How to make a tarp garage last for years inexpensively !!!! And there are 2 videos about this ... 

UV will break down regardless of color. White may reflect more but if there are not uv inhibitors added to it, it still won't last that long. some plastics use carbon black to block UV. There are agricultural fabrics that are designed to last years in full sun, and many of those are black

I've had a portable garage for almost 20 years. I went through tarps every 9 months because of the hot summers in California. I even placed a second cover over the original. UV and winds would wreck havoc. Company stopped making replacement covers. Bought a custom-made heavy vinyl cover that are used for trucking and it's held up for almost 10 years. I still use a second cover to help reduce UV degradation. I had to replace one end with plywood. I am finally going to have to replace the other end after this winter.

I have one that I put metal roofing on it and had walls and end pieces made by a local tarp company, and it is holding up fine now.

I inherited the frame for one. Welded some tabs on. Screwed 1x4 to the tabs and steel roofing panels to that. It was the only building on the property the thieves couldn't get into.

Good idea!! What I did with my cheap tarp shelter- I used corrugated metal installed horizontally, and now it’s solid like a rock, and no more constant work and spending.

Excellent solutions. The cheap extra tarp cover prevents UV deterioration of the expensive original cover. The primary source of cracking at the roof bends is flapping caused by wind (initiated by cover weakness from UV exposure). Your fender washer solution secures the perimeter of the original cover and the extra tarp cover and reduces wind flow and pressure differentials under and over the large, unsecured area of the cover and tarp which results in movement, stretching, chafing, and flapping, but does not eliminate them. The design problem is that penetrations in the cover which would better secure it to the frame would cause leaks and tears, so the manufacturer eliminates them. A Midwestern greenhouse grower has an excellent solution which is proven by the yurts and tents of nomadic herdsmen. The greenhouse grower and nomads pass ropes across large areas of covers, thereby securing all parts of their expanse without penetrations. It works for Nomads in extreme winds and in extreme climates. Synthetic ropes also have a UV problem. UV-resistant ropes are available for long-term exterior exposure. Adding ropes anchored at the ground and passed across the top of your hangar will reduce damage from inevitable movement and flapping in winds to almost nil.

I had the same issue, after 3 tarps split, I put a foundation dimpled membrane, you can get them in 10' widths. I got the 8' width and put 3 pieces that overlap. Anchored them at the bottom. So far so good.

I have to deal with this issue many times. The cheapest tents never last very long. I have changed several for friends. The full front door is a good idea, and I would suggest a wall without sheeting for the rear, to prevent movement, which can loosen stakes in ground. I have also poured footings to anchor with bolts to ground. The best solution is to find some recycled roofing sheets, and cover entire frame with metal. I made another shed into an insulated shed with clear sections along lower horizontal area for natural lighting, and a floating floor made from pallets and OSB on top. 🇨🇦👍

How's she goin'? I like the cover you put on the Shelter Logic. I have done similar to an old temporary shelter I had. It sure makes a difference eh. The UV will rot tarps pretty quick, but it's a lot cheaper to replace the tarp than to replace the original top. I really like the door you added to the front. That is awesome and I bet it makes the whole shelter a lot more solid. My shelter will wobble from side to side, but with a front like yours, that movement would be gone totally. Nice mod and I think you're right, this will last 20 years now!! Take 'er easy!!

This is my first comment on any video, ever. Great video. So simple and an easy fix. I’ve replaced my cover with multiple tarps over the 8 years i’ve had my shelter logic and always had to replace them in the worst weather so I didn’t put much thought into it and the tarp would usually last a year. Love the front door. Great video

We have had ours for twelve years now. Went through two covers that lasted about four years each, but we will be putting pole barn steel over the frame this last time. That will likely last 50 years, and the cost is less than $500.00 with the steel from the Amish. We were going to cover both ends, but we just built a large building, and decided we didn't need 100% dry space, so we're going to leave the ends open.

I did the same but with an extra thick grey tarp. I put a coat of Flex Seal paint on the original cover before I placed the protective cover over it.

