Not all shade created equal!

LETS’ TALK ABOUT SHADE!

Not all shade is created equal, there are many options available today dependant on your needs, however, the question begs a discussion on various technical fabrics, and in particular, pvc, canvas and polyethylene?

Traditional building construction methods of sun protection began with thatched roofs, progressed to wood, steel, pvc, canvas and more recently Shade netting in the form of shade structures has been introduced to the landscape.  Shade Structures were first introduced to the United States in the mid 1990’s, and now in its second decadal presence is proving its strength and durability as market acceptance continues to grow and take root.  Shade4Schools Shade Structures are designed in various forms and shapes of shade structures using uv stabilized polyethylene, resulting in a preferred range of standard sizes that meet the needs of a cross section of markets. 

In this article we will examine the differences of canvas, polyethylene, and pvc and what makes these materials like chalk and cheese, and how they behave in the elements.

The biggest difference between polyethylene and canvas is in its chemical composition, canvas being a natural fiber performs differently in that being natural it attracts bacteria and is therefore more prone to mold, mildew, rot and fading.  Polyethylene on the other hand is synthetic and is manufactured from high density uv stabilized polyethylene; the uv additives are included in the extrusion process in manufacture further adding to its durability.  Polyethylene does not absorb moisture further enhances its resistance to wear. 

And what of its design capabilities?  Unlike cotton, polyethylene has high resiliency and excellent elastic properties, through a process called ‘stentoring’ it is set against unraveling and allows the fabric to retain its original tautness.  The weight advantage, i.e. low specific gravity, gives Architect an extra design appeal due to the weight advantage, making it lighter for the steel structure while being superior in strength to other heavier fabrics. 

And what of the nature of PVC?  While this may be favored on projects that require waterproofing, it poses design challenges in that it has high weight considerations being 2-4 times the weight of steel, which affect the engineering process.  This means that due to the weight the steel structure requires heavier steel thus increasing the price of the structure.  To find out more about what shade application would best suit your school contact us at info@shade4schools.com.