We make our pavilions from the highest quality materials on the market. We use Sunforger canvas (Sunforger Boatshrunk Marine Finish), which is actually a type of finish applied to fabrics, not a fabric in and of itself. Even though several companies distribute Sunforger canvas, only one company in the nation applies the finish. This canvas comes in 10.38oz and 13oz weights, and breathes well in hot weather as well as reflects the sunlight so your tent stays cooler inside. Sunforger canvas is an outstanding fabric originally designed for boat covers and other marine applications, and is designed to be durable in many outdoor environments.  

Sunforger Boatshrunk Marine Finish canvas is preshrunk, and treated with a more concentrated solution of the water- and mildew- resistant finish. While it's not waterproof, it is very water-resistant. It also has a 1-2% shrinkage rate, which means that for every 100” (8’4”) of canvas, it might shrink 2-3”. This is in comparison to other canvases (even water- and mildew-treated 100% cotton colored canvas) that can have up to an 8-10% shrinkage rate (meaning it could shrink 8-10” for every 100” of fabric). To us, this is not acceptable! We do not recommend using 100% cotton colored canvas for making a pavilion, since it is not always the highest quality material. It often isn’t preshrunk, is liable to fade over time (sometimes noticeable within a few days), and is much more prone to shrinkage in weather than Sunforger is.

Even though this fabric is mildew-resistant, you still have to make sure you let the material dry out if it gets wet. Most fabrics (even if treated) will still mildew if stored while wet.

We offer our customers this high quality canvas in two different finishes; you can choose from a 10.38oz canvas, or a 10.38oz flame-retardant canvas that meets CPAI-84 standards.

If you are worried about tent fires, we recommend using the flame-retardant canvas for your pavilion. With the flame-retardant canvas, please remember that there is no such thing as a flameproof tent. Please use caution when canvas is near a fire, stove, candle, or flame of any sort. While this canvas does breathe, if you use a stove or heater inside the tent, please follow the manufacturers’ instructions, and be sure to allow for enough ventilation.

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