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Providing debris and dust protection, they have become a staple at construction sites and as truck covers. They are a natural choice as a nursery tarp or as shade cloth for gardens. As privacy screens, they are perfect anywhere from sports facilities to backyards. And due to the sturdy grommets on all sides, even the lightest mesh fabric is easily secured to almost anything.
Most mesh is made from high-density polyethylene, or a vinyl coated polyester. With their open weave, shade tarps and screens are not water proof. But a vinyl coating adds mildew and rot resistance, and also makes the fabric exceptionally strong while maintaining a light weight.
The
Shade Factor
This openness of the weave (size of the holes)
is an expression of how much light is filtered. The higher the shade factor, the
denser the weave and the smaller the holes For example, patio tarps might be referred
to as 75 % sun screen material, meaning they block 75% of the sun's rays.
The
is a great variety of weave density, ranging from a light and airy 30% to a dense
and virtually solid 95%. Even the denser sun tarps allow for comfortable air flow.
The tight mesh that has a shade factor of over 95% still allows air to circulate
and will keep an area cooler than a solid screen.
Since everyone seeks
some combination of shade, airflow, and protection from wind or dirt, this variety
of density gives you great flexibility in choosing the right mesh for your needs.
Knitted vs. Woven
The
best mesh shade cloth has a knitted construction, using lock stitching that resists
tearing and sagging, even when stretched tight. Knitted shade cloth is cloth-like
to the look and feel and has threads running in various directions. The lock stitching
also prevents unraveling if the mesh is cut or a hole is made.
Woven
fabric is generally less expensive, and is most often used in mesh tarps. And
unlike knitted stitching, it can fray when cut. But it is still strong enough
to handle the toughest truck hauling or cover duties. Its' lower cost makes it
a great value, especially since it offers the same comfortable air flow and the
same sun and UV protection.
For patio shade cloth or light privacy screens,
a knitted mesh will provide an attractive look and durability. A mesh tarp with
woven material will have the best combination of strength and cost effectiveness.
Making the Choice
If
you are searching for garden shade cloth, or perhaps a mesh privacy screen, look
for a knitted mesh weave. A 50-70% shade factor is ideal for most gardens, while
85-95% will provide a good sense of privacy. The knitted fabric will have the
most attractive appearance, hold it's shape well, and will not ravel if you need
to cut it to fit a certain area.
Strength is sometimes more important for
mesh tarps. So a woven or knitted construction is fine as long as the fabric thread
is vinyl coated to provide high tensile strength as well as UV and rot resistance.
This makes the tarp a good choice for swimming pool and truck covers, fencing,
bird netting, wind breaks, and for use in construction areas.
Sun shade
tarps can have the same range of shade factor, from 30-95%, but will have the
advantage of sturdy grommets every 18-24 inches, a thick 2 inch webbing around
the edges, and heat sealed seams. Many tarps are also treated for UV and flame
resistance.
If
you are looking for durability, choose a heavier fabric weight of 7-10 oz per
square yard. Contrary to what you might think, ounces per square yard is not an
indicator of the shade provided by the material.
One
vinyl coated mesh tarp with a 10 oz weight with an 11 x 11 weave count will provide
50 % shade. Another one made of polypropylene can weigh 6.5 oz per square yard,
have a 14x14 mesh, and provide 95% shade. Its' all about the tarp material and
how tightly the screen is knitted.
| Where
To Buy Them |
Vinyl coated mesh tarps
from Global Industrial are made with a heavy-duty 11x11 weave count for strength, and are mildew and oil resistant. Sizes are from 6'x8' up to 20' x 20'. You'll find them by typing in "mesh tarps" in the site search box.
The wide variety of screens and tarps from Amazon, including truck tarps of all sizes, are found here
. If you can't find what you need at Global, Amazon will likely have it.
For More Information:
Poly Tarps: A less expensive option when you dont need the shade and airflow.
Tarp Grommet Repair: A quick and easy fix, as well as a good source of repair kits.
Tarps: An overview of the main choices in protective tarp coversings: polyethylene, canvas, and mesh.
Canvas Tarps: A stronger and flame retardant alternative to laminated mesh tarps.
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