Tensile Fabric Structures Sharjah

A tensile fabric structure weighs a fraction of a conventional roof, lets diffused daylight in and spans large areas with very few columns. In Sharjah, those advantages make tensile membranes a popular choice for school courtyards in Al Nahda and Muwailih, university walkways in University City, mosque courtyards and car parks across the emirate. Lighter structures mean smaller foundations and faster installation, so disruption to a working school or business is kept short. The membrane reflects much of the sun's heat, keeping the space below cooler. Because our fabrication facility is in Sajja, membranes are patterned and welded close to the site, which keeps lead times short.

Properly engineered and tensioned, tensile structures cope very well with wind, and every one we build in Sharjah is designed to the wind requirements of Sharjah's authorities for its specific site. The membrane shape, cables, masts and foundations are calculated for the site's exposure: an open car park in the industrial areas or a waterfront site at Al Khan faces more wind than a courtyard enclosed by buildings. A double-curved membrane spreads wind load evenly and stays stable, provided it is kept taut. We tension each membrane precisely at installation and recommend periodic checks, and our Sajja team can respond quickly if anything needs adjusting.

The life of a tensile membrane depends mostly on the fabric. PTFE-coated glass fabric can last more than 25 years in Sharjah's climate, PVDF-coated PVC typically 15-20 years, and HDPE shade fabric around 8-12 years. For most Sharjah projects, such as school canopies, car parks and walkways, PVDF-coated PVC offers the best balance of cost, appearance and life. Dust from the industrial areas can dull membranes if it is left to build up, so rinsing them from time to time keeps them bright and performing well. Correct tension also extends life. When a membrane is replaced, the steel structure can usually be reused.

Tensile fabric is ideal for night lighting. Because the membrane is translucent, up-lighting makes it glow, and it can also carry LED projection. In Sharjah, lit tensile canopies work well at mosques, cultural venues, school entrances, hotel forecourts and waterfront promenades, where they create an attractive landmark after dark and make spaces usable through the evening. Lighting can be white for a calm, architectural look or colour-changing for events and national occasions. We design the lighting alongside the structure, concealing fittings and cabling in the masts and edges, and our Sajja team can maintain the lighting as part of a service contract.