What is the Return on Investment of a Tension Fabric Building

Your return on investment, or ROI, is a way to look at a potential endeavor with excitement rather than worry. This article shows how tension fabric buildings can do that for you.
What Does a Building Cost
The cost of living has increased, and the cost of building materials has gone up even more. According to www.nahb.org, prices for these materials have risen 28.7% since January of 2020. Since the start of 2022, there has been an additional 4.9% increase. Supply chain issues have stretched across the country and reached into the everyday home, not just businesses. This factors into these inflated price tags.
Now, this means that the upfront cost for a commercial building is high and can admittedly be scary. However, consider an alternative project that provides an ROI on that initial cost. Smart spending now will save you money in the long run, and fabric is a way to do it. And it just so happens, Legacy Building Solutions specializes in custom tension fabric buildings.
There are plenty of ways fabric saves you money in the long run, and multiple factors that go into taking on a building project. This white paper goes more in depth on construction in a questionable economy.
Return on Investment: Why it Matters
When taking on a building project, one of the main questions is, “how much will a building cost?” and/or “what does the building maintenance look like?” There are many features of fabric that will show you why our buildings will fit your needs, and the total cost is also important. The thing that sneaks up on most customers, however, is what comes after.
The cost of the building is a practical concern, one that anyone in the business can understand. Another thing to consider with projects like this is the time it takes. Therefore, it is valid to be hesitant when economically, it is hard to predict the state of things at the time of installation. However, rest assured that with Legacy, we work closely with our customers during the design phase of the project to ensure the risk of surprises and added costs are minimized. Ideally, the return on investment shows that the main cost was up front, and after the building is up you spend more time making money than spending it.
How Fabric Increases ROI
Fabric is also energy efficient. Legacy’s white ExxoTec™ Elite fabric has twelve percent translucency, allowing for uninsulated buildings to provide an abundance of natural light. The white ExxoTec Pro fabric liner Legacy uses for insulated fabric buildings is a great reflective surface. The reflective nature of this white fabric helps reduce the need for artificial lighting. Fabric is also thermally non-conductive, so it does not transfer heat or cold like steel or concrete. This means the facility can be cooler on hot days and warmer on cool days. These are just a couple of ways energy costs are reduced. Find out more about energy with fabric buildings on our blog here.
Another advantage of using fabric is its durability. Legacy’s ExxoTec™ fabric has been strength tested by driving a ten-thousand-pound skid loader across a suspended piece of fabric. The fabric took no damage and fully re-tensioned itself within twenty-four hours. In the event of extreme weather, fabric still comes out on top. Legacy attaches fabric by panels, rather than a large mono cover. Individual panels provide constant tensioning which reduces fabric movement that mono covers can experience in a wind event. Read more on how a Legacy fabric structure handles extreme weather!
Legacy does most everything in-house, including sales, design, manufacturing, and installation. Keeping a seamless operation has allowed for decreased costs during the construction stage of the project. Additionally, construction isn’t as long of a time period as a traditional building or a pre-engineered metal building would be. This rapid construction gets your facility up and running quickly, and whether your building is designed to make money or shelter your investments from the weather, this is a major perk of using fabric.
The Most Bang for Your Buck
We all want to see everyone thrive and a healthy economy flourish. History shows that even when there are dips and things get kind of rough, we can pull out of it with smart spending. If you need to begin a building project, consider a fabric structure. Rapid construction, energy efficiency, and reduced lifecycle costs are just a few of the aspects of fabric that promote an extended Building Life Cycle and increased ROI. Fabric affords all kinds of flexibility, and the customizability you get with Legacy ensures a facility that will make you and your wallet happy for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Building costs vary depending on size, design, materials, and market conditions. Since January 2020, building material prices have increased nearly 29%, with additional increases since 2022. Supply chain challenges have only added to these costs.
While upfront costs for a commercial building can seem intimidating, fabric buildings offer a smarter investment. They provide strong ROI by reducing long-term operating expenses, making them a financially strategic choice.
Fabric buildings provide ROI through several cost-saving advantages:
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Energy efficiency – Legacy’s ExxoTec™ fabric allows natural light, reduces artificial lighting needs, and helps regulate temperatures for lower energy bills.
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Durability – Our fabric is strength-tested and built with individual panels that maintain constant tension, standing up to extreme weather.
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Faster construction – Shorter build times mean your facility is operational sooner, saving you both time and money.
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Lower lifecycle costs – Reduced maintenance and energy savings continue long after construction is complete.
Yes. Legacy’s ExxoTec™ fabric has been tested to withstand extreme force—such as a 10,000-pound skid loader—without damage. Individual fabric panels ensure ongoing tension, limiting wear and tear. These features make fabric structures a reliable long-term investment.
From sales and design to manufacturing and installation, Legacy handles nearly everything in-house. This streamlines the process, reduces delays, and controls costs. During the design phase, we also work closely with customers to prevent surprises and help you feel confident in your investment.
Fabric buildings offer the most bang for your buck by combining rapid construction, reduced lifecycle costs, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. When considering ROI, fabric structures provide financial stability and performance for decades.
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