If you are planning on your tipis being installed on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, then The Tipi Company strongly recommends the tipi is built on top of a raised wooden decking, shaped to the nonogan base of the tipi.
Not only will it look aesthetically striking, but it will act as a firm base for 12 months of the year. Imagine repeated footfall within a space, by many guests, when the ground is grass – it very quickly turns into a mudbath. With a raised wooden platform, it ensures your outdoor tipi space continues to look impressive and operate functionally.
The design of our nonagon shaped wooden platform has the following benefits:
We are the only tipi manufacturer and installer to install our tipis with nonagon shaped bases.
Not only that we are the only tipi manufacturer that have our raised wooden bases structurally calculated by a professional structural engineering company. As such, our raised wooden bases are Building Regs compliant.
Although tipis are classed as a temporary structure, if they are going to be used permanently as a dedicated outdoor space for your business (i.e. over 28 days a year), chances are that Building Regs will have something to say about it! As such, where we can, our foundations and structural integrity of our builds are Building Regs compliant. This also includes our steps, ramps and terraces.
Some manufacturers like to use the method of building the tipi on top of a rectangular wooden platform. In this instance, the client is told to arrange to have a platform made before the tipi Manufacturer’s installers arrive. The on the day the Manufacturer’s Installer will arrive and build the tipi on top of this rectangular platform.
This is a much quicker way to install a tipi (for the manufacturer / installer), and therefore more cost effective for them – often this is the reason why they can offer free installation. The build of the tipi itself in this fashion is up and completed in a number of hours.
Great we hear you say! Unfortunately, this is a case of “too good to be true” and we at The Tipi Company do not feel this is a suitable method for long-term / permanent installations. The reasons of which are listed below:
Unfortunately when you build a rectangular deck, there is no flat vertical edge to secure the canvas to. As a result, when rain hits the canvas and runs down the diagonal, water hits the rectangular base and has no choice but to track under the edges, creating wet puddles inside the tipi.
Picture of our Competitor's Site:
Picture Of The Tipi Company Way:
The method of securing a tipi on to a rectangular deck leaves a curved edge along the base of the tipi – creating large gaps for insects and creatures to crawl through.
Picture of our Competitor's Site:
Picture Of The Tipi Company Way:
The most important and major drawback to using a rectangular deck is that it isn’t reinforced underneath where the main poles sit. For a nine sided outdoor structure it is crucial that it is safe for use 12 months of the year. As a result, the main poles must be reinforced underneath in each corner with the sub-frame. This is the most important reason why our floors have structural calculations and are Building Regulations compliant.
We can safely say that The Tipi Company is the only Tipi Installer to install using this method. A rectangular deck simply can not withstand the same load bearing in the corners as The Tipi Company Way, and the tipi is not secured in a way that will withstand adverse weather conditions over a period of months and years.
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Picture Of The Tipi Company Way:
Other manufacturers like to use the method of building the tipi directly onto the grassy ground, with wooden flooring built internally around the main poles.
Although this is a much quicker way to install a tipi (for the manufacturer / installer), we at The Tipi Company do not feel this is a suitable method for long-term / permanent installations.
The Main Tipi Poles sit directly onto the grassy surface. This is fine for a short-term / weekend installation, but over weeks and months, the wet ground gradually rots away the bottom of the main tipi pole, jeopardising the structural integrity of the framework.
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Picture Of The Tipi Company Way:
Not only does the framework sit directly onto the ground, but all of the canvas components are secured directly to the grassy surface also. Again, this is fine for a weekend installation, but for long-term installs it has a huge negative impact on the fabric, with a larger-than-average build up of algae, mildew, damp and mould. This is great for our competitors who will likely receive a higher frequency of reorders of new tipi canvases and panels – but not so great for the client who has to further fund replacements to keep their canvas looking great.
Picture of our Competitor's Site:
Picture Of The Tipi Company Way: the main tipi canvas and panels are secured to the raised wooden platform using screws and cleats (rather than directly onto the grass)
Gaps can still be seen along the edges of the tipi, when hook pegs come loose – therefore insects and rodents can crawl inside the tipi.
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Picture Of The Tipi Company Way: no gaps can be seen as the canvas is secured externally to the wooden platform
Building tipis directly onto grass is a method of installation designed for short term weekend installations for parties. In this instance, hook pegs and stakes are used to used to secure all of the perimeter of the tipi – this is quick and easy method to install and rerig. However, the major drawback for long term installations is that when its windy, and / or wet, the ground gets soggier and hook pegs & stakes come loose.
As a result, you need to walk around the structure during a storm, resecuring the pegs and stakes back into the ground. This poses a huge problem if you’re not on site at the time, or if pegs become loose overnight. Once the pegs have been pulled out by the wind, the structural integrity of the tipi is jeopardised. This is particularly a problem when linking straps are secured in this way – pegs come loose and fly up and tear the canvas
Picture of our Competitor's Site:
Picture Of The Tipi Company Way: all strapping is secured and screwed to the raised wooden base to ensure none come loose during a storm
Asides from the practicalities, it looks unprofessional and unsightly with muddy ground surrounding the tipi, canvas components covered in mug and algae, and poles rotting.
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Picture Of The Tipi Company Way: our standard of finish is one of which we are incredibly proud of. The care and attention we put into every installation ensures your tipi not only stands the test of time, but looks great while doing so.
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!