Polytarp shelter, was Boatbuilding, Anyone?
I have a polytarp shelter that is now 5 years old (originally thought it
might last for 1 year.) It has been attacked by both the sun and occasional
branches falling through it, but is still functional, with the backup
described below. It's spread over 2 x 4 "rafters", on edge, about 5 feet
apart. I screwed 1 x 2 strips along the top of the rafters, screwing
through the tarp and into the 2 x 4's to stop the tarp flogging itself to
death in storms -- (I only put screws in for as far as I could reach from
the ends.)
When the tarp started to leak, I stapled a layer of polyethylene (clear-ish
plastic) to the underside of the rafters, then screwed more 1 x 2's along
the underside of the rafters through the plastic. This has stayed
completely waterproof, being protected from the sun and falling branches by
the tarp. Water leaks through the tarp, then runs down the slope of the
inner layer to the wall made by the excess tarp -- it hangs about 4 feet
down from the 6 foot height of the side of the shelter.
This combination has been incredibly successful. The tarp provides physical
protection and the inner plastic keeps water out -- when I don't poke holes
in the plastic with plywood edges or long bits of wood! There have been no
leaks from the screw holes where the tarp or plastic is sandwiched either.
The double roof also appears to reduce the flapping in high winds, I'm not
quite sure how, but all my storm problems were in the first year before I
added the plastic.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Hodges [mailto:dhodges@...]
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 10:06 PM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Boatbuilding, Anyone?
...My temporary shelter was intended to last through May at the latest, and
it
is showing real distress on the side exposed to the sun. UV is breaking
down the polytarp and rain is seeping through, then dripping off the
interior stringers. I will have to cover/uncover the SC until I finish the
boat or rework the shelter. One thing I know, I WON'T go aloft on the
flimsy scaffold I used to erect the shelter!
might last for 1 year.) It has been attacked by both the sun and occasional
branches falling through it, but is still functional, with the backup
described below. It's spread over 2 x 4 "rafters", on edge, about 5 feet
apart. I screwed 1 x 2 strips along the top of the rafters, screwing
through the tarp and into the 2 x 4's to stop the tarp flogging itself to
death in storms -- (I only put screws in for as far as I could reach from
the ends.)
When the tarp started to leak, I stapled a layer of polyethylene (clear-ish
plastic) to the underside of the rafters, then screwed more 1 x 2's along
the underside of the rafters through the plastic. This has stayed
completely waterproof, being protected from the sun and falling branches by
the tarp. Water leaks through the tarp, then runs down the slope of the
inner layer to the wall made by the excess tarp -- it hangs about 4 feet
down from the 6 foot height of the side of the shelter.
This combination has been incredibly successful. The tarp provides physical
protection and the inner plastic keeps water out -- when I don't poke holes
in the plastic with plywood edges or long bits of wood! There have been no
leaks from the screw holes where the tarp or plastic is sandwiched either.
The double roof also appears to reduce the flapping in high winds, I'm not
quite sure how, but all my storm problems were in the first year before I
added the plastic.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Hodges [mailto:dhodges@...]
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 10:06 PM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Boatbuilding, Anyone?
...My temporary shelter was intended to last through May at the latest, and
it
is showing real distress on the side exposed to the sun. UV is breaking
down the polytarp and rain is seeping through, then dripping off the
interior stringers. I will have to cover/uncover the SC until I finish the
boat or rework the shelter. One thing I know, I WON'T go aloft on the
flimsy scaffold I used to erect the shelter!