Triumph Over Issues Associated With Pitching Bell Tents on Decks
There is no doubt that pitching bell tents on decks will increase the longevity of the tent, being raised off the ground and away from groundwater and organic matter. They also offer more style to the glampsite and can really improve the overall aesthetic.
However, pitching on decks is not without problems!
The Cost of Pitching Bell Tents on Decks
Decks can be expensive though. We had three decks built for our showroom from common outdoor decking back in 2011 (one each for a 3m, 4m and 5m diameter bell tent). The total cost to supply and build all three was £7,000 incl VAT.
Screws & Rust
Our decks served us well, but even used indoors there was a long-term issue with the screws. Not all of the screws used were galvanised and some rusted and transferred onto the exterior of the tent’s groundsheet. There was also a gradual build-up of mould between the decks and the groundsheets, caused by ambient condensation in the building. This caused both the decks and the outer groundsheet to discolour.
Screw Holes Left Behind When Pitching Bell Tents on Decks
Most glamping sites will replace their bell tents at the start of each season. However, neither manufacturing nor pitching bell tents is an exacting science, and there are variances along the way resulting in slight size differences. So whilst a bell tent might be described as 5m in diameter, it may not be exact and may vary compared with its predecessor. Similarly, the same tent can be pitched twice and measure differently depending on how it is pitched.
This presents a problem when pitching onto decks since we found that landowners would try and use the previous screw holes when pitching a new tent. This is understandable as they don’t wish to riddle their swanky decks with new holes, leaving old, unsightly holes exposed.
But the consequences of this decision can lead to a badly pitched and unstable tent. Far better to treat each tent as an individual, and to take the time to cover old holes over with filler if necessary, rather than have a tent that not only looks badly pitched but could also fail during use.
Treatment
Just like the tents, the decks need to be regularly treated and maintained. Advice on this should be sought from the wood or deck supplier.
Lost Property
Decks are lost property magnets! All kinds of items can slip through the gaps; mobile phones, toy cars, jewellery, money and credit cards to name a few. If you can line the underside with chicken wire, this will stop most things from falling into the abyss. Anything that can’t be recovered right away can always be reunited at the end of the season, when you take the tent down for the winter months.
Slippery When Wet
We’ve all slipped on a deck at some point, haven’t we? As if there aren’t enough trip hazards associated with camping! Throw in a slippery deck for good measure and suddenly your guests are combining a regular camping blunder with aquaplaning, akin to a scene from Torvill & Dean’s skate to Ravel’s Bolero at Sarajevo in the 1984 Olympics.
To avoid this try anti-slip decking. There’s even anti-slip paint that can be applied aftermarket. If your decks are made from a wood that isn’t purpose made for decking, then good old fashioned, tacked down chicken wire can be a good fix in areas of heavy footfall.
For more in-depth information, click here for the full picture if you are considering pitching bell tents on decks. In our blog we cover further areas including how to choose the correct deck size and pitfalls to avoid when pitching.
