WIGWAM
HABITATION
Active - conscious - creative
Since 2008
Teepee and prospector tent manufacturing
Since our beginnings in 2008, we have been manufacturing our wigwam homes in India. You might ask, why in India? So, as surprising as it may seem, it is very difficult to find good cheap wigwams in North America. Most craftsmen who make them give up on the lack of profit for the time invested. But there is another, more important reason: for 20 years we have lived half the year in India and the other half in Quebec. India has become our second home and, over time, we wanted to marry these two corners of the world, while helping minority communities. We are very proud to ethically and fairly combine cultures from here and elsewhere through the manufacture of wigwams.
Our Canvas
We use 13oz polycotton (40% cotton and 60% polyester) for its exceptional strength. Our 13 oz Polycotton is stronger than 15 oz 100% cotton. Its advantages are: to be lighter, to dry faster and above all it is much more resistant to mould. The canvas with three treatments: waterproof, rot-proof and fireproof.
All is in the details
In addition, all seams are made in three stages to prevent water leaks and this technique also guarantees superior strength. We double the canvas on certain parts of the teepee, in order to give it the best solidity.
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance advice for your teepee and prospector tent
Rest assured, Habitation Wigwam uses a high-performance fabric made from polycotton (60% polyester and 40% cotton) with a thickness of 13 oz. The choice of this fabric was easy, as it has all the good properties of its competitors, without the negative aspects. Thanks to this mix of materials, our fabric is even more resistant than the 10 oz all-cotton fabric. Moreover, it dries more quickly, it is lighter and much more resistant to fungus and mould than other fabrics.
How to properly protect your teepee and prospector tent?
For teepees:
We recommend applying a water-based exterior paint with a UV solution to your teepee.
Warning: painting an entire teepee will reduce its natural luminosity. We recommend painting only the bottom part (5 feet from the base), as this area is the most sensitive to organic matter (fungi and mould) and UV rays. It is not necessary to paint the inside. If you want to paint a larger surface, choose the side that gets the most sunlight. Once you've painted your teepee to your liking, we recommend that you apply a coat of Star Brite Waterproofing Treatment which has high-performance UV protection.
To make the right choice of exterior paint with a UV protection, ask your paint specialist for advice.
If you do not want to paint your teepee, Star Brite Waterproofing solution with UV protection will allow you to achieve an optimum protection.
Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection is available from our shop.
Note: If you only use your teepee for a few weeks a year (less than three months), there's no need to treat it for the first two years. After six months of cumulative use, you should remember to clean it thoroughly with a special soap such as Esker Canvas Tent Cleaner and apply Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection.
Long-term maintenance: Acid rain and sunlight will remove any treatment from your teepee after six to eight months. It is therefore advisable to thoroughly clean your teepee at the end of the season with a special soap such as Esker Canvas Tent Cleaner and apply a generous coat of Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection.
For teepees that are outdoors all year round, the above steps should be followed every 12 months, as winter is less harsh on the canvas. Esker Canvas Tent Cleaner and Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection are available from our web shop.
​
For prospector tents: If your tent is not protected from rain and sun by a double roof, you should follow the instructions above. Our customers rarely apply paint to prospector tents, but we strongly advise you to do so. Painting a strip along the bottom of the tent (1 foot) and the entire roof and applying Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection will ensure your tent lasts longer.
If your prospector tent is protected by a double roof, and the walls are not too exposed to rain and sun, we recommend that you paint the bottom of the tent (1 foot) and treat the tent every two years. If you are using a quality canvas double roof and want to protect it, follow the instructions for the prospector tent without double roof mentioned above. Esker Canvas Tent Cleaner and Star Brite Waterproofing with UV protection are available from our web shop. If you have any questions, contact us!