Newer Style door drape/guard

Hey guys & gals,

The Spring sprung just a crazy amount of blood thirsty mosquitos this year in MN!  Our current door drapes are ok, but really still leave a bit to be desired when it comes too sealing out more of them, and the elements.  With this really cold winter, we were really happy people even called!  We use our door drapes and probably liked the Bane Clean best out of the ones we are using.  It just lacked a bit because of using 2.5 inch hose, or 2 hoses in the door, and still was always a bit short.  The other ones, the padding always fall to the middle and then just don't work.

Again with the mosquitos are killing us and just not making us look good working in the homes.  I had seen the Seal-a-Door and liked it on Facebook.  Had been following Ron Hunkins (the owner) and noticed he only lived a short distance of 1.5 hours away.  I have been busy, but wanted to meet up and take a look at his product.  He must of read my mind, because the next thing I know, he calls and asks if he can bring me the products to look at, try and give feedback.  I found Ron to really be a most kind hearted man and want's to help our industry. I don't see him becoming a millionaire off this thing, but if it were to happen, good for him.  He was just a most sincere person.

I am excited to give them a shot, but so far, I do like them. I'm not here to shill for him but hopefully it will help our industry improve our existing delivery of quality service to our customers and be able to show them we can clean in all environments.  Just wanted to share and see if this might be a help to others as well.  

So here is the video and some pics.  It is really nice to have it hands on so I can share my findings. I know this has been on the boards in some places, but now that I have one hands on, thought I would post, share and keep everyone in the loop as to what I find with the product.





Ron in the pic with me











Helps keep pets safe inside (now if a big German Shepard wants through, they are going through it!)





Ron Hunkins the owner says he is not very tech savoy, but keeps learning and hopes everything is posting online in correct places...LOL!

Ron has 3 different sizes: (and many colors)

Standard $121.95
Combo which is meant to work in taller doors/commercial tall and standard doors: $137.95
Jumbo $157.95

For shipping, it is considered oversized and shipping can be $30-$35.  If he were to break it down and have a person assemble it onsite, it could save about $8-9 on shipping.  (I told him, put mine together....I don't want to take the time...LOL)

www.sealcanvas.com
https://www.facebook.com/SealADoor
https://www.facebook.com/sealadoorpricing
https://www.facebook.com/ron.hunkins?fref=photo

Give me a shout guys if you have questions I might be able to answer and I will keep you updated on my impressions of the unit.

Just FYI: the 2 I have here are 81 inches long (or tall) for the standard, and what he calls the combo (or longer/taller version) is 86.5 inches long for planning purposes in your vans.

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

The longer version does compress to also fit a standard door

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

Glad to see Mark and Ron getting together. I bought a door a door seal from Ron last fall and it worked great. I brought it to my business nerworking group to demo for people, but discovered it was too short for a commercial door. I talked to Ron and he came out with the taller model. It is nice to see a supplier listen and respond to customers needs. Now how about a screen model for warmer temps? The humidity is low where I live so we often open windows to speed drying.

I bet he could actually sew a screen into part of it. Not sure durability, but maybe a couple flaps covering the screen that could also be rolled up like in tents. I am sure he is willing to try anything. Just as any manufacturer, I am sure he wants to be able to stand behind what he makes and make sure we are all getting a quality product.

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

Did a quick video of the 2 different sizes and addressing different sized doors.

Now are army worms just started to show up again, so this is definitely going to be in use tomorrow as well as the mosquitos!



Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

I started thinking about this problem in earnest just yesterday after reading the start of this thread. Didn't look at the pictures or videos, just wanted to brainstorm for ideas. I thought I'd come up with a couple of good ones. Then I just logged in to see the pics of what the guy had come up with and watched the latest Mark video.  OK so my ideas weren't so hot in contrast to the thing Mark is showing.  I was especially impressed with the last video you just posted; the form & function & solution.
Apparently it's pretty sturdy too the way Mark kicked the bottom right to scoot it into position. I give it an 8 out of 10.
Keep it up.  No doubt this guy Ron is a real cleaner?

Bear in mind, there's gotta be lotsa guys thinking about this problem.  I know a couple RCs who've said in passing they weren't happy with what's out there, one I think was even referencing this product. Just remember, you got the edge over any non-RC in that you go to bed thinking about it, breaking it down into the specific questions, sleep on it, then be ready for the answer as you wake.
It doesn't have to be high tech to be the best... With RCs, bottomline is always Function over Form... Bungi cord and Velcro straps come to mind.

Hell, you may already be there. You KNOW you will be there when you can confidently say "Well, I've tried everything else and this is just the best way to do it, period."
Good luck to you man.

Thank Joe,

Ron is really just a nice and humble guy.

Just came up with the idea while he was also a part time cleaner if I have some info correct.

He does a lot of work with his canvas for other things and apparently this came about.

I hope things go well for him, but for now, I am more than happy to keep trying it, sharing my findings and maybe it can help someone else as well.

Oh....and I am not trying to sell these things, don't intend to get into distribution of these things or take a cut of any monies.... just trying to help others out

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

no Saiger blue with orange flames coming out the side?

