They are very strong for their light weight, which enables them to cover large areas with little material. For these reasons, they are easy to install and require little energy in the building process. Because they are lightweight, fabrics interact well with the elements and give people a feeling of connection to the outdoor surroundings. The translucency of fabrics allows natural lighting inside, which often eliminates the need for artificial lighting.
Fabrics are available in a wide range of colors, weights, and widths to fit designs.
Even though fabrics are engineered to meet the same codes and standards as other building materials, most architects in the U.S. are not familiar with their benefits. Fabrics are widely used in countries outside the U.S. as awnings and canopies to limit heat gain, because air conditioning in these regions is not always common. They are also used as roofs to introduce natural light while providing shade. They are ideal for covering large areas where light demands are high, such as concert halls, shopping malls, convention centers, or airport terminals. Cotton canvas was the old standard fabric for canopies, but it is seldom used today because of problems with rot and mildew.