Canopy Tent Buying Guide: Find the Best One for Your Life Out Here
From backyard parties to camping to tailgating, Life Out Here presents many opportunities to gather, spend time with loved ones and decompress. However, you need the right accessories to throw a successful party or event. Food and a grill aren’t the only supplies that should be on your list – consider tying everything together with a canopy tent.
At Tractor Supply, we proudly offer abundant options for canopies and tents, many of which are designed to hold up through a variety of weather conditions. In this buying guide, you can learn more about canopy tents and how to find the right one for your needs from our selection.
Keeping Patio Spaces Covered with Durable Canopy Tents
Whether you’re looking to throw a backyard party or want some coverage during your kid’s game day, canopy tents are an ideal solution. Designed for outdoor use, they keep you and other guests protected from the elements, such as rain on dreary days or sunlight on hot, warm trips. When inclement weather hits your area, don’t let a little rain stop the fun. Instead, use a canopy tent to keep food and belongings covered and the barbecue going.
With many styles to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your setup? The answer lies in what you’ll be using it for. Before deciding on the right canopy tent, you should ask yourself questions such as:
- How long will I use the tent for during any given event?
- What types of events or activities will the tent accommodate?
- During which times of year will I use the tent most?
- Do I need to travel with the tent, or will I only be using it at home?
Tents can be used for a variety of events, including anything from selling homemade goods at markets to camping to throwing backyard bashes. For commercial uses, you’ll want a tent that’s easy to assemble and lightweight, making it easier to lug setups back and forth to shows and festivals. When it comes to hosting outdoor events, look for a larger tent that accommodates many guests, with options for added coverage in case of rain or wind.
Types of Canopy Tents
You can be the talk of the neighborhood or tailgate with the right setup – but first, you must know the type of canopy tent you want. The most common types include:
Beach Canopies
A beach canopy has a special design to accommodate sandy, beachy environments, allowing you to have shade and stay cool in the sun. While umbrellas only offer coverage for a couple of people at once, canopies provide more room for the whole family to lounge outside of the sun’s rays.
Our stock contains beach canopies comprised of UV-resistant materials, giving you enhanced sun protection in addition to sunscreen. Our canopy styles are made with strong metal frames, specially designed to pack easily into sand to keep it stable along breezy shores.
Camping Canopies
Many people bring camping tents to campsites, so they have somewhere comfortable to sleep under the stars. But have you ever thought about extending your shelter to cover your food and hangout spaces? Purchasing another sleeping tent might seem redundant – meaning a camping canopy is an ideal solution. By adding a picnic table, chairs and a grill, camping canopies let you create a whole sheltered living space on your campsite.
Camping allows you to get closer to nature and enjoy your favorite outdoor recreation, so don’t let inclement weather keep you from doing what you love. Having a camping canopy keeps you and other items covered from the sun and rain, giving you space to cook food, eat, hang out and play games. We even carry options with zip-up screens, keeping unwanted bugs and pests out of your camping space.
Event Canopies
Event canopies are larger-style tents that accommodate many guests and setups, making them great for outdoor gatherings, such as birthday parties or backyard weddings. With the right option, you can keep the party going without disruptions from the weather. Featuring water-resistant properties, our party tents come with enclosed sides, preventing rain or wind from affecting buffet tables and dance floors.
Storage Canopies
Maybe you don’t have the need for a shed or simply don’t want a permanent storage solution. Or perhaps you need something temporary to store important equipment and machinery. Whichever the case, a storage canopy is an ideal alternative to permanent shed installation. These solutions provide a dedicated space to store a variety of items while offering coverage for equipment, such as lawn mowers or grills, and even some sporting vehicles or boats.
Pop-Up Canopies
A pop-up canopy is arguably the most versatile tent style, offering on-the-go convenience and simple setup for a variety of activities. Portable and travel-friendly, our pop-up canopies come in numerous sizes, so you can find one that best suits your upcoming tailgate, picnic or other outdoor events. Find options in our inventory that offer easy assembly and breakdown, come with additional ultraviolet protection or can resist rain and other weather conditions. Keep your tent stored in your basement or garage for easy access, or stow it in your car for spontaneous sheltering from wherever your next adventure takes you.
Commercial Canopies
From selling goods at farmers’ markets and to marketing your brand at festivals, commercial canopies are a must-have for any business owner. With plenty of room to display merchandise, set up an informational table or store necessary supplies, our commercial canopies allow you to show off your craft while keeping goods protected from the elements.
Canopy options feature open sides, making it easy for curious customers to browse tables with ease as they walk by. The open-side design also keeps products visible and readily available for customers, meaning customers can easily shop for what they need. Because commercial canopies are set up temporarily, we offer options with easy-to-move features, such as storage bags with rolling wheels.
Shopping for Canopy Tents that Fit Your Backyard Space
When searching for an optimal canopy tent, you already have an idea of what you’ll be using it for. Now, it’s time to narrow down your options based on the different constructions, sizes and features available in our lineup. When shopping with us, your options include:
Material
You want your canopy to stand up to the elements and look great for years to come. The right material can help achieve this, so look for the durability and strength needed to withstand rain and sunlight. While both steel and aluminum frames offer durability against the elements, each has their own benefits in terms of how you want to use your tent:
- Steel frames: This type allows for heavy-duty outdoor use, making them suitable for long-term equipment storage or covering your UTV or other recreational vehicles between uses.
- Aluminum frames: These frames are lighter and easy to move around and set up. They are ideal for temporary applications, such as selling at markets or attending your little one’s soccer match.
For a tent that is lightweight and easy to wipe down when dirty, consider a plastic frame. These can be used in wet areas, as you won’t have to worry about rust like with metal frame materials. You should also think about the construction of the canopy (covering) itself, which is most often made with PVC or polyester fabrics that provide shade and convenience.
Shape and Size
Our selection of canopy tents come in many sizes, shapes and configurations. While there is no one-size-fits-all option, we offer many dimensions so you can properly accommodate your guests or event. Smaller, square-shaped canopies can be great for selling goods in markets, keeping items covered while camping or staying safe from the elements during kids’ sports games. Larger, rectangular tents give you enough room to host larger gatherings, such as parties and tailgates. If you’re looking for something smaller and easy to set up, consider a round canopy tent.
Color
Whether you want to match your team’s colors, company’s branding or home’s decor, there are a host of colors available in our selection of canopy tents. Aside from showing off your style, choosing the right color can also play a role in safety, as bright, contrasting tent colors are easy to find and identify in a large crowd – especially if placed in a sea of other tents. Choose from brighter hues, from red and yellow to blue and green, or blend into the backdrop with neutral white, brown, black and beige choices.
Roof Style
Whether you’re seeking a specific roof style for photo ops or want the most practical choice, our canopies come in many styles. These include traditional peak-style canopies, which feature two panels that meet to create a pointed roof. Meanwhile, rounded configurations and other styles can give off a more dome-shaped aesthetic, with some including screened-in sides for all-around coverage.
Canopy Accessories
If you’re looking to customize your canopy, we carry a variety of other accessories to accommodate your needs. Keep tents secure in place with stabilization supplies, such as stakes, sandbags or anchors. Add privacy walls and panels to your tent with our enclosure kits, screens and walls, allowing you to turn your open-air tent into a comfortable enclosure. We also carry height-adjustable canopies, so you can achieve the perfect setup no matter the job or adventure.
Setup Type
Whether you’re looking for temporary shelter to get away from the rain or want something portable for beach days or camping, seek out a canopy that’s easy to set up. For market use, you need to set up tents quickly so you can put merchandise out and begin selling to customers. When it comes to tailgating, camping or other activities, seek one that’s lightweight and portable for quick setup if rain begins to fall.
As an example, pop-up tents let you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying with loved ones. They just pop into their classic tent shape, and they can be put away in a cinch after a long day at the beach or market. Additionally, consider tents that come with convenient carry bags, so you can simply pack your tent and carry it back to your car with minimal effort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canopy Tents
Can I attach screens and walls to my existing canopy setup?
If you already have a canopy tent but want something with enclosed walls or screens, you don’t have to buy a whole new tent to achieve this. There are many enclosure kits, screens and walls compatible with a variety of tent sizes, making it easy to find what you need. Kits come with everything needed to successfully install walls or add screens to your existing setup.
How many people do I need to set up a canopy tent?
This depends on the size of your canopy tent and how long you need the tent set up for. Smaller, pop-up tent styles offer easy installation, meaning you can complete it all by yourself. However, larger tent setups may require the help of one or two extra people. If you’re looking to get tents set up quickly, consider adding more people to your crew so you can achieve speedy setup.
What is the best way to secure my canopy tent?
Many canopy tents are lightweight, making them easy to set up. However, this doesn’t do much to keep them securely in place during windy weather. Because of this, you’ll want to take extra precautions to attach tents to the ground and ensure stability during use.
First, you’ll want to stake or anchor your tent to the ground, attaching ropes from the corners and securing them to poles on the ground. Many people add sandbags to bases and tent legs, giving tents added stability and endurance against strong winds and rain.
Can I use my canopy tent in the rain?
While many tents are designed to shade you from the bright sun, they are also designed to hold up against rainy, drizzly conditions. A water-resistant canopy is made with rain-resistant materials, meaning they dry quickly and won’t break down after becoming exposed to wet weather. However, you shouldn’t use canopy tents in harsh, heavy rains, thunderstorms or severe weather.
Shop Canopy Tents at Tractor Supply
Shield yourself from the elements and stay comfortable wherever you go with a canopy tent from our store. With a variety of tent options and added accessories to choose from, you can find the perfect tent setup for your next backyard gathering, tailgate or business venture. To learn more about the types of canopies we offer, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.