A Complete Guide to Temporary Structures

For business owners, a common question today is: how to use space more efficiently? 
Permanent buildings are often expensive to build, and they are not always practical for certain business needs, especially those that are changeable. That is where temporary structures become a smart solution. Temporary structures are designed to provide fast, flexible space without long-term construction. 

In this article, we cover everything that you should know about temporary structures, including the definition, benefits, applications, and some key considerations when selecting the perfect one. Read on to learn how to make the most of temporary structures for your business.

What Are Temporary Structures?

As its name suggests, temporary structures are built for short-term or semi-permanent use. They are fabric buildings that are generally used for events, storage, industrial operations, exhibitions, and emergency response. Common temporary structure types include containers, tent structures, portable cabins, and other modular constructions. 

Unlike traditional permanent constructions, they are often easy to install and dismantle. You can freely relocate or remove them when they are no longer needed. A permanent building will take months to construct, while a temporary structure, however, can be set up in only a few days.

However, do not be misled by the word "temporary". Temporary does not mean disposable or short-lived. With proper storage and maintenance, many temporary buildings can last 10 to 20 years or even longer. 

At Sheltent, our temporary structures are crafted from high-strength aluminum alloy. They do not corrode or deform easily, and typically last up to 20 years.

Why Temporary Structures Matter for You？

Temporary structures outperform traditional buildings because they provide a wide range of unique and valuable advantages. Here are some key reasons why you should also consider them for your business:

Cost-effective

One big reason that you should consider a temporary structure is cost-effectiveness. It is simply made of two parts: a sturdy frame and a fabric cover. This means that it can be quickly built by a few people in just a few days. You can even build one with your team by following manuals or tutorials. 

Permanent buildings usually require specialized design and construction teams, which can be very expensive. They also need various construction materials such as concrete, sand, steel, and other supplies. In contrast, temporary structures minimize the material and labor costs during construction. So it is often a more budget-friendly solution for most businesses.

Despite their simplicity, temporary structures do not compromise on quality. The materials used to build temporary structures are highly resistant to rust, erosion, and corrosion. Reliable manufacturers often use aluminum alloy to build the frame and pair it with galvalized steel components. 

Easy to Set Up and Dismantle for Relocation

Temporary constructions are composed of prefabricated modular units. All the parts are already made during the factory and ready to assemble. When you receive the order, you only need to connect each piece one by one on site. This design has made the installation super easy. 

More importantly, they can also be easily dismantled, relocated, and reassembled at a new site. This feature really matters for those businesses that run short-term projects at multiple locations or need to frequently change sites due to operational demands.

Widely Used in Various Applications

Another reason to choose temporary structures for your business is their high adaptability. They can be settled on various surfaces, be it hard grounds or softer ones. This makes them suitable for almost any location.

Meanwhile, thanks to their wide application, temporary structures are commonly set up for any outdoor scenarios, such as outdoor sports events, warehouses, industrial sites, emergency relief operations, and trade fairs. 

No matter the application, you can customize the structure to perfectly meet your specific needs. Size, shape, and color can all be personalized. Even better, you can print high-resolution logos, slogans, patterns, or other branding graphics to boost brand visibility. 

Stable to Withstand Elements

Temporary structures are usually crafted from heavy-duty materials, including aluminum alloy and steel. They can resist most weather conditions, such as strong winds, heavy rain, or snow. 

As for the cover, it is also weather-proof and made of durable materials. The PVC fabric is coated with a waterproof layer, so even in heavy rain, no water will leak through. At the same time, the cover is highly UV resistant. It blocks strong sunlight to reduce heat, prevent heatstroke or sunburn, and protects items inside from damage.

Moreover, temporary structures meet strict safety standards. The PVC fabric used is fire-retardant and certified according to strict standards. Even in hot and dry weather, it is able to resist ignition, so as to prevent fires and avoid unnecessary loss.

At Sheltent, all temporary tent structures are made from top-quality materials and undergo strict inspections before entering the market. According to the latest tests, our temporary tent structures can withstand wind loads of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). The maximum snow load  these  structures can handle is 0.3 kN/m². It greatly ensures the safety and reliability even under challenging weather conditions. 

Low Maintenance

The modular design of temporary structures also makes maintenance and replacement easy. Since the whole building is made up of relatively independent parts, if one component becomes damaged or worn, you can repair or replace just that part without affecting the rest of the structure. This saves both time and costs compared to permanent buildings. 

Additionally, the durable, high-quality materials require minimal upkeep. They won't get damaged easily and ensure that the structure can work very well for a long time if properly kept. So basically, the maintenance of a temporary building is low.

Where to Use Temporary Structures?

In today's market, temporary structures are designed with both high flexibility and durability, allowing them to be used in many different environments and situations. Below are some details about how businesses and organizations can use them for different purposes.

Temporary Event Structures

Some temporary event structures can be used for various outdoor events. These event tents can be easily set up for corporate events, such as commercial meetings, trade fairs, and large-scale exhibitions. 

