Can I Rent a Tent in the Winter?
This article is part of a series of posts with further explanation on many of our frequently asked questions.
Fall is here an winter will be before you know it. Great news, it's not too late to plan an outdoor event. Tents can turn your frosty back yard into a warm, inviting event space. Your next New Year's Eve party could be in a tent. With a little extra planning a winter tent event can be a success.
Things to keep in mind:
Plenty of heaters (of course)
A walkway to the house, building, parking lot, etc.
Flooring, and carpet
Tent doors
We make it easy for you to plan a winter event. We'll help you plan a solution just for you. Our heaters have automatic thermostats that keep your event warm even when the weather isn't.
We have extensive experience with winter tenting for Christmas parties and other special events, car sales, temporary storage and much more. Contact us to fill all your winter tenting needs.
What If a Storm Comes While the Tent Is Up?
What if the weather doesn't cooperate and there's a severe storm during my event?
As you're planning your outdoor event, you may wonder, "What if the weather doesn't cooperate and there's a storm during my event?" That's a great question. Asking that question now, helps you have a great event rain or shine.
Here are a few things you should do ahead of time. When planning your event:
Have an evacuation plan for the extreme worst case scenario.
Designate one person to decide when the tent should be evacuated in extreme weather.
Place the tent in an area that is not prone to flooding.
Be sure to rent tent sidewalls.
Have a rain plan for any outdoor portion of your event.
Consider renting a covered walkway for your guests to enter the tent.
Consider renting flooring if the ground may become muddy.
If severe weather is immanent:
Keep an eye on the weather forecast.
If high winds are expected, open the tent side walls to allow the wind to blow through the tent.
Tighten the ratchet straps on the tent.
If a storm does arrive during your event, like it did at this wedding, you'll be prepared. All of our tents are very sturdy and are designed to withstand storms. Of course, in the case of a very severe storm, you should vacate the tent. Tents are designed to flex and move slightly during a high wind, but here are some signs that the tent is becoming unsafe:
Wind speed is over 38 miles per hour
Tent poles are lifting off the ground.
Tent stakes are pulling out of the ground
Tent fabric is starting to tear
Nearby trees begin to fall
Lightning is striking nearby
If you are unsure about whether your tent is safe, call us at 717.733.9700 (after hours, select option 3 for an emergency). If any of these conditions occur or you feel unsafe inside the tent:
Immediately evacuate everyone to a safe building.
If no building is available, guests can go to their cars until the storm passes and the tent is secure.
After everyone is safe, call Tents For Rent 717.733.9700 and select option 3 for an emergency.
If possible, send videos or pictures of the tent to us so that we can assess what is needed to secure your tent. You may email them to tents@tentsforrent.net or text them to 717.733.9700. Please be sure to include your name and phone number.
If you are in a tent during a thunderstorm, keep everyone at least five feet from any tent pole. If the lightning is nearby evacuate everyone from the tent.
Even though many events have beautiful weather, it's always best to plan for the worst so that your even can be a success either way. Contact us to learn more about how it's always fair weather in a tent.
Emergency Planning Guidelines from American Rental Association:
What is the difference between a frame tent and a pole tent?
This article is part of a series of posts with further explanation on many of our frequently asked questions.
Many people wonder what the difference is between a frame tent and a pole tent. This article will be a bit more technical than most. So, I'll do my best to make it easy to understand.
Pole tents, also known as tension structures are an evolution of the earliest type of tents. The forerunners to modern pole tents were the big top circus tents of the past. They have one or more high peaks in the center. Their structure comes from the fabric itself. They can be installed quickly with no need for beams to support them. Many of today's pole tents are engineered to withstand up to 70 mph sustained winds and 90 mph gusts. Pole tents are the most economical type of tent that we offer. They are great for weddings, backyard parties and other events of all kinds. They have tall, graceful peaks and airy spacious interiors. Many people prefer this style over the more traditional square frame tent appearance. They can be installed on nearly any surface where stakes can be driven into the ground.
While pole tents fill the needs of most of our customers, there are some situations where only a frame tent will fit the bill. Frame tents, also known as clearspan structures or clearspan tents offer some unique advantages. Sometimes, tents must be secured with weights instead of driving stakes into the ground. In locations where a driveway cannot be penetrated or where underground utilities make it unsafe to drive stakes, a frame tent with weights is the perfect solution. Frame tents are much more flexible in the ways that they can secured. They can be installed on a deck, patio or even the rooftop of a building. Frame tents have other advantages as well. They have no interior poles. This is great for construction projects where machinery must work inside the tent or events where poles would obstruct the flow of people. Frame tents also work well as weather protection for a stage at a graduation ceremony or other outdoor event with a large audience. Lighting and speakers can be hung from the aluminum beams of the tent. The front of the stage can be completely unobstructed by tent poles. Frame tents can also be easily raised to a taller height to cover a stage or to allow machinery to enter the tent. Some people prefer the more modern, "Euro" appearance of a frame tent.
Still not sure which type of tent you'll need? Contact us and let our representatives find the best solution for your event. Whichever type of tent you choose, rest assured that Tents For Rent will provide you with a quality tent and excellent service to make your event successful.
Share Your Photos, Get $10
We love to see photos from you. For the last two years, we've held a photo contest and given away a free Kindle Fire tablet for the best photo submitted. This year, everyone wins. If you submit a video and/or 10 photos, you will get a $10 Amazon gift card. Click below for details and to submit your photos:
Can I Keep a Tent Warm in the Fall?
But, you may wonder how you will keep your guests comfortable.
Fall Tent
Fall is officially here and the lovely fall colors won't be far behind. God's beautiful seasonal decorations make the perfect backdrop for your outdoor event. But, you may wonder how you will keep your guests comfortable. It's hard to believe that only a few months ago, I wrote a post about cooling a tent. Now it's time to start thinking about heating a tent. Many people ask whether a tent can really be kept warm in fall and winter. The answer is a resounding "yes." A tent is not completely airtight, but it can be heated and kept very comfortable.
So, what does it take to plan an outdoor event in cooler whether?
Fall often brings windy weather. So, be sure to rent a sturdy tent from a reputable company. You want to be sure that your tent will be safe and secure.
Tent sidewalls: I recommend ordering sidewalls with windows in them so that your guests can see out of the tent and not feel boxed in by the walls.
Heaters: We have charts with the average low temperatures listed for each day of the year. So, we can estimate the amount of heat you will need. Keep you eye on the weather forecast though. If colder weather is predicted, you may want to add more heaters closer to your event date.
A positive attitude: Embrace the fall weather and colors. Have a campfire outside the tent. Roast s'mores. Relax from the busyness of summer.
This fall, don't let the cooler weather put a damper on your outdoor event. With a little extra planning fall is a wonderful time of year for any event.
Heated Tents
It may be snowing, but that doesn't mean that you outdoor events can't go on. Our heated tents are up to the task.