Tent sidewalls are worth discussing when privacy, a screened service area or the feel of the space matters to your event. They are not automatically necessary for every tent, and buying or renting four panels does not mean every side should be closed. Choose the layout with the tent provider, then confirm entrances, guest circulation and the event’s weather plan.
Party Perfect America’s 20×20 Sidewall Kit is listed at $79 as of October 12, 2026. This guide explains the kit, compares open and screened layouts, and gives you a short brief to send before booking an outdoor party in New Jersey, New York or Connecticut.
Open sides, window panels or solid panels?
Start with what guests should see and where they need to move, rather than choosing walls only from a photograph. A garden view, a neighboring parking area and a catering workspace call for different conversations.
| Option to discuss | Planning purpose | Question for your provider |
|---|---|---|
| Open sides | An open connection to the surrounding event space | Where are guest routes and the separate weather fallback? |
| Window panels | Views and daylight through the enclosed side | Which faces should look toward the garden or venue? |
| Solid panels | A visual screen from an adjacent area | Will this hide something useful to see, such as an entrance? |
| A mixed arrangement | Different purposes on different sides | Which configuration is appropriate for this tent and site? |
Manufacturer Rainier Tent’s sidewall selection guide distinguishes view-preserving clear sections from solid panels used to screen surroundings. It also explains that attachment systems differ. That is general manufacturer guidance, not evidence that PPA uses Rainier equipment or that any panel fits any tent.
What PPA’s 20×20 kit includes
The current 20×20 Sidewall Kit listing specifies two 8 ft by 20 ft cathedral/window panels and two 8 ft by 20 ft solid panels. It is designed for 20×20 tents with 8 ft sides and is offered as an add-on to PPA’s tent or tent packages.
The panel dimensions describe the equipment, not an approved exit plan. Confirm compatibility, placement and access with PPA before reserving it for an existing tent. Do not assume it fits a pop-up canopy, another supplier’s frame or a structure with a different side height.
Compare the item prices, then request a delivered total
| Equipment selection | Catalog subtotal |
|---|---|
| 20×20 Sidewall Kit only | $79 |
| 20×20 Premium High-Peak Frame Tent ($379) plus one kit ($79) | $458 |
| Single 20×20 Seating Package ($469) plus one kit ($79) | $548 |
The seating package lists one tent, four 6 ft banquet tables and 32 white folding chairs. The sums above use catalog prices checked October 12, 2026; they are not discounts or guaranteed all-inclusive event quotes. A package’s chair count does not establish the capacity of every possible arrangement.
Ask for the final address-specific price showing delivery, installation, collection, taxes and any access-related charges or inclusions. Confirm the rental dates and the deadline for changing the wall arrangement. Do not assume the $79 add-on includes a separate return visit to fit or remove panels during the party.
Make a four-side brief before the site discussion
Draw a simple rectangle and label its sides A, B, C and D. For each side, write down what lies outside it: the house, lawn, parking area, catering route or neighboring property. This is a conversation aid, not an installation drawing.
- Mark guest movement. Show the arrival route, route to restrooms and any connection to the main venue. Ask the provider and venue to confirm the required access and exits.
- Choose the views. Note the side you want visible in photographs and anything you would prefer to screen. Keep that preference separate from the final equipment arrangement.
- Add furniture and service. Draw occupied chairs and buffet queues, not just tabletops. Our buffet table setup guide helps separate food service from dining.
- Name the decision-maker. Record who approves the layout, who checks the forecast and who contacts PPA if conditions change.
For example, a host might want windows facing a garden and a solid panel facing a service area. The next step is to ask whether that preference works with the tent, access routes and site conditions, not to promise that exact arrangement to guests or the caterer.
Sidewalls do not replace a weather plan
Do not treat enclosure as proof that an event can continue through severe weather. The National Weather Service’s outdoor lightning guidance states that a tent is not a safe lightning shelter. Plan suitable shelter and a way to move guests before the event, with the venue and event team.
Ask PPA for the equipment-specific operating and weather instructions. Agree who may adjust the panels; do not add, remove or improvise attachments during the event without the provider’s direction. If heating or cooling is proposed, have the provider and venue assess that separately instead of assuming closed walls make the space temperature-controlled.
Questions before you reserve
Are sidewalls included with the tent?
PPA lists this kit separately at $79, and the seating package describes sidewalls as an add-on. Your written quote should state whether a kit is included and how it will be installed.
Can we decide which sides to close on the day?
Ask in advance. The answer depends on the equipment, site and installation arrangements. Confirm the change deadline and any additional visit or labor charges rather than relying on a last-minute adjustment.
Will the illustration match our event exactly?
No. It is a catalog illustration. Ask for confirmation of the supplied panels and the proposed layout; do not infer lighting, furniture, anchoring details or surrounding space from it.
Request a tent and sidewall quote
Contact Party Perfect America with your event date, venue address, guest count, surface, access photographs and four-side brief. Tell us whether you need a tent, a seating package or advice about adding walls. We can then confirm availability, the proposed equipment arrangement and an itemized quote for your location.