LIVABILITY
+ Can the studio be left up year-round?
Depending on where you install the studio, there are different recommendations. The studio can be left up year-round anywhere, but we recommend doing this in a shady spot as excessive sunlight can damage the fabrics over a long period of time, possibly shortening the lifetime of the fabric roof. However, the roof can be replaced as needed.
Snow, wind, and extreme rain are other considerations. Read questions below about waterproofness and wind/snow loading. If you are worried about extreme weather, we recommend installing a metal roof. Note that the fabric portion of the studio can be installed or taken down in about an hour with two people, and the wooden frame is designed to withstand the elements year-round, with or without the fabric covering.
+ Can you use a woodstove or other heat source?
Yes! and we highly recommend it especially if you are planning on keeping it up and using during the winter months. The ambiance and coziness is amazing with a wood stove. Specify your tent to have a "stove jack", which is a standardized circular opening for a chimney. You will also need a fireproof floor covering below your stove. If you have access to electricity, space heaters are a quick acting option. And if you are off the grid, there are lots of propane heaters too. There is dedicated ventilation (cannot be closed) in the tent, so carbon monoxide is not an issue.
+ Can it be electrified?
Sure, the studio itself is off-the-grid, but there are specially designed pass-thrus for extension cords, whether coming from a house, a generator, or solar array.
Because the structure has exposed 2x4 wood studs, you can screw in a light switch anywhere, and the center beam is rigid enough for a small ceiling fan. Please note though that the height at the bottom of the transom window (where you could install a fan) is only 90" (7.5') high. So depending on the depth of the fan, could be a little uncomfortable for taller guests.
+ What about a bathroom?
Currently, Modern Canvas does not offer a bathroom option, but check back in the future. We recommend building a nearby platform and shelter for a composting toilet. A fabric privacy room like the NEMO Equipment Heliopolis is another great idea.
+ Are ventilation and condensation an issue?
All sides of the studio have built in screen windows that allow lots of air flow. Each window is protected by an overhang so it can be kept open in all but the hardest rains. In cold conditions or blowing rain, when the windows need to be closed, there are struts that create vents at the bottom of the windows, as well as permanent vents near the roof that keep air moving and condensation at bay. The entire studio is made of breathable fabric, but depending on where the studio is located, condensation may form on the roof. Gravity will pull it down the fabric, where it will roll outside the tent, keeping you dry inside.
