Dome Top Finish Comparison - Brite White Teldar® film vs. Acrylic top finish
Wooster, OH - [October 2022]
When a client approaches you to begin a new project, do you consider recommending an architectural fabric structure?
We are pleased to announce Paolo Giugliano Auricchio, Founder & Partner of Sync-1 Consulting & Procurement Agency, located in Germany will be representing Shelter-Rite® Architectural Fabrics in European and Middle Eastern Markets.
Shelter-Rite® Architectural Fabrics updated its Styles 8028 and 9032 opaque fabrics with Acrylic, PVDF top finishes and Tedlar® film.
The change includes the removal of the black PVC back-coat layer and providing opacity by applying a black adhesive coat to the base fabric.
Shelter-Rite® Architectural Fabrics provide exceptional strength and longevity to any building project. Because it's offered in an array of top finishes, we’re often asked which one is best. The answer really depends on the unique factors of your job requirements, aesthetic goals, environment, maintenance costs, return on investment and budget.
Have you experienced disappointment when the desired color you selected no longer looks the same after only a few years of sun exposure? The color may be fading to an unwanted shade, the gloss level may be changing significantly or there may now be unexpected chalky residue masking the original color.
Fabric structures offer numerous benefits, including lower building costs, flexibility, speed of construction and more sustainable designs, among others. All these benefits mean very little if the structure itself is not safe and stable. Fortunately, with proper planning, design and maintenance, a fabric structure will be just as safe as a traditional building—all while outperforming it in terms of initial and ongoing costs.
Air structure domes are popular for a wide range of athletic applications, from tennis to football. Any activity that benefits from a climate-controlled space can cost-effectively get a long, flexible life from an air structure dome. Their benefits tend to inspire repeat business, like when the Tennessee Titans recently wanted to replace the dome of their air-supported practice facility.
Top finishes have been extending the useful life and improving the aesthetics of PVC-coated structural fabrics for decades. These top finish technologies make fabric structures more durable, cleanable, UV resistant and attractive—and they continue to improve.
Top finish systems can be divided into two groups:
1. Liquid-applied top finishes (i.e., solvent- or water-based coatings), such as acrylics or PVDF
2. Film-applied systems, such as Tedlar® or some PVDF films
However, not all top finishes deliver on the self-cleaning feature, which is critical for long-term performance and appearance. Architectural fabrics with Tedlar film top coats are the only products that truly deliver on the ability to self-clean over the long term. Tedlar’s UV performance cannot be overlooked either. Excellent resistance to UV and moisture-barrier properties preserve the appearance and longevity of the architectural structure.