Waterproof tents are made from a range of advanced waterproof fabrics and are the prime choice preferred by families for camping, hiking etc. These tents are also widely used for storage purposes. They are designed and fabricated in a way through which water can run off easily. Thus, instead of being constructed as flat roofed, they are manufactured in a triangular structure having roof at an steep angle. Materials used
- Nylon : Now a days, this is one of the most preferable, popular and acceptable material as it is very strong, light weighted and can be folded easily into a small bunch. Nylon is especially treated to make waterproof tents either totally waterproof or breathable-waterproof.
- Cotton canvas or duck : This is one of the oldest material used in making waterproof tents. If by chance fabric gets wet, than cotton swell and pack together, draining out the water.
Popularity
Waterproof tents are highly preferred due to certain characteristics like :
- Easy to build
- Sturdy and strong
- Durable
- Reliable in extreme weather conditions
There are several kind of coatings which can be applied on waterproof tents, they are :
- Wax: Wax is used to give a water proof feature to a normal cotton or nylon tent. After some time however, wax wears off and needs to be retreated to preserve its waterproof qualities.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): This is a traditional coating, is heavy to wear and quite tough.
- Polyurethane: This is most common form of coating used in vast variety of weights of nylon.
- Breathable coatings: This coating is directly applied to the inside of the fabric and preferred due to its less cost.
- Silicone elastomer: This coating is preferred to make tents light weighted as light coat of silicone can do the job of a heavier PU coated fabric.
