Dock Houses
Add extra loading capacity without sacrificing internal space.A dock house is an external loading structure built onto the outside of a warehouse. Instead of forming the loading bay within the main building footprint, the dock housing sits outside, creating a dedicated loading position that doesn’t take up precious internal space.
This allows you to:
- Increase loading capacity without sacrificing internal floor space
- Retrofit new loading bays onto existing buildings
- Adapt facilities where internal dock construction is not practical
In simple terms, a dock house moves the loading activity outside while keeping it fully integrated with your warehouse operations.
What does a loading dock house include?
A typical dock house installation forms part of a wider loading bay system and will usually include:
- Dock levellers to bridge the height difference between the warehouse floor and the trailer bed
- Dock shelters to seal around vehicles during loading
- Dock accessories such as dock buffers, wheel guides, trailer plates, traffic lights, wheel/vehicle restraint systems.
- Industrial doors to secure and insulate the warehouse opening
- In some operations, configurations suitable for double deck loading bay systems
In simple terms, a dock house moves the loading activity outside while keeping it fully integrated with your warehouse operations.
The benefits of external loading dock houses
Installation
By moving the loading position outside the main building line, you retain usable warehouse space for racking, picking or production. Instead of sacrificing revenue-generating floor area for additional bays, you expand outward without impacting your internal space/layout.
Increase loading capacity without major internal disruption
External dock houses allow you to add new loading positions without reconfiguring internal structures or halting operations for long periods. This makes it far easier to scale capacity in line with growing volumes or new contracts.
Improve vehicle flow and yard efficiency
A purpose-built external loading area creates a clearer separation between warehouse operations and yard movements. This can reduce congestion at peak times, shorten turnaround times and improve overall site efficiency.
Reduce long-term building wear
By shifting vehicle contact and loading activity into a purpose-built external structure, you reduce wear on the main building wall and door openings. Over time, that means fewer repairs, less reactive maintenance and lower long-term building costs.
Suitable door types for dock houses
The right door for a dock house depends on traffic levels, insulation requirements, security risk and available headroom. In most cases, the door must be durable, reliable under frequent use and capable of integrating cleanly with dock levellers and dock shelters.
We supply and install a range of industrial doors suited to dock houses, including:
- Sectional overhead doors – A strong choice for high-use loading bays where insulation and smooth operation matter. Insulated panels help maintain internal temperatures, while vertical lift options make efficient use of available space within the dock housing structure.
- Industrial roller shutter doors – Well-suited to sites where robustness and security are priorities. Steel roller shutters provide a durable barrier and can withstand the demands of busy distribution environments.
- High-speed doors – Used where speed of operation and environmental control are critical. These are often installed internally, behind the main dock house door, to reduce heat loss and improve traffic flow.
The correct choice will depend on your building layout, frequency of use, exposure to weather and security requirements. Proper specification ensures the door supports the overall dock house system rather than becoming its weakest point.
Streamline your loading bay
At RDS, it’s our job to ensure your loading bay system is efficient, profitable and safe. We’re trusted by some of the UK’s biggest brands, having delivered quality projects time and time again.
Ready to get your new loading bay system fitted? Let’s talk.