Author: alex

End panels on marquees can be particularly vulnerable to strong winds. Here’s why and how to address it:

Wind Resistance in Marquee End Panels

A single large end panel takes the full force of strong winds, concentrating stress on the eyelets around the edges. This can cause the panel to billow significantly and might lead to premature wear or failure. The larger the panel, the more slack there is, making it more susceptible to movement and damage.

Solution: Multiple Panels

Using several smaller panels instead of one large panel distributes the wind forces more evenly. This approach enhances the durability and wind-resistance of each panel, as the smaller panels experience less strain. Additionally, smaller panels tend to billow in and out less than a single large panel, providing better overall stability.

Note: Our commercial, professional, and deluxe marquee ranges use smaller end panels to ensure greater resilience and longevity.

For personalized advice tailored to your event, please reach out with details such as the type of event, available space, number of guests, and any diagrams or photos of the site. We’re here to help you find the best solution.

For permission or licensing to use or quote any part of this article, please contact us.

This complements the marquee wedding articles we’ve contributed to confetti.co.uk.

Furniture:

• Hire Rather Than Buy: Furniture is generally too costly to purchase, so hiring is usually the best option.
• Tables: Opt for 5ft 6in round tables to seat 10 guests comfortably, instead of the smaller 5ft tables which can be cramped.
• Informal Atmosphere: Use a mix of smaller tables to create a relaxed setting (see our article on seating for more tips).
• Top Table Placement: For a traditional look, place a long top table against one side of the marquee.
• Round Tables: Create a social and informal vibe with round tables placed centrally, allowing guests to sit all around.
• Oval Tables: These offer a sociable alternative to long tables. Position them against one side of the marquee, with seating on three sides to leave the front open for the bride and groom.
• Additional Considerations: Include an easel for table plans (or two for larger events), a table or clips for hats, and a table for wedding presents (either in the marquee or inside the house).

Dance Floors:

• Buying vs. Hiring: Dance floors can be very costly to buy, so hiring or making one yourself (using 18mm plywood and battens) is often more practical.
• Existing Floors: If your marquee covers a patio or decking, you can use these as a dance floor.
• Dance Floor Placement: Decide whether you want dancing to be the focal point after the meal (place it in the middle) or to keep it separate from seating (position it at one end).
• Multi-Use Space: If the dance floor is in the middle, consider using it for the top table during the meal and clearing it afterward, as top tables are usually not needed once the meal is over. A dance floor can also serve as an emergency greeting area in bad weather.

Other Considerations:

• Setup and Testing: Set up the marquee several days in advance and test the lighting and heating (if needed) to ensure they are adequate.
• Bar Placement: Position the bar near the evening’s entertainment to keep guests in one area, avoiding the creation of separate parties. Don’t place the bar in a separate marquee or the house.
• Lighting: Use dimmable lighting to provide both dining and mood lighting options.
• Heating: In October to April, ensure the marquee is heated for at least an hour before guests arrive (see our article on marquee heating). In May to September, a heater might be needed just to take off the chill in the evening.
• Guest Arrival: Create an inviting entrance with a carpet path and flower pots.
• Guest Departure: Provide lighting to guide guests back to their cars in the dark.
• Toilets: Plan for one toilet per 40-50 guests. If this isn’t feasible, consider hiring a luxury toilet unit.
• Notify Neighbors: Inform them well in advance, especially if you plan on partying late.
• Police Notification: Notify the police to provide them with information about your event, which can help in managing any potential complaints.

For tailored advice on your event, please contact us with details such as the type of event, available space, number of guests, and any diagrams or photos. We’d be happy to assist with your options.

If you wish to use or quote any part of this article, please contact us for permission or licensing.

In simple terms, eave braces enhance the strength, durability, and lifespan of a marquee.

