In recent years, pop-up canopies have become one of the most ubiquitous outdoor sheltering structures for many people. Whereas they have traditionally been used for corporate and social events, trade fairs and exhibitions, pop-up canopies are increasingly becoming popular among homeowners, who mainly use them for recreational use, like family events or birthday parties.
In this article, we are going to discuss the utility of pop-up canopies and why every family needs to have one in their home or vehicle ready to use.
But first, what is a pop-up canopy?
A pop-up canopy is a temporary tent structure (see ShelterLogic) that typically measures about 10 x 10 feet in size. These shelter structures also come in larger sizes, although these are most commonly referred to as marquis. They are typically lightweight and easy to set up, which makes them very convenient, especially for impromptu home gatherings or events.
Domestic Uses of Pop-up Canopies
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Pop-up canopies can be very useful in a home setting in a variety of ways, including:
Birthday Parties
If you are planning a birthday party in your backyard, a pop-up canopy will provide you and your guests with shelter and protection from the scorching sun and other extremes of weather. It can be fun to decorate the outside of the canopy to go along with the theme of the birthday or to include birthday wishes.
Pool Parties
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Pop-up canopies are also very handy when it comes to pool parties. You can set up these shelter structures as a lounge area to provide your guests with a place to relax and cool off from the sun. These are especially helpful on hot days. Another good idea during pool parties is to shelter your food from the sun. Whether you want to keep the sun off your appetizers, dessert, or the main course a portable canopy is a great way to do this.
Family Gatherings
In case you are hosting a family gathering, an adequately set pop-up canopy with seats and tables will provide a good location for your guests to meet and have a good time while enjoying the fresh air in your outdoor space. On hot days these canopies provide the ideal shade for your family and friends.
Beach Outings
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You go to the beach you need to have shade. Gone are the days when families squeezed under a small beach umbrella. Nowadays, taking at least one pop-up canopy is mandatory to the beach. If you have a more massive gathering, it can be wise to bring a few canopies with you. One for the younger children this way they can stay out of the sun and have their own space. One of the adults to relax under and another canopy for the food and beverages.
Kids Sporting Events
If your kids play soccer, baseball, swimming, or football you probably spent hours upon hours every week outside watching them. This can take a toll on your skin and even make things uncomfortable in the hot summer months. Pop-up canopies were explicitly made for situations like this. Many sports parents keep their canopies in the back of their SUV’s and use it often.
Tailgating
Tailgating can be such a blast at your favorite professional sporting events. Most people tend to tailgate at football games both college and professional games. Tailgating can be more exciting than the games itself. In many stadium parking lots, you can find the same fans week after a week partying down with friends, family, and other fans. Using a canopy not only helps with shade but announces to others the team you are rooting for. You can purchase pop-up canopies these days with any professional team or college team logo and mascot on them.
What to Look for When Choosing a Pop-up Canopy
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There are several factors that you need to consider when choosing the right pop-up canopy for your family’s needs. These include:
Size
Pop-up canopies come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small ones that measure a few feet to large ones, which can cover a vast area. You should, therefore, select one that can fit in your backyard and accommodate all your guests. The most popular sizes are 10×10 and 12×12, but pop-up canopies can come in just about any size. Some corporate ones are as big as 10×20.
Side Walls
If you live in an area with unpredictable weather patterns, you may need a pop-up canopy tent that has sidewalls to provide substantial shelter in case of sudden torrential rains or heavy winds. On the other hand, if you live in a warmer area with little rainfall, you may not require sidewalls on your pop-up canopy. Sidewalls are super important, especially on windy days. The walls protect from the wind and sun. In many cases, the side walls can give you privacy from the people around you.
Anchor
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The canopies are lightweight and need to be anchored, especially if there is any wind around. There are several ways to anchor yours, depending on how and where you are using it. Most pop-up canopies come with stakes that can be driven into the dirt. While this can come in handy, most people use theirs on cement or concrete. In this case, what works best is getting a few 5-gallon buckets from your local home improvement store. When you are ready to secure your canopy fill them up with water and secure them using rope or Bungie cords.
UV Resistance
When choosing the right pop-up canopy, you need to select one that is made out of UV resistant material. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate area, as it will help protect you and your guests from harmful rays that may cause conditions such as skin cancer.
Pop-up canopies come in plenty of shapes, designs, and materials. No matter your needs and preferences, you can be sure that you will find the right one for your family’s domestic use.
