What is the difference between a frame tent and a pole tent?

This article is part of a series of posts with further explanation on many of our frequently asked questions.

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Many people wonder what the difference is between a frame tent and a pole tent. This article will be a bit more technical than most. So, I'll do my best to make it easy to understand.

Pole tents, also known as tension structures are an evolution of the earliest type of tents. The forerunners to modern pole tents were the big top circus tents of the past. They have one or more high peaks in the center. Their structure comes from the fabric itself. They can be installed quickly with no need for beams to support them. Many of today's pole tents are engineered to withstand up to 70 mph sustained winds and 90 mph gusts. Pole tents are the most economical type of tent that we offer. They are great for weddings, backyard parties and other events of all kinds. They have tall, graceful peaks and airy spacious interiors. Many people prefer this style over the more traditional square frame tent appearance. They can be installed on nearly any surface where stakes can be driven into the ground.

While pole tents fill the needs of most of our customers, there are some situations where only a frame tent will fit the bill. Frame tents, also known as clearspan structures or clearspan tents offer some unique advantages. Sometimes, tents must be secured with weights instead of driving stakes into the ground. In locations where a driveway cannot be penetrated or where underground utilities make it unsafe to drive stakes, a frame tent with weights is the perfect solution. Frame tents are much more flexible in the ways that they can secured. They can be installed on a deck, patio or even the rooftop of a building. Frame tents have other advantages as well. They have no interior poles. This is great for construction projects where machinery must work inside the tent or events where poles would obstruct the flow of people. Frame tents also work well as weather protection for a stage at a graduation ceremony or other outdoor event with a large audience. Lighting and speakers can be hung from the aluminum beams of the tent. The front of the stage can be completely unobstructed by tent poles. Frame tents can also be easily raised to a taller height to cover a stage or to allow machinery to enter the tent. Some people prefer the more modern, "Euro" appearance of a frame tent.

Still not sure which type of tent you'll need? Contact us and let our representatives find the best solution for your event. Whichever type of tent you choose, rest assured that Tents For Rent will provide you with a quality tent and excellent service to make your event successful.

Yellow and white pole tent

Pole tents are perfect for back yard parties and other events.

Our "Century" frame tents offer the aesthetics of a pole tent with the advantages of a frame tent.

Pole tents, have tall, graceful peaks and elegant curves.

Frame tents have a completely unobstructed interior. They can also give a wide open view to the outside as well.

Engineered pole tents are designed to withstand all types of weather.

Frame tents can be installed in locations where no stakes can be driven into the ground.

The design of pole tents makes them very popular for weddings.

Frame tents are ideal for covering a stage

Frame tents can be staked much more flexibly than pole tents.

Where can I find pricing information?

This article is part of a series of posts with further explanation on each of our frequently asked questions.

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One of the first questions we get when people contact us is, "what is the price?" Everyone is looking for the best value. However, there are many variables in tent pricing. We have a wide range of tent sizes. Any rental of up to three days does not increase the price. However, renting longer than three days will increase the price incrementally. Also, your distance from our location can change the price as well. For this reason, we don't list our prices on our website. As a starting point, 80% of the weddings we serve cost between $350 and $5,000 total. This includes delivery, installation, all the accessories, removal and tax.

As you're comparing and looking at tent rental prices, remember that value is about more than just price. A great tent company provides:

1. Knowledgeable, courteous, professional staff

2. Excellent customer service

3. Quality tents that are designed to handle all types of weather

4. A company that has been in the business long enough to understand the industry well

5. Good reviews from other customers

6. A company the cleans and maintains their tents regularly

7. Prompt response to your inquiry

8. Integrity

9. Flexibility for last minute changes

10. Friendly, experienced installation crew.

11. Someone on call 24/7/365 should any issues arise.

For an exact quote for your event, please fill out this form or call us at 717.733.9700.

How to Plan an Outdoor Event? Video

This article is part of a series of posts with further explanation on each of our frequently asked questions.

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So you're planning an event, and you're thinking of holding it outdoors. You just don't know where to start. Here's a place to start.

1. Choose a date. If you'd like to see the average weather for a given date, look here.

2. Create a guest list. This will help you estimate the number of guests who will attend. On average about 80% of the people you invite will attend. Will they all be there at one time or will it be a drop-in?

3. Choose a location. It can be your backyard, a park, a bed and breakfast, the home of a friend or family member, or another venue.

4. Research vendors for tents, other rentals, catering, event planning and entertainment.

5. Expect the best weather, but plan for the worst. If you plan to have any portion of the event outside, have a backup plan to add another tent or move indoors in case of rain.

6. Plan the details:

   1. Lighting

   2. Heating or cooling

   3. Tent layout

   4. Tables and chairs

   5. Linens

   6. Flooring

   7. Restrooms

   8. Power

7. Enjoy your event.

We'd love to hear from you with your success stories, comments, suggestions or questions. Contact us to get a rental quote. 

Why Should I Rent From Tents For Rent? Video

Call us at 717.733.9700 or request a quote to discover the Tents For Rent difference.

This article is the first in a series of posts with further explanation on each of our frequently asked questions.

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Why is Tents For Rent the company to choose for your once in a lifetime event, annual picnic or other outdoor event? There are many things that any reputable tent company will provide you with:

• Tents that are clean, safe and regularly maintained

• Heavy-duty tents that will protect you and give you peace of mind even in a storm

• Choice of a wide range of tent sizes

• A wide range of rental items in addition to tents

• Experienced, trustworthy tent installers

In addition to these things, we offer "something more."

