Red Wine Stain Removal Problem Solved!

Why research red wine stain removal when you should be researching "How to protect your carpet from red wine spills". When you are having a party featuring anything that could permanently damage your carpeting such as barbecue wings, red wine, foods with red dye etc, roll out a layer of GPS Carpet Plastic which will stick to the carpet and stay there until you pull it up? Your neighbor with the 5" stiletto heals will not puncture this film. It is tough. If you are hosting a children's painting party this is a perfect time to roll out the Carpet Plastic!

Surface protection films are a growing segment in our business because home owners and contractors alike realize the benefit to preserving what exists, and not taking a chance on damaging it. Consumers now realize that there is a product out there that will adhere to the carpet and protect it vastly better than throwing a drop cloth or draping some visqueen type plastic.  This highly touted and greatly regarded carpet covering is called, GPS Carpet Plastic.  GPS Carpet Plastic is a self adhesive flexible film that can be safely rolled out onto the carpet to keep debris or paint off the carpet while work is being done. This carpet covering is also used for protecting the carpet during parties! Yes sir, GPS Carpet Plastic will keep Aunt Millie's glass of red wine off your carpet, when she starts waving her arms and throws her red wine onto your carpet!

The secret behind GPS Carpet Plastic is the state of the art adhesive.  Not just any old adhesive from outside the U.S. will do.  The adhesive has met certain unique criteria that will insure that when you lay it down on your carpet, that your carpet won't turn colors when you remove it.  Imagine your horror, if you pull up a sub-standard product only to find your fine wool Berber carpet is now orange!  NO Thanks!  It's best to play it safe and use GPS Carpet Plastic, that has safely covered the most expensive carpets to regular old carpet. 

 Clean-up is a small fraction of the time when proper surface protection is used.  

How to install the Red Wine On Carpet Spill Protection

1) You want to roll GPS Carpet Plastic out starting at one end of the room. You don’t want to install it in a stretched state.  This happens mostly when people adhere one end, then walk or run to the other end of the hallway or room with the roll in the air, then adhere the film.  It will appear to adhere well, but will be floating by the next day.  This film has a ton of memory, so wants to go back to the original length.  I liken it to trying to adhere a stretched rubber band.

2)  Make sure your carpeting is completely dry if it has been recently cleaned.  If it is brand new carpeting, make sure it has a few days to off-gas before you adhere GPS Carpet Plastic to it.

3) Check wool or wool blend carpeting, where the carpet is losing a lot of fibers. GPS Carpet Plastic may not work on Wool carpets that contain a lot of oils. They also tend to have a direction where the carpet feels like it shifts when you step on it.  This causes the film to move on the surface, and often works its way loose.

4)  The adhesive system is pressure sensitive.  Make sure you apply pressure, so you get a good bite to the carpeting.

5) BRRR it’s cold in here…Make sure the temperature is warm. The initial grab strength is important.  Adhesive basically gets less and less sticky as it is colder and colder, up to the point where it is frozen and loses adhesion all together.  This product uses a "soft" adhesive which becomes less soft as the temperature decreases.  It gets its bite by flowing microscopically around the ends of the carpet fibers.  Being able to do so makes a big difference on how well it adheres, both initially, and over the next couple of days..

Have you ever wondered why plastic sheeting is so prolific? You see it on buildings, on dirt piles, covering machinery- it's everywhere. Plastic sheeting which is also referred to as "plastic film, visqueen, poly".  The poly sheeting we are discussing in this blog is industrial sized rolls of plastic. An analogy would to plastic wrap one uses to cover food, only much thicker and it much bigger rolls. Don't be confused. Visqueen is a brand of polyethylene plastic sheeting that is usually LDPE and is not necessarily made from virgin resins. The plastic sheeting on this site is known as  "engineered plastic" not "visqueen".  Engineered plastic is made from virgin resins.

Polyethylene plastic has many useful uses that really make a difference. Let's look at some of the areas it is used that can improve ones quality of life immensely.

Polyethylene sheeting under concrete slab

Under-slab vapor retarders play a very important role in retarding moisture from coming up through the concrete and into the structure. Today most experts feel very strongly that engineered films designed specifically for use as vapor retarders should be used as vapor retarders.  These products are made from 100% virgin resins, and have excellent quality control.  Most are tested to a standard called the ASTM E1745, which is the standard for vapor retarders in contact with soil or granular fill used under concrete slabs.  These materials are engineered not to decay in this type of application, whereas most construction grade poly will begin breaking down almost immediately and will have lost most of its structural integrity within 2 years.  How many times have you dug up plastic sheeting in your life that is just destroyed from being buried in the ground?  I know this is a bit off subject here, but the principles are even more important when dealing with vapor retarders for hardwood flooring, which is considered a critical application for vapor retarders.

Vapor Retarders for under the home or in the crawl space

It makes some difference what part of the country you are in, what kinds of humidity levels are common in your region, whether or not your home has a good quality vapor retarder under the slab, basement, or in the crawl space.  If you already have an excellent vapor retarder, then the one you use under your hardwood floor is far less critical.  If you are putting a hardwood floor over a damp crawlspace, and use a poor quality vapor retarder, you are  asking for a lot of problems with the hardwood flooring, and will likely suffer problems with buckling, warping, noisy flooring, lots of expansion and contraction, and often finish problems, just to name a few. 

