Tent fabric: features, varieties and choices

Vacation outside the city is a favorite pastime of the inhabitants of megacities who are deprived of the possibility of daily communication with nature. With the onset of the first warm days, the townspeople leave their families with their whole families in order not only to enjoy barbecues, but also to replenish their energy reserves from plants and trees. In the traveling backpack travelers should be stocks of food, kitchen utensils, as well as tents, sleeping bags and awnings that protect from rain, wind and sun, especially if the journey lasts more than one day.

Experienced tourists recommend that you carefully study the material from which they are made and its features before purchasing tents. After all, comfort and convenience of rest depend on the tent fabric.

Main characteristics

Tent fabric is a unique canvas from which extremely durable products are made. Produce goods in this group in accordance with GOST 7297-90. When choosing a product should take into account its characteristics:

type of material;
density;
composition;
reinforcement;
hygroscopicity;
type of weaving;
weaving density;
fiber thickness;
presence of waterproof and water-repellent impregnation.

For the manufacture of the tent material can be used both natural and synthetic raw materials. Products for the production of which use only natural raw materials are the safest for people, do not provoke the development of various dangerous diseases, create the most favorable microclimate inside the structure. But they also let moisture through and absorb it, which negatively affects their operation.

For the manufacture of artificial materials using synthetic materials.

Polyamide used for the manufacture of nylon and nylon. Advantages - a high level of strength, low weight, affordable price range, resistance to moisture and mechanical damage. Disadvantages - increase in size when wet, low resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
Polyester - raw materials for the production of polyester and polyester. Products from this material not only include all the positive qualities of polyamide, but also do not let the sunlight through and retain their shape when wet. The disadvantage is the high price.

The strength of the product depends on the density of the material. Manufacturers mark this value with the letter T. Different parts of the product must have a different density:

upper layer - not less than 250 T, and for mountain equipment 450 T;
inner part - 170 T;
floor - not less than 350 T.

The presence of additional reinforcement not only increases the strength of the material, but also increases its reliability and period of operation. The peculiarity of the canvas is the presence of patterns of geometric shapes, the edges of which will not allow the gap to spread beyond its borders.

Hygroscopicity is one of the most important indicators, which indicates the level of water resistance of the web.. The level of resistance to moisture of the upper fabric should be in the range from 2500 to 4000 mm, and for the floor from 5000 to 10000 mm.

To increase the material’s resistance to moisture, manufacturers apply a layer of polyurethane on the product.

For the manufacture of tent material manufacturers use a unique technology of interlacing threads, in which the thick warp threads are strongly twisted.

The manufacturer should inform the buyer about all characteristics and parameters of the product in special certification and permits.

Types of materials

Innovative technologies and modern equipment enable manufacturers to produce several types of fabric for tents, awnings, awnings and tents. They are classified on awning and tent.

The awning cloth belongs to the strongest materials which is made of polyester, and cells are filled with the plasticized polyvinyl chloride.

Polyester tent fabric has a thinner and more elastic structure, which consists of the following layers:

external (two types) - polyester or nylon;
average - colorless polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

Depending on the density of specialists, there are several types of tent fabric.

Oxford - material whose density can reach 1700 g / m2. Manufacturers use polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride as a waterproof coating. Advantages - high strength and elasticity. Disadvantages - low thermal stability, the emergence of electrostatic charges. Fabric made of polyester, additionally has a light fastness and heat resistance.

Taffeta - fabric, for the manufacture of which polyester and nylon threads are used. Polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride is used as a protective layer. Advantages - resistance to chemicals and pollution. Features nylon fabric - a high level of water resistance, resistance to mechanical damage and wear, as well as low hygroscopicity and the appearance of static discharges.

Features of polyester material - low level of strength and elasticity, long-lasting shape and constant air exchange.

Teflon coated cotton - very thin fabric, which consists of two layers: outer - from cotton, inner - teflon. The main direction of application is the manufacture of sheds, outdoor gazebos, covers for cars and furniture, as well as tablecloths and bed spreads.

