Most tents are made of strong but lightweight nylon taffeta or ripstop nylon, which weighs approximately 2 ounces per square yard. Some of the bigger tents use coated polyester or cotton poplin canvas, which weighs a good deal more. The floors and flys are usually coated with polyurethane or another moisture-repellent substance to prevent moisture from passing from the ground into the tent. Although the body of a tent is often left untreated to increase the transfer of respiration and perspiration through the tent's walls, it is not unusual to wake up in a damp tent. Large and airy tents have less of a problem this way because of the greater circulation of air throughout the tent.
Some tents offer a double-roof construction, which further decreases unwanted condensation.
I have spent a number of sleepless nights in tents that dripped continually from the ceiling. When dismantling the tent, the segments are pulled apart and folded compactly. There is still some controversy as to whether fiberglass is superior to aluminum when it comes to designing tent poles. Fiberglass is less expensive and more flexible than aluminum. It does not require pre-bending or any special attachments.