Should you be in an area where Radon is prevalent, or methane, then the use of a barrier with capabilities to retard these gasses becomes important also.  Again these films are engineered to have a very tight cell structure capable of keeping these very small molecules from passing right through the membrane.  These gasses, and to a very large extent water vapor pass quite easily through the cellular structure of common construction grade polyethylene (aka Visqueen).                                                                                                           

• Shelters or Temporary Protection

When hurricanes strike or disasters ensue, its plastic sheeting that is often used to create temporary shelters.  Often string reinforced plastic is used because it is stronger and will hold up to wind. 

• Coverings for Outdoor Equipment, Wood Piles, Furniture

String Reinforced plastic sheeting is commonly used as well as non-reinforced plastic to make covers for a variety of items.  Grommets and hems can be added to the plastic so it can be held down in place.

• Waterproofing Ponds, Lakes, Canals

Liners for ponds, lakes and canals use a variety of plastic sheeting called, High Density Polyethylene or HDPE to line their basins.  This virgin poly will hold up to the sun and elements. 

• Recreational Uses such as Ice Skating Rinks, Slip and Slides

The beauty of plastic sheeting is it can be engineered for specific uses.  With the addition of special additives, plastic sheeting can work long and hard for the application it was designed for.  Ice skating rinks and slip and slides are an example of this.  Very large or long rolls of plastic can be ordered from a manufacturer to serve these purposes.

• Rain Collection- Read about a winery who did just that.

There is special plastic sheeting that does not harm fish or humans and can thus be used for rain collection or aquaponics.  Plastic can leach out chemical especially if it is construction and agricultural grade- as that plastic is mixed with regrind that is not pure virgin polyethylene.

• Closing Off Rooms for Remodeling

With the help of an amazing product called ZipWall which will hold plastic sheeting up to the ceiling- you can close off a room where work is being done.  This is especially great if dust is flying around from workman activities.

• Abatement work for Lead Paint

Lead paint abatement is a big deal.  It is very important that lead paint that is being scrapped off a surface does not contaminate other rooms in the house.  This is a great place to use plastic sheeting. Anti-static fire retardant plastic is a great choice for this application because the lead dust won't stick to the plastic sheeting. It can be swept up and removed.

• Protecting flooring, carpeting, counters, Tubs

There are full lines of plastic that have adhesive on one side so they can stick to the surface they are protecting!  Each type (Carpet Plastic, Tile Plastic, Countertop Plastic, etc) have specially formulated adhesive so it sticks just right to that surface.  For example, you need a stronger adhesive to stick the plastic to carpeting than you do for plastic being applied to counter.  Self-adhesive plastics are great for protecting surfaces from dogs, children's activities, adult parties and more!

• Black Out Curtain for Halloween, Movie Sets, Museum Work

Black fire retardant plastic sheeting is used all the time by commercial haunted houses, movie sets, aerospace companies and museums to list a few.  This plastic is certified to be fire retardant- thus not contributing to a fire should one ensue.

• Greenhouse Roofing

Plastic polyethylene sheeting has been used for years and years to create greenhouses.  Today there are state of the art coverings for greenhouses that last a lot longer than the old school 6 mil plastics of yester-year.  This remarkable product is called, SolaWrap! It is plastic sheeting with bubbles in the layers.  The bubbles act to insulate the house from heat and cold, while adding strength. There are a lot more attributes that you can learn about by clicking on the link.

• Aquaponic

Today there is a specialized type of plastic sheeting that has been created especially for aquaponics. It is called Ultra FGC. Ultra FGC is a food grade compliant liner that was engineered to be not only better for the environment, but better for your business.  When we speak of the environment we mean minimizing the raw material usage- thus leaving a smaller environmental footprint. It's better for your business because we reduced the weight of the liner while increasing the capabilities and strength of the plastic.

Plastic sheeting is a polyethylene film that comes in many different colors and thicknesses. It also comes in a variety of grades or qualities.

Grades of Plastic Sheeting

 "Virgin Polyethylene" is the highest form of plastic sheeting today.  This varies wildly from Visqueen. Visqueen has become one of the generic names for plastic sheeting, just as Kleenex has become the generic name for tissue. When someone asks for Visqueen, they are referring to a lesser grade of plastic sheeting. The plastic sheeting known as Visqueen has become a generic name for Construction and Agricultural Grade Polyethylene sheeting (C&A film). C&A film contains up to 25% post consumer recycled content, and is made from the least expensive resins available at any given time. While it is excellent for use in many projects, it is not ideal for any use that requires sustained strength such as a tarp or for use as a vapor/moisture barrier or retarder. People will often do a search for "visqueen vapor retarder", or fire retardant visqueen" when they may be looking for an engineered plastic. An engineered plastic is one that is intentionally designed to meet certain measurable criteria to insure its suitability for the job it is intended for.

