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Tents and Canopies: Features, Functions and Sizes

Technically, a tent is a shelter consists of sheets of fabric draped over or attached to a frame made of poles or ropes. A canopy, on the other hand, is defined as an overhead structure that provides shelter. Tents and canopies are now commonly used interchangeably with only a slight difference; with tents being more associated with recreational camping while canopies refer more to big shelters.

Tents and canopies can vary in sizes, designs and supporting materials depending on their purpose. Some types use flexible poles which are typically three to six meters long. These poles are usually made of tubes of fiberglass with an external diameter of less than one-third of an inch. One example of a flexible-poled type is the dome tent. Domes have very simple structures and are available in various sizes. Some can accommodate two persons while others can take in up to nine people and can have a headroom of over six feet.

Another type that uses flexible poles is the tunnel tent. A tunnel canopy uses three flexible poles and may offer more space than dome tents. Sizes range from a one-person tent to a ten-person structure. Tunnel tents need guy ropes and pegs to stay upright and commonly feature a sleeping area and a storage area. There is also a combined dome-tunnel type. This kind of tent has a basic dome as the sleeping area with a tunnel that serves as a porch.

Geodesic tents, on the other hand, are basically the same as dome tents with two or more extra poles to help support the structure. Geodesics are usually four to five feet in height and are designed to stand snowy conditions. Another type that features a flexible pole is the single-hoop. This tent can accommodate one to two persons and uses just one flexible pole.

Other tents use rigid steel poles, which means that they are free-standing and have no need for guy ropes. These tents are usually heavy, ranging from 25 to 80 kg. Two common types of rigid poled-canopies are frame tents and cabin tents. Frame structures are double-skin tents with one or more inner tents made of either nylon or polyester. Cabin tents, in comparison, are single-skinned and are more ideal for summer camping.

Larger tents, meanwhile, can be party tents, a Rub Hall or a circus tent. Party tents, also known as marquees, are commonly used in weddings, trade fairs and multiple-people gatherings. A Rub Hall is also large and commonly used for emergency warehousing. A circus tent, on the other hand, is exactly that – a tent used in circus. It can have one or more circular arenas surrounded by tiered seating that can accommodate up to thousands of people.    

Tents and canopies have evolved from being used as homes by nomadic people to providing shelters for recreational campers. Whatever purpose they might be bought for, consumers will have a vast lineup to choose from in terms of models, colors and sizes.