6 Ways to Weatherproof Your Canvas Cottage

We spoke with our friends at Mystic Quarry in Canyon Lake, Texas to give you a peek inside their weatherproofing tactics for their new canvas cottage glamping units. Our customers often ask about the best ways to weatherproof their canvas cottages for various weather conditions. Some weather conditions include high-speed wind, flooding, heavy rain, extreme heat, and mild snow. While brainstorming your new glamping business, it’s essential to consider the necessary steps to maintain comfortable living conditions for your guests.

There are several platform designs that are suitable for off-the-grid glamping. However, it’s important to consider the soil you’re building on. In this case, Mystic Quarry built a solid concrete pad using 2x4” wood boards for siding. During the beginning stages, these folks realized the best way to accommodate potential flooding in the cottage was to drop the bathroom space by 6” and cover it with tile. Preventing flood damage to standing structures is something to consider while living in Texas weather conditions.

Our canvas cottages are made with 100% fire-resistant and breathable cotton Army Duck canvas. Why Army Duck canvas? Well, Army Duck canvas is a tightly woven cotton that swells when the fibers get wet, thus creating a water-repellent tent. The fibers in Army Duck canvas are also breathable; keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Mystic Quarry took things a step further by adding wood panels inside the cottage to insulate the canvas. The wood panels range from 2-4ft tall, thus covering the bottom half of the canvas siding. The wood panels are designed to match the atmosphere of the cottage layout. Each wood panel is made up of burnt pine and stained for a more rustic look. This innovative weatherproofing tactic is something we’ve never seen before; however, it seems to work great for the guests at Mystic Quarry!

We offer a variety of size combinations with window and door customizations for our canvas cottages. Mystic Quarry decided to go with our double pane window option for the Safari Lodges. A double-pane window is a window that has two panes of glass set into each frame. The two pieces of glass have a small space between them, creating an air pocket made to better insulate your structure. This air pocket is extremely helpful in high temperatures because it prevents the temperature of the air outside from affecting the temperature of the air inside your space.

Each canvas cottage comes equipped with a 15 oz. almond vinyl rain fly. The vinyl rain fly is a tough material, and provides superior resistance to harmful UV rays, heavy rain, and tearing. The rain fly is tensioned using adjustable brace bars and rachets. This addition to the Mystic Quarry Safari Lodges has helped keep rain from damaging the Army Duck canvas roof and protecting the canvas from extreme heat.

Our friends at Mystic Quarry keep getting more and more innovative with their grand ideas! One of the many additions to these canvas cottages is the Army Duck canvas drapes, installed on each window. The folks at Mystic Quarry made a request to purchase and create window curtains out of our Army Duck canvas as an option for their guests. As mentioned earlier, the breathable canvas keeps their guests cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Each canvas cottage comes with a stove jack insert. We assume you’ll want to stay nice and warm while living off-the-grid in your canvas cottage! Most often, the stove jack is used to house a stovepipe and standard pellet stove found on our website here. In this case, the Texas heat called for alternative solutions to our stove jack inserts. Mystic Quarry did some brainstorming and decided to use the stove jack insert for a wall-mounted AC unit. From the fan located in the front of the cottage to the AC unit located in the back, their guests are sure to stay comfortable throughout their entire stay! Mystic Quarry noted, that most glamping sites must close during certain parts of the summer due to warm weather conditions. They’ve been able to stay open all season long, thanks to their innovative solutions.

We found tons of inspiration from the way Mystic Quarry raised their canvas cottages. Aside from the technical innovation of their glamping units, they were adamant about creating cottages that look more like log cabins to fit the architecture of their resort. The look and feel of the Mystic Quarry Safari Lodges are described as (Tex-Mod) Texas Modern, meaning the rustic, steel, large windows, open-airy feel to a living space. The large porch, rain-fly extension, burnt pine walls, elevated deck, and french doors create the perfect surrounding for a cozy outdoor living experience.

Searching for the best glamping spots in Texas? Click here to learn more about Mystic Quarry Resort.

Feeling inspired? Want to learn more? Contact us below with any questions and happy glamping!

How can I weatherproof a canvas cottage?

You can weatherproof a canvas cottage by applying waterproofing treatments, using a rain fly, and sealing seams to prevent water leaks.

Do rain flies protect canvas cottages from heavy rain?

Yes, rain flies add an extra layer of protection, helping to divert rain away from the roof and walls.

What are the best insulation options for a canvas cottage?

Insulation options include wool, foam board, or reflective insulation to improve temperature control.

Can I use stove jack inserts for air conditioning?

Yes, stove jack inserts can be modified for portable AC units, providing an access point for ventilation.

How do double-pane windows help with weatherproofing?

Double-pane windows improve insulation and help maintain interior temperatures by reducing heat loss and preventing drafts.