Thickness/ Gauge

The thickness of polyethylene is measured in mils, which equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. Many of the local hardware or box stores will carry very light duty plastic sheeting that could be 1 to 2 mils thick.  Depending on the application will dictate how thick the plastic needs to be.  6 mil is a very common thickness for plastic sheeting- but it can go all the way up to 100 mil! Some refer to the thickness of plastic as "gauge"- but a more precise term is "mil".  Plastic wrap, typically sold on rolls in boxes with a cutting edge, clings to many smooth surfaces and can thus remain tight over the opening of a container without adhesive or other devices. Common plastic wrap is roughly 0.5 mils, or 12.5 µm, thick. Please note that the term "gauge" generally refers to the thickness of metal.

Roll Sizes

There are so many different roll sizes, thicknesses, and colors on the market.  Here are a few examples:

• 20' x 200' Clear 2 mil Visqueen(Construction and Agricultural grade)
• 12' x 100' White 6 mil Anti-static Fire Retardant
• 3' x 361' GPS Blue 13 mil DeckProtek  Fire Retardant

Notice in the above examples that the last two examples have additives added to them.  An anti-static additive as well as a fire retardant additive can be added to make the plastic both anti-static and fire retardant. 

Plastic sheeting has come a long way with the applications and jobs it is able to assist. Bottom line is, plastic sheeting is a work horse for a variety of projects.

The Price of Plastic Sheeting

Why are some rolls of plastic more expensive than others? Is there really a big difference between them? Why is one 6 mil roll cheaper than another? As a consumer should you care or just buy the best priced roll?

Tarps, Drop Cloths and Plastic Sheeting

Have you noticed that rolls of plastic that are boxed and sold at big box stores such as Home Depot or Lowe's are better priced than rolls that state "virgin polyethylene"? It's all about the quality of the plastic that is used to make the roll. Inexpensive rolls of plastic may be made from reground scraps. It's referred to in the industry as "regrind". This plastic may have debris churned in which weakens the plastic. This inexpensive plastic does a great job protecting/ covering things where the long term is not important. Tarps, drop cloths and short term covers will do just fine with this film as long as there isn't too much stress put on the plastic.

If however this same 6 mil plastic is being used as a vapor barrier in your basement- now that is a problem. Once the plastic is laid and cement goes over it, what happens to the plastic cannot be seen. It is covered up. What is happening to that plastic is its decomposition over time. That sense of security that you had just may be a false sense of security. This is why reputable crawl space companies consider the following things:

• How rocky is the soil which will be covered with plastic?
• Will there be concrete on top of the plastic, or will it just be bare plastic in the crawl space?
• Will people be storing items in the crawl space and walking on the plastic?
• Is there radon in the area?

All of these factors will determine how thick a crawl space liner should be used plus selecting a vapor barrier that is made from virgin resins and passes tests that prove the plastic will hold up over time. These tests performed on the plastic by a testing lab document the strength of the plastic liner. Suddenly that 6 mil liner from the big box store is not such a good deal when your family's home is involved. Just like a family 4 wheel drive may be suitable for little off road jaunts, that same vehicle may not be suitable for tough terrain that a Hummer is designed for.

If the application is important, select a liner/ plastic sheeting roll that is designed for the job it will perform. Global Plastic Sheeting has very intentional films to do specific jobs accordingly.

Is Plastic Sheeting Bad For The Environment?

Polyethylene can be recycled. It it is out in the sun it will breaks down in the sun if it doesn't have a UV additive to protect it.

Why are some rolls of plastic more expensive than others? Is there really a big difference between them? Why is one 6 mil roll cheaper than another? As a consumer should you care or just buy the best priced roll?

Tarps, Drop Cloths and Plastic Sheeting

Have you noticed that rolls of plastic that are boxed and sold at big box stores such as Home Depot or Lowe's are better priced than rolls that state "virgin polyethylene"? It's all about the quality of the plastic that is used to make the roll. Inexpensive rolls of plastic may be made from reground scraps. It's referred to in the industry as "regrind". This plastic may have debris churned in which weakens the plastic. This inexpensive plastic does a great job protecting/ covering things where the long term is not important. Tarps, drop cloths and short term covers will do just fine with this film as long as there isn't too much stress put on the plastic.

If however this same 6 mil plastic is being used as a vapor barrier in your basement- now that is a problem. Once the plastic is laid and cement goes over it, what happens to the plastic cannot be seen. It is covered up. What is happening to that plastic is its decomposition over time. That sense of security that you had just may be a false sense of security. This is why reputable crawl space companies consider the following things:

• How rocky is the soil which will be covered with plastic?
• Will there be concrete on top of the plastic, or will it just be bare plastic in the crawl space?
• Will people be storing items in the crawl space and walking on the plastic?
• Is there radon in the area?

All of these factors will determine how thick a crawl space liner should be used plus selecting a vapor barrier that is made from virgin resins and passes tests that prove the plastic will hold up over time. These tests performed on the plastic by a testing lab document the strength of the plastic liner. Suddenly that 6 mil liner from the big box store is not such a good deal when your family's home is involved. Just like a family 4 wheel drive may be suitable for little off road jaunts, that same vehicle may not be suitable for tough terrain that a Hummer is designed for.

