Fabric structures are increasingly popular for a number of reasons. They’re stylish, lightweight, and easy to erect. What many people don’t realise is that they offer a remarkably sustainable solution too.
Fabric can be used to create structures for many different applications, whether for private, commercial or public use. With traditional building costs on the increase, fabric is something that’s looking increasingly attractive to architects, especially where budgets are tight.
Fabric advantages
Because they are light in weight, fabric structures don’t require as much disturbance to the ground or work to existing buildings in order to erect. This makes them great for use as temporary buildings for exhibitions or festivals, where they can provide shade or protection from the rain, and can also be used to advertise.
Fabric can be used to create more permanent structures too. Things like school canopies are an ideal application for fabric, as supplied by companies like http://signaturestructures.com/school-canopies/ and similar.
Using a fabric canopy can extend the usability of outdoor space, making it available for dining or play, or for other uses for much more of the year. For schools, this has the advantage of getting students outside to enjoy social interaction and enjoy the benefits of being outside.
Environment advantages
We’ve already seen that fabric structures have a light footprint when it comes to their construction, but their sustainability advantages extend further than that. They can be made using long-life materials, so they will last for many years. They can also be manufactured using recycled material.
In use, they have several key benefits too. They can provide UV protection for users, allaying health concerns of spending a long time outdoors. Their properties mean that they can help to avoid problems such as heat island effects.
Because they allow light to penetrate and can also trap heat, fabric structures added to an existing building can also help to cut running costs and save energy. This ultimately can help to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.
The fabric can be treated to provide additional benefits like reflecting sunlight, or retaining heat. Treatments can also be used to extend the life of the fabric, as well as making it easier to clean, so that it continues to look good and deliver its other benefits for longer.
