Category: Advice Articles

Mastering Marquee Flooring: A Step-by-Step Guide

With the introduction of our carpet supply, let’s delve into the art of laying marquee flooring. Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started:

1. Lay the Foundation: Begin by spreading out a groundsheet or tarpaulin. This foundational layer serves a crucial purpose – it prevents moisture from seeping through and eliminates condensation build-up. Avoid breathable flooring, as it might mislead you into thinking there’s a leak when it’s just condensation. Grass is resilient; even if covered for a week, it swiftly bounces back to normal.

2. Cut to Fit: Now, cut the carpet to the appropriate length. For illustration, we’ll use a 6m x 12m marquee, but tailor it to match your marquee dimensions. At this point, only secure the ends of the carpet.

3. Nail It Down: While the carpet requires a modest amount of stretching, coconut matting demands more due to its natural fibre properties. It can expand and contract, so use additional nails for matting compared to carpet.

4. Pathways Matter: Keep in mind that the carpet comes in rolls of 13m, leaving ample material for creating pathways to the marquee. Secure these pathways by nailing them down as well.

Pro Tip: For coconut matting, the stretching process is more extensive, so be generous with the number of nails used to ensure a snug fit.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of marquee flooring. Happy laying!

Thanks for tuning in.

Revitalize Your Marquee: A Cleaning Guide

With recent bouts of rain across the country, maintaining and cleaning your marquees becomes a top priority. Storing wet marquees accelerates aging, especially for windows. Let’s dive into effective cleaning methods for different types of dirt:

1. Splashed-on Dirt: This includes mud splatters, food stains, and leaves. For a power-packed clean, grab a power washer and a substantial tub of Traffic Film Remover (TFR), akin to concentrated washing up liquid, readily available from auto factors. Power wash the dirt off using diluted TFR. For stubborn marks, apply undiluted TFR, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then wash it off.

Pro Tip: Always carry a small tub of TFR in a plant spray with a cloth or sponge to every job, ensuring you can address accidental marks promptly.

2. Grey Film Build-Up: Over time, a grey film accumulates, making your marquee look aged. To remedy this, spray TFR generously over the affected area and let it sit for 5 minutes. Return and ‘irritate’ the grey film by using a stiff brush or broom. An electric floor cleaner can be handy for extensive cleaning tasks. Once done, power wash the entire area, and voilà – almost back to new!

Exceptions:

• For window material, avoid using a brush or floor cleaner to prevent scratches. Instead, thoroughly wipe transparent sections by hand.
• If your marquee employs ‘pvc backed’ material, restrict the use of the brush/floor cleaner to the non-pvc backed side. Overzealous cleaning on the PVC backing may lead to flaking.

In essence, meticulous care extends the lifespan of your equipment, delaying the need for replacements and enhancing your overall service quality. A win-win for both you and your customers.

Maintaining Your Marquee: Tips for Longevity

Stretch in the Bungees: Bungees play a crucial role in handling wind stress, preventing damage to your marquee’s roof and side panels. As they age, they might lose their elasticity and resemble string. Keep an eye on the side exposed to the most wind, as that’s where wear is likely. When replacing bungees, avoid using cable ties, as this can lead to eyelet damage. Find quality replacement bungees here.

Stakes & Straps: After prolonged use or heavy rainfall, it’s wise to inspect your stakes. Ensure they remain firmly anchored in the ground without spinning or being pulled out. Check and tighten the straps to maintain stability.

Water Pooling: Extended marquee setup can result in water pooling on the roof. This may stretch the PVC, causing damage to a vital part of your marquee. Regularly check for water accumulation and address it promptly to preserve your investment.

Cleaning the PVC: For effective PVC cleaning, do it while the marquee is still up. We recommend using TFR (Traffic Film Remover). Apply a diluted mix, use a stiff brush or broom to agitate, then hose off. This simple routine will keep your marquee clean and ready for future use.

Explore more on marquee cleaning [here](cleaning link).

Your marquee’s longevity is our priority, ensuring it stands strong against the elements.

How Long Can a Marquee Stay Up?

Many wonder about the duration a marquee can remain in place. Let’s break it down into two aspects: the structure itself and the impact on the ground beneath.

Structure Lifespan: Marquees are designed for temporary use. If you plan to keep one up for an extended period, be cautious. Regularly check for wear and tear, assess bungee strength, prevent water or snow buildup on the roof, and avoid exposing it to extreme weather conditions.