Nice work... pretty dangg schmart. I always had the rings rip out and made the tarp more and more useless, so had to get 1/2" tubing for along the entire sides, zip tie the rings to the tubing and secure the tubing down in a couple places. this way the the pulling force was distributed more so to the entire sides, rather than one ring here and there which would rip. I also use Titebond III glue, add water to it and use that as a waterproofing seal on plywood or OSB, especially along the ends that contact the ground area. Works great in sun and rain. Dries fast

That's exactly what I did, the white tarp will last a long time. Great job on the front door. That will be my next up grade, Thanks for the idea.

Very nice job!! I have layered up my tarp garage too. Love the end wall, am going to mimic.

Hi Sir, we had the same problem with Shelter Logic. The first shelter collapsed with two inches of snow on it. We bought a different shelter that has a white tarp fabric on it. I reinforced the corners with aluminium tape for ducting furnace and HVAC and such. Not duct tape, the wide sticky aluminum tape. That prevents chaffing and cracking of the tarp on the corners. It was a bit expensive, but worth it. Also, I applied some UV protection on the tarp.

Neighbor put cheap corrogated panels on a couple of the cheap Harbor Freight tent-garage frames, about 20 years ago and set T Post in concrete each corner to hold them down. They are still standing... That's far cheaper than constantly replacing the fabric.

Good idea I’ll have to do that to mine I don’t have any issues with mine at the moment, but at least I know that extra tarp will protect it from damage

IF you are dead-set on continuing tarps or fabric... I have the VERY BEST solution of my lifetime for you... Search greenhouse supplies for a product called "wiggle wire" ... It is an aluminum channel and a wavy wire that goes with it. You attach the channel and lay the fabric across the channel. Then pull the fabric tight and install the "wiggle wire" to lock it into the channel... BY FAR the very best way of attaching fabric to pipe/plywood etc... Never tears our, never lets go. I have used it in so many applications (boat covers, tarp sheds, load covers on trailers etc.) works so very well. BUT, like others have said... throwing some framing to span the pipe (my preferred is METAL FRAMING STUDS) and then cover with metal roofing panels is the permanent solution.

The canvas sidings they use on big truck beds is the ticket man

Good job.. the Gray ones have a 1 year warranty and the brown covers have a 2-year warranty.. my brown one lasted about 3 years with the 13 x 20 barn style in Winnipeg.. my first one disintegrated in winter.. I think what you have to do is loosen It off a bit once it has shrunken a bit from the Sun.. good job on the end wall.. a little splash of paint and that should hold up for a while

Thats awesome! Greetings from Nova Scotia 🫡

I did the same thing with mine, only I have a matching grey tarp. My unit is is shaded most of the time. I had no cracking like you, but it did have a few small leaks. It is working well!

I have similar brand for a motorcycle. Has done the same thing. I learned you can't cinch them down too tight or they tear right on the corners. I also cut into squares a piece of the off cut that was included and used them as softeners on the corner tubes. It has helped.

Your solutions look good as well. I had to put the old tarp over the new one to block sun and wind damage; it lasted and lasted... until high winds blew tree limbs onto it; a metal roof would've been damaged too though. Thanks for the fantastic tip.

I live in wash state , I have spent so mutch time and money on those covers.The sun is the culprit. What I did was use conduit flaten the ends and add them to the existing frame .I used osb painted for the sides and tin roof no more issues.

I had a similar experience with the canvas on my unit. I used pool noodles on the ridge poles, then a tarp before I installed the new canvas. I also have solid walls on both ends for security. I got three years of use in standard form, and seven years since my improvements. Best of luck to you.

Thanks Sparky. Great video. EXACT same here with our SL 12X20X8(quanset style). Saw a tear starting. 24 hours later it was "Spaghetti incident". Replaced it(another story) and it's failed(brown(more durable??)this time). I used same white 20x20 tarps(used 2 to go direct to ground) from CT. I like how you framed the end in, great job. Thanks for posting.

The best tarps I've found so far are the green "industrial" (not the typical cheap tarps) frim Menard's. I've had one on a jeep for 4 or 5 years now and it's still fine. Nothing else holds up that long The billboard vinyl and the old Menards grey "industrial" are good too but don't last as long and get pinholes when it's cold out.

