THE ADVANTAGES OF TENSILE MEMBRANE SHADE STRUCTURES

Shade plays an important role in the prevention of skin cancer, especially in Australia, which has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world. A high-quality shade material provides a barrier of protection against direct and indirect sources of UV radiation and can greatly reduce UV exposure. Light-coloured or reflective shade materials will also reduce the amount of heat absorbed, keeping the area underneath cool and comfortable.

When considering shade solutions for a project, there are many different types of shade materials and shade structures.  Tensile membrane shade structures create sun-safe, weather-protected areas suitable for a wide range of applications and have a number of benefits over other structures.

What Are Tensile Membranes?

Tensile membranes are modern, high-tech, premium architectural fabrics. Made from woven-polymer or glass-fibre fabrics coated with a synthetic protection layer, membrane fabrics are tensioned over a steel frame to produce roofing, free-standing canopy structures or architectural umbrellas.

When designed, engineered and installed correctly, architectural tensile membrane shade structures are highly durable, long lasting and robust, with key advantages over metal roofing and conventional shade sails. Premium architectural-grade fabrics that are load tested and pre-tensioned will have a 25-year+ lifespan, and when installed by a membrane specialist will never lose tension.

The Benefits of Tensile Membrane Shade Structures

Lightweight | Tensile membranes require less structural elements than traditional roofs, and canopies can be designed to cover large-span open areas with minimal structural support.

Translucent | Membranes provide natural light transmission through the canopy. The evenly diffused light creates minimal shadowing, making them perfect for shade structures over outdoor learning areas or sports facilities.

Sun-safe | A solid (non-porous) membrane such as PVC or PTFE provides good light filtering characteristics, while still blocking most UV rays to protect people from UV exposure.

Comfortable | On a 35-degreeday, the underneath surface of a membrane roof will be up to 9 degrees cooler than a sheet metal roof. Membrane canopies also effectively absorb sound and reduce reflected echoing, further enhancing the protected outdoor space, especially during rain.

Durable | Strong and flexible, when correctly designed and installed, tensile membrane structures provide safe shelter from the elements for years to come. Architectural fabrics won’t corrode or breakdown in UV light and are naturally self-cleaning with normal rainfall.

Design Flexibility | Lightweight and flexible, a membrane shade structure can be shaped into unique geometric forms and are equally impressive in daylight or bathed in artistic lighting.

Limitless Possibilities

Whether a design project requires a fully weatherproof public shelter, protected parking spaces for customers, a shady picnic spot, alfresco dining area, or a covered sports court, MakMax Australia has a tensile membrane shade solution to suit your specific needs.

MakMax Australia specialise in the design, engineering, fabrication, and installation of lightweight tensile membrane structures using modern architectural fabrics; ETFE, PTFE, PVC & HDPE Shade Mesh, and finished with a signature high-level architectural style. Visit our website for inspiration or contact our experts to discuss adding shade to your next outdoor design project.

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