MEMBRANE SELECTION

Procurement & delivery

Membrane material selection and comparison

Compare specific products, operating conditions and supporting documents rather than material names alone.

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Project photograph

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Understand the conditions before choosing a solution

Materials affect structural detailing, appearance, daylight and maintenance. For fabric selection, start with weight (g/m²), then check the base cloth, coating, tensile strength and intended use; thickness is supplementary. Qingsong discusses material options for carports, landscape roofs, grandstands and tank covers. This page translates project goals into a procurement checklist for suppliers.

Select around the intended use

Explain shade, daylight, enclosure or tank conditions before screening products against design requirements.

Review the complete composition

Distinguish base fabric, coating and finish; one coating name is not a complete specification.

Match samples to documents

Use samples for colour and feel and model-specific documents for performance and suitability.

Key considerations

Prepare a project material schedule

List environment, structural performance, project fire requirements and appearance for designer and supplier review.

PVC, PVDF, PTFE and ETFE do not all describe the same layer or product category. State complete product names, manufacturers and models in procurement documents.

Use and exposure conditions
Required material documents
Colour, daylight and maintenance goals

Key considerations

Changing systems involves more than a name

Fabric membranes and ETFE films differ in composition, connections and system requirements. Single-layer film and cushion systems also need separate discussion.

Recheck cutting, fabrication, connections and maintenance when changing materials rather than substituting a product into unchanged details.

Key considerations

Keep records from supply through maintenance

Compare available colours, batches, fabrication compatibility and delivery, recording approved physical samples.

Evidence must match the supplied model and application. Retain cleaning instructions, patching conditions and maintenance documents with handover records.

SCOPE & COORDINATION

Define each part of the work

Use the same scope for proposals, quotations and handover.

Work item	Discussion and delivery	Conditions to confirm
Use requirements	Shade, daylight and environmental goals	Design criteria and project-specific needs
Product documents	Manufacturer, model and composition	Report scope and consistency with supply
Fabrication and connections	Cutting, seams and connection conditions	Methods confirmed by designers and fabricators
Maintenance documents	Cleaning, repair and care requirements	Confirm cleaning and maintenance records at handover

PROJECT JOURNEY

From requirements to an agreed scope

Define use and goals
Provide application, appearance and maintenance needs.
Screen suitable products
Review composition and records against design requirements.
Compare samples and scope
Align models, supply, fabrication and delivery conditions.
Record the selection
Keep sample approval, documents and maintenance information.

START YOUR PROJECT

Prepare these details for your enquiry

Share the location and current requirement so we can review conditions and scope together.

Application and location
Proposed structure or reference form
Daylight, colour and appearance preferences
Environment, cleaning and maintenance conditions
Existing samples and product documents

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions

Can PVDF and PVC be ranked by their names alone?

No. The names may refer to different composition layers. Compare specific products, composition, performance evidence and suitability.

Should membrane fabric be selected by weight or thickness?

Start with fabric weight (g/m²), then check base cloth, coating, tensile strength and fire reports. Thickness is supplementary. Our regular fabric range starts at 1050 g/m².

Does a test report make a material suitable for any project?

Reports apply to particular products and tests. Also check the actual project's design and use requirements.

What is the minimum regular fabric weight?

Our regular fabric range starts at 1050 g/m². Confirm the selected model against structural loads, exposure, finish and product test documents.

Related products and project guidance

How to select membrane materials ↗ETFE single-layer and cushion systems ↗

Membrane material selection and comparison