Maintenance Notes for Owners
All of our products are designed and built to last. This ethos runs through everything we do, for the benefit of our customers and the planet. It is achieved using the highest quality materials and over 35 years of Tentipi expertise.
There is no definitive answer as to how long your tipi will last, but if well looked after you will get many years of use out of it.
There are several things you can do to prolong its life. Please have a read of our guide below. It's not everything there is to know, but it's a good place to start.
INSPECTING YOUR CANVAS
It is a good idea for you to regularly inspect your canvases for nicks, tears and holes. It's much easier and cheaper to repair a tear when it's small.
If you don't have one already, it's well worth keeping one of our canvas repair kits in your on-site tool kit.
We can give you plenty of guidance when it comes to managing repairs yourself. For larger repairs, which might require professional sewing, we can advise on authorised Tentipi repairers.
CLEANING YOUR CANVAS
Our canvas has a custom coating that gives it exceptional weatherproofing. This weatherproofing precludes the use of some harsh chemicals which could damage the coating. However, several methods can be safely used for cleaning canvases.
For everyday mud and dirt, wait for the canvas to dry and remove any excess dirt with a dry brush, then wash using lots of warm water and a soft cloth.
For tougher residues such as algae (where tipis have been pitched near trees and shrubs for extended periods) the fabric manufacturer's advice is to use a light solution of chlorine bleach in water (ratio1:10). This will make a significant difference to the build-up of algae but may not entirely remove all traces of the green residue. Always rinse with clean water afterwards.
There are other products and methods that some of our customers have successfully used, please get in touch if you would like more details.
STORING YOUR CANVAS
A tipi left up for 12 months of the year will not last as long as one that is packed away during cold and wet months.
If your tipi is left unoccupied for any length of time, we recommend taking the tent down, drying it completely and storing it in a dry, well-ventilated space.
WIND MANAGEMENT
As with any temporary structure, wind management is a constant consideration. Every event tent structure should have a maximum wind rating.
Our specific wind ratings and pull-out forces are detailed in our customer Safety Manual and vary according to the tipi size and model.
All customers are given a printed copy of our Safety Manual and access to an online version. We are always happy to discuss wind management with customers.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
TIPI POLES
Due to the immense strength of the Nordic spruce that we use for our poles, they do not need any unpleasant chemicals to prevent rot, but they do require a certain amount of care to keep them in good working order for as long as possible.
The first thing you can do to prolong the life of your tipi poles is to store them when not in use, ideally off the ground in a dry, well-ventilated space.
For anyone planning long-term installations, we would recommend using a plastic membrane beneath the poles to prevent them from sitting on wet ground and soaking up water.
We also recommend carrying out regular inspections of fixtures and fittings to check they are all secure, and an annual inspection of all poles.
Details of how to carry out pole inspections can be found in our customer Safety Manual. All customers are given a printed copy of our Safety Manual and access to an online version. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
30 augusti 2024
This apparently simple, but ingenious design by Bengt Grahn (founder of Tentipi) back in 1991, overcomes an age-old problem; how to stop rain from entering the top of a traditional Nordic tipi.
As with any great design, the radial frame solves a number of issues beyond making a Nordic tipi weatherproof.
29 augusti 2024
Tentipi Event Tents are being used by an increasing number of hospitality businesses around the world for al fresco dining and socialising.
Quince is a three Michelin Star restaurant located in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square. They are stocked with premium produce by their sister business, Fresh Run Farm, located just north of the city.
28 juni 2024
Tentipi Event Tents for Schools
Our tipis take inspiration from the kåta, the traditional home of the Sami people. We have combined this traditional design with innovative new features and premium materials to create extremely robust and long-lasting structures.
30 december 2021
Lennart Pittja is a Sámi entrepreneur with a mission: with his world-renowned eco-tourism company he wants to spread the knowledge about his people – the Sami, indigenous of northern Scandinavia and Russia. With over 20 years of experience as a wildlife guide and nature photographer in the arctic region he started Sápmi Nature Camp. Where his guests stay in Nordic tipis from Tentipi on his reindeer herding land outside of Gällivare, in northern Sweden.
At Sapmi Nature camp you can experience real winter, see the northern lights, eat traditional Sami food, and have a cultural exchange in a genuine atmosphere. The scenic location has gained attraction from around the world. In 2017 it was listed by National Geographic as one of the top 21 places in the world to visit if you care about the planet.
29 december 2021
Stratus 72, the giant Nordic tipi shaped like a witch’s hat has become one of the most iconic and loved product from Tentipi. The story behind it is both long and fascinating. It involves the Sami, a 1000 square meter booth, and a mobile slaughterhouse.
The United Nations general assembly proclaimed 1993 to be the year of the world´s indigenous people with the goal to protect and promote the right of indigenous people. This made it possible for interest groups and organizations to apply for grants for projects relating to these issues.
Ivan Eriksson is Sami and he has been working with projects to strengthen and further the Sami-culture for most of his life. He has always had one leg in reindeer husbandry and working to strengthen Sami rights has always been close to his heart. When he heard about the opportunity to do something during the special UN-year he knew that he had to make something extraordinary.