What Treatments Should I Look For In A Canvas Tent? (Wall Tents, Bell Tents, Cabin Tents)

 

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Essential Treatments To Ensure The Longevity Of Your Canvas Tent

Canvas tents are extremely durable and can last decades but like any equipment or tool, they require care to ensure longevity. This is especially the case with wall tents that are designed to act as semi-permanent structures for an extended period of time outdoors.

There are a variety of treatments that can be administered to a cotton canvas tent fabric that will increase its durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions, like heavy rain or snowfall, or even flame from a stove.

Treating your canvas wall tent will not only protect it, but allow the tent to maintain its size. An untreated tent tends to shrink each time it gets wet, an average of 10% from its original size, and will easily be subject to mold growth if not completely dried before being stored.

Water Repellent Treatment

Cotton canvas has some natural water-resistant qualities but heavy downpours or frequent showers may eventually penetrate even the most tightly woven fabric. This is where waterproofing treatments come into play.

Before setting off with your canvas wall tent, bell tent or cabin tent on a trip for the first time, it’s good practice to season the tent. This is done by wetting the tent, usually by hosing it down completely, and letting it dry. Each time the cotton is soaked, the fibers expand and fill the holes between the weaves. This process creates a natural seal that makes the canvas water-resistant to light rain. Check out the best wall tents on our website WhiteDuckOutdoors.com.

The double-fill army duck cotton canvas that is commonly used as the fabric of choice for wall tents today is much more leak-resistant than other types of cotton canvas, but this natural water-resistance does lessen with time as the tent is worn and stretched. The natural seal is also not adequate for heavy rains even in its prime condition as the fibers will still soak through until they eventually leak.

Whether your tent is used to or needs to endure frequent rains, a waterproofing treatment can help to keep you and your possessions dry. These treatments come as either a dry silicone or a paraffin treatment and can be administered to different degrees of resistance.

Although completely waterproofing a tent may initially seem logical, this option takes away the breathability of the cotton fabric and therefore isn’t always necessary, or should be explored as an option only when absolutely required. For most situations, a water-resistant or water repellent treatment should suffice.

Generally, there are three degrees of waterproofing. The lowest level is water-resistant fabric, which utilizes a tight weave resistant that’s enough for light rains as it will take some time before the fibers soak through.

The second degree of waterproofing is a water-repellent fabric, which is what we use at White Duck. This level of waterproofing is achieved with a breathable finish that gives the fabric an added layer of protection without completely sealing off the airflow. While not completely waterproof in the chance of a rainstorm or persistent showers, this level will repel the water, making it bead and drip off of the fabric.

The third and highest level of waterproofing is a completely waterproof seal. This treatment will keep all water out, but it creates a seal that will not allow for any breathability in the fabric. Also, Paraffin wax that’s used in the application of this finish adds significant weight to the tent fabric.

The Difference Between Waterproof, Water Resistant And Water Repellent

• Water resistant: the ability to resist the penetration of water to some degree, but not entirely.
• Water repellent: not easily penetrated by water, especially as a result of being treated with a surface coating.
• Waterproof: impervious to water; it doesn’t allow water to pass through.

Fire Retardant Treatment

The other type of treatment commonly used on wall tents is a fire retardant treatment. Cotton canvas tents are easily susceptible to burning, so it’s always a good idea to opt for a fire retardant fabric when it’s available. It’s worth noting that tents that offer a fire retardant treatment must meet the CPAI 84 fire retardant code.

Once a canvas tent is treated, it will only be flammable as long as there is a flame held to the canvas. As soon as the flame is removed, the fabric will cease to burn.

A fire retardant treatment will ideally come from the manufacturer. Personally applying a fire retardant treatment to a canvas tent risks plugging up the holes between the threads in the fabric, which will in turn block the breathability of the fabric.

Mold And Mildew Resistant Treatment

Mold and mildew are types of fungus that can quickly evolve in damp conditions, and cotton canvas tents are particularly susceptible to this. Cotton takes much longer to dry than synthetics like polyester and nylon, and not allowing a tent to completely dry can quickly bring about mold and mildew.

Mold and mildew can grow in any environment that is above freezing, so it isn’t uncommon and its development also usually isn’t the fault of any one person. However, there are measures that can be taken to help prevent the growth of these unwanted fungi on your canvas tent and there are certainly also things that can be done if, by chance, they do begin to formulate.

Fortunately, the canvas fabric can be treated to be mold and mildew resistant, and there are also cleaners available that assist in removing mold or mildew after they develop on the fabric.

