Can a Tipi be heated?

Absolutely! For those chilly winter nights, you can use a wood stove, portable propane heater or even an open fire to stay cozy in your tipi. See here for the stoves and accessories we can supply.

Heating a tipi is quite straightforward, for smaller tipis even a simple open fire will quickly warm up the space. For larger tipis it might be better to add a wood stove. Always remember, heat rises, the larger your tipi, the more open space, the colder it can get, this really only matters if you are looking to live in a tipi but it is worth baring in mind regardless.

How do I cool a Tipi down in summer?

During the warmer months, the natural design of the tipi and lifting the outer canvas/keeping the door open or opening the smoke flaps allows heat to escape and can even be supplemented with a ceiling fan, we have tipis in The Gambia, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Southern Italy and the south of France just to name a few of the hot places that they have been used!

Can You Keep a Tipi Up Throughout the Year?

You can BUT - If there is a named storm we suggest dropping the canvas to keep it safe and putting it back up again when the wind has passed, if you are in a more exposed location you may find it harder to keep it up all year, that said we are in North Cornwall and it gets windy! We have a tipi in our garden which stays up all year and has done for 4 years solid through all of the huge storms we have had and the worst that happened was that we lost a rain hat on one occasion, but we only escaped so lightly because it is very sheltered by large hedges and a fence and trees so this is the main reason it is possible! Our tipis are resilient against the typical British weather, be it wind, rain, or snow. But just like any outdoor structure, prolonged exposure to harsh conditions will affect the lifespan. Regular maintenance can protect and extend the life of your tipi.

Can I have a fire inside my Tipi?

Yes, indeed! That's one of the delights of a tipi. Setting an open fire in your tipi is quite straightforward and some would say an essential part of the authentic tipi experience. Place your fireplace directly under the smoke flap hole, remove a layer of turf and place a ring of stones for the fireplace. Remember to use dry wood like ash or oak to minimize smoke and avoid using pine due to its tendency to spark. You can use a chimenea or fire bowl to help make removal of ash easier too!

Does an open fire damage the tipi canvas?

It can if you have a large fire! But in the main you will just start to notice the inside of the tipi developing a beautiful brownish tinge from the smoke. This isn't just aesthetically pleasing (in our opinion) it actually helps to 'season' the canvas, enhancing its water resistance – in fact this was a traditional method for waterproofing tipis that has stood the test of time.

If open fires all sound like too much of a faff then woodburners are a great alternative! All of our canvas is fireproofed to British safety standards and we can supply certification to show this, we can also suggest a great insurance broker if you need insurance for tipis with or without fires.

Are tipis difficult to set up?

Not really! Setting up a tipi might seem like a daunting task at first, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised. With a bit of practice, you and a friend can have a small to medium size tipi up and ready in a few hours. We provide detailed instructions to guide you through the process or we can arrange to come to site and take you through an instructional set-up session.

What's the best way to cover the floor of a tipi?

A rubberised plastic groundsheet topped with nice warm rugs works well, a traditional way and a way used by forest schools and outdoor groups is to use a traditional method with a dry layer of reeds or rushes about 3-6 inches thick which makes for a lovely cushioned base! But adding rugs or sheepskins on top brings an extra layer of comfort and warmth. You can also set a tipi up on a decking base with the added advantage of being able to screw the poles to the deck base for extra rigidity.

Do I need an inner liner?

If you only want a shelter from the rain, won’t have an open fire inside and only plan to use a tipi to sleep in in the most fair weather then in theory an outer canvas alone would be ok. If you want to use a tipi for anything else then yes very much so an inner liner is essential for a well-functioning tipi. It not only closes the gap between the cover and the ground, keeping out drafts it also helps with the smoke draft system if you wish to have an open fire.

What materials are used on your tipis?

We use Douglas Fir tipi poles from managed woodland and we also use high quality UK fabric for our tipis, ensuring they can withstand various weather conditions. The canvas is treated to be waterproof, rot resistant and firer poof. We can make tipis in 100% cotton or polycotton, In damp regions, we suggest opting for our polycotton canvas.

We are also proud to say that all of our materials from willow for lacepins, to wooden pegs, poles and canvas are sourced from South West of England and where at all possible (in 95% of cases we use small family businesses as our suppliers)

Do I need a fireproof tipi?

In short….Yes! We only use fireproof canvas - see the link here to our article about canvas

Does rain get inside a tipi?

Tipis, though huge and impressive are still canvas structures and this needs to be remembered, but our tipis are designed with comfort in mind, we personally have soft furnishings inside our tipi which is left up all year and stays nice and dry inside. To keep the rain out a well-placed rain hat is essential, and the smoke flaps should be adjusted correctly.

Can I bespoke design my tipi?

You can! All of our tipis are made to order and all are bespoke. To paint a tipi you can use acrylic paint and stencil or freehand paint designs on the outside or inner liner. If you do not fancy painting a tipi you can add coloured canvas to sections of your tipi to make it feel like your own! See our gallery for some inspiration!

How Long Does a Tipi Last?

The lifespan of a tipi depends on its care and the environment it’s used in. Typically, poles can last up to 15 years or more, inner liners about 10 years, and outer the canvas between 2 to 6 years with year-round use.

Proactive maintenance like reapplying protective treatments and keeping the tipi dry can extend its life. We have repaired tipis for people which are well over 20 years old and even repaired a small section on a tipi which was made in the 70’s, when used for only a few months a year you can expect a very long life indeed.