One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead. After we pitched the tent, the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly let us leave half the mesh dome uncovered. At the first sign of rain, it took only a few seconds—and a quick hand stuck outside the tent—to ozark trail screen house unfurl the fly and secure it for a dry night’s sleep. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining. Throughout all our testing, we wanted to know how it felt to be inside the tents for long periods of time.
The North Face offers a limited lifetime warranty on the tent, and will repair most flaws and damage at its discretion. It is also important to consider the way in which the tent poles attach to the tent. Many of our picks use grommet attachments, which are more secure and simple to repair than key attachments if anything should break. In this section, we will provide you with important information, considerations, and general advice about screen houses, specifically focusing on the Ozark Trail 14X12 model. However, one thing that hasn’t gone so smoothly is removing snow from the roof, which has proven to be quite the task.
The Ozark Trail Screen House 14X12 offers several benefits that make it an excellent investment for outdoor enthusiasts. First, its mesh construction provides protection from insects, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about bugs or mosquitoes bothering you. The screen house also offers privacy, shielding you from prying eyes and unwanted distractions.
One thing to note was that although the footprint is 13×9 ft, the actual covered area is not the same, being quite a bit smaller. The Ozark Trail Screen House does its job but needs to be used with the proper expectations. An ideal situation would be when the weather is agreeable and the wind is gentle. While the screen house performed well, there were a couple of minor drawbacks. The zipper opening could have been a bit taller for taller individuals, and the frame felt a bit less sturdy than some other high-end options on the market.
The instructions were a bit difficult to understand, and I found myself getting frustrated as I tried to figure out where each pole went. But with the help of a friend, we were able to put the tent together in no time. One of the standout features was the no-see-um mesh panels, which helped keep pesky insects at bay without obstructing our view of the beautiful surroundings. The PE splash guard also added an extra layer of protection from ground pests. If you want a lighter, more portable camp-style shelter, we highly recommend checking out the REI Co-op Screen House Shelter.
Though the boxy design is basic, in our tests we found that this camping shelter offered the best combination of functionality, durability, and affordability of all the tents we tried. In between trips, we turned a neighbor’s large, flat yard into an ad hoc camping-gazebo testing ground. We erected our shelters just in advance of a 24-hour rain and checked for leaking and rainy-day ambience midstorm. We also timed setup and breakdown times for each shelter, and we repeatedly zipped and unzipped doors and windows, looking for annoying snags. Some campers might find the Wawona 6’s footprint unwieldy in smaller campsites, or they might simply prefer a tent with a more straightforward design.
I especially love the large windows and doors, which make it super airy and provide excellent ventilation. We also liked the setup process of the ABCCANOPY Patio Pop Up. It can be popped into place by just one person, and it boasts pinch-free lockers and height adjusters, which allow everything to glide into position easily. Our favorite setup feature for this model is its crank-style center mast. Once setup is complete, simply twist the crank a few times to lift the center pole to its maximum height.
While it might have its small drawbacks, I can confidently say that this screenhouse is a game-changer for anyone looking to enjoy outdoor meals without the interruption of Mother Nature’s unwelcome guests. Overall, the Ozark Trail 7-Person 2-in-1 Screen House Connect Tent is a great addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s gear, offering a cozy and versatile shelter for camping and hiking trips. Overall, I would definitely recommend this tent for large families or groups who don’t mind the extra weight. The ease of set-up, versatility, and comfort it offers make it a top contender for our future camping adventures. I couldn’t believe how spacious the tent was, even when we were sleeping with multiple air mattresses inside.
The aluminum poles are quite long and awkward to maneuver, and it takes extra time to slide them through the fabric sleeves and bow them into place. We found the V-Series just as easy to set up as the other cathedral canopies we tested; however, it scored a little lower because it still incorporates spring-loaded adjustment pins to lock it into place. These pins are a little harder to use, especially during takedown, and they are more likely to pinch the skin. If your budget is tight, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up is an inexpensive beach canopy that provides the essentials for a quick, hassle-free setup but may not be built to endure many summers of use. If you can spend a bit more and want a more traditional cathedral shape, the Caravan V-Series is a good choice. We are also very impressed with the overall value the Coleman 10×10 Sun Shelter brings to the table.
Overall, it’s been a delightful journey with this Ozark Trail Screen House. It provided protection from the pests, a comfortable shade, and a beautiful open-air view. While there is room for some improvements, it’s worth considering for the price, especially for a peaceful day in the wilderness. I recently tried out the Ozark Trail Large Roof Screen House in blue, and I must say, it was a game-changer for my outdoor activities. The spacious interior fit perfectly over a picnic bench in our local park, providing a comfortable and cozy space for our family of four. The tent also had storage pockets to keep our small items off the ground, making it more convenient for us.