I like the OSB end you put on it.

For the money spent on tarps I think I would’ve put it towards barn steel and steel the whole structure. It would last forever and add considerable strength

That was awesome Sparky. Thanks so much for this post. I bet you are helping a lot of us.

I'm going to have to do this on my ShelterLogic.

Well done ! I pretty much did the sand thing about three years ago , difference with mine is I was fortunate enough to be friends with someone that works on buildings like Webdy's & Hospitals. He brought me some of the aluminum siding they use , it's basically corrugated plastic covered with sheets of Aluminum and they come in various sizes but he got me some 5x7 & 5x10 sheets so I built a front similar to yours that covered it with this stuff and now the sides happy cause it's no longer the eyes sore in the neighborhood lol. Great minds right !!!

Good Job! That's a great fix!!! Thanks for sharing. Watching from NB🇨🇦

I have the round top 12 x 24 shelterlogic and same problem, brand new and lasted 9 months on first tarp, shelterlogic sent a new one they offered the same upgrade choices for the same price as they did you, What I did I added a white 16mil thick tarp over the old one, then pulled the new one they sent up over the white tarp, took all the bottom bars off and folded the old tarp up so i could connect the new tarp and tightened it all down, its tight and 3 layers thick, will see how long it last.

I use a hay tarp. Expensive but last forever.

Had same problem. Second material started to rip at same tight areas. Fix the top by rolling on rubberized white roof coating! And those tight stretch areas I put window screen material and rolled more coating over it 3 to 4 times! This worked!,, only problem is the sides and ends where I didn’t coat it has given out. No matter, I do plan on metal sheeting the whole thing soon . The frame is the only good thing about this product. And works well for turning it into a pre framed structure. Rubber roof coating is the cure . It works!

I've had these type of "sheds" for decades. White is not the answer, sturdy construction lasts but costs. Your end door is the right direction; strong. The poles will rust after years, the OSB will swell and break down. Entropy, we all fight it.

I’m curious if you took rubber roof sealer from box store $50 a gallon and rolled it onto the tarp every 2 years or so. On mine I put gorilla tape on the inside where pipe meets the tarp. This reduces friction and prevents tears. You did great job

Great upgrade. Thanks for sharing.

Solid doors on the end is a great idea.

I seen a fellow in Florida paint his pop up canopy with a roofing coating, made it a permanent canopy. Kinda how they make poor man’s fiberglass with latex paint on canvas .

Good job. I’m looking to do the same thing to keep my small trailer and some of my items covered and protected from the elements without spending a lot of money.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Great job!

great video nice job on upgrade another hack is to put pipe wrap or a section of pool noodle around the stress points on the pipe keep up the good work!

This channel and episode just popped up. So happens I'm looking to put up a tarp structure just like this so you answered most of my questions. I may hold off and build a wood structure instead. It will go on a flat concrete driveway that I don't want to nail or drill into. Wind and city ordinance are a problem. I subscribed. Thanks from Idaho USA.

Nicely and economically done.

I have a big pc of rubber roofing salvaged of course, i noticed some water drops last week on my lumber shed, think im goin to pull it over the top & secure it like you did.

I have done the same white tarp for 4 years now and will change for a new one this spring !!!😊

Thanks for the idea. If all goes right they might last 2 years out of the box. The one I have now had pin holes in it out of the box. I think I have gone through four. Originally I had two and now it's one. I do have a lot of useless pipe frame pieces.

The ShelterLogic 15.5 oz.(per sq. yd.) or the 21.5 oz. (per sq.yd.) reinforced vinyl replacement covers are the 10- and 15-yr. covers that you describe in your video. The stock cover is not worth getting unless the use is truly temporary (like one season or maybe one year). If you think you will use a ShelterLogic tent for 2+ years, order the frame with a 15.5 oz.cover: you will save time, money, effort and hassle, as rigging the cover is the hardest part of setting up one of these things. The 15.5oz. and 21.5 oz. covers are expensive but they do last a long time (I have one of each). Your repair is very clever. Based on my experience with polyethylene tarps, I would not expect it to last very long, but it will be inexpensive and easy to replace. I like the solid entrance that you built. I would do the same but in my town I would worry about the building inspector spotting it.

