Advice for setting up tents on Decking

Tips for setting up your Homecamp Bell Tent on a decking system

Setting your Homecamp Bell Tent up on a deck is a great way to create a semi-permanent camp setup, glamping space or spare room. The key is to anchor the tent securely while still allowing the canvas and groundsheet to move and breathe as they’re designed to.

Below are our recommended steps and a few extra tips we’ve learnt from long-term deck installs.

1. Position the tent and secure the floor

  1. Roll out the tent in the position you want it on the deck, making sure the door is facing the direction you prefer for access and views.

    Smooth out the groundsheet so it sits flat with no big folds or creases.

    Fix the floor loops to the deck using suitable screws or fixings:

    • Use stainless or galvanised screws with washers, or small saddle/loop fittings if you want a more permanent setup.
    • Do not over-tighten the screws. You want a little give in the loops so you don’t stress or damage the PVC or webbing when the centre pole goes in and the canvas pulls tight.
    • Avoid screwing too close to the edge of the decking boards; aim for at least 30–40mm in from the edge to reduce the chance of splitting the timber.

At this stage the floor should be loosely fixed all the way around, ready for the poles.

2. Set up the poles

  1. Assemble and raise the centre pole carefully, ensuring it sits in the correct reinforced patch on the floor and is vertical.
  2. Fit the A-frame door pole, with the foot located in the metal eyelets at the base of the door and the top plug seated correctly in the peak above the doorway.
  3. Check that the door zips open and close smoothly and that the roof is roughly even all the way around.

Once the poles are in, the tent will be standing but not yet tensioned.

3. Guy lines, springs and anchors

If your Bell Tent is going to be set up on a deck for more than a few days, we highly recommend upgrading the guy system so it’s both secure and gentle on the canvas.

Using springs and deck anchors

  • Fit a spring to each guy rope between the rope and its deck fixing. Marine-grade or heavy-duty galvanised springs are ideal.

    The spring helps absorb gusts and movement, reducing shock load on the canvas, poles and deck fixings.

    You can:

    • Use Homecamp’s guy rope and spring kit (where available), which includes heavy-duty guy ropes and springs, or
    • Purchase springs separately and use them with your existing guy ropes.
  • We recommend anchoring guy ropes at least 60–70cm out from the base of the tent where space allows.
  • This gives you the correct angle for tension and helps the tent hold its shape in wind.
  • Fix hardware (eye bolts, screw-in rings, etc.) directly into the deck or into the deck frame/joists beneath for extra strength, rather than relying solely on thin boards.

4. Pegging and tensioning the guy ropes

When you fix or “peg out” the guy ropes on a deck, the same rules apply as on the ground:

  • Each guy rope should run in a straight line from its attachment point on the tent to the anchor point – not off to one side.

    Tension them gradually, walking around the tent:

    1. Lightly tension every second guy rope.
    2. Step back and check that the roof line is even and the walls are vertical.
    3. Go around again and fine-tune the tension.
  • Aim for the canvas to be firm but not drum-tight. There should be no big sags, but also no extreme stretching or pulling at the pegging points.

5. Alternatives to wall poles on decks

On some decks, especially tight or irregular ones, you may not want to use the standard wall pole setup.

Two common alternatives:

  1. Anchor guys off posts or rails

    Where you have deck posts or a balustrade, you can run some of the wall and roof guy ropes directly to these posts instead of down to the deck surface. This can:

    • Reduce trip hazards.

    • Add extra strength where the deck structure is most solid.

      Mixed method

      Use a combination of:

    • Wall poles where there’s plenty of space, and
    • Guy ropes fixed to posts or the deck frame where space is tight.

Make sure every section of the wall is either properly supported by a pole or well-tensioned by a guy rope, so the tent keeps its shape all the way around.

6. Deck, drainage and airflow

Long-term setups need a bit more thought about water and airflow:

  • Avoid water pooling

    Make sure water can run off the deck and away from the tent. Don’t create a “dam” of timber or matting that traps water against the PVC groundsheet. Standing water encourages mould and will shorten the life of both tent and deck.

  • Allow air under the floor

    Every so often (especially after a wet period), lift or fold back a section of the floor on a dry day to let the deck air out and ensure there’s no trapped moisture.

  • If you’re using outdoor rugs or mats, try to avoid wall-to-wall coverage under the whole tent; leave some areas where the floor and deck can breathe.

7. Ventilation & mould prevention

Deck setups are often more “set and forget”, but they still need airflow:

  • Always try to pitch the tent dry. If you’ve had to pack up wet, open the tent fully on the next dry, breezy day and let it air out completely.

    Keep roof vents and windows slightly open where security and weather allow, especially in humid or coastal environments.

    After several days of rain, choose a fine day to open:

    • Both doors,
    • As many windows as possible, and

    • Roof vents

      to flush out moisture and condensation.

Remember: no canvas manufacturer warrants against mould. Good ventilation and drying the tent properly is essential to keeping it in good condition.

8. Wind, exposure and snow

On exposed sites or properties with frequent strong winds:

  • Add extra anchor points directly into the deck frame or main posts, not just into thinner decking boards.
  • Check guy ropes, knots and springs regularly and replace anything that shows signs of wear.
  • Avoid leaving loose items (awnings, shade sails, etc.) flapping around the tent, as they can transfer extra load to the canvas.

Regarding snow:

  • Our bell tents are not designed for heavy snow loading. If snow is forecast, clear any build-up from the roof regularly to prevent damage to the poles or canvas.

9. Safety on raised decks

If your deck is raised off the ground:

  • Make sure there is a clear, non-slip access path into the tent.
  • Route guy ropes so they don’t create trip hazards near stairs, edges or walkways. Where possible, anchor to lower posts or external points rather than directly across thoroughfares.
  • Consider subtle lighting (e.g. solar step lights) so ropes and edges are visible at night.

10. Seasonal check-list for permanent setups

For tents that stay up on a deck for a whole season or longer, we recommend a quick check at least a few times a year:

  • Check all deck fixings, eye bolts and hardware are still tight and sound.
  • Inspect guy ropes, tensioners and springs for wear or rust and replace as needed.
  • Air out under the floor and inspect the deck for moisture or mould.
  • Brush or hose off dust, leaves and debris from the roof and around the base of the tent.
  • Give the canvas a once-over and spot-clean any bird droppings, sap or marks sooner rather than later.