You already understand why a dependable party tent is an essential part of any outside gathering. However, all that understanding does not make the process of choosing any easier. In truth, it really makes it much more stressful due to the fact that you understand exactly what can occur if you do not make the ideal choice. That does not mean you need to panic or draw out your reliable Magic 8 Ball. The following guide can help you filter through all the different tent types, sizes, and designs in order to find one that will work best for you.
Part 1: Basic Tent Types
The category of party tents is among the most generally specified in the tent and canopy industry. Strictly speaking, virtually any shelter you can throw a party under can be thought of as a party tent. However, within that huge sea of choices, there are really only 4 different kinds of tent. Have a look at the descriptions below to determine which one would be the best fit for you.
Instant Canopies
Instantaneous canopies are the least costly kind of party tent. Created with a focus on convenience, they make use of accordion-style frames that can be established in just a couple of minutes without any devices.They are incredibly light, compact and sufficient to be easily transferred in a storage bag.
However, that does not mean that they are a good option for each situation. For example, instant canopies rarely come any bigger than twenty by twenty. That means you would require many of them if you decided to host a bigger occasion. This could trigger logistical as well as budgetary issues. They’re also not designed to be left up for extended periods and cannot handle the same type of abuse as other types of celebration tents. If you’re searching for a real workhorse, a pop up might not be the best option for you.
Pole Tents
Pole Tents, as their name recommends, are supported by border and center poles. They count on the stress produced by stakes or other tie downs to keep the roof tight and stable. As a result, they’re lightweight and relatively simple to establish, even in bigger sizes. They’re also the most cost-effective when it pertains to covering huge areas. A pole tent is always going to let you secure more ground for less money than a frame or tension tent.
Another reason for the popularity of pole tents is their adaptability. They are available in a big variety of sizes, including everything from a modest 10 by 10 foot all the way up to as big as a 154 by 500 foot. Their tops also are available in a large choice of colors and designs, making it fairly simple to find one that has the look you want.
There are, nevertheless, a few downsides to making use of a pole tent. The most significant one pertains to placement. Due to the fact that this type of shelter depends on stress to keep the top from collapsing, you’ve got very few choices when it concerns staking. You need to permit, usually, an additional five to ten feet of area on all sides of your tent to accommodate the needed staking. That means if you needed to install them right up against a building or structure, it would require custom preparation to attach and secure the tent on that side. And, unless you don’t mind making a bunch of holes in the floor, they’re definitely not suitable for use indoors.
Their center supports can likewise present problems. The poles are typically high tensile galvanized steel or aluminum. The silver and gray color are very neutral so they don’t stand out but some people will simply not want poles in their tent. They can make it challenging to include bigger objects, such as a dance floor, into your design, and there are going to be some layouts they simply won’t fit in to. If you’re preparing to host an event that needs a really specific set up, a pole tent may not be the best choice for you.
Frame Tents
Rather than rely on the tension from stakes, frame tents utilize a tubular metal structure to support their canopies. This permits them to work without the support of center poles and gives them far more placement flexibility than pole tents. You can use them alongside structures in addition to inside. They likewise work well as semi-permanent structures.
All of this flexibility comes at a price, however. Frame tents are normally substantially more expensive than both pole and stress shelters and are considerably heavier. They also require a lot more work to establish. A frame tent can easily take 4 times longer to install than a comparably-sized pole design. And, since it uses extremely specialized hardware, losing or damaging just a single part of it will certainly make your frame canopy useless until you can get a replacement from the manufacturer. It’s just not possible to develop temporary replacement parts as easily as you can with a pole tent.
Even the variety of sizes available is impacted by their design. There are limits on how broad you can make a structure without including internal supports. Forty feet is normally the biggest width available for a frame tent. There’s no limit on how long they can be, though, and they normally have the very same color option as other kinds of shelters so there’s still a good chance you’ll be able to find one that works for you. The real concern you need to have when considering a frame tent, is just how much you’re willing to trade for some additional flexibility. If your practical needs are the concern and you’re prepared to handle the additional expenses and work included with making use of one, a frame tent may be an excellent alternative.
Stress Tents
Tension tents are really just like traditional pole tents. They use border and center poles for support and depend on tension from tie-downs to keep the roofing system in location. As a result, they share the portability and setup simplicity of standard pole-based structures. In fact, the only genuine structural distinction between stress and other pole canopies is the size of their peaks.Tension canopies have much taller peaks than other shelters – they’re really often described as “high peak” tents – and can for that reason provide a more striking look. You’ll find them at lots of formal and business occasions.
This design also has some practical benefits. Those tall, aerodynamic peaks actually enhance wind resistance and drain, enabling stress tents to hold up quite well against extreme weather. Some designs are suitable for use as long-term structures.
Naturally, because stress tents are form of pole tent, they have the exact same type of restrictions. You need to leave a reasonable quantity of clearance for staking and without custom preparation, you can’t use them right alongside buildings or indoors. Although these canopies have a large, open feel, they still have center poles that can interfere with visibility and certain layouts.
There is also the matter of cost as well. Due to the nature of their construction, tension canopies are much more expensive than regular pole tents. You will need to decide if the structural and visual benefits are worth the additional expense.