If the application is important, select a liner/ plastic sheeting roll that is designed for the job it will perform. Global Plastic Sheeting has very intentional films to do specific jobs accordingly.

Polypropylene vs Polyethylene

We get asked, which is better, polypropylene or polyethylene. It is not a matter of better- it's more a matter of- what is your application? What are you trying to do? Both plastics are considered commodity plastics. These are plastics that are used in high volume for a wide range of application. Plastics that compose commodity plastic are polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride. poly(methl methacrylate), polyethylene and polypropylene. A step up from commodity plastics are engineered plastics which are specialized plastics that are more expensive and are used for low-volume applications.

Both Polypropylene and polyethylene are a form of plastic- a plastic material known as a polymer. Their molecular structure looks similar with carbons and hydrogen molecules- but then the differences arise.

Let's compare some of the properties of each.

Mechanical Properties:

The density of polypropylene (PP) is between 0.895 and 0.92 g.cm. The density of polyethylene can vary from a low of 0.857 g/cm3 and to a maximum of 0.0975 gm/cm3. As you can see, PP has the lowest density. Polyethylene is further broken down into weights or densities which is done so the plastic can serve a more specific purpose. This is done during manufacturing. 

The categories of Polyethylene are as follows. (To learn more, see Wikipedia.)

• Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is tough and resistant to chemicals. It is used to manufacture moving machine parts, bearings, gears, artificial joints and some bulletproof vests.
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE), recyclable plastic no. 2, is commonly used as milk jugs, liquid laundry detergent bottles, outdoor furniture, margarine tubs, portable gasoline cans, drinking water distribution systems, water drainage pipes, and grocery bags.
• Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) is used for packaging film, sacks and gas pipes and fittings.
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is flexible and is used in the manufacture of squeeze bottles, milk jug caps, retail store bags and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) as stretch wrap in transporting and handling boxes of durable goods, and as the common household food covering.

Polypropylene which is normally tough and flexible can have its density altered with the additon of fillers.

Chemical Properties:

PP is resistant to fats and almost all organic solvents when it is at room temperature. It can with-stand non-oxidizing acids and bases in containers made from polypropylene. Contrast this to polyethylene which is more chemically resistant. 

Polyethylene consists of non polar, saturated, high molecular weight hydrocarbons. Therefore, its chemical behavior is similar to wax or paraffin. The individual macro molecules are not covalently linked. Overall polyethylene is partially crystalline. Higher crystallinity increases density and mechanical and chemical stability.

Optical Properties:

PP can be made translucent when uncolored but it's not as transparent as acrylic or other plastic. Often colored pigments are added.

PE on the other hand can vary between almost clear, milky-opaque or opaque. The color is dependent on the thermal history and film thickness. LLDPE is the most optically clear with HDPE being the least opaque.

Uses of Polypropylene and Polyethylene:

Every day we have contact with PP or PE.  Polypropylene is used to make bottles, hinges, packaging materials, parts for automobiles, clear bags, ropes, rugs, roofing membranes, geotextiles, erosion control mats and so much more.

Polyethylene is vastly used in packaging (plastic bags, Plastic films. geomembranes and plastic sheeting to protect the environment to construction projects.  

Both Polypropylene and Polyethylene play a huge role in the world as we know it today.

NFPA 701 and ASTM E-84 both have to do with flames and fire, but one is not necessarily better than the other. Let's take a look at their differences.

ASTM E-84  or "E84" as it's shortened name. It's the test to learn how fast the flames will spread if a fire should errupt on a material horizontally.

ASTM E-84 is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density with that of select grade red oak an fiber-cement board survaces under the specific fire exposture conditions. Simply put, ASTM E-84 measures the flame spread and smoke index, which are considered the surface burning characteristics of a material. 

Depending on the numbers, materials can have classifications of Class A, B, or C according to NFPA , ANSI/NFPA No. 101, "life Safety Code" , 2006 Edition, or IBC (International Building Code), 2006 Edition, Chapter 8, Interior Finishes, Section 803,  if they pass any level of this standard.  The test is conducted in a fire tunnel using a 22" x 24' sample of the material.  The ignition source is 7 seconds in duration, total test is 10 minutes.  The flame front cannot exceed 24" during the test.  Results are expressed as Flame Spread Index, and Smoke Developed Value.  Following are the criteria for each level of this test, regardless of whether NFPA or IBC.

10 mil vs 20 mil...Decisions- Decisions: How to Select A Crawl Space Liner

How do you decide between a 10 mil versus a 20 mil crawl space vapor barrier?  It's kind of like choosing between a lightweight sweater and a thick wool sweater. What are the conditions that surround the situation? Below is a very simplified look at some of the considerations when deciding on a crawl space liner. If you are unsure, speak to someone who is well versed in these liners and can explain the differences to you. (760.597.9298)

10 Answers You Will Need To Know to Help Select the Best Liner for your crawl space:

1. Crawl Space Dimensions: What are the dimensions (length, width, height) of your crawl space?

2. Access Points: How easy is it to access the crawl space? Are there any obstructions or challenges for installation?

3. Moisture Issues: Have you experienced any moisture or water-related problems in the crawl space, such as leaks or flooding?

