I’ve actually used those heavy canvas tarps with the wax coating for covering firewood stacks. They’re way tougher than the plastic ones, but they do get heavy when wet and need a bit of upkeep—re-waxing every couple years. Still, mine’s held up through some nasty storms without shredding.
About the green roof—my buddy tried it and skipped the membrane. Big mistake. The roots found their way into the roof boards and he ended up with leaks. Definitely worth putting in a proper drainage layer if you want it to last.
Those waxed canvas tarps are solid, but yeah, the weight after a rain is no joke. I’ve switched to reinforced PVC for some jobs—lighter, still tough, and less maintenance. On green roofs, skipping the membrane is just asking for trouble. Roots will find any weak spot... drainage and root barrier are non-negotiable if you want it to last more than a season.
- PVC tarps are definitely easier to deal with, but I’ve had a few get brittle in winter. Not a dealbreaker, just something to watch for if you’re in a colder spot.
- Waxed canvas is classic, but yeah... after a storm, moving one is like wrestling a wet mattress. I’ve got one sitting in the shed right now that’s basically a permanent fixture.
- For green roofs, I’m with you—membrane and root barrier aren’t optional. I tried to cheap out once (never again). Ended up with roots poking through the ceiling tiles six months later. Not my proudest moment.
- Drainage is huge. Even with the right tarp or roof layers, if water pools anywhere, you’re asking for leaks or rot. Learned that the hard way on an old warehouse job.
- When picking a shed fabricator, I always check what kind of warranty they offer on both structure and covering. Some of these “lifetime” guarantees are more like “good luck finding us in five years.”
- Maintenance is key. If you want low hassle, lighter synthetics win out, but they do need checking for UV damage every season or two.
Just my two cents—sometimes cutting corners costs more in the long run...
The bit about roots poking through the ceiling tiles made me laugh—been there, too. Skipping the membrane or root barrier for a green roof is one of those shortcuts that’ll haunt you. I learned the hard way myself, and trust me, patching up after roots have had their way is not fun or cheap.
I’m with you on drainage. Even the best materials can’t save you if water’s just sitting around. I once thought a slight slope was “good enough” for a shed roof—nope. Ended up with a science experiment growing up there and had to redo the whole thing.
On tarps, I’ve noticed the same brittleness with PVC in cold snaps. Polyethylene’s held up a bit better for me, but it’s not as tough overall. Waxed canvas is great until it’s soaked—moving one after a storm is basically a workout routine.
Warranties are a mixed bag. I always try to get something in writing that’s actually enforceable, but like you said, some companies disappear faster than you can say “leak.” Maintenance is a pain, but skipping it always seems to come back around. Sometimes it feels like the “cheap” option is just paying in installments, you know?
Sometimes it feels like the “cheap” option is just paying in installments, you know?
That line hits home. I’ve seen so many folks try to save a buck up front, only to get hammered by repairs later. You’re spot on about drainage too—if water’s pooling, it’s just a matter of time before you’re dealing with rot or mold. I’ve had better luck with heavy-duty poly tarps in cold weather, but nothing’s perfect. Maintenance is a drag, but skipping it’s always bitten me. You’re not alone in learning the hard way.