Construction
How to keep a long-term temporary structure warm all year round
December 1, 2025
By Claire Rooney

One of the most common questions we hear from clients looking for long-term marquee hire or temporary building space is: “Will it stay warm enough through winter?”

The answer: absolutely.

Today’s temporary structures — when properly specified — perform exceptionally well through every season. At Trafalgar, we design and install long-term marquees and temporary buildings that remain comfortable, energy-efficient and fully operational all year round, whether used as classrooms, canteens, welfare units, studios, storage, or additional workspace.

Energy-efficient insulation for long-term use

For long-term deployments, the right insulation is essential. It improves comfort, reduces heating costs and ensures your structure performs consistently over months or years.

We offer a range of insulation options specifically designed for long-term temporary buildings, including:

Insulated solid wall panels

These panels significantly reduce heat loss, increase structural rigidity and create a stable internal climate suitable for continuous daily use.

Specialised insulated linings

Lightweight yet extremely effective, these linings help regulate internal temperatures and improve the structure’s energy efficiency.

Double-skinned thermo-insulated roofs

Ideal for winter, these reduce heat escape and keep energy use low — an excellent choice for schools, business operations and long-term hospitality spaces.

During warmer periods, we can install full air-conditioning systems, ensuring year-round climate control for staff, students or customers.

Tailored heating systems for reliable year-round comfort

Every long-term installation operates under different site conditions. That’s why we offer site-specific heating solutions, designed to work within your existing power supply and operational requirements.

Our heating options include:

  • Indirect, thermostatically controlled heaters – efficient, powerful and discreet — warm air is ducted into the structure without taking up internal space.
  • Electric hot-water boiler systems – perfect for sites with electrical restrictions or where oil-based heating isn’t permitted.  We frequently install these systems for schools, colleges, and public-sector buildings requiring strict compliance.
  • Outdoor heating for semi-open hospitality structures – for long-term restaurant, bar or café setups with open sides, we can supply the appropriate external heating to maintain comfort through colder months.

All systems can be serviced through scheduled ongoing checks as part of our long-term hire packages.

Heating solutions for specialist environments

Some temporary structures require more than “just heating”. They need controlled conditions suitable for activities such as:

  • Education and classrooms
  • Catering and dining facilities
  • Storage, logistics & warehousing
  • Dance, sports and training studios
  • Film, TV & media production
  • Construction welfare areas

One example is a performing arts school that required a fully insulated temporary studio. We installed:

  • Hard walls and secure access doors
  • Specialist flooring for movement
  • Robust insulation
  • A carefully balanced heating system

The space stayed warm and comfortable throughout winter, proving how well-designed long-term structures can perform under demanding conditions.

A comfortable, efficient space 365 days a year

Whether you need a structure for three months or several years, we make sure your temporary building remains:

  • Warm in winter
  • Cool in summer
  • Energy-efficient
  • Safe
  • Fully compliant
  • Comfortable for all users

If you’re planning a long-term project and want to explore heating or insulation options, our team will guide you through every step.

Get started – Call us on 01932 620060 or use our Marquee Calculator for an initial idea of your requirements.

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Brand Tudgay
The Bespoke Furniture Company

Fantastic support to us
Trafalgar Structures have been a fantastic support to us since we reopened after lockdown. The provision of a high quality marquee to help facilitate our opening strategy meant we could cater for adult and child classes whilst following the required government guidance. The service and workmanship from the team was first class and the team were always happy to help out if any issues arose and amendments to the marquee were needed. I look forward to working with the team again and would fully recommend for any marquee needs

Leigh Johnson
General Manager, David Lloyd Clubs

The Lid on the Lawn
‘The Lid on the Lawn’ installed by Trafalgar Structures enabled us to reopen safely after the July 2021 easing of the government guidelines, within 10 days we had a fully operational table service outdoor restaurant. Such has been the successful transformation of the outside space, we have kept the marquee for a longer term hire. The demand for outdoor dining and eventing has increased exponentially and the marquee has enabled us to confidentially offer weather proof ‘outdoor events’. This is now a permanent fixture with an additional full takeaway facility for visitors to the estate. Team Trafalgar are always on hand and have also reacted extremely quickly to the last minute nature of corporate event enquiries. Many thanks.

Jeannette Simpson
COO, Denbies Wine Estate LTD

I cannot find fault in anything they did

We used Trafalgar Structures at the start of lock down. We were very fortunate to be able to remain fully working however, as everyone did, we had to make some major adaptions on our site to accommodate the 2m distancing. I came across Trafalgar Structures and I found them to be extremely helpful, knowledgeable and helpful. We had constant changes to the brief but that didn’t matter to James and his team, they were very accommodating and continued to be very helpful and help fulfil the works we required as well as give a lot of suggestions to make this work. The team that erected/ dismantled the marquee were extremely professional and friendly and helpful throughout the 2 days. I would highly recommend Trafalgar Structures and I would certainly use them again. I cannot find fault in anything they did. Thank you all so much for your help and guidance

Logistics Manager
Clipfine Limited

Trafalgar Structures came to the rescue when the school needed additional outdoor teaching and testing facilities during the Covid pandemic. The cost of hire was extremely competitive and more than reasonable, particularly when you consider their services are much in demand. From the MD to the installers on the ground they were easy to deal with – nothing was too much trouble. Even last minute changes, and their after sales service was just as good. Its not every day you hire a marquee, but if I have to in the future, Trafalgar will be my first port of call. A huge thank you to James and the team!

Neil Lowe
Lady Eleanor Holles school