Outdoor tent

Smaller tents are better at withstanding windy conditions than large ones. This is because the bigger the tent, the larger the surface on which the wind can act. It therefore makes sense to take the time to decide what size of folding tent you really need before making your purchase. Depending on the situation, it may make sense to use a group of two or three smaller folding tents rather than one large one, because the resulting overall construction will be more sturdy. Using suitable accessories, such as roof gutters and connection pieces, you can configure a large weatherproof space that even offers extra flexibility when it comes to combining and positioning the tents. 

At Pro-Tent, we have conducted a whole series of computer simulations and practical tests on this subject. What we have determined is that our folding tent systems are able to withstand wind speeds of up to force 8 on the Beaufort scale, depending on their size and provided they are correctly anchored. However, if there is one thing that we have learned from our thirty years of experience, it is that the weather never follows a predefined pattern and is anything but predictable. Which means that as a reputable supplier of folding tent systems, we are unable to warranty that a folding tent will in all cases be able to withstand the conditions described.

The main problem is gusts. A gust of wind is a strong movement of air of short duration. It generally involves a change in the wind direction and usually accompanies rain, hail or storms. Gusts do not need to be horizontal; there are also vertical or down gusts that can act with considerable force on the roof of a folding tent. This means that a tent is susceptible to damage if it is installed in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is also possible that several identical folding tents are installed at an outdoor event, one of which is completely destroyed by bad weather, while all the others survive unscathed, even when the peak wind speeds measured at the nearest weather station do not exceed 8 on the Beaufort scale.

Folding tents should always be properly anchored. Under certain meteorological conditions, thermal winds and gusts can still occur, even on days when you think there is no wind. Suitable weight plates should be used under all circumstances. The total weight of these plates must be calculated to suit the size of the tent and its purpose of use.

When winds are approaching, it is essential to provide additional anchoring for the folding tent. Unlike permanent tent constructions, a folding tent does not have any diagonal struts in the roof section. This means that in windy conditions, a folding tent may begin resonating, which can damage the frame. However, the use of additional anchoring will prevent such oscillations from occurring.

In addition to securing with weight plates and providing additional anchoring, it is also important that tents are installed a way that minimises the area directly exposed to the wind. In other words, either remove all the side panels or install them all and make sure they are firmly secured. The most unfavourable situation is one in which a folding tent has three sidewalls mounted, with a single open side that can become exposed to an unexpected strong gust of wind.