WHAT KIND OF CANOPY MATERIAL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

What do cotton, polyester, canvas, and nylon have in common?  They’re all used as canopy material. But which one of these is right for you? Let’s find out.

WHAT IS A MARQUEE MADE OF?

Tents used to be simple. All of them were made of canvas. It is traditionally 100% cotton and was a great as a canopy cloth material. But, canvas fabric tents are relatively rare today. There are numerous options available today, each with different levels of performance, merits, and demerits. Just as different marquee frames are suited to different uses, the outdoor canopy fabric is also available in several options and buying the right canopy cloth depends on your requirement.

PVC-COATED POLYESTER MARQUEES

This is standard for a majority of tent and marquees available in the market currently. Nearly 80% customers opt for PVC coated polyester as their preferred canopy material because it is low-maintenance, lightweight, and economical. Polyvinyl chloride coating on the tent makes it waterproof and resilient to harsh weather.

WHY PVC-COATED TENTS ARE PREFERABLE?

• They’re cheaper. Compared to the cotton canvasses, artificially prepared fabrics are cost-effective for making tents for regular usage.
• They’re lighter. Whether you’re searching for a compact backpacking tent or a portable pop-up, PVC-coated polyester tents are lighter and less bulky than their cotton counterparts. This makes it easier to carry them to the event site.
• They’re weatherproof. If it rains, they dry out quickly and offer better resistance against rips, mildew, and mould. They come in a variety of finishes that are easy to clean and maintain.
• PVC marquees look attractive in every setting, whether it’s your wedding reception, your child’s birthday party, or your office fundraiser.

In addition, PVC canopies are available in several styles including the stunning clearspan marquees that have a see-through gable for the skylight.

Condensation is the only downside to PVC-coated tents. Because of the waterproof layer, these tents are more prone to condensation, but it can happen in any coated fabric. If you buy a tent that’s properly ventilated, this should not be a big issue.

At Extreme Canopy, we use high quality PVC-coated polyester in our outdoor canopies, tents, and pop-ups. The canopy material has fabric binding seams and has reinforced corners. It is 100% waterproof and blocks 99% UV-rays and comes in nearly 10 standard colours or with custom paper sublimation printing. This versatile waterproof outdoor canopy fabric is flame-retardant, and comes with Engineer’s Certification for structural integrity.

Another popular option for canopy cloth material is the 100% PVC fabric.

100% PVC POP-UPS

This fabric is more suited to long term UV-exposure and is often used in more permanent outdoor shade solutions such as cafe umbrellas, poolside shades, etc. that need round the clock shelter. Since it is less affected by sunlight, it’s ideal for camping outside in the brazen sun. Most clients prefer this material over the PVC-coated fabric because of its durability and long life.

NYLON TENTS

The irony of nylon is that it’s used for the cheapest and smallest tents as well as the most expensive, expedition tents!

Nylon is a light material and its fibres do not absorb water. This means that these tens do not become heavier or shrink in a heavy downpour. However, nylon is extremely vulnerable to UV-rays and as such, the life of such tents is considerably reduced.

TRADITIONAL CANVAS CANOPIES

Canvas tents used to be all the rage, several years ago, and came with a lot of guy ropes, bulkiness, and leaks. These have long been replaced by their sturdier, more robust, and waterproof counterparts. Give us a call to know more about our canopy cloth materials.