Over time, marquees can experience issues like water pooling due to:

• Overstretched bungee loops
• Erection on a slope
• Roof stretching from previous water pooling

Water pooling can cause the roof (a plastic material) to stretch, increasing the likelihood of future pooling. Preventing pooling from the start is crucial, and that’s where eave braces come in.

Eave braces work by reducing the spacing between poles from 2m to 1m. This tighter spacing significantly decreases the chance of water pooling, as the braces help distribute weight and support the roof more effectively.

Additionally, eave braces, along with gable uprights (as shown in the picture), contribute to the overall strength and stability of the marquee, making it more resilient and longer-lasting.

For tailored advice on your event, please contact us with details such as the type of event, available space, number of guests, and any diagrams or photos. We’d be delighted to assist with your options.

If you wish to use or quote any part of this article, please get in touch with us for permission or licensing.

Do you have a beautiful view you’d like your guests to enjoy? Simply position the window panels in your marquee to frame that view perfectly.

On the other hand, if there’s something you’d rather not display, place the solid wall panels to keep it out of sight.

Need an entrance in a specific spot? No problem. You can easily add a zipped wall panel wherever you need access.

If you’re connecting marquees side by side but still want a clear view at the ends, just fit window panels at the end sections of each marquee.

Looking to switch up the layout of windows and walls for each event? With our interchangeable side wall system, that’s entirely possible.

Our commercial, professional, and deluxe marquees feature a flexible side wall system where all side panels are 2m wide and can be placed anywhere around the structure. Even after the marquee is fully erected, it’s a quick and simple process to swap or reposition them.

If you’d like personalized advice for your event, feel free to reach out to us with details such as event type, available space, guest numbers, and any diagrams or photos. We’re happy to guide you through your options.

For permission or licensing to use any part of this article, please contact us directly.

Understanding the various materials and terminology used in the marquee industry can be challenging, especially when some suppliers intentionally complicate things for customers. To help clarify, here’s a breakdown of the materials commonly used in marquee construction, listed in order of durability:

1. PE (80-240gsm – grams per square metre)

Polyethylene, or PE, is the material typically used in tarpaulins and groundsheets, which are around 80gsm. While it’s waterproof and functions well, PE can be noisy in windy conditions. It’s important to note that PE should not be considered 100% waterproof, as its seams need to be sewn, which can allow leaks.

2. Poly/PVC (500d)

This is a polyester material coated with PVC, offering a middle ground between PE and true PVC. Unfortunately, some suppliers intentionally confuse “500d” with “500gsm” in their marketing, but these are not the same. The “500d” refers to denier, which is a measurement of thread thickness, not the overall strength or durability of the material. It’s not as heavy-duty as 500gsm PVC, as denier only refers to the thread’s thickness in the woven fabric, not the compactness or strength of the material.

3. PVC (300-650gsm)

PVC is the top choice in marquee manufacturing, with varying thicknesses used throughout the industry. It lasts twice as long as PE or Poly/PVC and can be welded with high-frequency techniques to create a fully watertight structure. However, not all PVC is the same. The strength of PVC depends more on the quality of its core material rather than its weight. For example, a high-quality branded 500gsm PVC can outperform a lower-quality, unbranded 650gsm PVC.

At DIY Marquees, we use Duracoretex™ PVC exclusively, as it has consistently proven to be more durable than other similarly weighted non-branded products.

Key Point: Structural Strength

While the quality of the marquee cover is important, the strength of a marquee depends on more than just the thickness of the material. Structural bracing often offers more durability and stability than a minor increase in roof material thickness. This fact is sometimes overlooked by those who focus solely on marketing rather than marquee construction.

We are always available to provide tailored advice for your event. Feel free to contact us with details such as the event type, available space, guest numbers, and any relevant diagrams or photos, and we will gladly assist you.

For permission or licensing to use or quote any part of this article, please reach out to us directly.

