ABOUT TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURES

PVC coated polyester is the standard material used for tensile membrane structures and canopies. The durability of tensile fabric structures depends on the degree of translucency; at 15% transmission 15 years can be expected. At greater levels of translucency, the expected lifetime of tensile fabric structures is considerably reduced; however, fluropolymer lacquers to the top surface of the fabric enhance durability of tensile fabric structures.

While white fabric is the standard, coloured and patterned membranes are available. PVC coated polyester tensile fabric structures are a cheaper alternative to PTFE-coated fabrics, but a not non-combustible. PCV coated polyester is more flexible than PTFE-coated fibreglass and is therefore the preferred material for temporary tensile fabric structures which may need to be folded for transport and storage. The thermal insulation provided by single-layer tensile fabric roofs is negligible.

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Tensile fabric structures are made from a set of tailored panels stitched or welded together. Tensile fabric structures are usually tensioned by wires or rods running through edge pockets, or by fixing directly to structural elements. Accurate tensioning of tensile fabric structures is necessary to generate the correct form and to achieve resistance to wind and snow loads. The use of double curvature within the panel elements provides structural rigidity to the overall tensile fabric structure. Damage by accident or vandalism can usually be repaired on site.

LEADING SUPPLIERS OF TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURES

Fordingbridge is a leading UK manufacturer of tensile structures, based in Arundel, West Sussex. It has been supplying curved roof buildings for about 40 years to garden centres, DIY stores, schools, colleges, and the leisure industry. Its product range includes awnings, smoking shelters, covered walkways, canopies, insulated buildings, porches, entrance canopies, bus shelters, and mass transit shelters of all sizes.

Click here for an easy-to-use listing of leading UK suppliers of tensile fabric structures, provided by Archbone.

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURES

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include manufacturers' specifications and CAD details: Barbour Compendium at www.barbourcompendium.co.uk, RIBA Product Selector Plus at ww.productselector.co.uk, ASC Bricsnet at www.ascinfo.co.uk, Building Products Index at www.bpindex.co.uk, British Board of Agrément at www.bbacerts.co.uk, British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.

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Other recommended portals: Archbone, Building Design, Homeone Australia, Lighting Directory, Sapling, Stone Network.

Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd which also publishes a directory of the world's best websites. It is financed only by Google advertisements; no payment is received from included websites.