how long to you expect tents to last?

[chevre]

i know the old cotton ones could last 3 generations but our last tent was definitely starting to show a bit of uv damage after 4 years. and that is with scottish camping!

mmme, well it depends on the brand as diff companies put differenent UV protection on. BUT the nice people at Cotswold outdoor (can't recomend highly enough have just had 3 year old tent replaced completely free of charge) reckon 4-5 years. Of course you get a lot longer out of cotton, but then you pay in cost and weight.... Polycotton is an option (it's what we replaced out old tent with) and Vango, Kampa and Sprayway have all started doing an affordable polycotton range.
Not sure if re-proofing the tent will help- you could try calling a company called Scottish Mountain Gear, they do repairs and should know. Alternativly what brand/where did you buy it from as it might be worth taking back?

tent is still watertight and useable. i have not complaints jsut interested in peoples expection of tents.

my friend still camps in the cotton tent he camped as a child in!