Aluminum or steel canopy tents?

What is the most stable material? And which is the best choice for my application? These are simple questions everyone asks before purchasing a canopy tent, which is why we took a closer look at these two metals, putting them to the test and comparing them. The result? Aluminum marquees are clearly the first choice when it comes to folding marquees. There are several reasons for this: aluminum marquees are lighter and easier to transport and they are unbeatable in terms of corrosion resistance, plus they are very stable and durable. In our comparison, we compared canopy tents based on the following four criteria:

1. Weight and stability: is aluminum or steel lighter? And which canopy tent is more stable?
2. Corrosion resistance: which material is more suitable for outdoor use?
3. Location of use: aluminum or the steel? Which is more resistant to environmental situations?
4. Sustainability: which metal is more sustainable?

Aluminum is known to be a light metal and is certainly lighter than steel. In equal quantities, aluminum weighs only about one third as much. The reduced weight of these canopy tent facilitates their ease of transport and is also a clear advantage where they need to be set up and packed away frequently. In emergency situations, for firefighters or the Red Cross when everything has to be done in a hurry, or for trade shows, parties, events or markets, a user-friendly aluminum canopy tent is always the smartest choice.

And what about stability? Both materials are very stable and especially sturdy. However, steel canopy tents usually have thinner wall profiles than aluminum ones, because otherwise the weight of a folding steel canopy tent would be unsustainable. Due to the reduced weight of aluminum, aluminum canopy tents can afford to have a higher profile thickness (up to 2.5 mm), which naturally has a positive effect on stability. This means that, overall, aluminum canopy tents are even more stable than steel ones.

So... Aluminum canopy tents not only have a weight advantage, but are also more stable than steel ones due to their greater profile wall thickness. But beware: cheap canopy tents from discount stores or DIY stores are made with very thin profiles, so the stability of their construction suffers and cannot compete with any high-quality canopy tents sold directly by the manufacturer.

Corrosion resistance is aluminum’s greatest advantage over steel. Due to its inherent chemical properties, aluminum cannot rust. Outdoor use? In the sun and rain? Absolutely no problem, especially if all components of the frame are made from this material.

What about steel canopy tents? Steel canopy tent manufacturers like to advertise that, because their steel profiles are powder coated, they are also corrosion-resistant and cannot rust. But beware: the powder coating is applied to the steel profiles at a later stage and is damaged at the first scratch. Especially with mobile use, steel frames can quickly become scratched (through transportation, unprofessional storage, set-up and packing away), and the exposed parts will quickly rust, contributing to further damage to the coating.

Do you want freedom to use your canopy tent outdoors without hesitation, regardless of the season and the weather? Then we definitely recommend an aluminum canopy tent. Enjoy your shelter with peace of mind for years to come. 

Are you out and about a lot, in the city, in the country or on the coast? Then an aluminum canopy tent is the right companion for you. Why? Because even aggressive sea air, ammonia and other environmental factors are unable to damage aluminum. Dangers to steel canopy tents, which very quickly rust, becoming weaker and less stable, are no problem for aluminum canopy tents.

Do you always want to feel free to use your canopy tent outdoors in any environment where you happen to be? Then an aluminum canopy tent is for you, especially if you want to use it frequently and for long periods. 

Did you know that aluminum, unlike iron, is also more sustainable? No? Aluminum is 100% recyclable, and the major advantage is that its mechanical properties do not deteriorate when it is reused. In addition, the extraction of secondary aluminum through recycling uses only five percent of the energy. This means that aluminum canopy tents also significantly outperform steel ones in terms of sustainability.

The four decisive reasons why we focus exclusively on aluminum canopy tents:

1. Aluminum canopy tents are three times lighter than steel ones.
2. Aluminum canopy tents are corrosion-resistant.
3. Aluminum canopy tents are ideal for outdoor use, even in seaside or rural locations.
4. Aluminum canopy tents are 100% recyclable.