How Shrink-Wrap Changes Wind Forces Compared with Traditional Scaffold Sheeting
- Lee James
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 4
Eyelets pop, sheets flap, and 3 a.m. call‑outs cost you sleep. Heat‑shrink encapsulation stops those failures before they start.
Why Heat-Shrink Encapsulation Outperforms Eyeletted Sheeting
Traditional scaffold sheeting creates multiple wind load points that cause uplift and suction, risking scaffold stability. EcoShrink’s continuous heat‑shrink wrap transfers wind forces evenly across the scaffold, reducing stress on tie points and enhancing site safety.
What Changes When You Switch to Shrink‑Wrap
Aspect | Scaffold Sheeting (eyelets + Powerties) | Heat‑Shrink Wrap Enclosure |
Attachment | Elastic bungees through eyelets – tear‑away “fuse” under gust | Film looped round ledger/batten & heat‑welded – no point‑load eyelets |
Aerodynamics | Uneven tension; flap & pump pockets | Drum‑tight skin; lower drag coefficient |
Load Path | Each tie carries its share; popped ties cascade load | Uniform load around welded perimeter – scaffold carries full design pressure |
Do You Get Less Wind Load with Shrink‑Wrap?
Lower peak drag: A tight, streamlined wrap generates less turbulence than flapping sheet.
Higher net pressure: With zero perforations, shrink‑wrap offers no pressure relief. Static suction on the leeward side can equal, or exceed, that of eyelet sheet.
Reality check: Design the scaffold for the same (or higher) wind pressure you assume for sheeting, but expect far fewer emergency visits for torn panels or failed ties.
Field data: On a 15 m façade, TG20 design checks show eyeleted sheet can spike to 1.6 kN per tie row. EcoShrink spreads the load to a uniform ~0.8 kN along the perimeter weld - half the peak stress, zero torn ties.
Planning Rules That Change
Design Element | Tie‑On Sheeting (Powertie tables) | Shrink‑Wrap Best Practice |
Fastener density | 1.0 – 3.0 Powerties / m² (height & gust dependent) | Wrap & weld every ≤ 6 m vertically; weld every horizontal lap; add 500 mm batten clips if needed |
Installation wind limit | Fit up to ~20 mph (9 m/s) | Stop above ~20 mph – weld strength falls if film stretches pre‑shrink |
Sacrificial release | Eyelets/ties may fail first | Welds rarely fail first – anchors & braces must absorb full pressure |
Why Clients Prefer Shrink‑Wrap
Fewer emergency visits – no flapping sheet, no midnight gale call‑outs.
Cleaner containment – heat‑welded seams keep dust, lead & overspray inside.
Professional image – taut white surfaces hide messy works.
Durability – 300 µm, flame‑retardant films keep tensile strength over 12‑month programmes.
Quieter sites – no sail‑cloth noise; ideal for urban night shifts and logistics yards.
Safety & Design Reminders
Risk‑assess first. A wrapped scaffold is still a sail.
Engineer to the 50‑year gust (BS EN 1991‑1‑4; NASC TG20:21). Verify brace & tie capacity—not just weld spacing.
Inspect after storms. Welds survive, but ledgers, couplers & anchors may not.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Switching to shrink‑wrap moves the question from “How many Powerties?” to “Can the scaffold handle full design pressure?”
Gain a quieter, longer‑lasting enclosure—and peace of mind—by upgrading to EcoShrink.
Get in touch with the EcoShrink Team today
