Tensile Fabric Roofing Manufacturers List & Website Directory
By Roof Online Staff • Last updated April 25, 2024
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What is Tensile Fabric?
Tensile fabric should be familiar to anyone who flies a lot and passes through major airports. It’s a popular material used to protect open areas like walkways, pick-up and drop-off locations, and long-term parking lots. Tensile fabric is an engineered material used to cover outdoor spaces without the need for a normal supporting structure (like a building!).
These fabrics are extremely lightweight and are created using woven fabric base layers, often made from polyester or fiberglass, which are coated with protective layers of PVC, PTFE (Teflon), or silicone. These compositions and formulations guarantee the strength, flexibility, and resistance to UV rays, moisture, and hail necessary for a successful roofing material.
Use as Roofing
Tensile fabric is typically used to provide the benefits of a roof where an actual building is not needed or wanted. It can be used to create interesting, neat-looking structures that are also functional. It is used to design and construct roofs that span large areas without the need for internal supports, allowing for extensive unobstructed spaces below. Places you might find tensile fabric roofs include sports stadiums, outdoor music venues, airport terminals, and exhibition centers. The versatility of tensile fabric allows architects to experiment with complex, unique roof shapes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with standard materials.
Protective Coatings on Tensile Fabric
A high-quality formulation and application of the surface coating is generally the key to the performance and service life of tensile fabrics. PVC coatings are popular for their cost-effectiveness and decent durability. PTFE, or Teflon, is used for higher-end applications; it’s highly durable, capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, and chemically inert. Silicone coatings are also used for their fire resistance and environmental friendliness. These coatings protect the fabric from weathering, dirt, and UV damage, extending the lifespan of the fabric and reducing maintenance needs.
Types of Tensile Fabric and Their Uses
- Polyester Fabric Coated with PVC: This is the most common type, used for applications requiring durability and elasticity, such as tents, temporary structures, and certain architectural installations.
- Glass Fiber Fabric Coated with PTFE or Silicone: Known for its high strength and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical reactions, this type of tensile fabric is often used in permanent structures that require minimal maintenance and have a long lifespan, such as stadium roofs or large pavilions.
- ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene): Not a traditional fabric but a type of soft fluoropolymer film used similarly to tensile fabrics. It’s incredibly light and has high translucency, which is excellent for applications like greenhouse roofs or any structure where natural light is a priority.
Important Considerations Before Buying
- Purpose and Application: Understand the specific requirements of your project. Consider factors like climate, structural design, expected loads, and aesthetic values.
- Durability: Evaluate the expected lifespan and any maintenance needs. The environment where the fabric will be installed plays a critical role in determining the right type of fabric and coating.
- Fire Resistance: Check local regulations for fire safety standards. Ensure the fabric meets necessary certifications.
- Warranty and Support: Look for products with warranties and good customer support from the manufacturer.
Importance of a Reliable Manufacturer
Choosing a reputable tensile fabric manufacturer is crucial because:
- Quality Assurance: Established manufacturers provide high-quality materials that meet or exceed industry standards.
- Customization: They can offer tailor-made solutions that perfectly fit the unique needs of a project.
- Technical Support: Reliable manufacturers provide essential support during both the design and installation phases, helping to avoid costly mistakes.
- Warranty and Problem-solving: A trustworthy manufacturer will stand behind their product with guarantees and be proactive in addressing any issues.
Selecting the right tensile fabric and manufacturer ensures that the final structure is not only visually striking but also structurally sound and durable over time.
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If you are a reputable and qualified structural tensile fabric manufacturer and feel that we’ve overlooked your company, feel free to contact us to ask to be added to this list.
