Weathering the Storms: How PVF Film Technology Preserves and Elevates Building Exteriors
Conclusion
Environmental issues, including pollution and weather, can lead to corrosion of building exteriors over time, requiring extra cost for maintenance and a shorter building lifespan. PVF film is a technology applied to surfaces of exterior and interior materials of buildings to help protect them from added costs. As a thin, lightweight material that resists chemicals, abrasions, mold and mildew growth—and can be cleaned by disinfectants without showing signs of harm—PVF provides the kind of durability that a building needs to operate in a cost-effective manner.
PVF requires knowledge in the manufacturing process to make sure that it is applied correctly using heat and adhesive. From the consumer point of view, choosing materials with PVF that suit a building’s environment is important to be able to provide the preventative benefits PVF promises.
In the greater AEC world, PVF holds a lot of promise, not just in terms of protecting structures, but also by providing design elements that meet the aspirations of architects and customers. The design potential of PVF is far reaching, and the ability for the film to preserve its own aesthetic value even decades later makes it both a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
ARCHITECTURAL FABRIC AND HOW IT WORKS
The term “architectural fabric” refers to structural fabrics that are used to form tensile surfaces—like in the case of this outdoor concert stage—which can be fortified by PVF film to keep it lightweight but durable (top). Martensville Athletic Facility in Saskatchewan was built with PVF architectural fabrics, providing a striking aesthetic that was executed quickly and within a reasonable budget (bottom).
PVF is not just for hard architectural surfaces—it also can be used with architectural fabrics. These fabrics have a wide range of applications in broad but varied features, including coverings over stadiums or acoustical elements for concert shells.
The term “architectural fabric” refers to structural fabrics used to form tensile surfaces. A tensile fabric structure is characterized by the tensioning of a fabric membrane system using cables, wire, steel, or other support that helps keep it smooth with a fortifying finish, such as PVF that is resistant to weather or other hazards. PVF-coated architectural fabrics are often thin and lightweight but durable—able to ward off the elements or repel graffiti—and considered self-cleaning. In addition, PVF film can be laminated with a variety of coated fabrics to form membrane fabric structures at a much lower construction cost than steel.
One of the appealing aspects of architectural fabrics is its ability to create dramatic shapes for both design aesthetic and acoustical purposes. They can span large areas without interruption and produce depth and curves as well as lighting diffusion that other materials cannot accomplish. In the past, architectural fabrics have been limited to white canvas-style appearances. Yet because PVF film lamination has so many color possibilities, the effect of large architectural fabrics in construction is a striking aesthetic element. Glazes and graphics can also be applied, and they are especially useful for fabric canopies over stadiums where writing or logos need to be visible.
Like the Pullman Hotel Montparnasse in Paris, structures using PVF architectural fabrics maintain their appearance and mechanical structure for decades without needing to be replaced. Here are examples of PVF architectural fabric success:
- The aircraft hangar at Logan International Airport built in 2001 remains one of the largest frame-supported fabric structures in the world. The PVF top finish can withstand jet-fuel residue and Boston winters, and with its self-cleaning properties, it has needed little maintenance over the years.
- In 2013, when the Saskatchewan Board of Education and Prairie School District were deciding on the fastest and most cost-effective approach to building a new athletic facility, they decided to go with PVF architectural fabrics. Using multicolor membranes, a fabric exterior was quickly constructed within budget. The structure was able to provide excellent protection while the interior of the stadium was being built. The striking 4,645-square-meter insulated structure holds three full-sized basketball courts, an indoor track, a fitness area, multipurpose offices, and concessions, among other elements.
- In Beijing's Sun Park, three separate dome structures were built with PVF architectural fabric for the tennis club courts. Constructed over a span of eight years and finished in 2014, the three white air-inflated dome structures all remain bright white even though they were constructed at different times. This is a major feat in a city that is known for air pollution, where particulate is sure to accumulate on material over time. The PVF fabric has kept both weather and pollution out, and it also provides sufficient protection to keep the courts temperature controlled.
- Architectural fabric structures are an excellent construction option when work needs to happen quickly. In one example, a large facility that required 100 conference rooms, fitness facilities, open workspaces, and an auditorium was move-in ready only 11 months after construction started thanks to its architectural fabric elements. But it also sported a really good design—one that did not feel rushed. The fabric is a misty gray, sky blue, and bright white combination that flows over the building like water. And the PVF aspect will keep it weather resistant and dirt free for years to come, saving even more time and money along the way.
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DuPont™ Tedlar® PVF films have proven long-lasting protection for interior and exterior architectural applications. Tedlar® superior durability helps safeguard a building from corrosion, pollution or chemical breakdown, and resistance to UV rays. Specify Tedlar® PVF surface protection film to extend the lifetime of metal, architectural fabric, or wall panels for your next project. |
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