Here are the different types of tent fabric:
1. Nylon: Lightweight, durable, and water-resistant.
2. Polyester: Strong, durable, and water-resistant.
3. Canvas: Heavy-duty and strong, best for long-term camping or outdoor living.
4. Polypropylene: UV resistant and breathable, used in backpacking tents.
5. Mesh: Allows air to circulate and keeps insects out.
6. Gore-Tex: Waterproof, breathable, and lightweight.
7. PVC-coated fabrics: Waterproof and durable, often used for vehicle or party tents.
8. Ripstop: Reinforced fabric that prevents tears and rips from spreading.
9. Cuben Fiber: Lightweight and ultra-durable, used in high-end expedition tents.
10. Taffeta: Soft and silky, often used as a lining material in tents.
11. Kerlon: A high-performance technical fabric made by Hilleberg that is durable, lightweight, and has a high tear strength.
12. Sil-nylon or silicone-treated nylon: A nylon fabric treated with a silicone coating that results in a lightweight and waterproof tent material.
Tent fabrics have different strengths, weights and water resistance levels. For backpacking tents, 20D nylon fabric is probably the most common.