What I did to make mine last longer living in central Florida was to paint mine with silicone white roof coating, so far 2 summers, looking good. I will apply a second coat before summer, give that a try.

Nice job Sparky you saved a lot of money but in that you made it so much better

good deal sparky.. the only problem i see iss you need to paint/seal the OSB here in Georgia that wouldnt last long at all. keep it up

Way cool sir!!! Thanks I have about the same setup, and when I get my place Lord's willing I will do the same!!!

Good information! Thanks. Wise man Warren B @ CK said double layers=10xstronger. Re: reduced friction in wind, rain, etc.

Nice attempt to add life to your garage, however, that white cover will break down all the same I'm afraid. Also the OSB will suck up moisture and will start to swell and delaminate over time. What I did with my garage was to buy galvanized metal and screwed it to the frame. Roof and sides. I still have new poly doors front and back for now.

Nice I put paracord in a x pattern between the posts to stop pooling and whipping in the wind on the roof also snow

It is all in the nature of the tarp material. Those metal spans are way far apart, creates exceptionally high stress points where the tarp bears on metal supports. For this type of enclosure you need a very heavy, rubberized tarp reinforced with strand fiberglass. If you get a good ice storm and snow load the present tarp material will go south quickly. For the money you are spending for tarps you are close to having bought metal sheets and do it right.

Had a friend with the same kind of tarp, and he painted it with UV resistant paint and it lasted to him about 10 years with paint alone so you should try that

Great job

When you're tired of harping it, leave the tarp in place and screw light gauge metal roofing on the sides overlapping by 6" and then put on the last piece as a ridge cap. That's the way we do it in northern Ontario and 30 years later, they are still in great condition.

Wow...very nice fix. no question.

I've been using tarps over mine for years. I get three years out of a tarp in Michigan.

My idea was to do the silicone and mineral spirits soaked in old bedsheets thing only lay the sheets wet across that tarp material so it bonds it right on. Will try it when im tired enough of adding tarps.

Shrink wrap is the best thing I've found it stays taught and lasts years

Great example of Applied Logic.

I put some pieces of cardboard between the cloth and the curved sections of the bars and it really helped with the rubbing through. Better yet old nylon slings cut up if you can find them. really like the front on yours, way better !

I use billboards . Billboard tarps cheap and last 15-20 years easy the one in my back yard is 15 years old and just fine . And it’s black side up . The one on my side yard trailer is a McDonald’s billboard and its color side up the print has the most UV resistance . And it’s heavy enough for the wind to not blow it .

I've had a tarp shed now for over 20 yrs with the original tarps. From day one I put a large tarp to protect the original. These tarps would last a year for the most part unless you buy the heavy duty ones for big money. I have lately figured out that I can use the 12x16 tarps I get at Costco. Mounted sidewise with overlap in the middle I get 2-3 yrs. Today a single tarp to cover a 10x20 at hardware store could be $100, these Costco tarps as of yesterday were less thas $20 for the twin pack

I used two canvas tarps for the cover and corrugated metal on each end. Ten years this April.

Brilliant upgrades. Good job

Well that completely put Red Green to shame. Works..................well.

I had the same thing happened and I found a seller of the used billboard signs with a size that fits and it has lasted a couple years at least.

I have the 10 x20 dome shelterlogic the tarp ripped off on the 3rd winter. I spent $500 for 1x4 strapping and metal roofing. Just need to decide what I want to do with the ends

I have had one for four years going on the forth winter. plenty of snow had to scrape off with a roof shovel. it’s getting ragged now some holes in the doorway but that’s my fault. Didn’t even know you could buy a replacement covers.. went out and got the same complete tent with the polls. still got the old one up. Getting ready to get rid of. It keeps everything dry inside but it’s looking pretty shabby but I might just buy a new cover for it. Oh yeah, mine is in yellow probably helps.

