Facts about Marquees and their uses.
Tents that are used for external events or marquees are fairly common for big weddings, fairs, corporate hospitality events and other large social gatherings where the possibility of being effected by the weather is ever present. They are often made out of PE (polythene) or PVC, PVC being stronger than the other, these have mainly replaced the canvas that was used previously due to the fact they are simpler to clean giving them a longer life than the older materials.
Marquees can be found in a do it youself package up to around 20 feet (6m) wide these can be pop up marquees taking less time to raise. 30 to 150 feet (9m to 45m) widths require specialized equipment and skill to raise, so they must usually be rented or a course must be undertaken to make sure safe raising. Many companies own big (9m to 45m wide) marquee tents but have them installed and looked after by qualified experts. Most pole marquees are fixed and tensioned with ratchets and/or stakes unless on concrete when weights are used to keep the structure in place.
Whereas the first pole marquees used wooden poles to support the structure, many of the more modern marquees use an aluminium frame to support them. This is mostly 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 lovely feel to them that people sometimes prefer with the middle ridge poles becoming a feature of the marquee. Aluminium marquees on the other hand are able to support the entire tent from the edge of the structure, leaving the inner 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 more than likely see a number of aluminium framed tents with high peaks. These have become quite fashionable of late being very effective at shedding water, cleaner looking, easy to instal and with fewer parts. Often Marquee’s can be used with other marquees enabling you to raise the area covered with the addition of guttering between to prevent any water getting in. There are a multitude of colours that can be chosen from when choosing 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 science takes more and more of a hand in how marquees are made and used it will be interesting to see how this most basic of structures will advance in the future.