Eide Tension Structure Fabric Options

At Eide Tension Structures, we create unique fabric structures using only the highest quality fabrics, materials, and processes. Designed to look great and function perfectly season after season, our structures and facades are built using industry-leading fabric welding processes by our in-house team, ensuring quality and reliability for our customers.

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PTFE (TEFLON™) – COATED FIBERGLASS

PTFE Coated Fiberglass is considered one of the most durable materials in the fabric structures industry with a life expectancy of 35+ years, PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a Teflon™-coated woven fiberglass membrane. It is an extremely strong, up to 1,000 pounds per inch. Due to low surface energy from its chemically inert coating, PTFE membrane is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and is easy to maintain and keep clean. It is also completely immune to UV degradation. Whether it’s for an enclosed structure or a fabric building façade, PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane is a popular option as it passes the most stringent fire code compliance tests, including ASTM E-126 and is Class A fire-rated. Depending on fabric thickness required, light transmissions range from 12% to 17%. The fabric has a 10 year 100% warranty and 20 years prorated. PTFE membrane is installed beige in color but bleaches permanently white with sun exposure. Colored PTFE membrane is not available off the shelf, and requires a premium and a purchase of the entire fabric lot.

Some of the most reputable manufacturers and respective products include:

  • Chukoh
  • Verseidag
  • Taconic

Excellent Fire-Rated Qualities:

  • Noncombustible E-136
  • Class A Smoke E-84
  • Burning Brand E-108
  • CSFM Title 19
  • Pass NFPA 701

Project Examples

PTFE (TEFLON™️) – COATED FIBERGLASS MESH

PTFE coated fiberglass mesh fabric is often used in vertical building facades and shading applications. The fabrics’ mesh construction allows for more lighting to enter the space and allows air to circulate through the fabric. Because of its noncombustible scrim, it makes a great candidate for shade structures on high-rise rooftop decks and other building structures requiring a Type II – 1 Hr roof material.

Similar to solid PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane, PTFE mesh products also have a long life expectancy, excellent durability and requires minimal maintenance. PTFE-coated fiberglass meshes are available from a few manufacturers with limited standard color selections. Custom colors are not available off the shelf, and requires a premium and a purchase of the entire fabric lot.

Project Examples

TiO2 – COATED PTFE MEMBRANE

A large producer of PTFE membrane goods, Saint Gobain’s revolutionary TiO2 topcoat for their Sheerfill® fabric, also known as Everclean®, is an ideal choice for architects and owners with tensile membrane projects in urban or heavy traffic areas where non-industrial gas exhaust pollution occurs. PTFE fiberglass membrane is coated with a non-toxic and flame-resistant titanium dioxide (TiO2). This coating produces a photocatalytic membrane that functions like the leaves of a tree, providing shade and comfort while actively counteracting airborne pollutants and odors. When the sun’s UV light strikes the photocatalytic TiO2-based surface, hydroxy radicals (.OH) and superoxide radicals (O2-) oxidize (decompose) all organic substances. Rain or water washes them away keeping Sheerfill®, or PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane, surfaces dazzling white forever! Maintenance cleaning is ultimately eliminated, as are environmentally harmful cleaning agents. In addition, this technology joins with the forces of nature to naturally cleanse the environment to help protect the future of our planet.

Project Examples

ePTFE with FLUOROPOLYMER COATING

Tenara 4T40 and 4T20 are highly translucent fabrics by SEFAR. PTFE is expanded into long strips of threads and woven into a scrim. The top coat is a very slick fluoropolymer that is highly resistant to stains or contamination.

Project Examples

PVC MEMBRANE (HIGH STRENGTH)

With a great balance of price and performance, PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, fabrics are some of the most frequently used materials in the tensioned structure industry. For projects with less stringent fire code compliance issues, seasonal application, or a lower life span requirement, it’s often the best choice. PVC membrane is commonly treated with a protective acrylic or PVDF top coat with a typical design life of approximately 15-20 years. In areas of high UV exposure, PVC’s life span is approximately 10-15 years. The fabric’s top coats generally have a 15-20 year warranty from the manufacturer and depending on fabric thickness required, light transmissions range from 5% to 10%.

