Comparison of the cost and maintenance of PTFE and PVC tensioned membrane structures

Cost and Maintenance Comparison

Initial Costs

• PTFE Membrane
  Higher material cost (approximately 2–3 times that of PVC membranes). Requires specialized construction teams and precision equipment, resulting in significantly higher total project costs.

• PVC Membrane
  Lower material cost and simpler construction process, making it ideal for budget-limited projects.

Long-Term Maintenance

• PTFE Membrane
  Nearly maintenance-free. Only requires periodic inspections of anchors and drainage systems, leading to lower long-term operational costs.

• PVC Membrane
  Requires cleaning, coating repairs, or replacement every 3–5 years, incurring higher maintenance costs. Frequent upkeep may disrupt usage.

Full Lifecycle Costs

• PTFE Membrane
  Despite higher initial investment, its exceptionally long service life and minimal maintenance may result in lower lifecycle costs than PVC membranes (especially suitable for permanent structures).

• PVC Membrane
  Lifecycle costs heavily depend on maintenance frequency and replacement cycles. Offers clear advantages for short-term projects.

Design Flexibility Differences

• PTFE Membrane
  Stiffer material properties make it better suited for regular curved or flat surfaces. Designs must prioritize pretension distribution and connection node configurations, achieving clean, minimalist aesthetics.

• PVC Membrane
  Softness and moldability enable complex double-curved surfaces, wave-like shapes, and unconventional geometries, meeting architects’ demands for creative diversity. Commonly used in iconic landscape architecture.