Mar 03
Information about Marquees and their uses.
Tents that are used for outside events or marquees are pretty common for big weddings, fairs, corporate hospitality events and other big social gatherings where the possibility of being effected by the weather is ever present. They are frequently made out of PE (polythene) or PVC, PVC being stronger than the other, these have mostly replaced the canvas that was used before due to the fact they are simpler to clean giving them an extended life than the older materials.
Marquees are available in a do it youself package up to around 20 feet (6m) wide these can be pop up marquees taking less time to erect. 30 to 150 feet (9m to 45m) widths require expert equipment and skill to raise, so they must usually be hired or a course must be undertaken to ensure safe erection. Many businesses own big (9m to 45m wide) marquee tents but have them installed and looked after by qualified experts. Most pole marquees are held down and tensioned with ratchets and/or stakes unless on concrete when weights are used to keep the structure in situ.
Whereas the earlier pole marquees used wooden poles to support the structure, many of the more modern marquees use an aluminium frame to support them. This is mainly due to the fact that they are better wearing, practical and versatile than wooden pole marquees. Wooden pole marquees on the other hand have a romantic feel to them that individuals sometimes prefer with the middle ridge poles becoming a feature of the marquee. Aluminium marquees on the other hand are able to support the whole tent from the edge of the structure, leaving the internal space completely open for tables or dance floor, seating areas, swimming pool, etc.
If you go to your local market or business exhibition you will probably see a number of aluminium edged tents with high peaks. These have become very fashionable of late being very effective at shedding water, cleaner looking, easy to instal and with less parts. Often Marquee’s can be used in conjunction with other marquees enabling you to increase the area covered with the addition of guttering between to prevent any water getting in. There are loads of colours that can be chosen from when picking a marquee and many marquees now have sky lights in them.
Tents have been used for centuries as basic covers, temporary storage areas and nomadic homes but still have a place in modern life. As technology takes more and more of a hand in how marquees are made and used it will be interesting to see how this simplest of structures will advance in the future.