Ground Effects: For marquees set up on grass, there’s a unique consideration. Extended coverage might lead to an unusual smell as groundsheets trap and decompose grass underneath. Interestingly, this odor usually arises when removing the flooring, not during marquee use.

Putting flooring down for a week or two may cause slight grass yellowing, but it recovers. However, extended coverage might lead to grass withering, requiring reseeding.

Choosing ‘breathable’ flooring may seem like a good idea, but it can accumulate condensation and let grass grow through. We steer clear of such products to provide hassle-free solutions.

In simplifying marquee durability, our aim is to ensure a straightforward and enjoyable experience.

Tips for Windy Weather and Marquees:

1. Secure Anchoring:
   • Ensure the marquee is well anchored down.
   • Tie down kits work well, and additional stakes over groundbars or fixing to buildings enhance stability.
2. Wind-Resistant Positioning:
   • Marquee sides are more wind-resistant than ends.
   • Wind hitting the end creates more resistance, while the sloped roof on the side allows wind to pass over.
3. Keep the Sides On:
   • A marquee is more wind-resistant with sides on.
   • Contrary to belief, removing sides doesn’t let wind pass through; it turns the marquee into a large, less stable structure.
   • Leave sides on and position the entrance away from the wind.
4. Know Wind Limits:
   • Marquees aren’t designed for hurricane-strength winds.
   • Larger structures are generally rated up to 50mph/80kmh.
   • In extremely rare cases, if time is limited, remove all covers (including the roof) and leave the anchored framework.

Demystifying Marquee Wind Resistance: Sides On vs. Sides Off

Contrary to a prevailing misconception, a marquee stands more resilient against the wind when its sides are firmly in place rather than left off. The notion that removing the sides allows wind to harmlessly pass through doesn’t hold water, and I’ll elucidate why.

Wind Dynamics: The illustrative diagram depicts how wind interacts with a marquee, revealing that wind entering the marquee accumulates and lifts the roof. The most effective strategy to counter this phenomenon is to position the sides facing the wind and secure the marquee steadfastly.

It’s crucial to note that this discussion pertains to strong winds, not extreme weather conditions. Marquees should never be left standing in conditions of an extreme nature.

Debunking the Myth: Some advocate for side removal in strong winds, believing it alleviates the situation. However, this approach introduces two critical factors.

i. Wind Buildup Under the Roof: Even with one side off, wind still accumulates beneath the marquee roof. Visualize walking across a windy field with an umbrella – removing the sides turns your marquee into a vast, wind-catching umbrella.

ii. Lift Creation by Wind Passing Through: Wind passing through the open side creates lift as it travels over or through the marquee roof. The wind’s increased speed over the roof mirrors the principles behind lift generation, akin to an airplane wing.

This revelation is not intended to instil fear but to dispel a prevailing myth. At Portland Marquees, we advocate best practices for marquee hire companies:

1. Ensure robust anchoring using tie-down kits at a minimum.
2. Keep walls on sides likely to face strong winds, positioning the entrance on a different side.
3. Never remove all sides in strong winds.
4. Understand the marquee’s limitations – in rare instances of extreme weather warnings, prioritize dismantling.

Thank you for delving into this clarification. We value and welcome your feedback.

Unveiling the Truth: Marquee Fabric Joining Methods

In an industry sometimes overshadowed by exaggerated claims, we at Portland Marquees believe in a positive and evidence-based approach to our marquee design, steering clear of extravagant statements lacking substantiation.

Embarking on a series of Reality Check articles, we shed light on the pros and cons, allowing readers to discern the rationale behind our marquee design choices:

Stitching: In the realm of marquee fabrication, two methods reign supreme: stitching and welding. Delving into stitching, an antiquated technique often claimed to be fool-proof, we unveil the truth.

Back in the ’80s, the King family pioneered wax-proof clothing alongside marquee manufacturing. While waxed cotton seamlessly integrated the stitching for waterproofing, the same doesn’t hold for man-made fabrics like PVC, PE, poly/PVC, or nylon used in marquee roofs. Unlike breathable clothing with taped seams, stitching in marquees becomes a gateway for water to seep through or foster mould between PVC layers.

Dismiss notions claiming stitched seams don’t leak but are a result of condensation. In reality, condensation in marquees primarily forms on the metal framework, debunking such assertions.