4. Ventilation: Is the crawl space adequately ventilated, or are there issues with humidity and condensation?

5. Insulation: Is there existing insulation in the crawl space? If so, what type and condition is it in?

6. Pest Concerns: Have you encountered any pest or rodent infestations in the crawl space?

7. Foundation Type: What is the foundation material (e.g., concrete, block, pier, beam) in your crawl space?

8. Current Liner or Cover: Do you have an existing crawl space liner or cover in place, and if so, what is its condition?

9. Future Use: Do you have any plans to use the crawl space for storage or other purposes?

10. Budget: What is your budget for a crawl space liner installation?

Things to Consider:

• If you have a rocky crawlspace in which you will be storing things and walking around, thicker is the smartest way to go. The thing about a crawl space is that you don't want to get it wrong the first time. You don't want to be sitting in your home after the job is completed and smell that awful musty smell that you had before the crawl space liner/ vapor barrier was installed.
• Whether you do the job yourself, or hire someone to do it, its a job that you only want to do once.  Select the strongest, most tear resistant crawl space liner you can, and sleep well at night.  
• A 20 mil string reinforced liner that passes the essential tests is your go to liner in many cases. Part of the assessment revolves around how you will handle radon. There are liners that block radon.

Tests for Crawl Space Vapor Barriers

• Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) test ASTM E 96 measures the water vapor transmission rate, or the rate at which water passes through the plastic sheeting vapor barrier.
• Elongation, Tongue Tear, Trapezoidal Tear and Load Yield are other tests that can tell you how strong the liner is under pressure.  Be sure to ask your installer, or plastic sheeting supplier for this information so you can make an educated decision about which crawl space liner you want to use.

What should you know about crawl space liners?

The Crawl Space Material

The material used for crawl space liners is of utmost importance when looking at how well the vapor barrier will function. Make sure to select a liner made from high-grade raw materials, such as virgin polyethylene, as opposed to "construction grade films" or C & A films. These plastic sheeting products are made from low-grade resins and post-consumer recycled materials, which will not provide the necessary protection from moisture and gases. While commodity films have their purposes in agriculture and construction sites, they are not suitable for crawl spaces.

The Life-Span of the Vapor Barrier

With the goal of one and done- One crawl space vapor barrier and never again have to do this job, the crawl space liners that are made from sub-par plastic or C & A poly AKA Visqueen will decay. The life span of a strong crawl space vapor retarder will resist decay and the attacks from moisture, organisms in the soil and chemicals. Weaker films will come apart and degrade over time.

Questions to Ask a Crawlspace Installer (and you should know the answers)

• What percentage is recycled material?
• Is it better to use 100% Virgin polyethylene?
• I would like to use reinforced virgin polyethylene, may I provide the plastic to install? 
• How will you install, tape and mechanical fasteners on the walls?
• What is the Water Vapor Transmission rate on your plastic?  
• What class is it?

The Issues in a Dirt Floor Crawl Space

• Wet and smelly area
• Allergenic mold spores and Mildew that contributes to rot and health issues 
• Rats/ mice, termites, cockroaches, ants, and crickets may party the night away in a dark wet crawl space
• Radon coming up from the earth

The best bet is to do your homework so you can decide if a lighter 10 mil crawl space liner will do the job, or something heavier such as a 20 mil liner. Knowing that there are certificates/ spec sheets that spell out how the liner is rated will insure you are getting what you are looking for.

 If you need further assistance, we hope you will call us at 760.597.9298.

Here's to your beautiful clean crawl space!

Become A Crawl Space Expert...Read these:

• The Comprehensive Guide to Crawl Space Vapor Barriers

• How Moist Crawl Spaces Affect Your Home's Air Quality

• Unveiling the Mystery: Crawl Space Encapsulation vs. Crawl Space Lining 
  
  
• Understanding Crawl Space Liner Thickness and ASTM E 1745 Compliance

• Signs Your Crawl Space Needs Lining and Why It's Essential

• Choosing the Right Permeance for Your Crawl Space Liner: A Homeowner's Guide

Visit the Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Liner Page Here

Are All  Fabric Structures The Same?

 What do you need to consider when selecting a fabric building manufacturer?

Engineering

Is the fabric building engineered to your site specifications?  There is a difference between having the building "designed" versus "engineered". A designed building may meet the size and dimensions the customer specifies, but it doesn't take into consideration the critical components of the environment- such as wind and snow loads, thermal factors, exposure factors and so on. With a Britespan fabric structure, you will get a quote for an engineered structure that will comply with all North American and International building codes.

Galvanizing

Is All Galvanizing the Same?

No! There are two different types of galvanized pipe: in-line (triple coat/Gatorshield or pre-galvanized) and post production hot dipped galvanized. While both use zinc coating, the application is the most critical part. 