UV Resistant Treatment

If your canvas tent is exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, UV radiation can deteriorate the canvas fabric.

One way to prevent this is to take the necessary measures when setting up the tent. This could include setting the tent up in a shady area or installing a flysheet on the tent to protect the fabric.

It always helps, though, if the canvas fabric has been treated for UV resistance. This allows you to have a more stress-free experience out in nature, without having to worry too much about the effects of sunlight.

Our Proprietary Phoenix Finish

White Duck offers a proprietary Phoenix finish on all canvas wall tents for sale, including the canvas wall tents, bell tents and cabin tents. This Phoenix finish is impregnated onto the surface of the fabric and the chemical concentrate sits between the cotton pores of the fabric, allowing the canvas to breathe while also remaining much lighter with more precise coverage than traditional wax treatments.

The finish entails the fabric being treated for water repellent and UV and mold & mildew resistance. On most tents, a fire retardant option is also available.

This article about What Treatments Should I Look For In A Canvas Tent? (Wall Tents, Bell Tents, Cabin Tents) was first published on our website https://blog.whiteduckoutdoors.com/what-treatments-should-i-look-for-in-a-canvas-tent-wall-tents-bell-tents-cabin-tents

Wall Tent Zippers: How To Properly Care For Them?

 

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Taking Care Of Your Wall Tent Zippers For Longevity

Wall tents, due to their durability, versatility and spaciousness can be a steep investment. Much like any other expensive gear, wall tents require the proper maintenance and care to realize and prolong their lifespan, which can, effectively, be a lifetime.

A major component of ensuring the wall tent continues to perform as expected and stand up to the harshest weather conditions is keeping the zippers in mint condition.

As you’d imagine, zippers are essential to the correct functioning of the doors of the tent. White Duck’s wall tents, for example, not only have a primary canvas door but also heavy-duty mesh doors as a secondary layer, both of which are equipped with military grade zippers. Learn more about canvas wall tents for sale on our website WhiteDuckOutdoors.com.

Types Of Zippers

There are two commonly found types of zippers, each with unique advantages over the other.

1.   Coil zippers, also known as “spiral” zippers are made from a coiled nylon or polyester mono-filament and receive their name from their make as well as the way the teeth look coiled. These teeth are attached to a nylon or plastic lining, making them the more flexible and versatile of the two types of zippers and ideal for curved features.

The flexibility of coil zippers also allows for some stretch in the material that they are attached to which is especially important in sporting goods and luggage that may be packed full.

Coil zippers also allow bi-directional movement, meaning a slider can be attached to both sides of the zipper and can function in either direction. This is an especially useful feature on items such as tents and luggage.

2.   Tooth zippers, also known as Vision or “chunky” zippers, are made from metal and are much heavier and stiffer than coil zippers. The types of metal used can vary, but are commonly either aluminum, gunmetal, nickel, antique nickel, or brass. These types of zippers are often used as a decorative accent, so the choice of metal is often chosen with fashion and aesthetic appeal in mind.

Being made of metal makes tooth zippers very durable, but not very forgiving when the material around them stretches. They are also not ideal for curved closures as the teeth themselves are not flexible. Lastly, although metal teeth have less of a chance of breaking off than the teeth on a coil zipper, a broken tooth will result in the entire zipper having to be replaced for either model.

Taking Care Of Tent Zippers

Taking care of the zippers on your tent is crucial for your tent to function properly. Without a properly functioning zipper, not only could it be difficult and frustrating to use but also the heat retention and water resistance of your tent could be compromised, and you may have to learn to share your space with some crawly critters!

To take care of your tent’s zippers and avoid these pitfalls, there are a few easy measures that can be taken:

•     Clean your zippers: Always keep them free from dirt, grit, leaves, or anything else that may get stuck in the teeth or push the slider off its track. Along with ensuring that nothing clogs the zipper while in use, it’s also best to shake the tent out after use, followed by wiping each zipper off with a cloth to prevent any buildup or dried-on debris.
•     Never force a zipper that gets stuck: Forcing a stuck zipper can lead to breaking part of the zipper, which can potentially lead to the whole zipper needing to be replaced. If your tent zipper happens to get stuck on the tent or a loose string, carefully work out and remove the piece of fabric or string instead. Alternatively, if a coil zipper gets stuck on its own teeth, gently attempt to wiggle the slider and loosen the stuck teeth or else the teeth may pull off from the tract.
•     Zipper lubes are designed to keep zippers working smoothly by greasing the teeth of the zipper, allowing the slider to move easily. These work especially great for worn zippers, particularly older tooth zippers, but they do require a bit of extra attention to the cleanliness of the zipper itself. The greasiness of zipper lubes can easily catch dirt and dust, so it’s important to wipe and clean your tent zippers regularly and to ensure the tract is clear before each use when using a zipper lube on your tent zippers.
•     When setting up the best wall tent, always unzip all zippers while placing the tent over or removing the tent from the frame. Attempting to slide the closed tent over the frame can put too much stress on the zippers, risking the chance of damaging both the zipper and the tent itself.