• Peace of mind from start to finish

• Free CAD drawings to help you visualize your event

• The option to install a tent only in the case of inclement weather and cancel it if the weather forecast is favorable

• Onsite consultation if necessary

• Helpful staff who will make your planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible

• Showroom where you can see our tents, tables, chairs and linens

• Years of experience with large and small events

• Relationships with local caterers, florists, decorators and event venues

• Up to three days of rental at no additional cost

There are other rental companies who offer discount prices, but just remember that discount prices create discount quality, discount service, discount satisfaction and discount stress levels. 

Share Your Photos, Get $10

We love to see photos from you. For the last two years, we've held a photo contest and given away a free Kindle Fire tablet for the best photo submitted. This year, everyone wins. If you submit a video and/or 10 photos, you will get a $10 Amazon gift card. Click below for details and to submit your photos:

From Concept to Completion, We Make Your Dreams Come True

CAD Drawing

3D CAD Drawing

Large trucks could not access the job site

Flooring had to be hauled about one mile off the road by pickup and trailer

Transporting flooring

A temporary roadway was built to avoid damage to the yard

Wind

There were high winds during the installation

The wood flooring was custom stained

Tent installation complete

Beautiful sky and beautiful tent

White dance floor

Furniture and white pleated tent liner are installed

Restroom trailer

Nearing completion

At the last minute, a cocktail tent was added due to changing weather conditions

Ready for guests to arrive

How to Plan an Outdoor Wedding or Other Event

Tent wedding

So, you're looking forward to Fall with its beautiful colors and cooler temperatures. It's a great time to plan an outdoor event. But, where do you begin? I'd recommend starting here:

1. Create a guest list. You can expect that approximately 80% of the people you invite will attend.

2. Choose a location. It can be your backyard, a park, a bed and breakfast, the home of a friend or family member, or another venue.

3. Research vendors for tents, other rentals, catering, event planning and entertainment.

4. Expect the best weather, but plan for the worst. If you plan to have any portion of the event outside, have a backup plan to add another tent or move it indoors in case of rain.

5. Plan the details:

   1. Lighting

   2. Heating or cooling

   3. Tent layout

   4. Tables and chairs

   5. Linens

   6. Flooring

   7. Restrooms

   8. Power

   9. Enjoy your event.

We'd love to hear from you with your success stories, comments, suggestions or questions. Contact us to get a rental quote. 

I Only Need a Tent in Case of Rain Video

Call us at 717.733.9700 or request a quote to be prepared for any type of weather.

Many people planning an outdoor event or wedding really love the outdoors. So do we. If you're an outdoors loving person, maybe you prefer to have your event outdoors with no tent at all. Maybe you like the full expanse of blue sky overhead during your wedding ceremony. Maybe you have visions of soft moonlight during your reception. Maybe you want to look up at the green canopy of trees overhead.

We understand this and we have a plan in place for you. Most summer days are lovely, warm and beautiful, but you need to plan for hot days with glaring sun or the stormy days with driving rain. That's where we come in. We allow you to reserve your tent and all the other rental items to go with it. If the weather forecast is beautiful, you can cancel the tent. There are several things you should consider when you're thinking of having a tent as a backup plan:

• Rain isn't the only type of inclement weather. Shade from the hot sun can help keep your guests more comfortable too.

• Even if you have your wedding ceremony outdoors, it's a great idea to rent a tent for the reception to cover the food, sound system and etc.

• If you're planning to light the tent, plan for how you want to light the space if you don't rent a tent. Not all types of lighting work as well outside a tent.

• You may want to rearrange your seating layout if you don't rent a tent.

• If in doubt, rent a tent. It's much better to rent a tent and not need it than cancel the tent and wish you had it.

So, how does it all work? When you reserve, we require a 25% deposit. This guarantees that your tent will be available in case of inclement weather. However, you may cancel the tent if the weather forecast looks beautiful. You may make this decision up until 9:00 AM of the business day before delivery and save yourself the remaining 75%. If you cancel after 9:00 AM, you save 50% of the tent rental cost. There are two exceptions to this: linens need to be cancelled one day earlier than tents in order to get a 75% refund and permits are not refundable at all. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your guests will have shade from the hot sun or cover from the rain. Yet, you have the option to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. So, reserve today to plan an event that will be beautiful no matter what the weather.

New Rounded Tent

Shumaker PDT and Lancaster Country Day School have teamed up to create events under our new, rounded 60' x 40' tent.

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Wedding Photos

Thanks to Joe Craig Photography for these beautiful pictures of Lauren's wedding.

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Sailcloth Tents

Recently a new style of tent has been introduced. It has its roots in the nautical industry and it is increasingly popular for all types of events. Inspired by the sea, it is constructed of sail cloth material. With nautical flair, the sculpted peaks and eaves combine with a no-valance design, creating an open air event space like nothing you’ve seen before. The translucence of sail cloth enhances daytime events with natural light, and positively glows when lit for evening gatherings. The tents have rounded ends and have 10’ openings between the sidepoles. They come in a wide range of sizes:

20’x17’, 20’x27’, 20’x37’

32’x 30’, 32’x40’, 32’x50’, 32’x60’

44’x43’, 44’x63’, 44’x83’, 44’x103’, 44’x123’

We are considering adding these tents to our inventory and we’d like to get your feedback about these tents. Would you be interested in them? Do you like the look of them? The cost to rent them would likely be about 25% more than a similarly sized standard pole tent. Contact us to let us know what you think. We look forward to hearing from you.

Great Wedding, Happy Couple

Here is a link to a blog posting about a great wedding we were privileged to be a part of.

Planning an Outdoor Wedding

An interesting article with some good tips for planning an outdoor wedding.

Camp Weddings

The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting article on increasingly popular camp weddings. They are fairly economical and offer a new type of experience that takes us back to our childhood. They've also posted a photo gallery.