Ask a tent manufacturer the questions that decide what your fleet costs you over its whole working life, not just on the invoice. Before you buy, find out who builds the tent, what it is made of, which specifications are published in writing, whether the tops expand, and whether the manufacturer will support the frames you already own. Below are eleven questions worth asking any supplier, what a good answer looks like, and how we answer each one.
We build and sell frames and fabric. We do not rent tents, and most of our customers are rental companies. See what we supply to rental companies.
The eleven questions at a glance
| Question | Why it matters to a rental fleet | Our answer |
|---|---|---|
| Are you the manufacturer? | Specs and support come from the people who build it | We build and sell frames and fabric; we do not rent tents |
| What are the frames made of? | The frame is the part you specify most carefully | Frame lines: 6061T6 aluminum, 1¼″ Sch40 zinc-plated steel fittings |
| What does the top fabric weigh? | Weight trades durability against handling | 14 to 16 oz vinyl on Standard Frames |
| Which flame-retardant standard applies? | Venues and fire marshals ask | NFPA 701 compatible (Standard Frames fabric); California State Fire Marshal certified (Aspen fabric) |
| Can the tops expand later? | One purchase covering several footprints | Yes; Standard Frames sections in 5′, 10′, 15′ and 20′ |
| Will you re-skin frames I already own? | Extends the life of paid-for frames | Yes, any fabric, including frames from other makers |
| Do you sell parts and repair materials? | Keeps damaged inventory rentable | Yes, roughly two dozen accessory categories |
| What ships with the frame? | Extras change the real price | Standard Frames and Fast-Top: fittings, pipe and assembly pins; stakes optional |
| Can you match colors and add logos? | A consistent, branded fleet | Colors, translucent vinyl, printing and custom tops |
| Can you build to a custom size? | Jobs that are not catalog sizes | Yes, built to requirement |
| Where are you based, and where do you ship? | Freight and how fast parts arrive | Santa Fe Springs, California; nationwide and globally |
1. Are you the manufacturer?
Buy from the people who build the tent. Specifications, replacement tops and parts all come back to whoever made it.
We are a manufacturer. We build frames and fabric and sell them, and we do not rent tents. Most of our customers are rental companies, and much of our event and broadcast work reaches the event through the rental companies we supply.
2. What are the frames and fittings made of?
Ask for the alloy and the fitting specification in writing. The frame is the part to specify most carefully.
Our Standard Frames, Fast-Top and Denali Peak frames are 6061T6 aluminum tubing, commercial clear anodized, with 1¼″ Sch40 steel pipe fittings, zinc plated. Aspen clearspan beams are a hollow rectangular design in extruded, corrosion-resistant, anodized 6061T6 structural aluminum. Compare the lines in how to choose a frame tent.
3. What does the top fabric weigh, and what is it made of?
Ask for the weight in ounces and the construction. Heavier fabric is more durable and more opaque, and also heavier to handle and slower to install.
Our Standard Frames tops are 14 to 16 oz vinyl in white blackout or translucent, 1000 denier, with mildew resistance, UV protection and flame retardant. Fast-Top and Denali Peak tops are specified as 16 oz white blackout, flame retardant. Aspen fabric is 16 to 18 oz laminated PVC vinyl in blackout, with 22 oz coated available.
4. Which flame-retardant standard does the fabric meet?
Ask which code or certifying body applies, and to which product. “Flame retardant” on its own does not tell a venue or fire marshal much.
Our Standard Frames top fabric is compatible with flame retardant code NFPA 701. Aspen Structures fabrics are certified flame retardant by the California State Fire Marshal, and treated for UV degradation and mildew resistance. If a job needs a specific certificate, tell us when you request a quote.
5. Can the tops expand as my jobs grow?
Look for split, expandable tops. They let one inventory line cover several footprints instead of buying a new tent for every size.
Our Standard Frames come one-piece or expandable, in widths from 10′ to 40′. Expandable tops are split and accept middle sections in 5′, 10′, 15′ and 20′ increments. Fast-Top Frames come one-piece or expandable too: a single 30×30 converts into a 30×40 or 30×50, and a 20×20 into a 20×30 or 20×40. The details are in frame tent sizes explained.
6. Will you re-skin frames I already own, including other brands?
Ask whether the manufacturer supports frames it did not sell you. A sound frame with a worn top should cost you a top, not a tent.
We can replace any fabric, in weights from 15 to 22 ounces, in vinyl blackout flame-retardant laminated or coated PVC. That includes tops for frames from other manufacturers: send us the frame make, the measured size and the existing attachment system. On Standard Frames tops we attach with lace, clips (male/female) or plastic buckles and a weatherproof storm flap, and we will match your current inventory. See replacement tent tops.
7. Do you sell replacement parts and repair materials?
Look for a supplier that keeps your damaged inventory rentable. One bent fitting should not take a tent out of service for weeks.
We supply roughly two dozen categories of accessories, including fittings and pipe, assembly pins, base plates, adjustable bases, stakes, stake-bars, ratchet tension straps, leg drapes, rain gutters, patching material, repair kits and vinyl glue.
8. What ships with the frame, and what is extra?
Ask for the inclusion list line by line. Components that are “extra” change what a tent really costs.
Our Standard Frames and Fast-Top frames include all the fittings (connections), pipe and assembly pins. Expandable frames also include the “crown” for the square sizes and the expanded sizes. Fast-Top frames additionally include the foot bases and tension ratchets. Stakes are optional, specified as 1″ × 42″ double head.
9. Can you match our colors and add our logo?
A consistent, branded fleet sells better than a mixed one. Ask what colors, finishes and printing the manufacturer offers.
Standard Frames tops come in many colors in blackout and translucent, including stripes, and our other frame lines offer colors and translucent vinyl on request. Denali Peak stripes come vertical, horizontal or as a detachable accent stripe. We also provide printing, tarps and custom tops. To finish the inside, our tent liners come in flat or pleated finish, in 10′ to 50′ sizes, with matching leg drapes available.
10. Can you build a custom size or shape?
Ask whether the catalog is the limit. Some of the best-paying jobs are the ones that do not fit a standard size.
We make specialty and custom frame and fabric products built to the requirement rather than to a catalog size. That runs from small canopies to big structures, and from frame tents to tension tents, including for military and government jobs.
11. Where are you based, and where do you ship?
Know how far your order travels. It affects freight and how quickly a replacement part reaches you.
Our shop is in Santa Fe Springs, California, and we ship nationwide and globally. Our founder has over 35 years in this industry, which started with Academy Tent and Canvas, and we built Continental Tents Mfg on the same work ethics and principles. More on who we are.
What sets Continental Tents apart?
For a rental company, the short version:
- We manufacture, and we do not rent. Most of our customers are rental companies.
- We publish our specifications. Alloy, fittings, fabric weights and the 750 lbs webbing breaking strength on Fast-Top are on each product page. Our spec tables list published figures only.
- Four lines from one supplier. Standard Frames, Fast-Top, Denali Peak and Aspen clearspan, plus liners and accessories.
- We support the frames you already own. Any fabric replaced, including on frames from other makers.
- Parts and repair materials we supply, so a damaged tent can go back into service.
- Custom work built to requirement, with colors, stripes, printing and custom tops.
How do I get a quote?
Send the line, the width and length, the quantity and your timeline. For a replacement top, add the frame make, the measured size and the attachment system. Request a quote and we will come back with a number, or with a question if the configuration needs one.