Britespan applies hot dipped galvanizing to all of their trusses post production (after all fabrication is complete), which uses an entirely different process to ensure lifelong corrosion protection and a much longer service life. We start with untreated black structural steel.  We bend and weld the raw steel into our trusses.  Holes are drilled into the pipe to ensure the galvanizing reaches every surface.  After that, the trusses are submerged in a bath of molten zinc where they receive a coating on every surface inside and out that is three times thicker than the coating  on the outside of  in-line galvanized pipe.  This process means that your building will offer a service life that is approximately three times longer than the in-line galvanized alternative.

In-line galvanized pipe is rolled through a waterfall of zinc and the pipe is coated on the outside, painted on the inside, and is then sent out to be manufactured. The pipe is bent, welded into trusses, and shipped out.  Unfortunately, the welding of the trusses burns off the paint on the inside of the pipe, leaving it unprotected and susceptible to rust before it ever gets erected.

Trusses

Truss Weight- Some of the heaviest in the industry!
Many companies claim that they use as much as 30% more steel in their buildings. The question is, 30% more than what? In order to exceed required loading, Britespan has some of the heaviest trusses in the industry. For example, our 42’ truss weights 580 lbs, where as some of our competitors trusses weigh in around 360 lbs. Your building is not something you want to be lightweight.

Truss Depth

Geometry plays a very important role in the structural integrity of a building. The deeper the truss the more rigid it will be. Britespan’s trusses are commonly built deeper, allowing us to adhere to the strictest building codes and provides superior longevity in adverse conditions. Britespan trusses start at 18" of depth and go up to 96" of depth.

Many competitors choose to minimize this truss depth for the sake of price. This leaves the consumer wide open to all of the liability should there be a failure in the building.

Round vs. Square Tubing

Purlins and Cross Cables

Solid Mounted Purlins
What are purlins? Purlins are a section of pipe that keep the trusses spread apart and are responsible for withstanding the wind load against the ends of the building. Many companies use small diameter light gauge purlins. This often results in the building racking or collapsing in severe wind conditions. These companies may also use a saddle bracket and fork connection that wraps around the thruss cord for attachment. This allows for rotation around the cord and offers less rigidity in the connection causing the building to buckle under load. Britespan uses up to 4.5” purlins that are double bolted to the engineered structural truss, providing the strongest building possible.  There are no parts that can move or loosen over time, which increases the lifespan of your cover.

Purlin Construction
The key to ensuring your fabric building will last for a long time is to make sure that the steel remains as rigid as possible. Cover failures occur when the fabric rubs against the steel trusses. Purlins play a critical role in the rigidity of a building. Britespan buildings use a dedicated large diameter one piece solid purlin.  This system provides unparalleled strength and durability in high wind areas.

Cross Cables
The strength of a building is dependent on many factors.  While the amount of steel in the building is the biggest factor, you also need to look at the building’s rigidity.  The less the building moves the longer the fabric will last.  Cross cables in a building dramatically reduce the deflection of the building under load.  Cables must be secure and tight to achieve this benefit.

Britespan uses the best quality cables that are solid mounted to structural truss members that are specifically designed to do the job, and they utilize turnbuckles for easy tensioning. 

Many manufacturers overlook this element and weave their cables through many bays and wrap them around the web of the truss, which is quite often the lightest part of the truss. The cables can slide and move and require maintenance to ensure their tension at all times. This results in buildings that move more in the wind, reducing the life of the fabric.

Tensioning the Covers

Winch Blocks or Ratchet Straps
What is the most important factor in ensuring the longevity of your fabric building? Its ensuring your cover stays tight. Britespan utilizes the cleanest and strongest tensioning system.  Our 10,000 lb. winch blocks hold all of our covers on from 19’ wide and up. In order to be able to sell you a cheap building, many of our competitors will provide you with their standard ratchet strap fastening system. While this is a cost effective alternative up front, the cost of replacing your cover is not. Make sure your fastening system is up for the job!

Tension Pipe
The tension pipe is a pipe that runs parallel with your cover and is attached to the winch blocks. It allows you to put tension on your cover, which is required for longevity and warranty. A loose cover will rapidly result in cover damage that is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Britespan only uses large diameter or oval heavy gauge material for fastening pipe, which allows for even tensioning of the cover without fear of an over tension situation over the trusses.  This means your cover should last 20-25 years under normal circumstances.

The ROI of the Fabric BuildingWhen comparing the costs and advantages of different building types such as wood framed buildings or steel covered buildings to a Britespan fabric building, it can be difficult to know where to start. So we have broken out some of the important components to the performance of any type of building.

Windows for Lighting
A building with non-translucent roofing materials must add windows and or skylights to allow natural (free) daylight to enter the building. Typical window frames and glass for a 4x6 foot window will cost $500 to $1000 (installed estimate). Buildings may require dozens of windows to suitable light the interior. A Britespan building with the translucent fabric cover does not require windows. The light transmission through the covers provides a soft, pleasant interior lighting using natural (free) lighting, even on cloudy days. 

