When one thinks of tents, images of backpacking through nature, enjoying outdoor activities and sitting around a campfire under the stars immediately come to mind. This makes perfect sense since tents are most commonly used for camping nowadays. However, they can serve many more purposes other than providing temporary accommodation while exploring the great outdoors.
In one form or another, tents have been around for centuries, offering people shelter and protection against the elements. As one of the earliest forms of housing, their history is linked to that of nomadic tribes such as Native Americans, Mongolian, Turkic and Tibetan Nomads, and the Bedouin.
Over the centuries, as nomad populations started to settle down, the use of tents for lodging decreased but that doesn’t mean they have disappeared from the picture. People have found new purposes for tents and today these structures have a multitude of applications that range from corporate events to industrial units and more. So, if you want to find out about the different ways tents can be used and the benefits they provide, you’ve come to the right place.
Events
Event venues range widely in shape, size and style, with plenty of options to suit all types of occasions and purposes. But what if you’re not satisfied with any of the existing options? You might also want to organize an event outdoors or in a remote location where there’s no manmade structure to accommodate your needs. That’s when event tents come into play.
Whether we’re talking about big parties, weddings, festivals, corporate events or other similar occasions, tents can provide the ideal venue for a successful event. Depending on the nature of the event, there are multiple tent styles and designs one can opt for.
For example, pagoda tents are perfect for smaller celebrations, with a unique and attractive design and a fairly simple set-up. Frame tents and high-peak tents are better suited for bigger gatherings such as weddings, galas or festivals as they are strong and durable and provide plenty of space for larger crowds. Aluminium tents, on the other hand, are the best choice when you need robust protection against the elements no matter what type of event you want to host.
Glamping
Move over camping! Glamping is taking over the travel and hospitality industry with its stylish approach to adventure and outdoor experiences. The traditional camping tents have received a major makeover, becoming more spacious, durable and infinitely more luxurious. So, those who love spending time in nature but also crave the comfort and modern conveniences of brink-and-mortar constructions can now camp in style at one of the many glamping sites that have popped up in countries all over the world in recent years.
Glamping, which as you’ve probably guessed is a portmanteau of glamourous camping, offers a perfect combination of modern amenities, resort-style services and outdoor camping experience, ensuring a cosy and relaxing stay for guests. This means you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while feeling as if you were staying in a lavish hotel.
What’s more, many glamping sites are placed in picturesque locations surrounded by breathtaking scenarios where guests can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, or water sports.
Industrial applications
Not all tents are made for fun and recreation or entertainment-related activities. Some are purposed for hard work and intense, as is the case with industrial tents. Businesses and organizations in different sectors can take advantage of industrial tents to accommodate their unique needs and requirements.
Due to their versatility, industrial tents can serve different functions for different businesses. However, the most common uses for industrial tents are providing extra storage space for goods, expanding office premises, creating temporary sales areas, or housing business-related operations. In the majority of cases, these tents are custom-made so they can fit the specific demands of clients.
Logistic companies and warehousing businesses usually employ industrial tents to provide protection for carrying out their daily activities. These types of roofed structures often come in the form of aluminium or steel industrial halls, that can be either insulated, non-insulated or partly insulated, depending on clients’ requirements.
Emergency situations
When emergencies such as war, earthquakes, outbreaks, floods or fires occur, the organisations tasked with managing the situation need to act quickly and think up a plan of action to address the issues in the best way possible. This means they need reliable mobile equipment that enables them to respond promptly and provide help on the go.
In these situations, tents offer an ideal mobility solution for emergency responders, allowing them to set up practical spaces in a matter of minutes for sheltering displaced people, performing emergency triage, offering onsite first-aid and more.
Tents used in emergency situations are usually made of canvas since this material is breathable, ensures adequate protection and allows for fast and easy setup which is crucial when managing incidents where every minute counts.
Military assignments
Tents have also been used by the military since ancient times, and although they have improved a lot over time in terms of functionality and durability, they remain a very important piece of equipment in military operations for armies all over the world.
The main advantage that tents provide during military assignments, apart from providing shelter and protection, is the quick setup and take down times. Militaries generally employ wall tents to create temporary command bases, maintenance hubs or sleeping quarters for troops while carrying out different operations.
As you can see, tents can be quite versatile in their applications, which explains the wide range of tent styles, sizes and designs available on the market. This also means that you need to do a bit of research to find the right tent for each occasion, as there are plenty of options to choose from.
by Cindy Chen on Unsplash
