The cover on DomeShelter™ branded container domes will last approximately 8-12 years. Some clients have achieved more, although this does depend on a number of factors.
Below is a few factors that may reduce the lifespan of a dome shelter’s cover:
1: The shelter cover wasn’t sufficiently maintained and the cover became loose. This is one reason why the DomeShelter™ branded attachment system was designed and developed. The tensioning system allows very easy maintenance and provides even tension on the fabric cover compared to covers that are lashed with ropes through eyelets.
2: Ultra Violet (UV) radiation can lead to a breakdown in the material and thread: This is why shelter covers are manufactured using Australian made premium UV stabilised Polyethylene and Polypropylene fabrics. These fabrics offer superior strength/weight ratios, abrasion and tear resistance over comparable PVC and poly fabrics.
3: Some shelter roof designs have greater degradation levels than others: The DomeShelter™ Solution uses an arched hoop framework which is ideal for consistent tension over the entire span, other manufacturers use a different system that can lead to premature wear and degradation. Roofs with long unsupported flat sections with three radius corners tend to over tighten the fabric on the corners to keep the tarp tight on the flat roof sections.
When a cover becomes over-tightened, the fabric is subject to early UV degradation due to the high-density weave opening up and allowing the UV to penetrate into the structure of the material. Some shelters may be exposed to higher UV radiation than others at a different location. UV radiation levels depend on the latitude and elevation of the location.