Marquee lining terminology is generally straightforward, but there are a few industry-specific terms worth understanding:

1. Roof Linings

These are available in various styles:

• Flat Linings: Sometimes referred to as shaped linings, these follow the interior contours of the roof. They are currently the most popular lining style we produce.
• Pleated Linings: Featuring vertically gathered fabric, this style was highly fashionable in the 1990s-2000s.
• Rouched Linings: Characterized by horizontal tucks, these linings were trendy in the 1980s-1990s.

2. Eave Linings

These are used to conceal the join between the roof and walls. Available options include:

• Swags: Gathered fabric, often used in weddings, with ivory as the most common color, though other colors are also available.
• Flat Pelmet: A flat 10cm drop that runs around the marquee. It pairs well with flat or shaped linings and is our standard finish for roof linings. Typically made in ivory but customizable in other colors.
• Gathered Pelmet: Similar to a flat pelmet but with slight pleating. This style was popular in the 1990s (famously used at the Beckham wedding) but is now less in demand.
• Scalloped Pelmet with Gold Tassel Fringe: Traditionally used with rouched linings, this finish is thankfully now out of fashion!

3. Curtain Linings

These linings cover the marquee legs and act as decorative curtains. They are not designed to cover the window panels, as that would detract from the professional appearance by letting window patterns show through.

4. Wall Linings

Not shown in the photo, wall linings are used to hide wall panels. In basic marquee ranges, walls are typically found only at the ends of the structure. In more advanced commercial marquees, wall panels can be positioned anywhere, and the interior walls are covered with matching linings.

We are always happy to provide tailored advice for your event. Contact us with event details such as the type of event, available space, number of guests, and any relevant diagrams or photos, and we’ll be happy to guide you through your options.

For permission or licensing to use or quote any part of this article, please contact us directly.

The cost of hiring a marquee is typically between one-third and one-half of the purchase price. For this reason, if you plan to use a marquee more than once, it’s often more practical to buy rather than hire. However, when it comes to dance floors and furniture, hiring is usually more economical since the hire charge is around one-tenth of the purchase price. Additionally, dance floors tend to be heavier than the marquee itself, making hiring a popular choice.

Common Dance Floor Finishes:

There are three popular types of dance floor finishes:

1. Plain Wooden: Typically stained plywood.
2. Parquet: Interlocking wooden blocks.
3. Black & White: Square acrylic panels arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

If You Own a Marquee (Ideally a Portland One), Here Are Your Options for a Dance Floor:

1. Hire a Dance Floor:

• As mentioned earlier, unless you plan to use a dance floor more than 10 times, hiring is usually more cost-effective.
• When you hire from a furniture or marquee hire company, they generally handle both the installation and removal of the floor, which is helpful given the weight of dance floors.
• Additionally, dance floors can take up more storage space than the marquee itself, so hiring can also save on storage requirements.

2. Buy a Dance Floor:

• We can recommend several reputable dance floor manufacturers that supply strong and durable products to the marquee hire industry. These floors require minimal maintenance and last for years.
• Avoid cheap plastic interlocking tiles, as they generally don’t look good or withstand the wear and tear dance floors endure (although improvements in this area may come in the future).
• This is the most expensive option but ensures you have your own floor for repeated use.

3. Make Your Own Dance Floor:

• Building a wooden dance floor is relatively simple. Use 18mm plywood with battens attached to the back, and fasten the panels with clips or screws.
• The plywood can be stained or painted to match your preferred aesthetic.
• For easier handling and storage, it’s advisable to cut larger panels (e.g., 8×4 feet) in half to make 8×2 feet panels.
• Be sure to calculate the costs beforehand. While purchasing plywood from a wholesaler can be affordable, buying from a retail store like B&Q could make it more cost-effective to purchase a ready-made floor instead, as manufacturers buy materials in bulk.

These are the most popular solutions when setting up a dance floor in your marquee.

We are always happy to offer personalized advice for your event. Feel free to contact us with details about your event, including the type of event, available space, number of guests, and any diagrams or photos of the site. We’ll be more than happy to guide you through your options.

