When planning an outdoor event or setting up a permanent venue, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right type of shelter. Two popular options often considered are tipis and stretch tents. While both offer a unique and visually appealing outdoor experience, they differ significantly in structure, functionality, durability, and aesthetics.
At The Tipi Company, we specialise in crafting high-quality, British-made tipis that are designed for year-round use and long-term installations. In this blog, we break down the key differences between tipis and stretch tents, helping you make an informed decision for your venue, event space, or hospitality business.
The most noticeable difference between tipis and stretch tents lies in their construction.
Stretch tents are made from a flexible, waterproof fabric stretched tightly over a series of thin metal poles. These structures are typically open-sided, with the fabric pulled into shape and anchored to the ground using ropes and stakes. While visually striking, this design is more exposed to the elements, offering limited protection against wind, rain, or colder temperatures.
In contrast, our tipis are robust, conical structures made with timber poles and high-performance weather-resistant canvas. They’re engineered for both aesthetic impact and structural strength with the use of Scandinavian Spruce for the main framework, making our tipis the strongest on the market and able to withstand upwards of 60mph+ winds. Each tipi can be fitted with our TipiWall System complete with clear PVC panels, allowing the space to be fully enclosed during poor weather or rolled open on sunny days. This flexibility makes tipis ideal for year-round use, no matter the conditions.
When it comes to withstanding the elements, there’s no contest. Our British-made tipis have been rigorously tested with Computational Fluid Dynamics to prove that the framework we produce is the strongest available.This means they’re designed to handle strong winds and adverse weather conditions without compromising safety or stability year after year —something many stretch tents simply can’t offer.
Because stretch tents are supported by slender poles and ropes, they lack the structural integrity of a tipi. While they may be suitable for short-term installations, weekend use or locations with gentler weather conditions, they’re not typically recommended for long-term or permanent structures, especially in locations exposed to adverse conditions.
Aesthetically, both options provide a striking visual statement, but at The Tipi Company, we offer more choice and customisation.
Most stretch tents come in a limited beige or cream colour and offer minimal options for personalisation. On the other hand, our tipis are available in three different canvas colours: Sand (beige), Mocha (brown), and Forest (green).
These colour options allow you to create a look that complements your surroundings and brand, especially important for businesses looking to stand out.
Due to the lower height of a stretch tent, the space inside can often feel more enclosed and lower, particularly when fully stretched across a wide area. Because of their flat, sloping design, they don’t offer as much headroom as our giant event tipis and can lack the dramatic impact needed for larger events.
Tipis, on the other hand, are known for their impressive internal height and spacious interiors. Our signature Big Hat Tipis create a magical, open atmosphere that feels both intimate and grand. They can also be linked together to accommodate hundreds of guests, making them perfect for weddings, festivals, corporate events, and more.
The high, peaked ceilings of a tipi create a wow factor and offer more design freedom when it comes to lighting, hanging décor, and creating zones within the space.
While both structures have their place in the events world, with stretch tents often being used for a Wedding Ceremony covered space, or a casual drinks reception area that needs to be built last minute, tipis have become the preferred choice for wedding venues, outdoor hospitality businesses, and glamping operators for the “main event”. Their versatility to be able to link together, add wooden doors and TipiWalls, install on top of a raised wooden base and thus create a totally weatherproofed structure make them a worthwhile investment for those looking to host unforgettable outdoor events for hundreds of guests.
Stretch tents may suit short-term festivals, proof of concepts or summer pop-up bars, but if you're looking for an outdoor structure that can be built on a permanent basis, a tipi is the way to go.
If you’re weighing up your options between a stretch tent and a tipi, consider the long-term goals of your space. Do you need something that’s durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for year-round use? Do you want to create a stylish, welcoming environment for guests with plenty of customisation options?
At The Tipi Company, we’re here to help you find the right solution for your venue. Our expert team offers everything from site visits to design support to ensure your tipi installation is safe, stunning, and perfectly suited to your needs.
Get in touch today to discover how our event tipis can elevate your space and set your venue apart.
Explore our range of tipis today and discover how they can elevate your business in 2025. Please get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements today!