Nighttime Lighting

Without the daytime sunlight, most buildings will require some form of nighttime lighting. Equipment costs, installation costs, and operational costs must all be considered. For a wood or steel construction building, the owner will need to add enough lumens of light to properly light the working area of the building, consuming electricity every minute of use. A Britespan building will require typically 1/3 of the lighting as the bright white underside of the fabric roof reflects and disperses the artificial lighting broadly and evenly, reducing shadows and reaching all areas of the building. 

Ventilation
Britespan buildings feature a high roof design which results in a large volume of interior air space. In agricultural uses, this draws the warm moist air up and away from livestock. With the ability to offer side ventilation, end wall ventilation and roof ventilation, warm moist air, including odours, can easily be vented from buildings. In commercial, retail and industrial uses, the non-permeable fabric cover allows for increased control and air management. Ventilation and heating/cooling systems do not need to compete with the many sources of air inflow/outflow of a conventional building. 

Painting and Re-roofing 
Conventional buildings such as wood sided buildings require frequent maintenance, such as painting or staining, to maintain their visual appearance. In addition, roofs of shingles or tar have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced in a time consuming and labour intensive disruption to your business. If a Britespan building ever needs to be re-roofed the cover replacement techniques can be performed in less time that would normally require removing and re-shingling a roof.

Construction Time
Building construction is necessary, and can be a lengthy process, from site prep to foundation to framework to roofing and siding to interior prep and finishing. Wood and steel buildings with their labour intensive construction techniques, can keep your business waiting on construction for months. A Britespan steel-framed fabric building is pre-engineered at the factory and shipped in component pieces, ready to be erected. With rapid construction techniques, a Britespan building can be erected in weeks instead of months. This minimizes any interruptions to your business operations. 

Insuring your Fabric Building

Protecting your investment is paramount.

Insurability 

Can a Britespan Building be insured?  YES!

Britespan Building Systems Inc. was formed on the foundation of providing the best value to its customers. We are not willing to sacrifice top quality product for the sake of price when selling our buildings. When purchasing any type of building, you are making a substantial investment. Have you ever considered that this investment might not be insurable? Britespan buildings are engineered to comply with the most current building codes, have more steel, and can be insured investments for years to come. 

Of course, you want to make sure your new fabric building is protected by insurance in case something would happen. Some insurance companies have begun excluding or limiting coverage on buildings that do not meet the requirements of the building codes. It may also be difficult to get any value for an uninsurable building when it comes to the sale of the property. Britespan works hand in hand with insurance companies to eliminate the worry on their end. This means that your Britespan building will be insured like the rest of your buildings. 

Why you must meet building codes? Liability 
Some building owners may think it is unnecessary for the building to meet the requirements of the building codes if it is for their own personal use. You should seriously consider the matter of liability if someone is injured in any way while in your building. 

Do  Britespan builings come with a Warranty?
Warranties provide you with peace of mind that if something happens to your product, the company will be there to stand behind it. Warranty length is most commonly 15 years. Britespan offers a 16 year warranty, and we believe in our buildings so much that we actually manufacture our product inside one of our own buildings.

Why Should you Select a Britespan building?

1. HOT DIP GALVANIZING Post-weld hot dip galvanizing bonds to steel to provide lifelong corrosion resistance from the inside out.
2. CLEARSPAN INTERIOR With no interior columns, movement throughout the interior is easy for vehicles and equipment.
3. VENTILATION Large volumes of interior air space give you superior air quality and ventilation.
4. LIGHT Naturally bright interiors create comfortable environments and help reduce energy costs.
5. QUALITY Constructed from quality North American steel and engineered to comply with the most current building codes.
6. RETURN ON INVESTMENT Our structures provide large, bright, secure spaces with reduced operating and maintenance costs.
7. Proven Track Record Britespan has been in the fabric building industry since 1994, offering the widest product line available today. We design, engineer and manufacture each product line in-house. Our structures are engineered to be portable, temporary or permanent, with rapid installs even in remote areas.

We hope this information will help you make an informed buying decision. Watch this Britespan building from start to finish!

There are so many different types of tapes on the market. No wonder customers ask us all the time- 

• What is the best tape for sealing plastic sheeting?
• What's the best over-all tape?
• What's the best tape if the plastic will be outside in the sun?
• What tape should be used on a vapor retarder?
• What's the best tape to seal plastic sheeting that is put in a crawl space?
• What's the best waterproof tape?
• Is there a fish safe tape?
• Is there a tape that adheres to steel?

What is the best tape for sealing plastic sheeting?

When looking to seal plastic sheeting, the environment that it is being used in is what will dictate the best tape to select. Is there moisture, high humidity, sunshine, or water? Is the tape sealing two over-lapping sheet's of a crawl space liner in a moist basement? Or are we talking about sealing a tear in a slip and slide tarp. Is the tape going to be in the sun? For this post, we are going to introduce the films that Global Plastic Sheeting favors.

The best Over-All Tape:

Our most versatile tape, that is water-proof, fish safe, and has UV to protect from the sun's rays, Ultra Perm is the best selection. This tape is EXCEPTIONALLY STICKY. When it is put down, it's not coming up.  If you have a tug of war with two sheets of plastic, the plastic will break before the tape let's go (in most cases).

