Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most. Can’t find yours? Call us or request a quote.
About Stretch Tents
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A stretch tent is a large waterproof fabric canopy, stretched taut over poles of varying heights and anchored with guy ropes or fixed points. It can be set up on uneven ground, slopes, and around natural features where most tents can’t. Inspired by traditional Bedouin tents, the modern version was engineered in South Africa. You may also see them called Bedouin tents, freeform tents, or stretch marquees.
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Our three popular sizes are Small (34.5 x 24.5 ft, 60 people), Medium (34.5 x 49.5 ft, 120 people), and Large (49.5 x 69 ft, 240 people). Small and Medium sizes are usually in stock. Large takes about 110 days. Please refer to our Sizes & Pricing Chart for details. We also supply custom sizes and shapes to fit your space. Contact us to talk through your project.
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Start with your guest count, then adjust for your layout. Think about what else needs room: catering or a bar, registration, displays, a stage or dance floor and walkways. If you're between sizes, going bigger gives guests space to move. Share your plan when you request a quote and we'll recommend a size.
Size for your busiest event, not only your usual one, so the tent works all season.
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White, black, grey, and beige are standard. Other colours cost extra.
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Yes, on a custom printed lining that fits inside the tent. The lining is removable, so you can change your look any time.
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Yes. Stretch tents are modular, so two or more can be joined to cover a larger area or an unusual layout. Joining needs planning for poles, rigging, and anchor points. Tell us the total area you need when you request a quote, and we'll design the layout with you.
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Yes. We supply custom sizes and shapes for unusual spaces. For small spaces under 20 ft, our Hypar design sheds water without a central pole.
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Yes. You can add walls, a printed lining or a second tent joined to the first at any time after you buy, so your space can grow with your business.
Weather & Safety
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Yes. Our tents are made from All Weather MK4 fabric, which stays waterproof while stretched. It uses AWAT, short for Anti Water Absorption Technology, a two membrane system that fends off rain, dirt, and UV rays. The outer barrier membrane repels water, so the fabric doesn't soak up rain and dries quickly, even indoors. It also protects the fabric from sun damage and dirt, which helps it last longer and clean easily.
Guttering systems channel water away during heavy rain, and the stretched, curved shape sheds water so it doesn't pool on top. If the sides are open, wind-driven rain can blow in. For a fully dry space, see our Wall Options.
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Yes. The fabric meets Canadian CAN/ULC-S109 and US NFPA 701 fire safety standards. We can supply the certificates for your venue or fire marshal.
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RHI provides load diagrams and wind testing for each configuration. In a floating canopy setup, our stretch tents are rated to withstand winds up to 90 km/h. Other configurations are often even stronger, but their rating depends on your site, how the tent is anchored, and the wind direction, especially with sides down. We plan the anchoring for your site and can share the specific data for your configuration.
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Yes. Our wall and door systems can close the tent on one side, several sides, or all four. Walls block wind, driving rain, and cooler air, which extends your season. Doors give guests a proper entrance.
Walls are optional, so you can run the tent open or fully enclosed depending on the event. See our Wall Options.
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A stretch tent can handle a light dusting of snow, so it's fine to leave it up until the end of the shoulder season. Stretch tents aren't designed for heavy snow loads, though, so pick a good dry day to take it down before any significant snowfall. Our takedown and storage service can handle this for you.
Setup & Site
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Almost anywhere. Grass, uneven ground, and hard surfaces such as pavement or decks all work. On hard surfaces we use traditional 3ft pegs if we can or expanding anchors, ballasts or both. Tents can also attach to buildings and trees. We check each site before install.
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Small stretch tents go up in about 3 hours with a trained crew. Larger stretch tents can take a full day.
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Our team installs every tent with professional rigging and shows you how to use and care for it. We can also train your team, or look after setup, takedown, and storage through our Tent Management Services.
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Rules vary by municipality. We provide a checklist and documents on request to help with permits and fire marshal approval.
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Clean the fabric with mild soap and water, and always make sure it's completely dry before packing it away to prevent mildew. Store it in its bags in a dry place off the ground. We show you how to set up, take down and care for your tent, or you can use our takedown and storage service and we'll look after it for you.
Ordering & Delivery
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Small and medium stretch tents are usually in stock, depending on availability. Large and custom orders take about 110 days. For a fee, expedited delivery brings a custom order down to about 40 days. Contact us early if you're planning around a date.
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Our popular sizes are $14,590 for Small, $25,550 for Medium, and $46,500 for Large. Prices do not include taxes, delivery, setup, or pegs.
Walls, custom sizes, extra colours, and a printed lining change the price. Request a quote and we'll send an exact figure.
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Yes. Our sister company, Little Foot Yurts, rents stretch tents and yurts. Try one in your space before you decide.
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Each tent ships as a bag with its poles and rigging.
Small: 2 x 2 x 4 ft bag with 11 poles. Tent 156 lb, rigging 176 lb.
Medium: 3 x 2.5 x 5 ft bag with 15 poles. Tent 313 lb, rigging 308 lb.
Large: 3.5 x 3.5 x 5 ft bag with 23 poles. Tent 626 lb, rigging 421 lb.
We coordinate shipping, and our team can install your tent when it arrives. We're based in the Annapolis Valley and deliver and install across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, including Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Charlottetown and St. John's, bringing your tent to its final location in our 4×4 truck. Delivery is quoted with your tent.
We can travel beyond the region with an additional travel quote. We have shipped a tent to British Columbia and flown out one of our owners to assemble it, and we can do the same for your project.
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Yes. We replace any rigging parts found to be defective within 2 years of purchase, and we honour the manufacturer's 1-year warranty for defects and the 2-year waterproof guarantee on the tent fabric. See Order & Setup for details.
