What You Need to Know Before You Commit
In the past few years, we’ve noticed a steady rise in people using our tents not just for camping trips, but as full-time accommodation. Whether it’s a tree-change, a minimalist lifestyle experiment, a retreat setup, or simply a more affordable way to live – more and more customers are choosing to live in tents permanently.
We get it – and can absolutely see the appeal. Our tents are spacious, breathable, made from (mostly) natural materials, and undeniably beautiful. But they’re not magic. Tents are not permanent structures. They are textile products that have very real wear and tear limitations that need to be considered. So before you make the leap, we want to have an honest conversation.
Our Tents Are Built for Camping – Not for Full-Time Residency
We’ve engineered our canvas tents to be strong, weather-resistant, and comfortable. They’re ideal for weekends away, extended camping trips or seasonal accommodation on a property. But they are not designed to be left up indefinitely or used as full-time dwellings – particularly not in harsh, wet, heavily shaded or tropical environments (which includes much of Australia).
Our canvas – for the most part – is a natural fibre. It breathes, it moves, and it absorbs moisture. These are great qualities when used as intended – but they also mean you need to be proactive with care and maintenance.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen a pattern emerge: someone buys a tent, leaves it up full-time (often without proper ground prep, cover, or airflow), and then reaches out a few months later with mould, leaks, or wear – assuming the tent has failed. In almost ALL cases, it’s not a product failure. It’s a mismatch between user camping experience, understanding the limitations of materials, fair use, and inflated expectations.
What About Accommodation Businesses?
It’s worth noting: we have many accommodation businesses that successfully run full-time setups with our tents – from glamping retreats to eco stays and seasonal event spaces. But these customers go in with open eyes. They understand the limitations, commit to routine maintenance, and generally follow the minimum standards we outline below.
Most also budget for tent replacement every two or three seasons – though some extend well beyond that thanks to diligent care, protective covers, elevated bases, and active site management. We’ve had customers use tents for their accommodation businesses for 5+ years.
So yes, longer-term use can work. But it requires the same mindset you’d bring to running a vehicle, a rental cabin, or a high-wear piece of gear – it’s not set-and-forget.
Let’s Be Clear: Living in Your Tent Voids Your Warranty
We want to support our customers as best we can and regularly go above and beyond with advice. However, just like any other tent manufacturer, the warranty covers manufacturing defects under normal recreational use – not damage from prolonged exposure, lack of maintenance, or use as a permanent dwelling. Long-term setups fall outside of that scope.
That said – if you’re committed to living in your tent or running it semi-permanently, we’ve created a clear set of Minimum Standards to help you avoid the most common problems and maximise the life of your canvas.
Minimum Standards for Long-Term Tent Setups
If you’re planning to live in your tent or keep it set up for extended periods, the following practices are essential to protect your gear and your comfort.
1. Environmental Conditions Matter
- Avoid shaded, damp locations where the tent base can’t dry properly.
- Set up in areas that get morning sun and natural airflow to help canvas breathe and dry each day.
- Tropical and subtropical climates are high-risk for mould – you’ll need active airflow and daily drying time to prevent rapid deterioration.
- Don’t camp under thick tree cover – falling sap, debris, and trapped moisture will damage and degrade the canvas.
2. Use a Protective Cover
- Always use a UV-treated, water-resistant fly or tent cover.
- Ensure a gap between the cover and the tent to allow air circulation and prevent trapped moisture.
- Use trace springs or elastic tensioners to absorb wind and reduce stress on seams.
3. Choose a Well-Drained Site
- Never pitch in a gully, on sloped ground, or anywhere water collects or flows.
- Use (at a minimum) a gravel base, raised platform, or timber decking for long-term setups.
- Elevating the tent floor helps prevent water ingress and mould at the base.
- Be mindful of grass – tents will suffocate and kill grass after 1–2 weeks, limiting mowing and increasing moisture risk.
4. Ensure Good Ventilation
- Open all vents, windows, and doors daily (when safe to do so).
- In humid zones, use fans or solar ventilators to keep air moving.
- Remove any damp bedding and wipe down condensation that may form on interior surfaces overnight, especially during colder or humid conditions.
5. Setup Tension and Wind Protection
- Use trace springs or shock cords to prevent tearing from strong winds.
- Re-tighten guy lines weekly – loose or over-tight lines can cause uneven tension and premature wear.
- Don’t tie guy lines to fixed objects without tension relief – again, use trace springs.
6. Mould Management & Cleaning
- If mould appears, spot clean early using canvas-safe mould treatments.
- Always reproof your tent after using mould cleaner – these products strip waterproofing.
- Never use bleach, alcohol, or aggressive chemicals – they weaken fibres and void warranty.
7. Season and Seal Your Tent
- Before first use, season your tent: wet it thoroughly, let it dry completely, and repeat if needed. Thicker canvas may take longer to fully season.
- If seams still leak after several attempts at seasoning, apply a canvas seam sealer.