Welding: Contrastingly, high-frequency welding epitomizes a technique akin to melting the layers together, creating a seamless, waterproof bond stronger than the original material.

Consider the analogy of inflatable structures. Stitched inflatables require constant inflation due to air loss through stitch holes, while welded inflatables remain airtight, allowing them to stay inflated without continuous intervention.

Conclusion: When confronted with a marquee roof labeled ‘commercial’ but stitched together, exercise caution. Unless the joins boast multiple overlaps akin to traditional canvas tents, the marquee may not meet the necessary standards and should be reconsidered.

Thank you for delving into the nuances of marquee fabrication with us.

For tailored event advice, connect with us and share event specifics. We thrive on assisting you in making informed decisions.

For permissions or licensing regarding any part of this article, feel free to reach out to us.

Revolutionizing Marquee Design: Embracing the Envelope Style

At the heart of all our DIY Marquee ranges lies the innovative envelope style roof, setting them apart with superior strength and flexibility when compared to the conventional carport style.

The integration of the gable into the roof design not only establishes a fixed angle but also contributes significantly to bolstering the structural integrity of the marquee. This ingenious approach essentially introduces an extra brace at the marquee’s end, enhancing stability through tensioning across each end.

The heightened flexibility is a key attribute, facilitated by the roof dropping down to the same eave height, allowing for the seamless interchangeability of side panels.

Not only does the envelope roof design offer enhanced functionality, but it is also acclaimed for its aesthetic appeal, especially when employed as a roof-only structure. Say goodbye to the unrefined look of a mere “tarpaulin thrown over,” as one of our customers candidly remarked about a carport-style party tent from elsewhere.

Admittedly, the envelope design incurs a slightly higher manufacturing cost, but we firmly believe that the advantages it brings far outweigh the marginal increase in production expenses.

For personalized event insights, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Share event specifics, including the type, available space, number of guests, and site diagrams or photographs, and we’ll gladly offer tailored guidance.

If you wish to use or quote any segment of this article, please reach out to us for permission or licensing.

Optimizing Marquee Roof Angles for Durability

In the realm of large commercial marquees, the prevalence of a 20-degree angle for pitched roofs is notable. This translates to a 1m rise on 6m wide structures (2m leg = 3m apex height, 2.3m leg = 3.3m apex height) and a 1.5m rise on 9m wide structures (2.3m leg = 3.8m apex height).

While the manufacturing cost of a 20-degree angled roof may be slightly higher compared to a 30-degree roof, it is a deliberate choice for its enhanced wind resistance.

As the roof angle increases, the marquee’s ridge elevates, expanding the roof’s surface area. Simultaneously, the forces exerted on the roof increase exponentially. In essence, doubling the roof height quadruples the forces it must withstand.

The principle is clear: lower apex heights contribute to greater wind resistance in a structure.

In regions like Britain, where rain is a common challenge, the industry’s extensive experience has identified a 20-degree roof as the most durable solution against the prevalent wind and rain conditions.

It’s worth noting that smaller structures (3m or 4m wide) may fare better with 30-degree roofs, especially when supplemented with additional roof braces to fortify the framework.

For personalized event advice, feel free to reach out to us. Share event details such as the type, available space, number of guests, and site diagrams or photographs, and we’ll provide tailored guidance.

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

Enhancing Marquee End Panels for Wind Resistance

Strong winds pose a challenge for the end panels of a marquee, and the choice of panel configuration plays a crucial role in withstanding these forces.

When a single large end panel is used, all the force generated by strong winds is concentrated on the eyelets around the edge. Furthermore, a single large panel tends to have more slack, allowing it to billow in and out excessively.

In practical terms, this can lead to premature wear and tear on the end panels, not living up to the expected durability.

A more effective approach involves using multiple panels to cover the end of the marquee. This distribution of wind forces makes individual end panels more resilient and wind-resistant. Additionally, the use of smaller panels results in reduced billowing compared to a single large panel.

It’s noteworthy that smaller end panels are incorporated throughout our commercial, professional, and deluxe marquee ranges, ensuring improved performance in challenging weather conditions.

For personalized advice tailored to your event, feel free to reach out to us. Provide event details, such as the type, available space, number of guests, and site diagrams or photographs, and we will guide you through your options.

If you intend to use or quote any portion of this article, kindly contact us for permission or licensing.