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Snap-Span Green
Now the industry’s most versatile and functional acoustical fabric mounting system has gone green! When using Snap-Span Green, as much as 90% of the total weight of the installed Snap-Tex system is within green construction standards. The fabric and infill have post consumer ingredients which qualify for green consideration. This stunning recycled fabric is available in 8 different textures and 61 different colors, so there’s no design compromise when you need to go green.
Snap-Span 1
This super wide 156” fabric is available in 7 stylish colors. The fabric can be used on walls and ceilings and requires a minimum number of seams.
Snap-Span 2
This high performing fabric is available in 60 designer colors, plus white. It’s the perfect choice for ceilings or walls where large, seamless expanses are not a primary concern. All 60 Snap-Span 2 colors are available in a 66” width. Snap-Span 2 White comes standard in a 66” width and is also available in a 122” width.
NOTE: Snap-Span 1 and Snap-Span 2 fabrics are wide knit polyester engineered specifically for ceiling performance, but work as well for wall installations.
Using Fabrics With Snap-Tex
The Snap-Tex system accepts virtually any fabric, so selection is not limited (there are only a few suggested restrictions). The Snap-Tex interlocking jaw accommodates the thinnest fabrics to all but the thickest fabrics. This is because Snap-Tex does not depend on the pinching action of two opposing walls to hold the fabric. Competitive friction-fit systems rely on two opposing walls, a small and specific distance apart, to hold the fabric. This limits their effectiveness in many situations, but especially when fabrics are thin, thick, or slick.
Stable fabrics work best. A fabrics stability in a given use is the result of four factors; yarn content, yarn denier, type of weave, and the environment where the textile is going to be used. Stable yarns are those that have what is referred to as a low moisture regain, the result being they will not expand with an increase in humidity. The best fabrics are polyesters, or polyester blended with other stable textile fibers. These fabrics will perform well in environments where there are frequent or broad temperature and humidity fluctuations. Yarn denier and weave are tied together. Fabrics with larger denier yarns and tighter weaves are resistant to stretching and distortion. Many very lightly woven olefins, and polyolefins are backed for stability and marketed for direct application to drywall as wall covering. Unfortunately many of these textile wall coverings will not pass fire codes in the unattached mode (unattached to drywall). In addition, the backings can severely degrade acoustical transparency, a requirement for all types of acoustical panel fabrics. Snap-Tex recommends the use of materials that are specifically designed for acoustical panels. Caution should be exercised when using a fabric designed for another use. The last important factor, the actual environment in the space, is controlled by the mechanical system performance. In order to predict how any fabric will react one needs to know the set temperatures, design relative humidity, and the potential humidity variations. With this information and a fabric choice, the fabric supplier should be able to tell you whether the fabric will be stable.
Natural fibers such as linen, cotton, rayon, and silk, or blends thereof, while great for apparel, absorb moisture and elongate with increases in humidity, and are unstable under fluctuating environmental conditions. Such fabrics should be evaluated closely and are not generally recommended for acoustical panel use. If such fabrics must be used, one of the greatest features of Snap-Tex is it’s ability to take most of the stretch out of a fabric. Snap-Tex can be easily re-opened if necessary to re-stretch (or to change) the fabric should there be an unforeseen increase in humidity affecting the fabric selection. It should be noted that the addition of chemicals to make natural fabrics flame retardant can change fabric finish, appearance, and performance in negative ways. A fabric that is not available from the manufacturer as flame retardant and accompanied by a written performance guarantee should not be used. Aftermarket flame retardant applications negate all fabric warranties. The fabric vendor is in the best position to know what can and cannot be safely done to their product. They are also the only one that can maintain single source responsibility for the specified fabrics warranty and performance.
PARAMETERS FOR INSTALLATION: Fabrics should not be installed until the job site environment is maintained at conditions approximating those of occupancy for temperature, humidity and lighting. All adjoining work should be complete.
Snap-Tex does not require backed fabrics! Backings can significantly reduce the acoustical transparency of woven textiles, and often do not meet the flame retardant characteristics required in any type of acoustical panel system.
Wall carpet is not suitable for use in any manufacturers track system. They are designed for direct glue application to walls and alone offer minimal sound absorption.
Exceptionally thin fabrics, fabrics with loose weaves or light-colored fabrics can be translucent, allowing shadows and substrate color delineation. A liner may be needed to counter this effect. Our perforated TYVEK is stable and meets the stringent NFPA 701 Large Scale fire code. Snap-Tex offers a large variety of Snap-Span extra wide polyester fabrics which would not require seaming and also pass NFPA 701.
If there is a question as to the content of a particular fabric and concern about its performance, please use our toll-free number. We’ll be more than happy to assist you. 1-800-762-7875
Changing Fabric
Ease in changing fabric is one of the greatest features of Snap-Tex! Whether redecorating, or replacing because of damage, simply unsnap the track, pull out the old fabric and install the new!
Licensed Snap-Tex installers should be called to handle fabric replacement. Although Snap-Tex is simple to use, many skills are required when handling fabric. Our dealers not only possess these necessary skills, but also know best how to work with our system in the most cost effective manner.
Cleaning fabric and re-installing it is one of the benefits of Snap-Tex. Ours is one of the few systems that can be utilized in this way. To prevent fabric shrinkage, end users should carefully consult fabric care instructions for proper cleaning techniques.
One of the biggest advantages of Snap-Tex is that traditional upholstery cleaning methods can be used to clean the fabric. Snap-Tex firmly locks in the fabric, so the pressures applied during cleaning on site will not cause the fabric to pull out of the system, which can happen with friction-fit systems. On site cleaning is also more cost-effective.
