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. 

Why Google is Proposing a Huge "Tent" for It's New Headquarters

Of course, we, here at Tents For Rent have been touting the flexibility of tents for years. Now Google is doing the same. They are planning to achieve numerous benefits with their new fabric structure:

• Openness to the surrounding community

• Green indoors and out

• Flexibility for changes in future needs.

Whether your tent is for a wedding or an office space it offers you:

• A blank canvas to design or decorate as you like

• The ability to easily move or change it as necessary

• An "outdoor" feel

• Low environmental impact

• Reasonable cost

Contact us today and let us help you find the tent for your needs.

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:

Interview with Marlin Sensenig

Marlin Sensenig has quite a following. Of course, you may notice that many of the tentmen walking along with him look quite similar. Tents for Rent is a family run business with two of his sons, Daryl and Brian, employed full time along with Marlin's wife, Martha. Four youngsters are up and coming part time staff and his first grandchild is still in training, but showing a lot of energy! Marlin was first exposed to tent rentals in 1978 at the age of 17 when he was hired by an auction company that owned two or three tents. The company used the tents at auctions, but started to rent them out to other customers as well. By 1984, Marlin had purchased the company and, with his wife who was responsible for office administration, began focusing exclusively on renting tents. Today, Tents for Rent has over 400,000 square feet of tenting, ranging to 80' widths, and has expanded the business to include tables, chairs and lighting rentals. Marlin states, "Having a passion for and loving what we do helps our effectiveness and makes it very rewarding." He has had many unique rental opportunities including beach weddings, rooftop events, events for Governors and Vice Presidents, Presidential campaigns and the 2009 Inauguration. He attributes the solid growth of his business to this wide variety of activities. As a businessman, Marlin feels that slow, steady growth is the most sustainable and has helped him weather economic downturns. He also believes in a strong service ethic. He tries to provide service that is "second to none." This ethic supports his company's slogan, "Our Goal: On Time…Everytime." Extremely active in the MATRA organization, Marlin has been a member for over fifteen years. The education he has received through MATRA has enabled him to expand his rental industry knowledge and form great partnerships and friendships. Tents For Rent normally sends 10-15 employees to attend the MATRA Conference and compete in the MATRA games. They have created quite a competitive tradition and his company has had many winners over the years. Marlin is the proud recipient of the Golden Sledgehammer Award in 1998, 2001 and 2005. Most recently, Marlin has won the "Over 40 Overall" Competition in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2008. Marlin looks to his employees to provide him with an invaluable source of feedback from the Conference which helps the company grow. Many employees from Tents for Rent have been with the company for years. Marlin says, "Although the risks and stress of running a company can be challenging, it is also rewarding to have trusted employees and family." Marlin and his family also have a deep, abiding faith in God which helps sustain and motivate them. For several years his firm has supported a very effective and frugal organization known as Christian Aid Ministries. This year, Tents for Rent was instrumental in acquiring and sending more than 10,000 tarps to Haiti to assist recovery efforts following the tragic natural disaster. Employees and staff volunteered hours of donated time arranging for the timely delivery of tarps. God has provided many blessings to Marlin and his company and he encourages others to share whenever possible. While Marlin acknowledges that he, too, is concerned about the long, slow economic recovery ahead, he also believes that, "it gives the industry a chance to take a closer look at its businesses. This will, in turn, help us all be better prepared to take advantage of future opportunities." MATRA extends its best wishes and congratulations to Marlin Sensenig and Tents for Rent for its longtime support and for its fine record of accomplishment in the tent rental industry.

Reproduced by permission from MATRA March/April Newsletter.

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

We're moving

Tents For Rent Warehouse and Showroom

After all this time, we're excited to announce that we're moving to a new warehouse and showroom about two miles from our previous location. Our new showroom will allow us to display more of the linens, tables, chairs, lighting and tents that we offer. Our new, larger warehouse will allow us to expand our inventory to serve you better. We also have a new tent washing facility that will help us keep the tents for your events shiny and clean. We're planning an open house. Everyone is welcome. If you're interested, you may find more details and RSVP at Eventbrite.