Five Teepee Ventilation Tips

A common issue with teepees and teepee-like tents is condensation. When you trap heat inside and do not allow airflow in teepees, you will notice this problem, and your teepee will feel stuffy, or your stuff will still get wet. Fortunately, it’s easy to maintain good teepee ventilation and enjoy good shelter during a Utah teepee experience. Here are five tips for ventilating your teepee:

• Open the bottom: Teepee airflow works by allowing air through the doorway or bottom vents to travel up through the roof hole. If you close up the tent tight and stake it firmly into the ground, you allow heat and moisture buildup and will notice condensation. However, if you open bottom flaps by a couple of inches, you enjoy better airflow and no condensation. The two inches are not enough to allow the elements inside, but they will reduce or eliminate condensation worries.
• Consider teepee use: If you crowd five people into a 12-foot tent and cook inside, you have more significant ventilation needs than if you camp alone. First, if you plan big camping expeditions, purchase a properly-sized teepee. A 12-foot teepee holds up to three people, but if you plan larger gatherings, find an 18- or 20-foot teepee. If you maintain crowded conditions, you will likely face more condensation than ventilation, even if you bring the flaps up the recommended two inches.
• Take precautions when cooking: If you plan to install a wood stove or cook in your tent, consider ventilation more carefully. Not only do you need to avoid condensation, but you want to maintain good air quality. Teepees accommodate fires well, but only if you vent them properly. Move flaps up higher when cooking if smoke does not escape through the roof quickly. If you cook in the daytime, leave the flaps up to air out the teepee more quickly before you go to bed.
• Consider the weather: Dry and windy conditions require less venting than wet and calm weather. Also, you may wish to stake down tighter in the wind while also allowing airflow, so your teepee withstands the storm. If you arrived at camp already soaking wet and chose a spot with wet ground, vent a bit more to create a dry space, perhaps opening your bottom flaps as much as four or five inches. Before long, even the ground will be dry, and you will enjoy a cozy sleeping space!
• Use your guy lines: Many people merely stake down their tents and save the guy lines for windy weather. However, this gear works well to create vents. Set up your guy lines, so they anchor inside and outside your tent. Pull your guy lines out about three or four feet, so you create several vents ranging from four to six inches. It supports airflow and, on wet days, dries your tent out quicker.

Huberwoods sells teepee poles in Utah, and we hope you find these teepee ventilation tips helpful. Our natural lodge poles offer strong support for your teepee and maintain that perfect roof opening that allows good airflow in teepees. Call us today to learn more about our fine products.

Categorised in: Teepee Tips

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