Gulf Shade transforms outdoor spaces with elegant, high-performance shade structures engineered for comfort, beauty, and lasting durability.
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Gulf Shade transforms outdoor spaces with elegant, high-performance shade structures engineered for comfort, beauty, and lasting durability.
ETFE, or Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, is an exciting addition to the selection of membrane materials Enclos Tensile Structures offers. It is a highly transparent extruded film applied either as a single layer membrane or as a multilayer pneumatically inflated cushion. The material has good UV stability, as well as chemical and heat resistance. At just 1% the weight of glass, the material is revolutionizing the construction industry – allowing us to create structures previously unimaginable.
ETFE can be applied as a single layered membrane and tensioned with either wire cables, lightweight steel, or aluminum to maintain shape and stability.
In two or more layers, a pneumatic cushion is created that is then attached using aluminum extrusions and supported by a lightweight structure. These cushions are filled with low-pressure air, providing thermal insulation and structural stability against wind or snow loads. If needed, small cables can be used for additional tensioning and support. Under typical loading conditions, ETFE cushions can range from 5 to 15 feet wide and reach up to 200 feet in length.
