ETFE has gained prominence as one of the most in-demand innovations across architectural and structural industries in recent years. The popularity of ETFE for roofs and other structural projects has been attributed to a variety of factors including its wide breadth of potential applications and uses. In this blog from Arc Structures, we outline the benefits of using ETFE as a building material for roofs. Before exploring the benefits of ETFE, we will outline what ETFE is and the role of ETFE fritting in enhancing ETFE structures. For more information about a range of interior and exterior design solutions, visit our blog– articles include How can green walls help you achieve a successful biophilic design, How sustainable are tensile fabric structures and Using Dynamic lighting for interior tensile structures.
What is ETFE as a building material?
ETFE, also known as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a fluorine-based plastic. To produce ETFE building materials, a thin membrane ETFE copolymer is split into thin films (also known as foils). These foils can be used in two ways – the first being as a single-layer membrane supported by a cable system, the second being a more complex multi-layer cushion that is supported by a perimeter structure and the main building frame.
The popularity of ETFE is soaring within the architectural design space – with architects, contractors and clients becoming increasingly drawn to its benefits. For this reason, ETFE is used across a range of projects and contexts, including schools, offices, government buildings and sports facilities.
What is ETFE fritting?
ETFE fritting works to reduce the quantity of light and heat that is transmitted by ETFE. This process often includes printing a pattern of shapes onto the underside of the roof’s top layer. The silver film used to create these frit patterns reflects light and heat, limiting the degree to which they permeate a roof structure and impact the climate within a building. Depending on the individual needs of your projects – different patterns and densities of ink can be used within the fritting process. These choices often integrate the preferences of both design leads and engineers focussed on the G-values and solar targets central to a project. However, in some instances, ETFE fritting can be used for exclusively visual purposes. – colour?
Benefits of ETFE as a building material
When constructing transparent roofs, ETFE offers a great alternative to glass, PVC or PTFE. Advantages of ETFE include its low weight, light transmission, self-cleaning properties and long service life to name a few. Below we explore a handful of these advantages in greater depth.
Maintenance Requirements
While being highly diverse in terms of its potential usage, ETFE also offers significant robustness in its resistance to UV light, atmospheric pollution and other sources of environmental weathering. For this reason, the overall lifespan of ETFE rooves is notably longer than its alternatives. In addition to being long lasting, ETFE structures also offer superior convenience when it comes to maintenance. The smooth surface of ETFE strictures minimises dirt retention and allows any dirt that accumulates to be washed away by rainfall.
Unlike glass, breaks in ETFE can also be repaired without the need for a full refit – unlike glass structures. This ease of maintenance and overall durability will have a direct impact on the long-term cost-effectiveness of an investment in ETFE materials – minimal maintenance makes for minimal maintenance costs.
High Light Transmission
When discussing ETFE structures, their transparency is a frequently noted feature – but what are the benefits of this light transmission? Allowing natural sunlight into a building is proven to have a range of benefits for those who use the space inside. Not only does ETFE roofing assist in lighting a space and reducing electrical costs, it is also known to reduce stress, boost the immune system and aid the growth of any indoor plants or greenery.
Safety
Another key benefit of ETFE as a building material is its fire safety. The structure and material composition of ETFE maximise fire safety by reducing the spread of fire. In addition to this, ETFE itself is considered to boast self-extinguishing properties. In the event of flames or hot gas making contact with ETFE, the material will melt and shrink away from the affected area. The opening created as a result of this will allow smoke to escape a space. It is suggested that such structures may only require routine cleaning every 2-3 years, with maintenance checks between these cleanings. When compared with alternatives such as glass ETFE requires significantly less maintenance over time.
Low Weight
Weighing in at 1% of the weight of glass, the low mass of ETFE is one of its key benefits. Not only does the light-weightedness of ETFE make it easier and more cost-effective to transport – it also makes it easier to install. With less structural framework being required due to lower weight. This low weight also contributes to the safety properties previously mentioned. In addition to reducing the spread of fire, the lightweight nature of ETFE prevents risk to life or damage to a building in the event of collapse.
Environmentally Friendly
As previously noted, the lightweight structure of ETFE boasts benefits even before the material arrives on site. Due to its lighter weight, the energy required to transport ETFE is notably less than that required for alternatives such as cladding – reducing the overall carbon footprint of a project.
In addition, when used in installations such as roofing ETFE enhances the insulative properties of a building through its natural light transmission, contributing to the wider low energy properties of a given building.
In addition to providing environmental benefits for a building itself, ETFE also boasts a great degree of recyclability. Any waste from the manufacturing process or old elements can be easily remoulded into new products such as tubing components and wires.
ETFE Structures from Arc Structures
Here at ARC Structures, we specialise in creating innovative, visually interesting tensile fabric structures and canopies. Built to your specifications, in line with your brief and your budget. Our services take your project from start to finish including design, manufacturing, installation, project management and maintenance. We are also on hand to help extend the lifespan of your structure with bespoke maintenance solutions. To speak to one of our team about our range of products and tensile structures, get in touch today.