Birdair’s PTFE Tensioned Membrane Canopy Structures to Take Protection to New Heights at Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Seven tensile canopy structures to be installed as part of airport’s Park Economy 3 Expansion project

Birdair, Inc., the world’s leading specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures for over 65 years, will help guide and protect travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) through the installation of new PTFE-coated fiberglass tensioned membrane structures at the airport’s Park Economy 3. With a plan area of approximately 11,000 sq. ft., the project is a key element of RDU’s Park Economy 3 Expansion plan.

A total of seven PTFE canopies will be constructed throughout Park Economy 3. Five new tensile canopies – each 48’ long x 28’ wide – will be installed at the bus shelter, and one canopy – 80’ long x 36.5’ wide – will be installed at the lot’s entrance. One existing fabric canopy at the bus shelter, also 48’ long x 28’ wide, will have its PTFE and clamping replaced.

Birdair’s scope for the project includes design, engineering, fabrication and installation of the PTFE, supporting structural steel and clamping. Anticipated completion of the seven canopies is summer 2024.

“Birdair is thrilled to be a part of the Park Economy 3 Expansion project at Raleigh-Durham International Airport,” said Tom Connell, Project Executive, Birdair. “In addition to their signature style and aesthetic, our PTFE canopy structures will provide enhanced protection from the elements to the millions of travelers who visit the airport every year.”

In addition to Birdair, the project team is comprised of RS&H – a national architectural, engineering and consulting firm that combines decades of expertise with insight that yields innovation; and Balfour Beatty, a leading international infrastructure group spearheading the effort to meet the industry challenges of the future.

Approximately 20 years ago, Birdair installed five PTFE tensile canopy structures that cover about 47,000 sq. ft. at RDU’s Park and Ride and Parking Garage 3. One structure in a barrel vault design covers the garage atrium and is supported by four identical corner ramp structures, each designed in an inverted cone shape.

These existing PTFE structures have remained extremely durable for the last two decades, with only one requiring rehabilitation. The airport cited the existing structures’ exceptional durability as a major reason why they would like the additional structures installed.

PTFE-coated fiberglass tensile membrane can be installed in climates ranging from the frigid arctic to the scorching desert heat with an expected project life exceeding 30 years. Its unique combination of inertness, thermal stability and surface properties make Birdair’s PTFE-coated fabric membrane ideal for projects requiring superior weather and fire resistance. The principal element that differentiates PTFE fiberglass membrane from conventional glazing is its advantageous shading coefficient. In very warm climates, even low lighting levels make PTFE fiberglass membrane an energy saver versus conventional systems.

Located in Morrisville, N.C., Raleigh-Durham International Airport is home to approximately 360 arrivals and departures every day. The 5,000-acre airport is the second-largest airport in North Carolina and serves 57 destinations with 17 major airlines.

In 2022, the RDU Airport Authority resumed design services for the expansion of Park Economy 3, a 3,280-space lot that provides shuttle bus service to Terminals 1 and 2. The ongoing project will expand the existing lot to create approximately 8,700 additional spaces. RDU’s 25-year Vision 2040 plan also includes runway and taxiway replacement, rehabilitation and construction, as well as terminal and security checkpoint expansion.

A full-service design-build specialty contractor for tensile architecture, Birdair offers a comprehensive range of pre-construction services including design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project schedule development. Birdair’s in-house capabilities include design development, engineering, fabrication, construction (installation) and service and warranty services.

For more information on Birdair’s innovative roofing systems, canopies and skylights, visit Birdair.com and follow Birdair on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Birdair
Birdair, Inc., is the leading specialty design build contractor of custom tensile structures around the world. In addition to pre-construction services such as design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project scheduling, Birdair provides design-build solutions in all aspects of project design, fabrication, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE fiberglass, TensoSky® ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm™, an insulated tensioned membrane system. Birdair, based in Buffalo, NY, is a member of the Taiyo Kogyo Group, with operations serving North and South America and other international locations. For more information about Birdair, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit Birdair.com.

Contacts:
Pipitone
Chris Hayes
Content Specialist
chayes@pipitone.com | 412.321.0879

Birdair
Michele R. Taylor
Director of Marketing
micheleT@birdair.com | 716.633.9500