Which Is Best? A Freestanding Or A Canopy Temporary Shelter?

You could be forgiven for thinking that one temporary shelter would be much like another, but there are several different kinds of temporary shelters that are designed for varied uses and locations. 

We’re going to run through the two main options for temporary shelters: freestanding shelters and container canopy shelters. Each has its merits and use cases, so hopefully this will help you to work out which is most suitable for your needs. 

Freestanding temporary shelters 

Freestanding temporary shelters are made using a PVC fabric and steel poles and arches – a lot like a tent but much more robust and weatherproof! Our temporary shelters are designed to not only withstand the elements but also to be secure, which means they can feature a roll-up or winch door. 

Although we recommend avoiding particularly exposed areas for a temporary shelter, they are suitable for use in most locations and on most types of stable ground. 

They are ideal if you need additional storage space – such as for dry goods or materials storage – as well as for additional warehousing. As we move towards the festive season, this could be especially helpful for distributors that are expecting an influx of goods to be passing through their hubs in the coming months.

You can also use one of these temporary shelters as workshop space, which can either help your business cope with higher demand for your services or give you somewhere to work on a bespoke or custom project. 

They can even be used to provide additional shelter for livestock during the autumn and winter months. The ultimate message is that if you need a dry, weatherproof space for either storage or work, a temporary shelter could be your answer. 

Container canopy shelters

In terms of the use cases for container canopy shelters, they’re very similar to those we’ve suggested for freestanding temporary shelters. The way in which these differ is that rather than having PVC fabric for the entire structure, the two side walls of the shelter are formed of shipping containers. 

The PVC fabric is then fixed as a canopy overhead, providing protection from the elements. You can leave this open at both ends, or add a front panel and back panel to completely enclose the space. 

If you need a sheltered space for an event like a market – again likely to be more of a possibility as we head into the winter months with Christmas markets around the corner – a canopy shelter is ideal as the open ends allow people to move freely while the containers and canopy prevent the weather from encroaching. 

With a back panel and a winch or roll-up door at the front, however, you can create a completely enclosed and secure space. Again, this is perfect for use as a workshop or for additional storage of dry goods or other materials like aggregates or even salt for use on the roads in the winter. 

The National Highways Agency starts each winter with 280,000 tonnes of salt stored at strategic locations around the country, but if there is a prolonged spell of cold, snowy weather, the amount of salt required to keep the country’s roads passable can increase – requiring more storage space, fast.