For projects that require higher design loads, high strength PVC membranes are used and are able to span longer distances compared to low strength PVCs. These fabrics are economical, fire retardant, printable, and recyclable. Combined with proper top-coatings, PVC fabrics have significantly improved fire behavior, resistance to the impact of UV rays, and general longevity. Most often used in white, high strength colored PVC membranes are not available off the shelf, and would require a premium and minimum quantity buy.

PVC MEMBRANE MESH FABRICS

  • Available in a variety of colors
  • While only for long spans over 50’
  • Use two layers for Moiré effect
  • Warranties max out at about 10 years
  • Great choice for low slope designs
  • Porosity eliminates ponding issues
  • Breaths to cool enclosure

Project Examples

PVC MEMBRANE (LIGHT-WEIGHT)

Light-weight PVC coated Polyester fabric are generally used for short span tension structures or framed fabric structures. PVC membranes can be sealed together using RF (radio frequency) or they can be sewn like HDPE fabrics. RF sealing heats the overlap seam from the middle like a microwave so a strong chemical bond occurs. These fabrics are available off the shelf in cut yardage, so this helps with availability and cost. There are hundreds of colors available. Here are some of the most reputable manufacturers and respective products:

  • Serge Ferrari Precontraint 502
  • SauledaVIP-FR
  • Naizil BTF19
  • Seaman Corporation Shelter-Rite

Project Examples

PVC MEMBRANE MESH FABRICS

PVC fabric, also known as polyvinyl chloride, are some of the most frequently used materials in tensioned structure applications. PVC membrane is commonly treated with a protective acrylic or PVDF top coat with a typical design life of approximately 15-20 years. In areas of high UV exposure, PVC’s life span is approximately 10-15 years. The fabric’s top coats generally have a 15-20 year warranty from the manufacturer and depending on fabric thickness required, light transmissions range from 5% to 10%.
 
For projects that require more air and light than solid membranes, PVC mesh membranes are used to diffuse light, allow for better air circulation, and create dramatic, eye-catching shading effects. These fabrics are economical, printable, breathable, and recyclable.
  • White color only for long spans over 50’
  • Use two layers for Moiré effect
  • Warranties max out at about 10 years
  • Great choice for low slope designs
  • Porosity eliminates ponding issues
  • Breathes to cool enclosure with air flow

Project Examples

HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)

HDPE Shade Cloth is typically used when the shade is the primary requirement and waterproof fabric is not necessary. Shade cloth is knitted as opposed to woven like most other fabrics. The fabric is relatively inexpensive and with several manufacturers, there are dozens of colors to choose from.

Here are some of the most reputable manufacturers:

  • Alnet Extrablock
  • Gale Pacific Commercial 95 340
  • Monotec 370
  • Polyfab Polytex+

Project Examples

Why Partner With Tension Structures?

Experts in Achieving Your Shade & Structure Goals

Whether you have a specific design in mind or just know you need a shade structure, our experienced team will deliver the best solution for your space.

Built to Last With Architectural Grade Materials

We create unique fabric structures that look great and function perfectly–season after season. Industry professionals know they can rely on us to provide quality products because of our high-grade materials.

Decades of Complex Project Experience

In our 85+ years in the industry, our expert team has seen it all. We’ve designed, manufactured, and installed unique structures in a wide array of environments and can handle anything your project requires.

In-House Fabric Welding for a Lifetime of Use

Our tension structures are built using industry-leading fabric welding processes by our in-house team, ensuring quality and reliability for our customers.

Designed, Engineered, and Made in the USA

All our tension structures are designed, engineered, assembled and shipped from our Southern California facility.

Nationwide Installation

Our expert teams are ready and able install our products anywhere in the country, whether customers need structures built for humid, cold areas, hot and dry areas, or anything in between.

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Contact our team for expert tension structure and tensile facade design-build services. 

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