This blog post was about "Wall Tent Zippers" first published on our website here https://whiteduckoutdoors.com/blogs/blog/lighting-up-your-wall-tent-make-the-most-of-your-camping-trip

Wall Tent Flooring 101: What To Know Before You Buy

 

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Choosing A Wall Tent Floor For Your Trip

Staying in a wall tent can be significantly more comfortable than a traditional, synthetic camping tent. The primary reasons for this are that wall tents provide versatility when it comes to usage of the space, and the breath-ability of the natural cotton canvas keeps you cool in summer and warm in colder months.

When deciding on a wall tent, it’s important to consider the features that come with it, some of which include a stove jack, windows, pocket organizers and a floor. While features like windows are considered essential, a floor tends to be given less priority but is also very important.

If your wall tent doesn’t have a floor, it may lead to some unpleasant situations during your stay. Not having a floor on your tent can make for a damp night’s sleep. It also welcomes insects and other critters into your temporary home.

If you’re in the market for a wall tent, we talk about different types of floor options and why they’re important in this post. Ultimately, the one you go with will depend on the nature of your trip.

Do Wall Tents Come With A Floor?

Typically, your purchase of a wall tent does not come with a floor. This could be beneficial as it gives you the option of choosing the kind of floor for your tent. On the other hand, it is an added cost you need to incur after purchasing your tent.

White Duck’s Alpha Wall Tents come with a free-floating vinyl flooring, customized to the size of each tent so they cover the entire interior footprint of the tent. These are the best wall tents for camping in all seasons.

Types Of Wall Tent Floors

There are different types of floors that you can choose for your wall tent. Each one has its own pros and cons, which depend on what you plan to use your tent for. These include a free-floating floor, sewn-in floor, full floor and 3/4 floor.

Free-Floating Floor

Free-floating floors are exactly as they sound. This type of floor is a separate piece that you lay down on the ground before building your wall tent. Free-floating flooring is very easy to set up, as it just requires you to lay it on clear, even ground. The poles of the frame of your tent hold the floor in place securely without any complicated installation or connection.

This type of floor is easy to clean, compact to carry, and can be easily replaced if it’s damaged. It can also be used as a tarp in other instances where it isn’t needed as a floor. While this is a simple and easy to use flooring option, it does not offer as much protection from the elements as some of the other flooring options do.

All White Duck Outdoors wall tents come with a free-floating floor. We understand the need to create a customizable space but also have the option for easy cleaning and carry, luxuries which a sewn-in floor doesn’t provide.

Sewn-In Floor

A sewn-in floor is often not recommended by users of wall tents. While it does the best job at keeping pests out of your tent, it also adds significant complexity to the setup process. A tent with a sewn-in floor requires more people to construct, as it’s much harder to build while you’re fully inside the tent.

Another reason this type of flooring isn’t recommended is that tent material is very high-quality and expensive. Walking on it all the time causes a lot of unnecessary wear and tear to expensive materials. So, while this may be the most protective option for your tent setup, it’s worth thinking about the troubles you may encounter with opting for a sewn-in floor.

Full Floor

The full tent floor covers the entire floor of your tent. It is made to fit your size tent exactly, but isn’t sewn in. The full floor is customized to the specific tent sizes, so it covers the entirety of the floor of the tent it’s meant to be used for, without much extra material.

Full Floor (With Stove Cut-Out)

Another option is choosing a full floor with space designated for a stove. This is the same as the full floor option described above but it has a section missing for you to place a stove. While some floors like this just have a missing piece, others have a zippered section that can be removed to place the stove.

3/4 Floor

The 3/4 floor covers the ground of three quarters of the floor of your tent. It’s designed to cover the back part of your tent, while leaving the front quarter of the floor of your tent to be bare ground. You can place your stove on the bare ground portion of the floor, or even use it as a little mud room to place your wet and dirty clothes.

A floor like this is especially useful if, rather than glamping, you expect to find yourself roughing it in the woods and facing harsh weather. In this context, the 3/4 floor allows you to keep the actual floor clean, while taking shoes off or discarding dirty clothes when you first reenter the tent from outside.

