Project Gallery / Cowboys Stadium

Birdair supplied the fabric membrane roofing and clamping to create what would become the world’s longest retractable roof. Cowboys Stadium’s retractable roof measures 148,000 square feet, and is designed to open or close in accordance with weather conditions in just 12 minutes. When the roof is closed, the membrane’s translucency allows ample natural light to filter through, greatly reducing the need for supplemental electric lighting during the day.

The 80,000 seat stadium’s original roofing design called for steel rather than fabric. For a new design, Birdair’s knowledge as an experienced specialty contractor for tensile roofing structures proved invaluable. Birdair was able to re-work the design to incorporate Titanium Dioxide coated fabric membrane as a value-added solution for the cutting edge design.

Adding to the Cowboys Stadium’s long list of distinctive and unique features, it is also the first athletic facility in the United States (and only the second in the world) to utilize a TiO₂ coated architectural fabric membrane roofing system. The TiO₂ coating will assist in maintaining the roof’s pristine condition, helping it retain its brilliance over time.

To ensure maximum energy savings and efficiency, TiO₂ was coated over PTFE SHEERFILL Architectural Membrane. SHEERFILL is the first and only ENERGY STAR® qualified and Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) certified architectural fabric membrane. The membrane reduces surface roof temperatures and decreases heat absorption, which lowers air-conditioning requirements and reduces peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent.

Project: Cowboys Stadium
Owner: City of Arlington, Texas
Architect: HKS, Inc., Dallas, Texas
Engineer: Walter P. Moore
Market Sector: Stadiums & Arenas
Material: TiO₂ and PTFE coated fiberglass
Location: Arlington, Texas, USA
Completed: 2009