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 tarpaulin. Kroftman has been selling container shelters for over 15 years. You can choose between two types of tarpaulin: PVC and (HD)PE. In this blog, we'd like to share our knowledge of tarps with you and provide tips to extend the lifespan of your tarpaulin. These tips apply to both types of tarpaulin, unless stated otherwise.

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

1. Choose white tarpaulin for your container shelter

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

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

For the lifespan of your tarpaulin, it's important that it's always tightly stretched. Regularly check this and tighten the tarpaulin if necessary. A loose tarpaulin will flap in the wind, accelerating wear and tear. In case of snowfall, a loosely stretched tarpaulin will create a depression where snow accumulates. The danger is that the tarpaulin can tear due to the weight of the snow. With a tightly stretched tarpaulin, you won't have this problem. The snow will easily slide off the tarpaulin 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 tarpaulin. Where the tarpaulin lies on the curvature of the frame, the heat from the sun cannot escape. If the sun shines continuously on the tarpaulin on hot summer days, the tarpaulin in those areas is subjected to a lot of stress. The tarpaulin wears out faster there, with a risk of tearing. This will happen more quickly with the thinner PE tarpaulin than with the thicker PVC tarpaulin, just as it will happen earlier with a dark-colored tarpaulin than with a white tarpaulin (see point 1). If your container shelter is placed in a windy location, the tarpaulin will also endure more stress. A sheltered location is preferable if you want to extend the lifespan of your tarpaulin.

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

Just as you need to regularly check if the tarpaulin is still tightly stretched, it's also important to check the tarpaulin for tears. If you catch it in time, you can repair a small tear in the tarpaulin. Kroftman has repair kits for PVC tarpaulins. 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 tarpaulin waterproof.

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

6. Storing the tarpaulin of your container shelter

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

8. The lifespan of the tarpaulin of your container shelter

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

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

This already indicates something about the expected lifespan of a tarpaulin. The lifespan of a tarpaulin 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 tarpaulin. The more often you do this, the more you strain the tarpaulin.

Summary

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

• the tarpaulin is always tightly stretched and check this regularly,
• the tarpaulin is kept as snow-free as possible,
• if possible, place the container shelter in a sheltered location,
• you regularly check the tarpaulin 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 tarpaulin.

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