What To Look For
A screen tent or screen house is a great addition to camping gear and should have enough room for tables and chairs, with plenty of space for relaxing, eating, playing games. They provide a welcome escape from bugs. A screen tent is also a great place to get in out of the rain without having to resort to your sleeping tent for cover. Screen tents come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Look for screen tents that have dark mesh openings. The tight weave and color of the mesh makes it hard for insects to see, as well as keeping out even the smallest of bugs, like sand flies and mosquitoes. Consider models that have two rooms, should you need more sleeping space than what your regular tent provides.
Common Pitfalls
When choosing a screen tent, consider whether or not a floor is really necessary. Screen tents are designed for day use and going in and out, so getting a screen tent with a floor really isn't necessary. Of course having a tent with no floor might be a welcome invitation for small critters and crawling bugs to invade your space. Make sure when setting up the tent that the sides are firmly against the ground and that the tent is well-anchored to avoid any unwanted visitors. The Eureka Hexagon Screen House and the Abogear Four-walled Screen House have lots of floor space because of their unique shapes and offer protection from bugs and rain and provide immediate shade.
Where To Buy
Screen tents are available at Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shops. Shop these stores in person to take a good look at what they have to offer. It's important that the screen tent you choose is the right size for the money, or you won't get the best use out of the equipment. Once you've narrowed down your choices based on size, materials and price, shop on the Internet, either on the Gander Mountain or Bass Pro Shop websites, or other retailers like Amazon.com to get the best price for the tent you choose.
Cost
Since a screen tent isn't really designed to be a sleeping tent unless absolutely necessary, spending a lot of money isn't necessary. Eureka screen tents have some of the best value for the money, and you can pick up a Eureka Screen House Shelter on Amazon for around $129. Coleman is another trusted camping supplier brand and their 11x13 Insta-Clip Screen sells for around $110. Screen tents with more features, like a front porch or separate sleeping room, or ones made of canvas will run more in the $300 to $500 range.
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