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PVC fabric 650 or 850 g/m²: which to choose for your tent

5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

When you ask for a quote for a tent or a replacement cover, one of the first questions is the fabric weight. The two most common options for professional tents are 650 g/m² and 850 g/m². Choosing well means you avoid overpaying for fabric you do not need or, on the other hand, ending up with something too light for a demanding installation.

What fabric weight means

Fabric weight is the mass of the fabric per square metre. PVC tent fabric is made from a polyester weave coated with PVC on both sides. The more grams, the more weave and coating: the fabric gains tear resistance, opacity and durability, but it is also heavier and less easy to handle.

650 g/m² fabric: when to choose it

  • Event tents that are put up and taken down frequently.

  • Jaimas (traditional pagoda-style tents), pagoda tents and small to medium-sized tents.

  • Side walls, curtains and front panels.

  • Tent hire companies that value low weight and easy folding and transport.

It is lighter, takes up less room in storage and is more economical. Well looked after, it easily withstands the intensive use of hire fleets.

850 g/m² fabric: when to choose it

  • Wide-span tents and structures many metres across.

  • Warehouses, storage buildings and covers that stay up all year round.

  • Areas heavily exposed to wind, strong sun or a marine environment.

  • Roofs, which take more tension and wear than side walls.

Its higher tear resistance and thicker coating extend service life in permanent installations. In exchange, it is heavier and needs more hands during assembly.

What stays the same either way

At Plastold both qualities come with European T2 fire certificate (UNE-EN 15619), UV protection, anti-mould treatment and full waterproofing. If you have questions about the rules that apply in your country, this article explains what the T2 certificate is and when your local authority may require it.

A common combination: different roof and side walls

On long-term installations it is common to combine an 850 g/m² roof, the part that suffers most, with 650 g/m² side walls, which are lighter and easier to open and close. This reinforces where it is needed without pushing up the cost of the whole tent.

Other factors worth considering

  • Opacity: ask for opaque fabric if you need to darken the interior, or translucent fabric if you want natural light.

  • Transparency: windows and panoramic side panels are made from clear PVC.

  • Colour: white is the standard, but other options are available in the sample range.

  • Maintenance: a clean, well-stored cover lasts much longer, whatever its weight.

Getting it right

Tell us the dimensions of the structure, where it will be installed and for how long, and we will recommend the right fabric weight. You can see all the options on the PVC tent fabricpage, check the fabric rolls available if you make up your own covers, or follow the guide to measure your tent step by step.

And if you would rather feel the material before deciding, request the free sample book from the form on the home page.

Real project: PVC grandstand roofs and 288 tent side walls, made in Málaga for a major motorsport event in Madrid. See the project

 
 
 

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