This article is sponsored by Creative Tent International
To construct any type of building is a major investment and therefore it is important to understand the costs when comparing one item or material against another. This article will explain a few of the differences between choosing a fabric structure or roof as opposed to a metal structure or roof. Hopefully, the information will help you to make a wiser decision when choosing the best system for your building.
There appear to be many excellent benefits when choosing fabric structures over traditional metal roof buildings. For example, a metal roof or building will require a lot of additional materials to make it airtight. Having an airtight building will reduce heat and air loss. A fabric cover, on the other hand, has excellent non-conductive properties that will reduce the transmission of cold and heat. This means that the building will feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Another benefit to a fabric structure is that it will allow the building to receive natural daylight. This will create a better working environment while at the same time reducing lighting costs. With the absence of the daytime sunlight a structure will need to have both nighttime and daytime lighting. Therefore, a builder/owner should consider both the operational and installation costs for all of the building’s lighting requirements.
A metal roof on a building will need enough lumens so as to light the working area sufficiently. This will have to be done during both the day and night. This means that this type of building structure will have a constant electrical consumption. A fabric roof will normally require only 1/3 of the electrical costs for lighting. A fabric roof has a bright white underside which will disperse and reflect artificial lighting evenly. The fabric roof will not need to be artificially lit during the day.
A fabric roof or structure features a high roof design. A high roof design provides the interior with a large volume of airspace. If the building is being used for agricultural purposes then the benefit will be that the moist, warm air will be drawn up and away from machinery, equipment, commodities, or livestock. Heating/cooling and ventilation systems will be easy to install and manage.
A fabric structure is pre-engineered and manufactured and easily erected within a few days or weeks. A metal structure can take a few months to construct. This will allow a company or operation to quickly move into a building. There are additional cost savings when setting up a fabric structure. A metal structure will often be labor-intensive and a more costly type of construction process.
A metal structure built on a plot of land is primarily a permanent structure. A fabric structure has the advantage of being temporary or portable. If the owner/company decides to move to a different location it will be easy to disassemble a fabric structure. There are situations where a metal structure may be more appropriate but in many cases a fabric structure is a better choice.
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