The Many Wonderful Uses of Tarps:
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5 Tips When Buying Tarpaulin |
- Cover your woodpile with tarps to keep it dry and ready to go.
- Cover cars, boats and motorcycles when they won’t fit in the garage.
- Colder climates can use tarps to cover patio furniture in the off-season.
- Temporary protection from the weather for roofs and structures.
- Mount one as a dining canopy when camping.
- Protect piles of dirt or mulch from rain when you can’t get the whole project done in one day.
- They make a quick and easy roof for a playhouse.
- Place one under landscaping as an excellent weed block.
- Protect flooring when painting or doing demolition work.
- Lay them on the ground to hold sand or gravel temporarily when adding these items to your landscaping.
- Place tarps under your tent when camping for extra protection from rocks and damp soil.
Materials
Not all tarps are the same and the material you choose makes a big difference in quality, potential uses and price. Polypropylene tarpaulins are great for covering items for a short period of time. They will keep the rain out and are light weight. Excellent choices for dining canopies when camping or covering piles of mulch when landscaping, they definitely have their uses.
Canvas tarps are the choice to make when looking for long-term storage and protection. If you are covering patio furniture through the winter or any other use that will require the tarp be exposed to the elements for months on end, canvas is the way to go. It’s heavier, thicker and can better withstand the wind. Canvas is also the best choice if you are using tarps as dropcloths for painting.
Size
The size of your tarpaulin will depend on your project. Carefully measure what you will be covering before heading out to buy your tarp. Measure across the top and be sure to measure the sides if you want them covered, as well. Take the measurements with you and try to buy a size that is slightly larger than what you need.
One final thing to keep in mind is the weight of the tarp. Thin tarps do serve a purpose and are great for temporary uses. Less expensive, they are a quick and easy solution. Tarps that are thicker, however, will better withstand dry rot longer, provide more protection from the rain and will generally provide you with more years of use. They are more expensive to purchase, but can pay for themselves over time as they are put to more uses.
To view the full range of tarpaulin from Screwfix please visit the website here – www.screwfix.com.