Tent: Difference between revisions

[[Image:USArmyTent.jpg|thumb|300px|U.S. Army tent with constructed wooden entrance, climate control unit and [[sandbags]] for protection. Victory Base, [[Baghdad]], Iraq (April 2004).]]

A '''tent''' is a shelter, consisting of sheets of [[textile|fabric]] or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles and/or ropes. Some tent styles are free-standing, while others are attached to the ground using guy [[rope]]s tied to stakes (pegs). Tents were first used as portable homes by [[nomad]]ic peoples, but today, their main application is for recreational [[camping (recreation)|camping]]. Modern tents are usually made of fire-retardant material.

Tents range in size from those barely large enough for one person to sleep in up to huge ([[circus]]) tents capable of seating thousands of people. The bulk of this article is concerned with recreational camping using tents capable of sleeping from 1 up to about 10 people. [[#Larger tents|Larger tents]] are discussed in a separate section below.

Smaller tents may be sufficiently light that they can be carried for long distances on a [[backpacking (wilderness)|person's back]], or on a [[touring bicycle]], a [[boat]], or even a [[pack animal]].

==General considerations==

Tent fabric may be made of many materials including cotton (canvas), nylon, and polyester. Cotton absorbs water, so it can become very heavy when wet, but the associated swelling tends to block any minute holes so that wet cotton may be more waterproof than dry cotton. Nylon and polyester are much lighter than cotton and do not absorb much water; with suitable coatings they can be very waterproof, but they tend to deteriorate over time due to a slow chemical breakdown caused by ultra-violet light. Since stitching makes tiny holes in a fabric, it is important that any seams are sealed or taped to block up these holes.

==Parts of a modern tent==

* A 'groundsheet'is used to provide a waterproof barrier between the ground and a sleeping bag. With double skin tents, the inner tents normally have a sewn-in groundsheet, but a separate flat groundsheet may be provided for any living area. With single skin tents, the groundsheet may be sewn in or separate. Normal practice with sewn-in groundsheets is for the groundsheet to extend some 15 cm (6 in) up the lower part of the walls (sometimes called a bath-tub arrangement); this copes with a situation where water seeps under the side walls of the tent. Separate groundsheets allow loadsharing when backpacking, and may make it easier to pitch and strike a tent, but they provide less protection against insects etc. getting into the sleeping area; also, if any part of a separate groundsheet protudes from under the side walls, then it provides a ready path for moisture to flow into the tent.

* The ''poles'' provide [[structure|structural]] support.They may be collapsible for easier transport and storage. Some designs use rigid poles, typically made of [[metal]], or sometimes [[wood]]. Other designs use semirigid poles, typically made of [[fiberglass]], or sometimes of special metal [[alloy]]s.

==Design factors==

** The number and age of people who will be camping determines how big and what features the sleeping area(s) must have.

:In some areas of some countries (e.g. [[Lake District]] in [[England]]), there may be restrictions as to what colour tents can be, there by reducing the visual impact of campsites. The best colors for low visibility are green, brown, or tans. It is important to check for any such restrictions

==Shelters==

* A ''flysheet'' consists of a single rectangular sheet of material. Two opposite sides are held up in the middle by poles, or sometimes just a rope between conveniently placed trees. The tops of the poles are attached via guy ropes to pegs, in order to keep the poles upright. Additional guy ropes are attached to the lower edges to pull them outwards away from the poles.

==Current tent styles==

===Rigid poles===

===Flexible poles===

* ''Dome'' tents have a very simple structure and are available in a wide variety of sizes ranging from lightweight 2-person tents with limited headroom up to 6 or 9-person tents with headroom exceeding 180 cm (6 ft). These may be single wall, or single-wall with partial flysheet, or double wall. Depending on the pole arrangement, some models pitch outer-tent first, while others pitch inner-tent first. The former helps keep the inner tent dry, but the latter is easier to pitch.

==Older tent styles==

* A ''pup tent'' is a small version of a ridge tent intended for 2 or 3 people. It usually has a rectangular floor of size ranging from 4 ft by 6 ft up to 6 ft by 8 ft, and ridge heights ranging from 3 ft up to 5 ft. The side walls are usually about 1 ft high. There are guy ropes for each pole, at each corner, and in the centre of each side, and these guy ropes help to maintain the required shape. Earlier versions had a single upright pole at each end, while later versions often have two poles at each end, arranged rather like an 'A' shape, in order to make access easier. Some models have a horizontal ridge pole joining the tops of the end poles to support the centre of the tent.

==Larger tents==

* "Party tents" or "marquees" are common for large wedding, fairs, and other gatherings. They are made from tough vinyl. These tents are very expensive and require specilized equipment and skill to erect, so they usually must be rented. Many corporate companies own marquee tents but have them installed and maintained by qualified professionals. The larger party tents are held down with tensioned rachets. Sizes range from 10' x 10' to 150' x 400'. Properly installed party tents are dramatic and very strong.

* [[Aluminium Frame Marquees]] - Aluminium frame tents have no centre poles or guy ropes, can be erected on any surface and adjacent to buildings or annexe tents. Much more stable and can span a much wider area over pools, flower beds or trees.

* Marquee tents typically have interchangeable parts, which allow for a rental company to easily expand to larger sizes. Tents can be ordered in a variety of colours, however white is by far the most popular colour. Skylights can also be built into the fabric, which allow a greater amout of light to enter and is useful if walls are being used. Walls can also be ordered with clear vinyl windows in them.

* "Bail Ring Tents" are usually tents that are 100' to 150' feet wide and expandable to any length. They can be made from either vinyl or canvas. The purpose of the bail ring style is to raise an enormous amount of material "the tent" off the ground without using heavy machinery. Initially, the center poles are raised and guyed out to stakes after which the tent is spread out and connected to the bail ring using shackles. Once the outside of the tent is raised a crew of men can go under the tent and start raising the bail ring up the center pole using a system of pullies. This style of tent is not as popular as it was in the past due to the advancement of forklifts and skidsteers. There was a time when even smaller tents 40' to 100' were often raised and set using a bail ring.

 

 

 

 

==See also==

** [[Yurt]]

==External links==