Western Canvas Tipis

What accessories are included when I order a Teepee?

When you purchase a Tipi from Western Canvas, a you will get supply sack. The supply sack will contain all of the necessary accessories you will require to set up your tipi. Pole ropes, smokeflap ropes, stakes, lacing pins, door cover, warranty and instructions. If you purchase a liner, then the liner ropes would be found here also.

Do I need a liner?

Liners are not a necessary accessory, but they do have advantages. When hung in place from a rope on the inside of the poles, eight inches will lay on the ground. The tipi cover is on the outside of the poles and is three to four inches off of the ground. This produces a gap between the layers of canvas where the poles are sandwiched. The air will come in under the outer cover, hit the inner liner and shoot up in-between the two layers of canvas pulling the smoke and drafting it out the smoke hole. An alternative method is to stake your cover down to the ground leaving gaps here and there to let a air in to draft the smoke. We do not recommend this as it decreases the longevity of the cover. Liners also reduce the draft on people sitting or laying down inside the tipi. It acts as a privacy barrier in blocking shadows that are cast by an inside fire against the wall of the tipi, and they also divert rain dripping off the poles from landing on your bedding.

Do I need a ground cover?

Ground covers are not a required accessory to your tipi. Because they are on the ground all the time they mildew and rot very quickly and are hard to keep clean. We offer a fire resistant vinyl laminate for those who want a water proof floor in their tipi. They act as a moisture barrier and are easier to clean up, but are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye or nose. There are lots of substitutes such as pieces of carpet, smaller sized tarps, bamboo mats, or custom built wood floors.

How long does it take to set up a Tipi?

This will vary on the size of tipi, but in general, the larger the tipi the longer it will take to set up. It is recommended to invite a couple of friends over and have fun! For the novice, allow 3-4 hours with one helper for a medium sized tipi (16 foot diameter) with a liner. Once you have set it up a time or two (now you're a pro!) it can be set up in an hour from start to finish. Keep in mind the time will vary based on individual learning experience.

How do you work the lacing pins through the button holes?

Left click this link and media player will play the video clip Lacing your button holes (It takes approx. 60 seconds for the clip to load before it plays) or right click this link and select "save target as" this will save the video clip on your desk top. Now just click the file on your desktop and media player will play the clip for you.

How long will a tipi last?

This depends on the quality of material you originally purchased, the climate you live in, and how well the tipi is maintained. There is no substitute for quality materials when purchasing your tipi. The more protective treatments on the canvas the longer it will last. Climate is a big factor especially if you live in a high moisture or high pollution areas. To ensure your tipi lasts longer, consider the higher quality materials. Tipis were lived in every day and thus maintained every day. Poles and canvas are subject to the weather expanding and contracting as the it changes. Poles will shift on the ground and canvas can sag as ropes get wet then dry and loosen causing the canvas to shift. This can cause a sail effect that can be compounded by wind. See Tipi care & maintenance on our Fabric & Design link. Considering all these elements your tipi can last up to 2-7 years or longer.

How do I clean the mildew on my Tipi and or Poles?

This information can also be found by clicking on the Fabric & Design link.

Tipi Care & Maintenance

Tipi pole Care & Maintenance

How do I treat my Tipi Poles?

We offer hand pealed poles naturally dried that you can linseed oil. For maximum protection in high moisture climates some customers used polyurethane to seal their poles. You must make sure the poles are completely dried before applying any treatment to them.

How do I adjust the smoke flaps to keep the rain out & draft the smoke out?

To clearly explain the positioning of the smoke flaps we will assume the Tipi is facing due East. If the wind is out of the West or directly at the back of the tipi, you want to position the flaps straight out the front or East. If the wind is out of the East or directly at the front of the tipi, you want to close the smoke flaps by first untying the smoke flap ropes. Then select one of the smoke flap poles and bring it around to the front of the tipi laying the tip of the pole between the bundle of poles and the other flap. Push it in snug. Then bring the remaining smoke flap pole around to the front of the tipi and cross it over the first flap. With your foot push the base of the pole snugly to the ground. Take both of the smoke flap ropes and tie them off in the same direction as the outer flap. If the wind is out of the North or South, you want to position the flaps away from the wind to deflect the wind from entering the tipi. For a great visual I have included drawings from The Indian Tipi by Reginald & Gladys Laubin.*

Secure Online Shopping

Shopping security at westerncanvas.com is absolutely 100% guaranteed. We understand that shopping online can feel risky and uncertain at times. Where does your information go? How can you be sure that someone out there with a computer can't intercept your credit card numbers? Your credit card security is our highest priority, westerncanvas.com has taken several steps to ensure that your payment information is processed confidentially and accurately.

Our shopping cart uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an advanced encryption technology that works with Netscape Navigator (versions 2.0 and above), Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 3.0 and above), and AOL (AOL 3.0 and above). This encryption makes it absolutely impossible for unauthorized parties to read any information that you send us.

So, there's no risk! In fact, shopping online at westerncanvas.com is statistically safer than using your credit card at a restaurant or department store. We trust you'll find yourself appreciating the fun and convenience of shopping at home.

If you have questions regarding our credit card security policies, please contact us.