Wall Tent Floor Materials

When it comes to the material for your flooring, there are a few things to consider. First, the floor of your tent should offer some water protection. At the very least, the material you choose should be water resistant. Waterproof flooring keeps everyone inside your tent the most comfortable in any type of weather.

Another quality to consider is the durability of the fabric you choose. Since it will be on the ground and walked on, it should be thick enough to resist easy puncturing or abrasion. Examples of quality tent floor materials are treated ripstop nylon, polycro, silnylon, or kerlon. It’s important to note that many of these materials are not waterproof without being coated or treated with an additional finish.

Choosing A Wall Tent Floor Before Your Trip

Keeping all this information in mind, when you’re thinking about investing in a canvas wall tent, it’s advisable to choose one that comes with a floor. The advantage of this is that you can be sure the floor will be the right size if it’s included with your purchase.

It’s also a cost saving, since you don’t have to incur an additional cost on top of your wall tent when buying a floor separately. All White Duck Outdoors tents have a free-floating floor included, which not only gives you the flexibility of customizing your space, but means the floor is also easier to remove, clean and pack up after your trip.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you have to buy the floor separately, we’d recommend going with a free-floating floor for the reasons mentioned above. Sewn-in floors generally make the wall tent tougher to pack and store away, and 3/4 floors don’t cover your entire space.

This post about "Wall Tent Flooring" was first published on our website here https://blog.whiteduckoutdoors.com/wall-tent-flooring-101-what-to-know-before-you-buy

Tips For Staying Cool On Summer Camping Trips

 

As children we would always wait for our summer vacations to spend time at Home, doing science projects that were fun and engaging. With the temperatures soaring every day, we can make out the right time for camping during summers is now, for the pool will have enough water to swim in, frisbees and family fun is guaranteed, especially if you own a canvas tent for its convenient set up and durability is no-doubt, the best.

With summers setting in well and goodit is time you packed a mini cooler full of food, grabbed some clothes and hit the road for your mini vacation away from the normal. Here’s how you can make the most of your camping trip in hot and humid weather.

1. Setup location

Needless to say, if you set up a tent right under the sky during summers, it is only going to add heat to your temporary indoors. Nylon and Polyester tents would feel like stepping into a sauna, even canvas cotton tents should be avoided for setting up in direct sunlight. Not only will it save you from extreme heat, but also increase the life of your tent. So, always set up your tent in shade, a strong tree branch would also do. You could also go for setting up a tarp so the breeze is not blocked.

2. Disassemble wisely

Know when your tent needs to be disassembled. Until the temperature is cool it would feel lovely inside, but once it starts getting higher, your tent may start absorbing all the heat. Same goes for a humid weather condition. Step out of your tent to experience a cooler temperature during the day. Keep your activities within the small canvas tent limited.

3. Close to a water body

While you consider choosing a shade as your base, don’t forget to keep camping near a water body on the top of your list. Afterall, the whole point of camping in summers is about lying next to a water body- that could be a river, stream, lake or even a pond, and splashing some whenever you want to. If it’s not close by, carry an inflatable pool on your camping trip, so you can at least enjoy summer camping to the core.

4. Vent your tent

Canvas tents allow a lot of floor space and windows to aid your summer camping. Make sure you ventilate your tent well while also using a mesh om the windows to keep the mosquitoes and bugs away.

5. Tent fan

Always carry a portable fan when you plan to go camping in summers. These portable fans are battery operated, light weight and can easily be hooked on your ceiling or just put on your dinner table. Tent fans are a must for camping in humid weather condition.

6. Keep yourself hydrated

Keeping yourself hydrated in one of the most important things during summers and it doesn’t change when you are camping. In fact, your water consumption should be higher than usual considering you are probably putting more effort into chores like cooking or setting up a grill than you would at Home. Drink from an insulated water bottle, that way you’d want to have it more. Also, as much as you like to believe that you’re on a vacation and camping deserves some Beer near the campfire, make sure you keep the alcohol levels low. They can dehydrate you easily.

7. Food preferences

Eat more of salads and cold food- like a no-grill veg sandwich or just grilled veggies without much chilli. Including lots of fruits and veggies in your camping diet will ensure proper heat regulation in your body.

Apart from following these tips, don’t forget to carry a hammock, your favourite hat, an umbrella, and a sunscreen to protect yourself from the heat while camping in summers. To get yourself the best quality canvas tent, visit www.whiteduckoutdoors.com.

This article about Tips For Staying Cool On Summer Camping Trips was first published on our website https://blog.whiteduckoutdoors.com/tips-for-staying-cool-on-summer-camping-trips