The wind is always a headache... I tried bungees at first, but after one snapped and nearly took my eye out, I switched to rope too.
Yeah, bungees are just asking for trouble once the wind picks up. I’ve had better luck with paracord and those heavy-duty tarp clips, but even then, if the grommets aren’t reinforced, they’ll rip right out. One thing I’m still not sure about—do you guys bother with UV-resistant tarps, or is that just marketing? I’ve had some “UV-proof” ones fade and crack in a single summer. Wondering if it’s worth paying extra or just plan on replacing them every year or two.
I actually went down a rabbit hole on this when I moved in last year and tried to cover some outdoor stuff for the first time. Here’s what I noticed: the “UV-resistant” label is all over the place. I bought a pricier one that swore it’d last, but by the end of summer, it was brittle and faded just like the cheap ones from the hardware store. Maybe it’s our sun (I’m in Colorado, so lots of UV), but I honestly didn’t see much difference.
What helped more was getting a tarp with reinforced corners and double-stitched seams. The grommets on those seem to hold up longer, especially if you use rope instead of bungees—totally agree, those things are scary when they snap. I also started using old tennis balls as buffers where the rope meets the tarp, which sounds weird, but it spreads out the pressure and stops tearing.
If you’re going to need it looking good or totally waterproof for more than a year or two, I’d probably just budget for replacing them regularly instead of paying extra for “UV-proof.” At least that’s been my experience so far...
the “UV-resistant” label is all over the place. I bought a pricier one that swore it’d last, but by the end of summer, it was brittle and faded just like the cheap ones from the hardware store.
That’s been my experience too—price doesn’t always mean better UV protection, especially at higher elevations. I’ve found that material thickness and seam construction matter more than any “UV” marketing. For sheds or industrial covers, I’d add that welded seams (not just stitched) hold up better in wind and rain. Also, if you’re dealing with snow load, make sure the structure itself is rated for it—tarps alone won’t cut it. Regular inspection and tension adjustments go a long way, but yeah, sometimes you just have to plan on replacing them every couple years.
Yeah, those “UV-resistant” claims are a bit like weather forecasts—sometimes accurate, sometimes just wishful thinking. I’ve noticed that tarps with reinforced corners and grommets spaced closer together tend to last longer, especially when the wind picks up. One thing I’d add: color can matter more than folks think. Lighter colors reflect more sun and seem to hold up better for me, but they show dirt like crazy. And if you’re in a spot that gets hail, nothing short of heavy-duty vinyl will survive. Learned that the hard way... twice.
Color’s a big one, yeah. I went with dark green thinking it’d blend in better, but it baked in the sun and started cracking after a year. If you’re dealing with hail, I’d skip the cheap stuff—my first tarp shredded like tissue paper. Reinforced corners definitely help, but I’d also check how thick the material actually is (some of those “heavy-duty” labels are just marketing).