Structure Reskins and Fabric Replacement

Reskin and Repair for Fabric Structures

When a fabric building needs a replacement cover, Lightweight Structures provides:

• Assistance in fabric selection specifically for reskinning and repairing fabric structures.
• Engineering support based on knowledge of the most common systems in the industry.
• Creative dismantle and reskin options that minimize downtime. See our 5-step overview of a turnkey reskin.
• Connections with specialized turnkey contractors who coordinate installation directly with you.

For many existing fabric structures, the original installation method is not the most efficient way to reskin the building. When a project requires the frame to be detensioned, removing interior liners, electrical systems, and other suspended equipment can add significant cost and disruption. Alternative reskinning methods may allow the replacement fabric to be installed without removing these interior systems—and, in some cases, without disrupting interior operations.

We engineer and fabricate the replacement fabric system and work with our network of certified installation partners to complete the project. For reskins, we coordinate with specialized turnkey contractors responsible for installation. Foundations are specified in our engineering documents and performed by others.

We engineer and fabricate with coated fabrics and films, including those made by our parent company, Seaman Corporation. Since 1949, Seaman has manufactured high-performance coated fabrics in the United States, managing the process from yarn and weaving or knitting through coating and finished membrane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you replace the fabric on an existing fabric building?

Yes. Lightweight Structures engineers and fabricates replacement fabric panels for existing frame-supported and tensile structures. The appropriate replacement approach depends on the existing structure, attachment system, fabric requirements, and available engineering documentation.

Can a fabric structure be reskinned without removing interior liners or electrical systems?

In some cases, yes. Alternative attachment and tensioning methods may allow a structure to be reskinned without removing interior liners, electrical systems, or other suspended equipment. Feasibility depends on the structure’s design and existing installation method.

Do I need the original engineering drawings for a tensile reskin?

Original engineering drawings are helpful, but their absence doesn’t automatically rule out a tensile reskin. Because the membrane contributes to the structure’s performance, engineering is needed to establish appropriate design assumptions and assess whether existing structural components can be reused safely.

Can the existing frame and foundations be reused during a reskin?

Potentially. Reuse depends on the existing structure, its condition, available engineering information, and the requirements of the replacement design. Appropriate engineering assessments are needed to determine whether the frame and foundations can safely support the replacement fabric system.