Fabric vs. Wood: 4 Advantages of Fabric Buildings That Will Save You Money

by Admin | Feb 14, 2019

Fabric vs. Wood: 4 Advantages of Fabric Buildings That Will Save You Money

The answer to the fabric building versus wood pole barn debate need not be complex. Both serve a purpose, but the benefits of fabric buildings prove there is far more overlap in usage than you might once have believed. Often the choice comes down to individual timeline, budget, and planned use.

You Can Construct Fabric Buildings Quicker Than Wood Buildings

Forget the old adage, “time is money”, because in this fast-paced world there is often more money than time. The erection of a fabric building is faster than conventional construction of a wood pole barn shed all the way across the board with fabric buildings going up in half the time it would take to build a comparable wood pole shed framed structure.

From lead time and prep work, down to completion, fabric buildings will save you both time and money in labour, materials, and construction cost. The cost of every construct varies depending on the size and engineering requirements for snow load, and other area-dependent factors, but the overall cost of fabric buildings is generally one-fourth to half the tally of wood construction.

Small fabric buildings can be ordered and installed within two or three weeks. Larger and custom orders vary depending on the scope of the job, but in contrast to wood structures, fabric building construction saves weeks or months of time planning, gathering permits, and building. However, time and resulting labour costs are only part of the equation when contrasting the benefits of fabric buildings to wood pole barn.

Fabric Buildings Equal Lower Operating Costs

Capitalizing on natural light, fabric covers are translucent thereby reducing, or even eliminating, the need for artificial lighting which is inherent with other exteriors. The reduction of energy costs can add up to thousands of dollars each year making fabric not only budget, but environmentally friendly as well. The need for costly window installation, or troublesome skylights to maximize natural light is a disadvantage of traditional wood construction. Such components further increase utility costs, as well as maintenance and upkeep.

Due to framing designs and limitations, the infrastructure of wood framed buildings do not provide as much usable room as the interior of fabric buildings. This factor can help streamline operations or lead to more warehousing space which gives fabric buildings far reaching advantages over wood pole shed framed structures. Fabric’s advantages over wood does not end with the logistics side of your business, but also reaches your maintenance budget.

Less Up Keep with Fabric Buildings

Unlike wood, fabric covers require no painting or shingling giving you a virtual maintenance-free building. With over two decades of engineering experience behind our fabrics, Calhoun’s fabric covers last an average of fifteen to twenty years. Fabric covers with fire-resistance can last an average of ten to fifteen years of service.

Wood structures must be roofed and painted numerous times during its lifespan compared to a fabric cover. The cost savings alone from such maintenance work gives fabric buildings a sizable advantage over traditional wood construction.

The hot dip galvanized frame of a Calhoun Super Structure offers superior defense against elements and pests when compared to wood. Bores, dry rot, termites and more, can assail wood structures. The construction material of a fabric building are not susceptible to these factors. With no place for mold or insects to hide there are no hidden concerns to worry about or treat.

Versatility and Viability of Fabric Structures

Along with durability and permanence, fabric buildings offer versatility. Just as they can be constructed faster and easier, fabric buildings can be quickly disassembled, relocated, or modified. Wood structures do not offer this same level of flexibility.

The environmental impact of fabric buildings outshine wood construction as well. From harvesting and milling of large trees to higher energy usage, traditional wood structures leave a much larger carbon footprint making fabric buildings the wiser choice for the environment as well.

Request a Free Quote from Calhoun Super Structure to Start on a Fabric Building

Calhoun Super Structure is one of the first fabric building manufacturers in the industry with over twenty-five years of engineering experience and know how. We have built a loyal customer base across a range of industries, and can customize our structures to meet your every need.

You might also be interested in reading Where Fabric Structures Will Be in 1 Year From Now.