Raincoat - the thinnest polyester fabric, which is used to make game tents and shelters for fishermen. To increase the level of heat resistance and hygroscopicity, manufacturers additionally use membranes. Products made from this material are not intended for long-term use outdoors due to low resistance to mechanical damage and possible deformation.

Greta - a fabric that is made from polyester using twill weave. This combination of threads forms diagonal scars, which significantly increase the strength and water resistance of the material. Advantages - no shrinkage, crushing and burnout, resistance to contamination and quick cleaning of dust and dirt.

Monaco - a unique material that is specifically designed for tents and awnings. The cloth completely does not pass water, wind and a sunlight, and also has the high density and small weight. Products made from this material can be painted, applied decorative drawings and decorated with hand-painted.

Manufacturers recommend to pay attention to new and more advanced types of fabrics - acrylic, taslan and polyethylene.

How to choose?

On the shelves of specialized stores you can find a huge assortment of tent fabrics, which differ in properties, price, purpose and country of production. Manufacturers produce fabrics for summer and winter tents, as well as for hiking baths. Quality tent fabric products should have the following properties:

protection from water, wind and low temperatures;
durability;
affordable price range;
resistance to aggressive environmental influences and sudden temperature changes;
preservation of integrity under the action of sunlight and moisture;
not transmitting sunlight;
the presence of a small mass and a minimum size after folding;
environmental safety and lack of toxic substances;
long period of operation and resistance to mechanical damage;
quick assembly and disassembly;
long preservation of color and saturation of shades;
high level of thermal protection;
resistance to dirt and dust;
sound wave reduction;
resistance to fire;
rapid removal of all types of contamination without special cleaning agents.

When shopping for hiking products, you should carefully inspect all the seams that should not have needle holes and be taped with special tape. The product with small holes will not only let moisture through, but will also quickly burst.

Signs of a quality tent fabric:

the presence of a matte front surface and a shiny inner;
no fleecy and shaggy;
the presence of impregnating agents only on the surface of the threads.

Experts recommend buying tent material only from large sellers who work directly with manufacturers and have all the documents for the product. The purchase of goods of dubious quality will have a negative impact not only on the quality of future products, but also on the health of their owners. Quality goods can not have a low price.

Care rules

In order for the purchased products to retain an attractive appearance for a long time and meet all sanitary and hygienic requirements, experts recommend that you carefully study the rules for caring for tent fabric.

To remove contaminants from tourist and garden products, they should be washed in a timely and regular manner. Small tents and sleeping bags can be washed in an automatic washing machine in the mode of hand washing, but the bulk fabrics need to be washed by hand. Beginner mistresses before washing should know that the fabric for the tents sits, so You can soak it in water whose temperature does not exceed +40 degrees Celsius.

For washing you can use laundry soap, baby laundry detergent or shampoo. It is strictly forbidden to use detergents that contain alkalis, acids and oxidizing agents, as well as stain removers and bleaches that violate the integrity of polyester fibers.

To prevent deformation of the fabric, its rapid wear and the removal of the protective layer, it is necessary to rub the products only when absolutely necessary, and it is better to avoid this manipulation in general. For the first rinse you can use warm water, and for the second - only cold. The material does not need twisting and wringing out, it can be simply hung on the clothesline in a place protected from sunlight.

In high-quality products there is practically no effect of crushing. But if folds appeared after washing, they can be carefully removed with a domestic iron heated to a temperature of +110 degrees, or better with a special steamer.

But tent canvas experts, in general, prohibit ironing or affect it with heating devices.

Before each product is placed in a special case for storage, it must be carefully dried and carefully rolled. Storage facilities must be dry and have proper ventilation system.

To extend the service life of products in this group of products, manufacturers recommend using washing and ironing only in very extreme cases, and before starting these procedures, carefully read the instructions for their use and the rules of care. This information can be found on the product tag.

Application options

Tent fabric is a unique material that has a wide range of applications and is used in different areas of human life. The canvas is most popular in the manufacture of tents and awnings, but there are other groups of goods that are made from this material: