Groundsheet Damage – Straightforward Ways to Avoid

Groundsheet Materials

Groundsheet damage can be easy to fix for some material types, not so easy for others.

Most groundsheets (the flooring) on modern bell tents are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), some are made from PE (polyethylene). PE is more lightweight and less durable. PE is a woven fabric sandwiched between two outer layers of a plasticised coating. PVC is heavier in weight and highly resistant to oxidative reactions, enabling it to maintain performance over a long period of time.

Most times, the groundsheet is unique to the tent, and so can’t easily be replaced in its entirety.

Bell tents are commonly described in terms of how the groundsheet is attached to the tent. Let’s look at the most common types of bell tents and whether or not their corresponding groundsheet can be replaced: –

Bell Tent Types; ZIGs, PIGs & SIGs

ZIGs – (Zipped In Groundsheets) Perhaps the most common type found on the UK market today. These groundsheets vary between suppliers. Some will supply a ZIG with two main groundsheet-to-canvas zips, some have three. The groundsheet is made to fit the tent and so can’t be interchanged, even if you return to the original supplier.

PIGs – (Pegged In Groundsheets) This type is not so common on the UK market today. The groundsheet here can easily be replaced and is not constructed in a way that is unique to each tent.

SIGs – (Sewn In Groundsheets) This groundsheet is permanently sewn to the canvas of the tent and so can not be replaced.

Occurrence & Avoidance

The groundsheet of the tent can be a vulnerable area and in short, accidents do happen. It’s hard to be prepared for every eventuality, but there are some basic ways in which the groundsheet can be protected.

Groundsheet Damage from Beneath

Damage can occur from beneath the tent from objects on the ground such as rocks or discarded tent pegs. Tents on decks can suffer damage to the groundsheet too if the wood is not smooth or if it’s uneven. We’ve seen the damage a discarded screw can do too, and we once heard of a groundsheet on a deck that became damaged due to a guest leaving a toy car beneath it.

Consider placing a secondary groundsheet or some tarpaulin material beneath the tent to avoid groundsheet damage. If you do this make certain that the secondary groundsheet doesn’t extend further than the tent’s groundsheet or else rainwater will become trapped between the two. Don’t be tempted to use a material intended for indoor use though, such as carpet or carpet underlay as these will become mouldy and odorous in a very short space of time.

Groundsheet Damage from Above

More commonly, groundsheet damage occurs from above, from inside the tent – items get dropped, furniture gets dragged and so on. We once found our daughter chopping wood with an axe directly on to our groundsheet, and a friend damaged theirs by placing a hot pan onto it.

Avoiding Groundsheet Damage With Coir

Consider protecting the groundsheet with purpose made coir matting. There are plenty of suppliers producing circular coir matting to fit bell tents, and it is a great solution for protecting the groundsheet beneath. Coir has a cushioning effect, so it really helps reduce groundsheet damage from impacts.

Coir also has thermal qualities and is naturally flame retardant. It’s incredibly durable and can be pressure washed clean, although it doesn’t show the dirt much at all. Coir is quite heavy, and so it stays in place once positioned. On the downside, it does feel rough underfoot and so should be used in combination with rugs. It also sheds dramatically and when pulled back at the end of the season, it can be quite shocking just how much fibre and dust has shed from the coir onto the groundsheet.

Coir matting can be pricey ranging from £90 – £350 for a 5m bell tent. With the variance in price comes a variance in quality. Ask for swatches and pick the least ‘hairy’ looking one with a good, tight weave. It may be better to purchase from a coir manufacturer than a reseller, as the manufacturer will have more choice and will be able to guide you better on which weave to go for.

So now you’ve protected the groundsheet with coir, how about protecting the coir? It’s highly likely that you’ll be able to reuse the coir for 2-4 seasons so a few well placed rugs and mats will protect this investment. At the very least consider adding a large mat at the entrance of the tent as this area will endure the most footfall. Mats can easily be removed, cleaned or replaced. This could be a large door mat, or even another piece of coir.

There are other flooring options available on the market besides coir. Be careful though! Many of the alternatives are a lot cheaper, they have fancy patterns and look great but offer less in terms of durability, thermal qualities and practicality. Their flammability is questionable too. Some will even move underfoot or migrate slowly over time, affording little to no slip resistance. The slip can be reduced with some well placed, heavy furniture items.