Choosing the right material for a tent, marquee or shelter used for an outdoor event is essential, for more reasons than simply the most practical and readily apparent.
Whilst your marquee should be robust and weather-resistant enough to minimise the impact of rather unpredictable April showers, the choice of material can also have a huge effect on comfort, ambience and the overall aesthetics of your outdoor setting.
These are just some of the many reasons why we offer sailcloth-style marquees as an elegant, traditional-feeling and highly practical space for weddings, parties, carnivals and other outdoor events.
Many of the reasons why this is come as much from the history of the material and how it is made as from its modern properties today. After all, how sailcloth looks and feels was initially not a deliberate aesthetic choice but the result of necessity.
What Is Sailcloth?
Defining sailcloth is remarkably complex, as it is typically characterised by what it does and the properties it has that make it so effective, rather than any specific materials.
Sailcloth has been made from wool, screw pine leaves, woven mats and more contemporary synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester.
However, modern sailcloth as we think of it today is a type of canvas material that is both breathable and weather-resistant if suitably treated, making it optimal for use with sailing boats, as it can withstand strong weather and not only survive strong winds but harness them to travel forward.
It is traditionally made from hemp, linen, cotton or a combination of all three, and the resulting look, once stretched and supported by the mast (or by poles to form the skeleton of the marquee), is bright and translucent enough to let the sunshine in whilst keeping the rain out.
Sailcloth is typically designed to be rigged, so it will often have holes and ropes to allow for raising and lowering of the sail, but these can also be taken fully advantage of when used in marquees as rigging points for lights, mirror balls and other decorations hung overhead.
Why Is Sailcloth Used In The Best Marquees?
When in the great outdoors, the best shelter to complement the natural setting is also made from natural materials. Because of this, sailcloth looks at its best when fitted to natural wooden poles, warm lighting and floral arrangements.
Whenever an event takes place outdoors, the characteristic white marquee seamlessly fits into the breathtaking natural vista, despite its size and shape.
As well as this, the breathability and strength of the material create a bright, airy space that provides a seamless connection between the indoors and the outdoors. There is plenty of protection from the rain without taking away from the sun.
When the sun sets, however, a soft glow from the hanging lights is created, adding to the magical atmosphere achievable with outdoor events.
This is what makes sailcloth particularly popular for weddings, but it is just as popular for outdoor parties, music festivals and even corporate galas.