If you would like to use or quote any part of this article, please contact us for permission or licensing.

There are usually three ways of running power to a marquee:
i. extension leads run from a house to the marquee
ii. a large mains supply temporarily connected from a house to the marquee (electrician required)
iii. use a generator

Extension leads:

• Check the extension lead for maximum loading (usually 3KW) and be sure not to overload it
• Neaten the extension lead by attaching the excess cable up to the eaves rail of the marquee (cable ties are perfect for this)
• Avoid running extension leads in areas where people might trip over them. Running them out of the side of the marquee above head height to a fence or hedge and down to the house is ideal.
• If using multiple extension leads then plug them in to different circuits of the house (eg one in the kitchen, one in a room downstairs and one in a room upstairs)
• If you require more than 3 extension leads then consider using an electrician to connect a temporary supply or using a generator
• If the marquee is a long distance from any available power (30m+) then consider using an electrician to connect a temporary supply or using a generator
• There shouldn’t be a problem with weather if the plug is inside the house and the socket is in the marquee off the ground and away from any potential condensation. Avoid having any joins of extension leads outside as they are difficult to make waterproof.
• Always ensure any electricity supply is protected by earth leakage circuit breakers, this will protect against any accidental damage.

Temporary circuits (electrician required):

• Only use a certified electrician registered for Part P
• Confirm how much power the circuit will provide and ensure that is enough for the power requirements in the marquee (include caterers, band/DJ, bar & lighting)
• Confirm with the electrician that the power will be supplied to the marquee terminating with standard 13amp sockets
• Ask the electrician to run the cable in a suitable location to avoid a trip hazard
• Always ensure any electricity supply is protected by earth leakage circuit breakers, this will protect against any accidental damage.

Generators:

• ‘Super-silent’ generators are the quietest models available
• The generator hire company should be able to advise on the size you require based on your total power requirements
• Ensure the hire of the generator includes cabling to the marquee and terminates in the marquee with standard 13amp sockets
• Position the generator as far as convenient from the marquee.
• Have spare fuel (usually diesel) available and ensure the tank is full before the event starts
• Always ensure any electricity supply is protected by earth leakage circuit breakers, this will protect against any accidental damage.

We are always happy to offer more customised advice for your event, please contact us giving a few details of the event you are planning (type of event, space available, number of guests and diagrams/photographs of the site if possible) and we will be more than happy to advise on your options.

If you would like to use or quote any part of this article please contact us for permission or licencing.

What is a marquee gutter?: In marquee terms gutters are strips of PVC with eyelets down each side and usually 30-60cm wide. It is essential that the gutter is longer than the join of the marquee by at least 1 metre, having it much longer can be very useful to avoid the ground becoming boggy under the marquee.

You cannot join two gutters to make one longer join, for example you could not use two 8m long gutters to weather the join between two 6x12m marquees without using professional PVC welding equipment – this is how we make our marquee gutters.

Guttering is attached to the marquee using cable ties. You should not use bungee loops for any form of guttering, if you do the weight of the water will pull the gutter down allowing more water in and potentially disastrous results at your event. If you have bought a gutter and been supplied with bungee loops then seriously question the knowledge and competency of your supplier.

Note: conversely never use cable ties to connect exterior PVC (roof and side panels), the bungees allow a little give to the material in strong winds and reduce the strain on the eyelets.