The Best Tape for a Crawl Space Liner or Vapor Barrier:

If you are sealing a crawl space liner or vapor barrier, Vapor Seaming Tape is a great choice. it is chemical resistant- not that you have chemicals in your basement- and has a nice strong hold. It will resist the moisture coming up from the ground.  If you want a double sided (two-sided) tape for this application, the Butyl Seal Tape is a great choice. It is waterproof, aggressive, flexible and non-hardening.

The Best Tape That is Fire Retardant:

There are two choices when it comes to the tape being flame retardant. Polyken 225 FR  meets FAR 25.853 (a)  and is used in the aerospace industry. It is used in areas where flame retardancy is required.  225 FR seals duct work, fiberglass insulation and more.

Global CFRP Tape is also fire retardant, and virtually leaves no adhesive residue on applications lasting up to 60 days.

The Best Waterproof and/or Fish Safe Tape?

Ultra Perm is the clear cut choice here. It can be used in your pond, slip and slide tarp, and anywhere there is water.  This beast of a tape grabs on, and doesn't let go!

If you really want to be sure and select the best most cost effective tape for your project, just give up a call. If we can't help you, we will attempt to direct you to someone who can. We want to help, and don't want you to get stuck!

Synthetic tur drainage becomes a big deal with rain hits the field. The volume of rainfall plays a factor in how much water must be removed. How well and quickly the water drains from the turf will determine how quickly the game can go on.  When it comes to subsurface synthetic turf drainage there are 3 products that significantly stand out. Below is a brief description of each product with links to the full specification pages.

• Enkaturf Drain 9320
• Enkamat Plus 7420
• Enkadrain Shockpad

Enkaturf Drain 9320

Enkaturf Drain 9320 is a subsurface drainage system that is used beneath natural and synthetic turf fields. It  is a 6 inch wide strip drain product consisting of a 1 inch thick nylon core of fused, entangled filaments completely encased in a nonwoven heat-bonded geotextile fabric.

What Sets Enkaturf Drain 9320 Apart?

Enkaturf Drain strips eliminate the need for perforated drainage pipe and the associated ordeal of installing a larger diameter drain with surrounding aggregate.

The flexible, lightweight characteristics of Enkaturf Drain make it much easier to install than hard, plastic drainage pipes.

• Multiple contact points between core and fabric eliminate fabric stretching into the core
• Core is resilient and will not crack – even under construction vehicles
• Crushed stone can be placed directly on top
• No special couplings or fittings needed at junctions
• Can be installed vertically or horizontally for complete design flexibility

Why Use This Synthetic Turf Drainage Product?

•  Excellent durability
• Thin profile significantly reduces turf trauma during installation
• Conforms to irregular surfaces and corners with complete and effective coverage
• Geometric structure creates safe flow path even during backfill
• Continuous flow even under high loads
• Long rolls reduce installation costs by eliminating interlocking and excessive seams

Enkamat Plus 7420

EnkamatPlus 7420 is a 3-dimensional heavy duty Enkamat core heatbonded to an eight ounce polyester geotextile fabric. The Enkamat core is produced from nylon monofilaments fused together at their intersections.

What Sets Enkamat Plus 7420 Apart?

The 95% open structure of the nylon core allows water and other liquids to drain through to the turf below while providing a tough, walkable surface for players and coaches. Enkamat Plus has a Class A Flame Spread rating per ASTM E84.

Why Select This Synthetic Turf Drainage Product?

•  Rolls out and rolls up in no time flat
• Reusable time and again
• Protects natural turf from being destroyed during games
• Water flows through and does not build up on the surface
• Provides air space between the turf and foot traffic
• Easy to store

Enkadrain ShockPad

Just like the name describes, Enkadrain ShockPad is a full-field drain designed for synthetic turf playing fields and playgrounds that also offers a shockpad layer for player safety. Player safety guidelines for shock absorption has increased over the years. Enkadrain ShockPad comes in full-length rolls for easy installation and quick coverage of the entire field. Other subsurface drain materials, such as aggregate, are reduced because of Enkadrain's characteristic open, entangled filament design and flow rate.

Enkadrain® ShockPad is made of a proprietary polypropylene blend that gives the product exceptional resiliency properties. This drainage composite consists of a polypropylene drainage core of fused, entangled filaments and a geocomposite fabric bonded to each side. The entangled filaments are molded into a pyramid pattern that maintains the flexible design of other Enkadrain products. The second fabric eliminates the need for a filter fabric and stops penetration and migration of soil fines.

Why Select Enkadrain ShockPad?

• It double as the drainage layer and shock absorbing layerProprietary polymer formulation significantly improves energy restitution and shock absorption (Gmax) 
• Reduces infill amounts
• Excellent durability
• Second fabric eliminates need for filter fabric
• Continuous flow even under high loads
• Increased flow rates over same thickness nylon and HDPE drains
• 3” fabric overlap flap on both sides

When synthetic turf drainage is your priority, please consider looking into these established products.