How to anchor your marquee down on hard surfaces

DIY Marquees are effectively strong boxes so erecting them on hard surfaces is not a problem but they do need anchoring down. The usual method for anchoring a marquee is using tie downs but this isn't always suitable, especially on hard surfaces.

Bolting: On some hard surfaces you can bolt the marquee down to the ground, there are holes in the footplates for this though it is often stronger to drill in an eye-bolt fixing 1-2m away from the sides of the marquee and use straps similar to the ones used in tie down kits.

Heavy weights: Using heavy weights strapped to a marquee is the most popular method for anchoring marquees down on hard surfaces. Any heavy weight should be strapped directly to the marquee, try and avoid using straps down to a weight a short distance away from the marquee in case the weight moves and the strap can loosen. There are a number of different weighting options:

Water butts - light to carry on and off site but make sure you have access to a hose pipe on site and avoid using them long term due to the risk of standing water and legionnaires disease
Concrete blocks (or other heavy material)- excellent for weighting down a marquee but heavy to move around
Vehicles - if the marquee is only going to be up for a short time (an exhibition for example) then marquees are often strapped down to vehicles. Ensure you attach to a secure fixing that won't cause any damage to the vehicle though.

Alternatively a combination of different methods can be used, you might be able to use tie downs to a nearby grass area on one side of a marquee and heavy weights on another.

Please note: The metal weights used to anchor down gazebos (generally horse shoe shaped) are not heavy enough to anchor down a commercial marquee.

Every site is different and so the responsibility of ensuring the marquee is sufficiently anchored down always lies with the people erecting the marquee.

We are always happy to offer more customised advice for your event, please contact us giving a few details of the event you are planning (type of event, space available, number of guests and diagrams/photographs of the site if possible) and we will be more than happy to advise on your options.

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