An outdoor deck or patio is a fantastic extension of your living space, offering a perfect setting to relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, the sun’s harsh rays can sometimes make these spaces less comfortable, particularly during the hottest parts of the day. This is where custom-sized vinyl tarps come into play. Whether you’re looking to create a fully shaded retreat or a lightly filtered space that allows some sunlight through, tarps are an excellent solution. At Heavy Duty Tarps, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality tarps that can transform your outdoor area into a cool, inviting oasis.
This photo was sent to us by one of our customers in Honey Harbour, Ontario. Richard writes:
"We love the custom tarp that we ordered. We installed it as a roof on a Post and Beam style Pergola. It looks amazing and we are confident that it will last many years. Theresa in customer service was super supportive. We highly recommend Heavy Duty Tarps. I am just about to order another tarp for a new project."
Using tarps to provide shade on a deck or patio offers several advantages:
Protection from UV Rays: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can not only cause discomfort but also damage your skin and fade your outdoor furniture. A vinyl tarp can block 100% of these harmful rays, allowing you to enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about sunburn or damage to your belongings. This protection extends to your deck as well, since it will need to be stained less often when shaded. Also, interior wood floors, carpeting and furniture will be less apt to fade when exterior windows are shaded with a heavy duty tarp.
Temperature Control: A shaded area can be significantly cooler than one exposed to direct sunlight. By installing a tarp over your deck or patio, you can reduce the temperature, making the space more comfortable even on the hottest days. This will also have a cooling effect on any adjacent interior rooms.
Versatility and Customization: Tarps come in various colors and can be custom-sized to fit your specific needs. Whether you want to cover a small corner or your entire patio, a tarp can be tailored to provide the exact amount of shade you desire. The colour of the tarp can also be chosen to complement your home’s exterior, adding an aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space.
Durability: Heavy Duty Tarps are made from high-quality vinyl, ensuring that they withstand the elements. Our tarps are resistant to tearing, water, and mildew, making them a long-lasting solution for outdoor shading.
Easy Installation and Maintenance: Installing a tarp is a relatively simple process, and once in place, it requires minimal maintenance. Unlike other shading solutions like pergolas or gazebos, tarps are easy to clean and can be removed or replaced with ease if needed.
At Heavy Duty Tarps, we offer two primary types of vinyl tarps suitable for shading outdoor spaces:
Solid Vinyl Tarps: These tarps provide 100% shade and complete protection from the sun. They are ideal for areas where you want to create a fully shaded environment, such as over a seating area or an outdoor dining space. Solid vinyl tarps also offer excellent privacy, making them perfect for urban settings where neighbours are in close proximity. One of the advantages of a solid shade tarp is that it also offers protection from the rain.
90% Mesh Tarps: If you prefer a bit of sunlight to filter through, while still enjoying significant shade, our 90% mesh tarps are the ideal choice. These tarps allow 10% of sunlight to pass through, creating a soft, dappled light effect that’s perfect for a more relaxed, natural atmosphere. Mesh tarps are also great for providing shade without completely blocking the view of the sky or surrounding landscape.
Tarps are incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways to enhance your outdoor living space. Here are some creative ideas for using tarps to provide shade on a deck or patio:
Overhead Canopy: The most common use of tarps is as an overhead canopy. By suspending a tarp above your deck or patio, you create a shaded area that’s perfect for lounging, dining, or entertaining. You can use poles, ropes, or a frame to secure the tarp in place, depending on your setup.
Side Panels: In addition to providing overhead shade, tarps can also be used as side panels to block the sun from different angles. This is particularly useful in the late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. Side panels can be attached to an existing structure or supported by poles, and they can be rolled up or down as needed.
Pergola Cover: If you have a pergola, like the one shown in the photo above, you can enhance its shading capabilities by covering the top with a custom-sized tarp. This will give you the best of both worlds – the aesthetic appeal of a pergola with the added protection of a tarp. Mesh tarps can be combined with solid tarps to provide full shade overhead with partial shade on one of more of the sides.
Shade Sail: For a more modern and dynamic look, consider using tarps as shade sails. These are tarps that are stretched taut between multiple anchor points, creating a sleek, sail-like appearance. Shade sails can be arranged in various configurations, overlapping or at different angles, to create a unique and stylish shading solution.
Portable Shade: If you need flexibility, portable tarps are a great option. You can set up a freestanding frame and drape a tarp over it, creating a movable shade structure that can be relocated as needed. This is ideal for those who want to follow the shade throughout the day or who may want to store the tarp during the off-season.
When choosing a tarp for your deck or patio, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind:
Size and Shape: Measure the area you want to cover to ensure you get the right size tarp. At Heavy Duty Tarps, we can create custom tarps to fit any size or shape, ensuring a perfect fit for your space.
Colour: The colour of your tarp will affect not only the aesthetics of your space but also the amount of heat absorbed. Lighter colours reflect more sunlight and can help keep the area cooler, while darker colours may absorb more heat.
Attachment Points: Consider where and how you will attach the tarp. Ensure you have sturdy anchor points, such as trees, poles, beams or walls, to secure the tarp in place. Keep in mind that larger tarps can be heavy and will put a lot of stress on grommets and other fasteners, particularly when exposed to wind load. You will want to make sure your installation allows for the load to be distributed across a sufficient number of anchors.
Seasonality: While our tarps are highly durable, it is recommended that they be taken down during the winter or when not in use for extended periods. This will help to prolong the useful life of the tarps and eliminate potential problems such as damage from snow load.
Maintenance: We recommend giving your tarps a good cleaning before putting them away at the end of the season.
A custom vinyl tarp from Heavy Duty Tarps is a practical, versatile, and stylish solution for shading your outdoor deck or patio. Whether you want complete shade with a solid vinyl tarp or prefer the gentle light filtering of a 90% mesh tarp, we can create the perfect tarp to meet your needs. By adding a tarp to your outdoor space, you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort, protect yourself and your belongings from the sun, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home.
