When erecting a building, there are many choices for building materials. And fabric buildings have many of the same features of other building types, including high-quality materials, first-class workmanship and customization.
But these advantages don't exist in a vacuum - comparing building types directly is one way to see how a fabric building might be the best choice for you. Let's start by seeing how fabric buildings compare to post-frame structures.
Sustainability
Post frame buildings are constructed of wood frames. To build the frames, the trees must be grown to a certain size, and much of the wood is wasted while the beams are shaved to the correct thickness.
Fabric buildings are naturally filled with sunlight and require far less electricity for daytime use. A number of fabric buildings are designed for off-the-grid use, relying on just the natural light inside.
Read the case study for Solar Ship, an off-the-grid fabric building.
Natural Light
Fabric buildings are the best option for allowing natural light into the building. This can decrease your energy cost, as well as make a more pleasant interior.
No amount of windows can replicate the effect of ExxoTec™ fabric covering the entire building. Not only is the natural light attractive, it also saves energy and money by requiring fewer electric lights.
Flexibility
Fabric buildings are infinitely customizable. Fewer interior support columns are needed. This can mean a completely open floor plan several hundred feet wide. Fabric buildings can also be built on several types of foundations (even pre-existing concrete foundations) and built with varying column heights for your use.
Adding accessories such as insulation, lean-tos, sprinkler loads and overhangs make your building even more ideally suited for your use.
Future Maintenance
Wood frames have a number of natural predators, including insects, rodents and even mold. Steel frames can't be destroyed by critters or mold. Fabric buildings also don't have paint, siding or shingles to maintain.
Over the years, using a low-maintenance fabric building can save you time and money that would normally be spent repairing your building.
Portability
Although fabric buildings are intended as permanent structures, they can be easily moved. If your future holds a possible move or expansion, putting up a fabric building gives you the advantage of using your building now without worrying about what you will do with it later.
Fabric buildings have many advantages over other building types. When you're considering a construction project, consider the advantages fabric buildings have. Contact us to learn more about fabric buildings and how they can be the right choice for you.