The concertina-design roof at the Centre Court contains approximately 5,200 square meters of the fabric.
GORE TENARA Architectural Fabric has been selected thanks to its ability to let light pass through, while offering reliable protection from the elements.
The fabric covering gives the feel of being outdoors, even when the roof is closed. This helps in maintaining the traditional experience for players and spectators, and also enables cameras to capture high quality images for broadcast.
The roof comprises two styles of the fabric, the major part allowing 40% light transmission and some allowing 20%. The two styles are precisely placed to prevent shadows or bright spots on the court.
The fabric can be flexed and folded without causing any damage. The design of the roof, and the ability of the fabric to fold into a relatively compact space for storage, contributed to the addition of 1,200 spectator seats to the stadium.
For most of the year, the open roof will be folded into its housing for storage. The unique characteristics of GORE TENARA ensure that it won’t crack, crease or develop mold and mildew, while in storage.
The flexibility of the fabric allows the roof to be shut in 10 minutes, eliminating lengthy rain delays during tournament. The roof will be closed for inclement weather, and an air flow system will ensure a comfortable environment within the stadium.
The retractable roof is built in two sections, one with four bays and the other with five. The fabric is joined using high frequency welding, and is supported by 10 steel trusses. Wheels move along tracks to open and close the roof, aided by a series of hydraulic jacks and arms.
The roof spans approximately 77 meters across the court, and has a clearance of over 16 meters to accommodate high balls.
GORE TENARA is a fluoropolymer-coated fabric woven from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). It uses unique, patented double-coated technology to provide high light transmission along with the flexibility and drape of fabric.
The high-strength ePTFE is unaffected by damaging UV rays, acid rain and other environmental challenges, providing durability that carries a 15-year warranty.
