If you’re in the market for a coverall building or fabric structure, you may wonder how much they cost and whether choosing a fabric building over traditional wood or concrete buildings is beneficial.
The price of a coverall building or fabric structure can vary depending on several factors, including
- the size of the structure,
- the labour,
- the location of the project,
- and the maintenance and utility costs.
Compared to traditional wood, steel or concrete buildings, fabric buildings are almost always significantly less expensive- both in terms of upfront building costs and maintenance costs over time.
Let’s look at the factors in detail that make up the overall cost of your project:
The size of the structure
The size of your coverall or fabric structure is perhaps the most important factor in determining the cost of your project, as the size determines how much material you would require. Although, steel structures cost more than traditional wood structures. If you take the wastage and the lifetime of both these structures, you will see that the steel structures easily outperform and outlast the wood structures with better durability and lower maintenance cost. Wood buildings end up wasting more material than steel frame structures over time due to weather damage, pests, mould, warping or rot.
Generally, a pre-engineered fabric structure can start from $25 per square foot.
The Labour
When undertaking a building project, time spent on site preparation, foundations, erecting the framework, roofing, and finishing are all critical factors in determining the overall construction time. Compared to traditional construction methods such as wood, steel, or concrete buildings, fabric buildings can typically be installed more quickly due to their simple design and fewer materials.
Steel frames can typically be erected in a matter of hours or days, depending on the size and complexity of the structure. The fabric is then pulled across the building in one seamless cover or installed in individual panels. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the size of the building. On average, fabric buildings require significantly fewer man-hours to install than steel sheeting, typically ranging from .02 to .03 hours per square foot for fabric or coverall structures compared to .04 to .07 hours per square foot for traditional structures. This can save significant time and resources on large projects.
The location of the project
The cost of your fabric building will also be determined by its location. For example, if you want to place it on rough terrains like mining sites or oil fields, you will need to level the ground before the installation. You might also be required to create a concrete base if you use the fabric structure as a warehousing/storing facility.
The maintenance and utility cost
It’s important to factor in utilities and maintenance when estimating the cost of a building project. These long-term expenses can add up, and you don’t want to be caught off guard down the line.
Unlike other structures whose roofs are lined with screws or nails, fabric buildings are less likely to experience leaks, rust or corrosion. Furthermore, the fabric is also guarded against harmful UV rays, which means your valuables inside will be safe.
Excessive utility costs like electricity and ventilation can be a huge strain on your budget. A fabric coverall building would require much less lighting and ventilation than a traditional wood, steel or concrete structure. This way, you save significantly on your monthly bills.
The translucency of fabric buildings is 16-19%, meaning there is more natural daylight. This reduces the need for artificial lighting. At night, little lighting is needed as the underside of the fabric roof reflects and disperses light effectively.
One of the benefits of fabric buildings is that they are naturally non-conductive, which means the interior temperature is cooler on hot days and warmer on cool days. The fabric does not retain heat from the sun, so it helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside, requiring less heating and cooling.
Overall, fabric buildings offer several benefits compared to traditional buildings. They are easy to install, cost-effective, and require less maintenance over time. Whether you need a temporary structure for a construction project or a more permanent building for commercial or industrial use, fabric buildings are an excellent option that can save you time and money throughout the lifetime of your project.
