Canopies & Tarps

Canopies and tarps nearly always go together. Although some canopies are fully made out of galvanized steel and tarps are often used on their own, heavy-duty canopies almost always include tarps on top. Heavy-duty canopies consist of powder-coated or galvanized steel frames and polyethylene tarps on top. Once installed into the ground, the steel frame holds up to high winds – up to 95 miles per hour – and heavy snow. For the latter, most structures support 40 pounds of snow per square foot. Tarps, applied to the roofs of canopies, also have their own properties. Polyethylene tarps are treated to be UV resistant, waterproof, mildew resistant, and rot proof and are tear resistant. The tarp keeps water and damaging UV rays away from the investment kept inside the canopy, and together, the tarp and canopy frame allow air to circulate inside, preventing moisture buildup. Canopies with tarps come in two basic formats: valance and enclosed. The former is seen more commonly with carports and portable structures used for protecting everyday vehicles. With a metal frame anchored into the ground, a valance canopy is open on all sides, except for on top. Having a peaked style, the canopy has a heavy-duty polyethylene tarp secured to the top with a 12-inch overhang on two sides. The open design allows vehicles to easily pass in and out, and when full protection is needed, additional tarps can be attached to all four sides. Many tarps and canopies become enclosed shelters, peaked or rounded structures with full protection and a rollup or zipper door. Constructed similarly to valance canopies, enclosed portable shelters not only have a tarp on top but also on all sides. This design fully keeps out water and UV rays and still allows moisture to circulate inside. When an investment needs full coverage for a few months to a year, an enclosed canopy provides the right amount of protection. Read More