Joe Bristor wrote:no Saiger blue with orange flames coming out the side?

Soon I hope

Let me tell u from experience these types of things dont make millionaires. Like with the HUGGER I'll be lucky to see a profit in a year or two. With niche products for our industry there is such a limited base of consumerism. Really you just have to do because u have passion for the idea and want to gain some satisfaction from people using it. With the time spent working on projects like this you would be a lot better off just working on your cleaning business if profit is your goal. For me I brought the HUGGER to market because I get so much great use out of it. I'll make a lot more money in two weeks of cleaning than I will see on these in a year of heart ache. Unless you run a store of products there isn't much money in making carpet cleaning tools. So when you see folks like this taking a chance and making a good tool like this, you gotta think how much passion they must have. A real cleaner indeed.

Hey Mark, I like those work shirts. Where do you get them?

Ryan S wrote:Hey Mark, I like those work shirts. Where do you get them?  

I got them from my embroider shop here locally.  Picked them out of a catalogue.

They are both a racing style shirt.  Former Racer, and I still like the style

Here is the info on them.

The shirt I am wearing in the short video (last video) does not have a pocket and is more black.  The one in the pic  above standing with Ron does have a pocket and is a little bit heavier shirt. Here is another pic of my working in that shirt with the pocket.  I tend to like them more just so I can keep a pen and not pad more handy.



Here is the info on that shirt (pocket version race shirt):

It's a TMR (Tri-Mountain Race Wear) shirt Id number is in the pics.














The other shirt (as in the short last video) is a Port Authority and found in their sport race version.  Shirt id number is in the pics also








Let me know if I can help some more.

DO HAVE TO TELL YOU ALL THAT THIS DOOR SEAL REALLY HELPED ME TODAY WITH THE HORSE FLIES THAT WERE OUT.  

OH MY GOSH, THEY WERE BIG AND BAD AND MY CLIENTS LOVED THIS DOOR PROTECTOR AGAIN TODAY!

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

Ron's been updating the Seal-a-Door.

We added wings to the sides and top for a better seal yet.

Liking it.

He also added a window for the heck of it in this unit.

These will be at The Experience and he is giving away a Seal-a-door

Winter is just around the corner.....






Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

Pretty cool, looks like a well made product.

But how does it attach to the door opening?

Davey Cracker wrote:Pretty cool, looks like a well made product.

But how does it attach to the door opening?

Pogo style side posts you could say.

In the videos above, I demonstrated them and the ease of us.

Been great for us and love the updates too

Posting of same videos for easier find





Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

Ya know, every time I see a drape design I can't help but ask if it really meets the needs or not? It looks like a zip-wall style drape and it appears to work quite well at closing off the space to keep the bugs out and pets in.

What I don't see it do is provide any thermal value at all, so the cold air is still leaving in the summer and the oh gawd cold air is coming in during the winter. To me, that makes a drape really ineffective in the current designs.

I started on one last year using thermal panels, but my prototype never got too far as I couldn't really find the mounting method that I liked to make it workable without hassle. I guess I need to go back and take another run at it this fall.

Thanks again Mark for sharing the product, it triggered a new desire to revisit the drawing board....  

who cares what it does the customer sees than and thinks you really care

Sell the sizzle not the steak

milspec6 wrote:Ya know, every time I see a drape design I can't help but ask if it really meets the needs or not?  It looks like a zip-wall style drape and it appears to work quite well at closing off the space to keep the bugs out and pets in.

What I don't see it do is provide any thermal value at all, so the cold air is still leaving in the summer and the oh gawd cold air is coming in during the winter.  To me, that makes a drape really ineffective in the current designs.

I started on one last year using thermal panels, but my prototype never got too far as I couldn't really find the mounting method that I liked to make it workable without hassle.  I guess I need to go back and take another run at it this fall.

Thanks again Mark for sharing the product, it triggered a new desire to revisit the drawing board....  

For the Thermal part of it....I have found it this unit does help and you can close the doors up to them like previous door drapes, but it will block way better than others door drapes I have.

You are correct, it is not thermal....but definitely an improvement over past. It is very durable and THICK vinyl.

I was going to also try and work on one with one of my local tent and awning makers, than Ron visited me and I felt there was no need to try and start new, but maybe try to improve his design.

There are so many options with this....I just had an idea as you posted this and that was maybe to add a thermal blanket if a person wanted via Velcro to the top for it so you would only have to add that if you wanted....but storage of extra items is a concern for everyone and that is what he has worked to try and address as well.

Don't know of the perfect scenario yet....  

I wish there was a way you could see it in person to see it's advantages over previous, but just hoping making some videos and trying to answer general questions is the best way to see if it is a good unit for those who are searching.


Have a great day....and let's hope winter is still a long way off! I don't think I have recovered from this past winter yet!

Mark Saiger
www.saigers.com

I was just going over my list of upgrades to make prior to winter's arrival...almost cheered me up as it has been upper 90's (low century heat index) for the past few days and I am tired of losing 10 lbs of sweat each day.  

That thermal liner isn't a bad compromise Mark, might be worth the added storage space costs...even a thinsulate liner would help and that barely takes up any space at all.

Nothing's perfect....at least not yet.