Ultimate Guide to Tarps for the Winter Season
Ultimate Guide to Tarps for the Winter Season
Winter is almost upon us, and for many businesses, that means it's time to prepare their locations for harsh cold and intense weather. A central focus in that effort is protecting assets. But while it's preferable to keep everything safe in climate-controlled housing, it's just not feasible in most situations.
If you have outdoor storage or transportation needs, winter tarps will be an essential tool this year. With the right tarp, you can maintain your equipment through the frigid months ahead with minimal issues.
But before you spring for the first cover you find, it's crucial to understand the different types of tarps. Depending on how you use them, you may need tarps of various sizes, weights, materials, or features to accomplish your goals.
There is a wide range of tarp constructions available, and it may feel confusing to find the right one for your needs. We'll make the process a lot easier with this guide on choosing winter tarps this year.
Choosing Winter Tarps
Before choosing a tarp, you have to consider its intended purpose. There are numerous uses for tarps in industrial and commercial settings, including:
Outdoor machinery and equipment protection
Transportation cover
Construction site barrier
Roof cover
Indoor organization and room division
Work area shelter and shade
Fence lining
Summer offers milder conditions that allow us to work inside and outside, and storage is often easier to manage. But the freezing temperatures and strong winter winds will require a closer look at tarp materials and specs to make sure you have adequate protection.
Size
The size of your tarp refers to the area. Although tarp size sounds straightforward enough, there are two measurements you need to consider — finish size and cut size.
The cut size is the unsewn width and length of the tarp, and you may order the wrong tarp if you go off of cut size alone. The finished size is the size of the final product after its rough edges have been hemmed.
If you order a tarp with a cut size of 8'x10', you'll end up with a tarp roughly three inches smaller on each side. By contrast, a finish cut of 8'x10' means that you will receive a tarp in that exact size.
Thickness
The tarp thickness will be crucial for withstanding wind, rain, snow, and UV damage, but heavier tarps will also be harder to move around. Think about how you're using the tarp, picking the thickness that's effective but maneuverable enough to fit your needs.
The materials used in the tarp can affect its weight and strength, so there is a range of thicknesses that could qualify as "heavy-duty" or "industrial grade". Tarp thickness is measured in mils, which equal 1/1000 of an inch. In general, any type of tarp is considered heavy-duty once it reaches a thickness of at least 12 mils.
Weight
A tarp's weight is measured per square yard (3'x3' area). The weight will depend on the material, as they'll all register differently at the same thickness. Heavy-duty poly tarps, for example, will start at roughly 6 oz., but canvas starts around 15 oz.
Features and Applications
Tarps range from the most basic poly covers to feature-rich heavy-duty pieces that are designed for specific use. That can be critical during the winter, like when you need extra rust-proof grommets for tying down your tarp in high winds.
For more purposeful winter tarps, you can find items like our 20'x20' Heavy-Duty Snow Tarp. It's a heavy-duty waterproof cover ideal for protecting equipment right before it snows. With four lifting slings and a 4,000 lb. capacity, it makes construction site snow removal a breeze no matter where you are.
Other features to look for include reinforcements. A tarp with an edge rope sewn in and corner reinforcements will hold up better against abuse, especially in windy weather.
Resistance to Wear
A heavy-duty thickness and weight are essential for most industrial and commercial uses. Once you get into specific situations, you may have to start considering the material's resistance to certain environmental elements, including:
Moisture penetration
High heat and flame
Extreme cold
UV rays
Oil and acid spills
Mold growth
You may also need tarps that resist rips and tears from abrasion. There are countless combinations of factors in commercial settings that can cause a tarp to break down. Fortunately, you can often look to special treatments to bolster protection where you need it.
Types of Tarps for Winter
Winter presents particular challenges, and you'll need tarps on hand to deal with more intense weather and your changing storage needs. For instance, if you start warehousing more material, getting tarps of different colors may be important for dividing and organizing sections. But the essential concern for most commercial situations as winter approaches is the material.
Poly Tarps
Polyethylene is a widely produced synthetic polymer, and its applications span a broad array of industries. Inexpensive and lightweight, poly tarps are a handy go-to for many commercial needs in winter. The smooth plastic surface rejects moisture, and you can often find it treated for sunlight and chemical resistance.
The classic blue poly tarp is the most common and easily identifiable tarp material, utilized everywhere from construction sites to residential spaces and camping.
Poly tarps make a great windbreak, but their lightweight makes them easy to shake loose if you don't take advantage of the grommet tie-downs. And although they're a great all-purpose tarp, the polyethylene weave can become brittle in cold winter weather.
The material is already more susceptible to tears than some of the more expensive materials. It isn't ideal if you're storing expensive items in an environment that will expose your tarp to abrasion or consistent sub-zero temperatures.
If you want to take advantage of the cost-effective waterproof qualities of polyethylene, upgrade to an HD poly tarp for winter use. With a heavier material and better reinforcements, an HD tarp will hold up better under the stress of winter weather and snow.
Vinyl Tarps
Vinyl tarps are the quintessential industrial-strength cover options. They have superior waterproof characteristics and are resistant to cuts and abrasions, making them perfect for the high winds and precipitation of intense winter weather.
If you want a heavy and thick tarp, you'll usually find it in vinyl, which can get up to 50 mils thick. Overall, if you want the best moisture and chemical resistance in a tear-proof package, vinyl is the best choice. And even though vinyl isn't naturally UV resistant, it's commonly treated to be used in direct sunlight.
The main downside of vinyl waterproof tarps is that they can be much more expensive than poly tarps. Instead of vinyl, you may also consider tarps with a PVC coating. Polyvinyl chloride is another popular plastic with a variety of applications. When combined with a base material like polyester or polyethylene, it provides better durability in cold weather and enhanced moisture protection.
Canvas Tarps
Canvas is a rugged material that's been used for everything from storage to art for centuries. The durable fabric is made primarily from cotton or polyester, making it breathable. While that helps keep humidity and heat from building up during the summer, it makes canvas impractical for many winter uses.
For one, the breathable design is less protective in windy conditions. But the more pressing is that canvas can absorb water, especially if it's allowed to stand for long periods, as is the case with piles of snow.
The fact that canvas isn't waterproof creates a few problems in winter. Not only are mildew and rot a possibility, but you may also face problems from temperature fluctuations. If water refreezes after absorbing into canvas, the material will be more rigid and heavier, making it more difficult to move.
Canvas can be useful in certain conditions, particularly if you want a mildew-resistant or flame-retardant tarp. If you work in a high-heat industrial setting, canvas is a worthwhile option to have on hand.
Mesh Tarps
Mesh tarps are commonly used for fence liners as windbreaks that still provide airflow. They're commonly made of nylon thread, with an open weave that allows limited light penetration and visibility. Although they're more prone to snags, you can get more durability if you opt for a vinyl-coated mesh tarp.
Like canvas, there are limited uses of mesh tarps during the winter. The open design prevents condensation buildup, but the lack of any water resistance is not ideal for commercial storage in winter weather.
Get Ready for Winter with the Right Tarps
It's time to get ready for temperature drops and incoming snow, and that means putting in the effort to protect your assets.
Start prepping for the season by getting the right heavy-duty tarps to handle the winter weather. With this guide on winter tarps, you'll ensure your equipment and supplies are safe and sound against even the harshest conditions.
For more information on choosing the right tarp for your commercial needs this season, contact our team of experts at Upside Down Supply.