You've purchased a container shelter and you'd prefer to make use of it for as long as possible. The most vulnerable part of the container shelter is the cover. Kroftman has been selling container shelters for over 15 years. You can choose between two types of covers: PVC and (HD)PE. In this blog, we'd like to share our knowledge of covers with you and provide tips to extend the lifespan of your cover. These tips apply to both types of covers, unless stated otherwise.

1. Choose a white cover for your container shelter
2. Always ensure a tightly stretched cover over your container shelter
3. Keep the cover of your container shelter snow-free
4. If possible, avoid placing the container shelter in direct sunlight and wind
5. Regularly check the cover of your container shelter for tears
6. Storing the cover of your container shelter
7. Keep the cover of your container shelter clean

1. Choose a white cover for your container shelter

We start with a preventive tip. If you want to use your cover for as long as possible, preferably choose a white cover. Both the dark green and white covers contain plasticizers to keep them flexible. Under the influence of the sun, these plasticizers degrade over time. The cover becomes stiffer and harder, with a risk of tearing. Because a dark green cover absorbs sunlight and a white cover reflects sunlight, the cover will stiffen earlier with a green tarpaulin. Our advice is to choose a white cover for a longer lifespan. In any case, never choose a transparent cover. It contains fewer substances that dampen the effects of the sun, causing it to discolor, harden, and eventually break more quickly.

2. Always ensure a tightly stretched cover over your container shelter

For the lifespan of your cover, it's important that it's always tightly stretched. Regularly check this and tighten the cover if necessary. A loose cover will flap in the wind, accelerating wear and tear. In case of snowfall, a loosely stretched cover will create a depression where snow accumulates. The danger is that the cover can tear due to the weight of the snow. With a tightly stretched cover, you won't have this problem. The snow will easily slide off due to the shape of the container shelter.

4. If possible, avoid placing the container shelter in direct sunlight and wind

If you have the possibility to avoid placing the container shelter in direct sunlight, it will benefit the lifespan of the cover. Where the cover lies on the curvature of the frame, the heat from the sun cannot escape. If the sun shines continuously on hot summer days, the cover in those areas is subjected to a lot of stress. The cover wears out faster there, with a risk of tearing. This will happen more quickly with the thinner PE cover than with the thicker PVC cover, just as it will happen earlier with a dark-colored cover than with a white one (see point 1). If your container shelter is placed in a windy location, the cover will also endure more stress. A sheltered location is preferable if you want to extend the lifespan of your cover.

5. Regularly check the cover of your container shelter for tears

Just as you need to regularly check if the cover is still tightly stretched, it's also important to check for tears. If you catch it in time, you can repair a small tear in the cover. Kroftman has repair kits for PVC covers. We provide you with a new piece of PVC and special glue developed by us, which you can use to patch the tear. You can also use this method to repair small burn holes to keep the cover waterproof.

Unfortunately, such a repair is not possible for PE cover. This cover is almost impossible to repair. In that case, it's better to order a new one.

6. Storing the cover of your container shelter

When dismantling your container shelter, it's advisable to do this on a dry day. The cover will be dry when it goes into storage. Rolling or folding a wet cover can cause some dirty moisture spots to form. This isn't harmful to the quality of the cover, it just doesn't look very nice. By the way, it doesn't matter whether you fold or roll up the cover. The coating is sturdy enough to withstand creases.

8. The warranty of the cover of your container shelter

At Kroftman, we offer the following guarantee on our covers:

1. (HD)PE cover: 3 years declining warranty
2. PVC cover: 10 years declining warranty.

This already indicates something about the expected lifespan of a cover. The lifespan is also influenced by where the container shelter is placed, directly in the wind and sun or more sheltered. A container shelter at a harbor along the coast will be much more exposed to the wind than a container shelter inland. The setting up and dismantling of the container shelter also affects the lifespan of the cover. The more often you do this, the more you strain the cover.

Summary

If a long lifespan is important to you, choose white PVC cover. Also, make sure that:

• the cover is always tightly stretched and check this regularly,
• the cover is kept as snow-free as possible,
• if possible, place the container shelter in a sheltered location,
• you regularly check the cover for tears and repair them,
• you preferably set up and dismantle the container shelter as little as possible.

Then you'll have the longest enjoyment of your cover.

We hope that the above information helps you make an informed choice.