The purpose of wind fences is to protect the area they’re installed in against the destruction and damage caused by strong winds. Commercial buildings have a lot at stake; for example, under-construction sites have all the building materials lying around.

Strong gushes of winds can either cause irreversible damage to the material lying around or blow off sediments off-site. Given the inconvenience caused by strong wind power, companies decide to install windbreakers or wind fencing outdoors to keep the sites safe and secure.

Wind fences are more common at agricultural or dairy farms where any disturbances caused by winds almost always lead to decreased output.

For wind fences to work optimally, their construction should be top-notch.

Before venturing out to get the walls installed, people must spell out their requirements and what they want the fence to do. Fence fabric is a significant component of any fencing product, playing a big role in meeting the needs of businesses and other commercial entities.

Choosing fence fabric is real work. Before venturing out on what “type” of fabric is suitable for people, here are three qualities that all materials should have: effective, economical, and durable. The section below tells how why these three traits are essential:

Effectiveness of Fabric: There’s no absolute performance regarding windbreakers. People cannot stop the wind flow into the area under the fence by 100%. Some dust particles and some amount of wind will always pass through. When buying the fabric, there shouldn’t be any demand for the absolute stoppage of dust or wind power.

Economical: Ideally, fence fabric shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Different types of fence fabric have other characteristics and performance levels. On the surface, the price of the material may seem expensive. But to better understand how pricing works, companies will also have to look at the costs they’ll save once the fencing is done. For example, reduced dust or wind power in the area will lead to increased productivity of plant and equipment (PPE) installed or less maintenance of PPE.

Durability: Fabric fence comes with a cost, and people don’t want them to be recurring costs in their financial statements. So, one crucial factor to look at while buying fence fabric is its durability. If the fabric’s use is temporary, durability doesn’t matter much. In that case, any material would do. However, if fabric is used for long periods, people will have to see if the fabric holds the durability test.

What Fabric is Suitable for You?

There is no “one-size-fits-all” concept for fence fabric; what may work best for one company may not turn out great for the next. Before finding out which material is best, it’s essential to identify the primary purpose of installing fence fabric. Here are some categories in which most buyers fall:

Category One: the fence is on a temporary basis.

Category Two: the fence is for protection against storm damage.

Category Three: the fence is primarily for dust protection.

Category Three has subcategories. Buyers must specify if they want to install the fence in upwind or downwind wide areas. There will be two more choices for the latter: choosing fabric for the upper or lower part of the fence. Another subcategory is to specify if the support structure is for cladding.

Which Fabric is Suitable?

The answer to this question depends on the needs and requirements of the buyers (stated above). Buyers will have to identify their needs and then search for the material accordingly. Generally, the following types of fabric are available:

Temporary Fence Fabric: This fabric is used in fences installed for a specific, time-limited purpose. Buyers who want this fabric must not look for “budget” or “cheap” fence fabric. After the initial use, the material will need repairs, which will make up for the cost buyers initially saved. Companies like WeatherSolve Structures are careful about the material they use.

WeatherSolve Structures never compromises on the material’s durability and sells items with a long useful life. 

24% Aerodynamic Porosity Fabric: Those who want protection against storms should go for 24% aerodynamic porosity fabric. This type of fabric has various tiny holes created through mechanical processes.

This porous structure allows the fabric to reduce aerodynamic drag, making it a safe choice for people who want to prevent storm damage. It creates “bubbles” between the air and the fabric, which eventually leads to wind reduction. The material also reduces the weight off the structure, minimizing cost.

Fabric Aerodynamic Porosity Mid-Range: This fabric is best for upward wind areas as it can quickly protect dust. Fabric with 47% aerodynamic porosity lets a good quantity of air pass, minimizing downward turbulence; they also provide excellent shelter. 34% aerodynamic porosity fabric is also a good option as long as the cover is concerned, but it does add load to the structure. People should choose 47% aerodynamic porosity fabric for powerful winds as it acts more like a filter.

40% Aerodynamic Porosity: Companies looking to install fabric for the upper part of the fence in a downwind wide area should go for 40% aerodynamic porosity fabric. It simply blocks the dust particles from entering the field, providing maximum protection. Most people believe that solid fences work well in this case, but those fences inadvertently allow the dust particles to move into the protected area. Fabric with 40% aerodynamic porosity works well.

Custom-Made Fabric: Not all companies have the exact requirements. Businesses that have unique needs can have their fences custom-made. The fabric used in such barriers will fulfill the business’s individual requirements. If people aren’t sure about what they want, they may consult with experts.

The Final Word

Choosing fence fabric for dust or storm protection is a crucial step, and it’s essential to choose a durable material that can withstand harsh weather conditions. When selecting fabric, people should never choose price over quality. It doesn’t matter how “budget-friendly” certain types of fabric cost; people should always put their needs and requirements before other things.