Anchor – An auger type device used to secure the guy ropes of a tent to the ground, ranging in length from 30” to 48” with a helix of 4” to 8” in diameter. Anchors hold better than stakes do in bare earth and sand; also known as stakes.
Center Pole – The main support; solid or telescopic poles of wood or metal used to support the center and highest part of a tent.
Concrete Anchor – A 2-piece combination of eyebolt and lag anchor drilled and set into existing concrete to tie guy ropes off. The eyebolt is removed after use and replaced with a cap plug. Flush with concrete, so that the lag anchor can be reused at a later time. The hole drilled is usually _” to 1” diameter and 3” deep.
End Sections – The initial set of sections to form the tent roof. Center sections may be added to increase the length.
Flameproof – A material used to retard the flammability of tent and wall materials.
Floor – A temp deck built of wood and covered with Astroturf or carpet that helps alleviate inclement weather (rain drainage, cold, etc.). It also makes the surface more uniform, negating trip hazards and stabilizing seating.
Frame Tent – A professionally installed tent consisting of vinyl top stretched over a metal frame and containing no center poles, only perimeter support poles.
Gel – A colored transparent material placed in front of a lighting instrument to color the light.
Guy Ropes/Straps – Ropes or straps with ratchets, that extend from the eaves of a tent to each side pole and then to anchors in the ground, providing support for the roof. Straps/ratchets commonly used on larger tents.
Liners & Leg Drapes – An interior fabric used to mask the structural support of pole and frame tents, while still giving it warmth and ambiance. Usually white in color.
Marquee – A long and narrow tent without sides used for sheltering walkways, defining an entry to a tent, building, or house.
PAR Lighting – (parabolic aluminized reflector light) A directional lighting instrument. Its beam spreads from a very narrow spot to a wide flood.
Pavilion – A type of frame tent specifically designed with one side flat for the purpose of butting against a house or building thereby minimizing leaks from rain.
Pitch – The slope of the roof of a tent resulting from the difference in height between the highest point and the perimeter height.
Pole Tent – A tension type tent containing center poles, perimeter poles, and guy ropes. Anchoring/staking is critical to insure proper installation; because of this, a 7’ to 10’ area is needed to anchor/stake the tent.
Side Pole – The support poles placed around the perimeter of a tent.
Sidewalls – Detachable vinyl walls used to enclose the sides of a tent.
Stakes – 42” steel rebar pegs used to secure the guy ropes of a tent in the ground; also known as anchors.
Structure Tent – A tent with an aluminum frame support structure that eliminates the need for center pole support.
Valance – Vinyl material permanently attached to the perimeter of tent. It usually hangs down 12” and can be straight or scalloped. Gives the tent a finished look and helps seal sidewall against rain or wind.
Weights – Sometimes used as an alternative to anchors/stakes in areas that would be damaged by normal staking. No one in the tent industry recommends using them as they will not hold up to high wind loads.
Keder System –Tent fabric sidewalls and tops that are hemmed with a plastic cable that is threaded into a track built into a structure tent framework. The fabric sections are independent of one another. This design creates a more controllable interior environment for heated or conditioned air, and ideal for blocking out exterior sounds. The stable, wind resistant structure can stand for long rental periods.