Key points when fitting a marquee gutter:

• Ensure the gutter has no kinks in it (more on that below)
• Ensure there is a fall over the length of the marquee with no dips anywhere
• Always test the guttering with a hosepipe (on to the roof of one marquee), the water should pour out the end and not sit anywhere along the gutter

Steps on guttering two marquees:

1. Erect the two marquees ensuring the legs are upright and leave around a 10cm gap between the two. Do not fit any flooring, lining or lighting until you know the marquee join is completely weatherproof.
2. Unroll the gutter and thread it between the pairs of legs along the length of the join leaving an equal amount over at each end.
3. Starting in the middle of one marquee cable tie the gutter up to the eave rail. Pull the gutter tightly towards one side and cable tie in place, continue all the way to the end of the marquee and then repeat for the other end so all of one marquee is completed before stepping round to do the second marquee. If the ground is level you can allow the water to exit the gutter from either end so tighten the cable ties slightly less and less the further you get to each end. If the ground is sloped then simply tighten all cable ties and let the fall of the marquee guide all of the water out of the lower end.
4. Now repeat for the second marquee again starting in the middle and working towards each side pulling the gutter tightly as you go – this method prevents any kinks forming in the gutter.
5. Now test by pointing a hosepipe on to the roof of one marquee. Ensure water makes its way out of the end of the gutter and doesn’t sit anywhere.

Other considerations:

• The above method applies to marquees positioned side by side. If you have to weather the end of one marquee to the side of another you have the problem of no eave rail at the end of a marquee. Create your own eave rail by tying a rope across tightly but then (very importantly) tying a second rope from the middle of the first rope up to the apex – this stops the rope from sagging under the weight of the gutter.
• If you have two marquees end to end then do not use the method above. Simply butt the marquees up as tightly as possible (strap the legs tightly together), throw the gutter over the top of the join and tension it down on both sides – this just stops any water coming down the join.
• A common place for the gutter to kink is at the end as it changes angle from the marquee down to the ground. A little tuck removes the kink and a rope pulling the gutter tightly should ensure it stays in place.

Weathering marquees together can be a little intimidating the first time but once you have down it a few times it becomes common sense.

We are always happy to offer more customised advice for your event, please contact us giving a few details of the event you are planning (type of event, space available, number of guests and diagrams/photographs of the site if possible) and we will be more than happy to advise on your options.

If you would like to use or quote any part of this article please contact us for permission or licencing.

During the spring and summer months, heating in a marquee is typically needed only to take the chill off later in the evening. However, during autumn and especially winter, it’s important to heat the marquee well before guests arrive to ensure a comfortable event.

Do’s:

• Use a heater with a powerful fan: Indirect heaters are the most effective option.
• Test the heating in advance: Test it several days before the event, ideally at the same time of day, to ensure it works well and is adequate for the size of the marquee.
• Pre-heat in winter: Have the heating on for at least an hour before guests arrive so they walk into a warm space. If guests enter a cold marquee, they may never feel fully comfortable during the event.
• Direct heat toward the entrance: Similar to high street shops, aim the heater’s ducting toward the entrance to maintain a constant temperature inside.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors: Place one for every heater to ensure safety.

Don’ts:

• Avoid using halogen, cabinet, or infra-red heaters without fans: These heaters are not powerful enough for large marquees.
• Keep items away from heaters: It may seem obvious, but ensure nothing is touching or placed too close to the heater.

Heater Types:

1. Blower/Space Heaters:
   • These heaters use gas bottles and can heat large areas quickly, making them a tempting low-cost option. However, they are not recommended because:
     • They are designed for well-ventilated areas, and using them in sealed marquees can lead to carbon monoxide risks from re-burnt air.
     • There is an open flame inside the heater, which poses a safety risk, especially for children.
2. Ducted Heaters:
   • These also require gas bottles and are positioned outside the marquee, with warm air ducted inside. Most ducted heaters come with thermostats for easy temperature control.
   • While they are often expensive to purchase, renting them is a more cost-effective option.
3. Indirect Heaters:
   • Indirect heaters are the most efficient option for heating large spaces quickly and for extended periods. Powered by oil or diesel, they sit outside the marquee with warm air ducted inside, similar to ducted heaters.
   • While indirect heaters can be expensive to rent, purchasing one is recommended if you plan to use it more than three times.

For further information or to discuss marquee heating options for your event, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always happy to offer personalized advice.

If you would like to use or quote any part of this article, please contact us for permission or licensing.