How to Build A Canopy Tent

Make a sturdy, durable canvas tent that's large enough to cover a group.

A canopy tent is a useful piece of equipment. From camping and RV trips, to picnics in the park and backyard parties--your tent will get plenty of use. Purchase a ready-made tarp made from durable canvass that is UV-treated to protect your flat-roof canopy tent from fading. Choose metal or polyethylene pipes and fittings, based on your preferences. Metal will be a bit sturdier, and polyethylene will be a bit more decorative.

Things You'll Need

• 10-by-10 UV-treated canvas tarp with grommet eyes
• 16, 4 3/4-foot-long pieces of metal or PVC pipe, 1 5/8 inches in diameter, with dual female ends
• 4, 5-foot-long pieces of metal or PVC pipe, 1 5/8 inches in diameter, with dual female ends
• Tape measure
• 1-foot-long piece of steel or metal pipe, 1 5/8 inch in diameter
• Hammer
• 8, 2-inch-long straight pipe connectors, 1 5/8 inch diameter, dual male ends
• Stepladder
• 4, 1 5/8-inch flat roof corner connectors with welded connections, 90-degree angles and welded eyebolts
• 4, 1 5/8-inch flat side connectors with welded connections at 90-degree angles and welded eyebolts
• 8 two-hook bungee ropes, 3 to 4 inches long

Instructions

1. Lay the tarp flat on the ground and in the exact location for the tent. Lay four pieces of the 1 5/8-inch pipe pieces, and two 5-foot-long pieces along each side edge of the tarp to hold down the canopy while you are working and to have pipe pieces accessible. You will use two pieces to create each leg and two pieces to create the top "rafter" for attaching the canopy. Each side will have a middle leg unit to give the canopy tent extra support.

2. Measure to the center of the canopy. Place one bottom piece at the center point on each side of the canopy. Create a 2-inch-deep pilot hole to drive the pipe for the bottom leg unit into the ground, using the iron or heavy metal pipe as a stake. Remove the stake and insert the center pipe leg. Hammer the center leg unit into the hole to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Repeat this process for the center leg on all four sides.

3. Lay the 5-foot rafter pipe pieces horizontally against the edges of the center leg pieces. Place the rafter connector pieces in the middle to account for the total length of the rafters. You will use the rafters to determine where to place the corner legs.

4. Attach one corner leg unit together, using two 1 5/8-inch pipe pieces and one flat connector. You will use this piece to check the levels once all bottom legs are installed. Create pilot holes for all corners. Drive all but one bottom leg (the fully connected leg unit) into position. Take the fully connected leg and set it on top of the bottom legs to check that all legs are level. Adjust upward or downward, if needed.

5. Screw the flat roof corner connectors to the top leg pieces for corners, and side connector pieces to top pieces for center legs. Screw top pieces into bottom legs, and install the leg used for levels into position.

6. Check all top leg pieces to make sure that side and corner connectors are perpendicular and hooks are facing inside. Adjust if needed. Stand on a stepladder and screw the rafter pipe pieces into the connectors to complete the canopy frame.

7. Attach bungee hooks to grommets at the corners and center of the canopy. Use the grommet opening closest to the corners so the canopy will be taught. Attach the canopy to center hooks, first. Attach corner hooks to complete your canopy tent installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a canvass bag, the size of a laundry bag to store your tent poles and canvass.

• Install your canopy tent on a level site. Clear the location of rocks, debris and obstacles that might pose a hazard to the canopy tent.

References

• Family Camping Tents Guide: How to Find or Create the Canopy Tents You Need for Your Event
• Creative Shelters: Set-Up Instructions for Frame Fitting With Tarp Canopy