What a Camping Tent Should Be Made Of

When going camping, a camping tent should be brought in case it rains or just for shelter against the elements. A camping tent is made of different kinds of materials. The cheaper the camping tent, the more likely the material it is made of can not stand exposure to the rougher elements or even exposure to water. The aspect of protection against the elements is a strong point for those who camp frequently compared to those who camp once in a blue moon. The reasoning behind this is that those who do not camp often always choose days when there is little or no possibility of rain or snow.

Camping Tent Material

The material that a camping tent is made of will depend on the needs of the consumer. Some tents are made without the waterproof protection that many of the more expensive camping tents are made with. Nylon is the more common material for a tent. A family camping tent or a tent good for just one person can be made of this material. The sad fact is that this material is actually not suitable for a durable and sturdy tent because it can not withstand exposure to the sun for a long period of time.

Polyester is also another common camping tent material that is similar to nylon when it comes to durability and strength. Constant exposure to sunlight will deteriorate both polyester and nylon fabrics. Both fabrics can be coated substances that help to help make them waterproof and suitable for water or rain exposure. This coating does not, however, protect the camping tent material from the sun's rays which can still cause deterioration.

Cotton is yet another camping tent material that may seem the least durable but it can actually be suitable for rain compared to ordinary untreated nylon. As the cotton fabric absorbs more water, it expands and becomes more resistant to water since it should already be full. This will make the camping tent more drippy but less wet than nylon fabrics which can not hold any water thus rain should drip constantly.

Camping Tent Coating

Paraffin is a common and cheap substance that can be added to the tent material to make it waterproof. There are limitations to this substance's efficacy in fully protecting the tent from other elements such as the sun. Silicone and polyurethane can also be used to coat or bind in to the camping tent material and render t waterproof.