Home depot has the plastic corrugated 2'x20' I will be using those on mine this spring

Nice 1.... some good ideas ...I have one in a box ready to assemble 12x20 ..just extending base ...has a builder was thinking maybe some insulation roll before canvas or breathable roofing membrane ...but like idea of entrance door...cheers

Depending on how well what you have done lasts there is a long lived solution. It isn't cheep but as far as canvas like materials go it is absolutely the best at taking the sun abuse. It is called " Sunbrella " and there is nothing else that lasts so long outdoors, It comes in many colors and there is no fading or weakening of the material whatsoever. It is very tough stuff used very often in the marine industry. it isn't cheap but you get what you pay for

Used grain bags work great. Black on one side white on the other. it's basically a thick plastic rubber. Farmers use them to store grain in the field sometimes till spring. 5 to 10 grand , new.

If you have a Shelter Logic tent purchase your replacement cover from them directly. The Menards where mine came from wanted over 600$ plus tax for a replacement cover. I called Shelter Logic and they had the same cover that Menards would have sold me on my doorstep in 3 days for under 400$. I also tossed Harbor Freight tarp over that for an additiinal 50$.

my 2 cents, coat that OSB end with an elastomeric roof paint, and put a thin layer over the tarp you applied as a 2nd cover. OR at the least shoot it thin with an exterior paint. locally there's a guy who put up a bunch of these 8 I think, to run a swap meet business in his yard, county wouldn't let him do 'permanent sheds'. so he also had problems with them breaking down. He rebuilt every one with OSB, painted and sealed, then applied the covers to the outside. essentially as camo to keep the county off his back. they've held up over a decade, although his covers are tan.

Black and white poly plastic, cheap, last years, and when it breaks and tears you can use it for smaller needs and such. Most people use it for grow room or light deprivation for outdoor green houses. As long as you dont crease it in the -20F it wont crack. Strap it down solid and it will last if it dont have constant blow in and out pressure. Even then, easy fix, and cheap replace in full. 75$ 150ftx10ft.

Bilboard vinyls work great also

hello ssir.I would also advise taking foam rubber pipe insulation for the tubing,to stop tarp rubbing in wind.versioning is so important too.I'm a structural tent rigger,rope access climber and tree surgeon.stay safe lucky and dry.maddog.West cork.ireland

Nice job 👍 Now coat that wood with used motor oil, Do a few coats and let it soak in. Never rot and bugs won't eat it. I recoat mine every few years if needed.

Look into billboard tarps.

It's pretty good idea. We just pull one up at the club. We'll see how long it lasts. It's got a great cover on it, but I'll definitely keep this in mind. I have one of my backyard that my neighbor had that ripped all apart and I put a steel roof on it. Strapped the roof with 2x4s and got some molds metal roofing from a barn and it works great. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦

I am using 5 year greenhouse film on mine....its more stretchy than either the HF or SL covers, and I think it will go better than 5 years......I am on the 3rd year.

The front door is a game changer. you could probably coat you rtarp with some kinda of uv protection.

Great upgrades 👍😄👍

Mix you up some pure silicone like in a tube with some mineral spirits or naphtha to the consistency of syrup and brush it on that tarp. It will hold up a long time and repel water. Saw a guy make a tarp out of a bed sheet doing that

Great fix man just need about 20 coats of paint on that osb I think 🤔 may gray lol looks good man.

Good idea. To make it last longer between re-layering, paint each time you apply canvas. Use an exterior house paint with UV protectants.

I have used tarp garages for years. The Harbor Freight ones last about 6 months in middle Tennessee weather. 12 mil.

Right On... 👍👍😁😎

Very good remedy.

That's brilliant!

We had our tent garage get ripped up due to a bad storm as well, but my area sees some freak winds (in Nova Scotia, on the coastline). I agree with the tarps they use though, they're garbage. Had I known more about having one before we bought and installed ours, I would've done a bit more to reinforce it before it took the beating and got destroyed. LOL Oh well, expensive, lesson learned. Thanks for sharing though! This is an approach worth taking for the cost and time it takes to unscrew and just layer on another tarp.