Tarpaulin or vinyl canvas cover?

Little_Missy

Hi all,

I've had bad experiences with cheap tarpaulins from B&M in the past, which claim to be tear and rot resistant, but around 4 out of 5 that I have purchased have either rotted away or most often torn by the time I have tied them down (...if not before)!

I am currently looking for a good quality heavy-duty cover for something that is to be stored outside for a long period, so I want to know that the cover is going to withstand all weather without ripping or rotting.

Would I be better purchasing a heavy-duty tarpaulin or a vinyl canvas cover (like the ones used as covers on trailers)? I need one min. approx. 10ft x 12ft......any ideas or opinions???

Thanks in advance!

wallbash

Have tried everything to cover garden furniture, conclusion , they all either rip or breakdown in the sunshine.
I now buy cheap and expect it to last only one summer

Ilona

Try googling 'market stall manufacturers' or 'supplies'. I used to have a market stall, and purchased heavy duty clear plastic sheets to clip to the sides of my stall. I still have them years later, not rotted or split. Don't have a stall any more but they have been very useful as covers over the raised beds making a mini tunnel, and I have one on the roof of my home made greenhouse. No holes, fully waterproof, after ten years. Bit more expensive but they last.
Ilona

Just found this, I think this is where I got mine from, can't be sure, but the same.
http://www.tradersupplies.co.uk/index.php/glass-clear-tarpaulin.html

Moss5

http://www.allplas.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eallplas%2eco%2euk%2fcgi%2dbin%2fss000001%2epl%3fpage%3dsearch%26SS%3dreinforced%26PR%3d%2d1%26TB%3dA%26ACTION%3dGo%2521&WD=clear%20reinforced&PN=350gsm_Transp%2ehtml%23a1535#a1535

nobulljusttruth

probably the best sheeting is VISQUEEN bought from most builders merchants. (BnQ too) Used as damp proofing under new builds and concrete.

Black or clear, its thick plastic, quite stiff, but the only waterproof cover your will get.

Don't forget its not breathable, so condensation can be a problem with the clear plastic as the sun gets through.

P

Gloomendoom

I have used an old lorry side curtain as a tarpaulin. It hasn't ripped and it's still waterproof despite being outside in all weathers for several years now.

I have also used the heavy damp proof membrane mentioned in the post above. I don't rate it as highly as the side curtain, but its pretty good.