Moreover, they are also common for outdoor entertainment and recreational activities. Music festivals, outdoor concerts, cultural fairs, amusement parks, and outdoor weddings will use temporary structures as venues and offer protection for both attendees and equipment inside.

Temporary Storage Structures

One of the most typical applications of temporary building structures is, definitely, storage. This is especially true in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, retail, and e-commerce, where storage demands often change with seasons, projects, or market conditions.

If you happen to be among one of them, then it may be the right time to consider a temporary storage tent to improve efficiency.

As perfect storage solutions, temporary structures can be installed quickly near your existing facilities. This helps reduce transportation time and promote workflow. Compared to permanent warehouses, temporary storage structures require lower upfront investment.

But they still provide a large, protected space to store items. As your storage needs grow or change, their modular design also allows you to freely expand or relocate the building.

Temporary Garage Structures

Another use of some large temporary structures is to protect vehicles. In places where permanent garages are unavailable or impractical, temporary garage structures are often applied, including construction sites, farms, ports, and outdoor parking areas. The large clear-span space provided by them allows vehicles to access and maneuver easily. 

They are perfect for protecting cars, trucks, buses, and commercial fleets. Crafted from high-quality materials like aluminum alloy and a 100% weatherproof PVC cover, these temporary shade structures work as a reliable shelter from rain, snow, sunlight, wind, and dust. Thus, they help extend vehicle lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.

Temporary Construction Tent

You can also install a temporary tent on your construction site. It can protect materials like sand, wood, cement, steel, bricks, etc., keeping them safe from direct sunlight and moisture, which could otherwise affect the final construction quality. 

Such a temporary construction tent is also necessary for ongoing works, particularly when a project is still partially completed or when materials like cement, adhesives, or coatings have not fully dried or cured.

Temporary Hangars

Large temporary structures also work well as aircraft hangars in the aviation industry. When designed with sufficient span and height, they can accommodate multiple aircraft simultaneously. Their interior spaces can be divided into different functional zones, such as aircraft storage areas, maintenance zones, and equipment storage sections. 

Additionally, temporary aircraft hangars are suitable for both civil and military applications. They can provide reliable protection for no matter private jets, small airplanes, helicopters, or tactical aviation units.

Temporary Medical and Emergency Tent

Temporary medical and emergency tents are widely used in various public settings, particularly during large-scale sporting events, mass gatherings, disaster relief operations, and military deployments. 

Setting up a temporary medical tent allows medical staff to deliver timely treatment and respond quickly to unexpected emergencies. Specifically, these tents can be fully equipped to support various medical functions, including performing emergency procedures or minor surgeries, storing medicines and medical supplies, and providing triage and first-aid services.

Temporary Industrial Tent

For most large businesses, setting up temporary industrial tents is often a top priority. They provide scalable space that helps to quickly expand or reduce the working area based on actual needs, such as seasonal demand, project-based tasks, or sudden increases in inventory.  

During peak seasons, these temporary structures are built as production workshops, equipment storage houses, or assembly zones. They also support fast business expansion by allowing companies to increase capacity very quickly.

What to Consider When Choosing Temporary Structures

Before you make your decision, think twice. Here's what you should pay special attention to when you're picking the best temporary structure:

• Intended Use: Clarify how the structure will be used, such as storage, events, industrial work, or medical support. The exact purpose determines the required strength, layout, and safety features.
  
• Size and Space: Make sure the structure provides enough interior space for equipment, vehicles, people, or goods. Try to select a temporary structure that is slightly larger than your estimated needs.
  
• Budget: Never cut too many corners or overspend. Your budget should cover the purchase cost and expenses for installation, maintenance, and potential relocation.
  
• Customization: Customizing options like size, color, doors, windows, sidewalls will better fit your needs. If necessary, also print clear branding info on your structure to promote brand awareness.
  
• Material: Always choose durable, weather-resistant, and fire-retardant materials to ensure long-term safety and performance.
  
• Brand: When choosing a brand, look for those that offer certified materials, strict quality control, professional technical support, and responsive after-sales service.
  

Build Your Temporary Structures with Sheltent

Setting up temporary structures is never an easy thing. However, if you have chosen an experienced brand from the very beginning, many potential problems and frustrations can be avoided throughout the process. Among all temporary building suppliers, Sheltent stands out. With nearly ten years of industry experience, we provide high-quality tents and wise solutions to every customer.  

Our temporary tents are very easy to install, dismantle, and relocate due to their simple construction and prefabricated modular design. The frame is made of durable aluminum alloy, and the cover is made of fully weatherproof PVC, allowing the structure to withstand any weather condition in long-term outdoor use. If maintained well, the service life of our tents can extend up to 20 years. 

Our tents can also be highly customizable for outdoor parties, trade shows, exhibitions, warehouses, and aircraft hangars. More importantly, all of them meet flame-retardant standards, like DIN 4102 B1, NFP 92-507 M2, and NFPA 701, making them a safe option for these situations.

If you're seeking temporary structures, let us know. We are ready to offer you the best product and service!