting this over the shower door in order to dry out the shower after use? Which one would be your choice for this purpose?
Hello Jeff, this is not the original idea of how air curtains should be used, but it could work for faster drying. All air curtains should work; there is no specific advantage one would have over another when using in such a way. Just check that the airflow is high.
we are renovating and the bathroom ceilings are too low to install ceiling fans but we need some air movement . will putting an air curtain inside each bathroom over the doorway provide air movement?
Hello Ted, low ceiling bathrooms will have that problem. Of course, you can install an air curtain, you’ll get plenty (500+ CFM) of airflow that way.