Tent fabric: features, varieties and choice

Rest outside the city is a favorite pastime for residents of megacities who are deprived of the opportunity to communicate with nature every day. With the onset of the first warm days, the whole families of the townspeople leave their homes not only to enjoy shish kebabs, but also to replenish the reserves of vital energy from plants and trees. Travelers should have food supplies, kitchen utensils, as well as tents, sleeping bags and awnings in their hiking backpack that will protect them from rain, wind and sun, especially if the trip lasts more than one day.

Tent fabric is a unique canvas from which especially durable products are made. Produce goods of this group in accordance with GOST 7297-90. When choosing a product, you should consider its characteristics:

• type of material;
• density;
• compound;
• reinforcement;
• hygroscopicity;
• type of weaving threads;
• weaving density;
• fiber thickness;
• the presence of waterproof and water-repellent impregnation.

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

For the manufacture of artificial materials, synthetic raw materials are used.

• Polyamide used for the manufacture of nylon and nylon. Advantages - 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 material for the production of polyester and lavsan. Products made from this material not only include all the positive qualities of polyamide, but also do not let in sunlight 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 different density:

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

The presence of additional reinforcement not only increases the strength of the material, but also increases its reliability and service life. A feature of the canvas is the presence of drawings 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 that indicates the level of water resistance of the fabric.. The level of moisture resistance of the top sheet should be in the range from 2500 to 4000 mm, and for the floor from 5000 to 10000 mm.

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

The manufacturer must inform the buyer about all the characteristics and parameters of the product in special certification and permit documents.

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

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

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

Depending on the density, experts distinguish several types of tent fabric.

• Oxford - material, the density of which can reach 1700 g / m2. Manufacturers use polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride as a waterproof coating. Advantages - high strength and elasticity. Disadvantages - low level of thermal stability, the occurrence of electrostatic charges. The fabric made of polyester additionally possesses light fastness and heat impermeability.

• Taffet - a 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 of nylon fabric - a high level of water resistance, resistance to mechanical damage and wear, as well as low hygroscopicity and the occurrence of static discharges.

• Teflon coated cotton - a very thin fabric, which consists of two layers: the outer one is made of cotton, the inner one is Teflon. The main direction of application is the manufacture of awnings, outdoor gazebos, covers for cars and furniture, as well as tablecloths and bed covers.

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

• Greta - fabric that is made of polyester using twill weave. This connection of threads forms diagonal scars, which significantly increase the strength and water resistance of the material. Advantages - no shrinkage, creasing and burning out, resistance to pollution and quick cleaning from dust and dirt.

• Monaco - a unique material that is specially designed for tents and awnings. The canvas completely does not let water, wind and sunlight through, and also has a high density and low weight. Products from this material can be painted, applied decorative patterns and decorated with hand-painted.

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

• protection against 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;
• blocking sunlight;
• the presence of a small mass and a minimum size after folding;
• environmental safety and the absence of toxic substances;
• long period of operation and resistance to mechanical damage;
• quick assembly and disassembly;
• long-term preservation of color and saturation of shades;
• high level of thermal protection;
• resistance to dirt and dust;
• reduction of the sound wave;
• resistance to fire;
• fast removal of all types of pollution without special means for cleaning.

Signs of a quality tent fabric:

• the presence of a matte front surface and a shiny inner;
• lack of hairiness and shaggyness;
• the presence of impregnating agents only on the surface of the threads.

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 dirt from tourist and garden products, it is necessary to wash them in a timely and regular manner. Small tents and sleeping bags can be washed in automatic washing machines in the hand wash mode, but voluminous canvases need to be washed by hand. Novice housewives should be aware before washing that tent fabric shrinks, so it can be soaked in water, the temperature of which does not exceed +40 degrees Celsius.

For washing, you can use laundry soap, baby 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 tissue deformation, its rapid wear and removal of the protective layer, it is necessary to rub products only when absolutely necessary, and it is better to avoid this manipulation altogether. For the first rinse, you can use warm water, and for the second - only cold. The material does not need twisting and squeezing, it can simply be hung on clotheslines in a place protected from sunlight.

In high-quality products, the effect of wrinkling is practically absent. But if wrinkles appear after washing, they can be carefully removed with a household iron heated to a temperature of +110 degrees, or better with a special steamer.

Before each product is placed in a special storage case, it must be thoroughly dried and carefully rolled up. Storage rooms must be dry and have a good ventilation system.

To extend the 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 study the instructions for their use and care rules. This information can be found on the product label.

Tent fabric is a unique material that has a wide range of applications and is used in various 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 sewn from this material:

• hiking bags and backpacks;
• outerwear of travelers and tourists;
• waterproof raincoats and capes;
• military uniforms, hunters and fishermen;
• suitcases, shopping bags and bags;
• awnings and canopies for exhibition and trade tents;
• shelters for summer grounds, car parks, industrial and sports areas;
• fabrics for covering pools and children's sandboxes;
• covers for cars, trailers and river transport;
• advertising signs and stands;
• covers for garden furniture.

See the next video for how the tent canvas looks like.