Funny enough, I’ve had folks argue that tarps are enough on their own... until they end up with warped floors or rusted tools.
That’s exactly what happened to me last fall. I figured a heavy-duty tarp would do the trick for my mower and some garden stuff—nope. The condensation underneath was worse than just leaving things out in the open. Does anyone actually trust those “breathable” tarps, or is that just marketing? I’m skeptical, but maybe I just bought the wrong kind.
- Tried a “breathable” tarp over my firewood pile last year… ended up with a mini rainforest underneath. Not sure if it was the tarp or just our humid weather, but it didn’t help much.
- Regular tarps turned my mower into a rust magnet, too. Think it’s more about airflow than what the packaging claims.
- Honestly, I’d trust a cheap shed over any tarp at this point. Or at least something with some ventilation… tarps just seem to trap the sweat in, you know?
I get the frustration with tarps, but I think they still have their place—just not for long-term storage. I built a simple lean-to out of scrap lumber and used a tarp as a roof, left the sides open for airflow. My firewood stayed dry and didn’t get musty. For gear like mowers, I’d go with something rigid or at least prop the tarp up so it’s not hugging the metal. Sheds are great, but even a basic frame with a tarp can work if you let it breathe.
Sheds are great, but even a basic frame with a tarp can work if you let it breathe.
That’s a good point about airflow. I’ve had mixed luck with tarps—sometimes they trap more moisture than they keep out, especially in humid weather. Ever tried using living roofs or green roofing mats for small sheds or lean-tos? I know it sounds a bit out there, but I put a layer of sedum mats on top of an old bike shed last year. It was just a plywood roof with a waterproof membrane underneath, then the mats on top. The plants kept things surprisingly cool and dry underneath, and I didn’t get that musty smell at all.
I get that tarps are quick and cheap, but I wonder if anyone’s tried combining them with something like a green roof for extra insulation? Or maybe just using shade cloth instead of plastic tarps for better breathability? Curious if that would help with the “tarp hugging the metal” issue you mentioned. Sometimes the simplest tweaks make a big difference...
Green roofs on sheds are definitely creative, but I’d be careful about weight and long-term moisture. Even with a membrane, if water gets trapped under the mats or leaks in at the edges, you can end up with rot or mold—seen it happen more than once after storms. Shade cloth is a better bet than plastic tarps for airflow, but it won’t keep out heavy rain. If you’re set on tarps, I’d suggest leaving a gap between the tarp and the roof, maybe with battens or spacers, so air can move and condensation doesn’t build up. It’s not perfect, but it helps more than just slapping a tarp right on metal or wood.