The scorching summer heat is already taking us in its wrath, and when the temperatures hit an all-time high during the mid-day, it gets extremely difficult to stay outdoors under the sweltering Sun. In an effort to stay out of the worst of the heat and keep cool, enterprises sprawling across Dubai opt to install tensile structures to provide shade to those employees who have to work outdoors, not to mention viable heat-defying shelters for automobiles parked under the blazing Sun to prevent them from incurring wear and tear and other serious damages.
We are a hotel shade company in Dubai and a majority of our orders comprise of the installation of car parking shades and hotel shades in Dubai, particularly tensile structures fabricated from a wide array of fabrics, depending on the needs of the customers and the scope of use. Our courteous staff is well-drilled in educating our clients about the different kinds of fabrics that are popularly used in the construction of a tensile structure, along with the uses of each. However, today we thought about creating an informative piece that answers all the frequently asked questions, for the ease of our audience.
What Is A Tensile Fabric Structure?
Tensile structures come into existence when tension is applied to a membrane surface to provide the indispensable structural support, critical to the creation of three-dimensional forms. All kinds of tensile structures are based on this principle and various kinds of structures are fabricated by creating directional combinations, in conjunction with the varied use of a wide array of fabrics to give rise to the desired shape.
With the diverse use of fabric, a structure takes the shape of a single, double or a flat panel structure with characteristic curves due to the use of fabric. The fabric is used according to the requirement of the client, determined by keeping the climate conditions and the fabric strength in mind.
Can Any Shape Be Created With The Use Of Fabric?
Broadly speaking, yes! Since a tensile fabric structure is basically created by pulling a resilient fabric from each side, a tensile fabric structure can be created by using a few rules, in order to design it according to the client’s specifications.
Two main principles, the Saddle principle and the Cone principle, individually or in combination, are used to create a fabric tensile structure. Using the Saddle principle, the surface is created with the help of two high points and two low points. The rectangular shape of the structure is achieved by wrapping the fabric around a rectangular grid, which serves as the backbone of the structure and holds it firmly.
The cone principle is leveraged if you need to create a circular shape. This is achieved by combining radians and hoops to create the desired surface, however, there lies an exception. An inflated look of a fabric structure can be created by using double curvature and spar to create the illusion of inflation. Pushing the fabric from certain points allow the fabric structure to retain its shape for longer.
Which Fabrics are Commonly used to create a fabric tensile structure?
It goes without saying that any fabric utilized in the creation of a fabric tensile structure needs to be flexible, so that has a propensity to stretch without tearing. A hotel shade company in Dubai worth its salt makes it a point to only use high-quality and strong fabrics in the structures that they create.
Currently, 4 common types of fabrics are used in the manufacturing of fabric tensile structures:
PVC coated polyester fabric
The PVC coated polyester fabric is pretty resilient and has a lifespan of up to 20 years. It has also been seen across multiple famous structures around the globe, and can sustain harsh weather conditions without incurring irrevocable damages.
PTFE coated glass fabric
The PTFE coated glass fabric is most commonly used for permanent structures. The fabric gets its iconic strength from its glass coating and becomes immune to weather changes. This kind of fabric is also used for areas prone to wild fires, since it’s fire resistant. Normally, such structures are installed in open area settings, and are mostly requested by hotel and restaurant owners, in an effort to avert the occurrences of incidents in their eateries.
ETFE foils
Similar to the PTFE glass coated fabric, the ETFE is also considered for permanent structures, especially where thermal properties bear special importance. The foil used can be frilled or left transparent, depending on the client requirements. We as a hotel shade company in Dubai strictly abide by the demands of our clients.
PVC glass fabrics
PVC glass fabric is commonly used in internal tensile sails that are used to decorate a marquee or lessen glare control in a theater setting. This fabric is popular among business owners since it is low maintenance, and due to its predominant indoor usage, it normally remains tear free and only requires repairs or replacements after years of service. Additionally, PVC glass coated fabric is also fire-resistant, making it a winning choice for business owners who are concerned for their safety.
When installing tensile structures, special attention needs to be given to the fabric quality due to the fire and safety obligations. Only a credible hotel structure company in Dubai is able to guide you fully on what fabric suits your specific needs.
