It may still seem like summer with heat and humidity impacting many areas, but winter is coming. It’s time to think about how you’ll be storing your patio furniture, outdoor pool, shrubs, and other summer items. It’s also time to think about creating walls on a covered deck or porch to extend the use and keeping winter fuel like firewood or wood pellets protected from rain, snow, and ice.
What Are You Covering?
The type of tarp you need depends on your project. You wouldn’t use a fire-retardant canvas tarp that’s been treated with an oil and wax coating to cover your pool or motorcycle as it would leach the oil and wax into the pool water or stain your motorcycle. You wouldn’t want a light-duty tarp to add walls to a deck or porch where wind gusts are common as the tarp would tear quickly.
What are the best tarps for covering your outdoor items or enclosing outdoor space during the winter? Chicago Canvas has some suggestions to help you out.
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Tarps That Extend Usage of a Covered Deck or Porch
On those chilly, clear fall nights when mosquito season has ended, enjoy your covered outdoor porch or deck by adding tarps to form walls that block wind and rain. You need a tarp that withstands blustery winds, and iron horse polyester tarps are perfect for that reason. They’re designed to stand up to heavy use and strong winds.
Tarps That Cover Pools for the Winter
Outdoor pools don’t have to be covered, but you’ll find it’s easier to open your pool back up if you do take this step when the swimming season ends. By covering the pool, you’re keeping leaves, sticks, and other types of debris from getting into the pool. It also blocks out sunlight, which encourages algae growth. Try heavy-duty poly or silver UVR heavy-duty poly tarps for an affordable pool cover.
Tarps That Protect Firewood and Wood Pellets From Snow, Ice, and Rain
Firewood and wood pellets are often stored outside, but it poses problems. If firewood gets wet or icy, it will burn damp which increases smoke, takes longer to catch, and can increase build-up in a chimney. Wood pellets come in plastic bags, but those bags can get small tears that allow moisture in. Moisture will quickly ruin wood pellets.
Covering your wood or wood pellets is the best way to keep it dry while also allowing air to flow. Light-duty tarps may work in areas where the wind isn’t a factor. If it gets windy in your neighborhood, look for heavy-duty poly tarps or 16 or 18-ounce canvas tarps that are water and mildew-resistant.
Tarps That Cover Patio Furniture
Cover your patio chairs and tables, lawn chairs, and zero-gravity recliners with tarps that resist mildew and are also waterproof. UV-treated 18-ounce vinyl coated polyester tarps are ideal furniture covers. They’re tough and help prevent mildew stains and damage from ice and snow all winter long.
Tarps That Protect Hay and Straw
Hay bales and rolls need to stay dry. If you have leaks in a barn roof or lack the room to store your hay bales and rolls inside, you must keep them dry. It’s estimated that farmers and ranchers lose about one-quarter of their hay to moisture. That’s a lot of wasted money and labor. Heavy-duty UV-resistant hay tarps come in a variety of sizes and keep hay dry in rainy and snowy winter weather.
Tarps That Prevent Damage to Shrubs That Are Near the Road
Shrubs that are close to a road are susceptible to damage from road salt. As plow trucks pass your home, the slushy snow and road salt get sprayed onto your shrubs, which can kill them. Protect your landscaping investment by wrapping the shrubs. The material you use needs to breathe and keep excess moisture from building up and damaging the needles.
Some people use burlap, but road salt can get through that material. A lightweight tarp is a better option if salt is your main concern. Aim for a lighter color. If you choose a dark color, such as black, it may warm up in the sun and cause rapid temperature changes between day and night, which is also harmful to shrubs.
Chicago Canvas is your trusted source for tarps of all sizes. We have a wide range of tarp fabrics, weights, and colors to make it easy for you to find exactly what you need for the upcoming winter. We’re also happy to help you find the right tarp for your needs. If you have questions or need help, reach us via live chat or by calling 1-866-389-2218.