4 Tips for Selecting the Best Tarps for Autumn Hunting Trips

Autumn is the time of year when many hunters head off into their tree stands, duck blinds and sweet spots in search of elusive pray. If you hope to be part of a hunting party in the coming weeks, don’t forget to grab some hunting appropriate tarps. Here’s what to look for when you do:

Hunting Tarp Buying Tip #1: Material Design

When selecting tarps for autumn hunting trips, look for ones that have camouflage colors similar to those found at your favorite spots. That way, you and your hunting gear are more apt to blend into the environment.

Hunting Tarp Buying Tip #2: Material Strength

The strength of the materials used in the hunting tarps’ creation should also be taken into consideration. We’d suggest looking for camo tarps that are made with a 3-ply, 1000 denier polyethylene material. They are designed to be rot proof, tear resistant, waterproof, UV resistant and acid resistant. As such, you can leave the camo tarp set-up for weeks without fear of it deteriorating.

Hunting Tarp Buying Tip #3: Cold Weather Safe

Speaking of deteriorating, it is also a superb idea to examine the tarp’s grommets and ability to withstand cold temperatures. After all, there is a good chance that your hunting spot is going to get cold, wet and windy as the season progresses.

Because of that, you may want to select a camo tarp that has arctic flexibility, rope reinforced edges and sturdy, even spaced grommets. A good example of a tarpaulin that has such features is our 6’ x 9’ Camouflage Medium Duty Tarp. Designed to blend into a woodland setting, it is made with heat-sealed, rope lined hems. The washable tarp is suitable for use in cold climates and features rust-resistant grommets. The grommets are typically placed 36 inches apart from one another. So attaching it to your tree stand, ATV, duck blind or hunting truck shouldn't be a problem.

Hunting Tarp Buying Tip #4: Lightweight & Compact

Lastly, consider buying a hunting tarp that is lightweight and compact. Doing so will make it much easier to haul the tarp into and away from your favorite hunting locations. A good weight to look for is one that is less than 5 ounces.

To learn more about hunting tarps and which features are ideal for certain situations, please contact us. Our Canopies and Tarps’ experts may be reached toll-free at (877) 811-3911.

Shop All Camo Tarps: http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/camouflage-tarps.html

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Athletic Field Covers Are Ideal for Maintaining Gymnasium Floors

When many people think of athletic field covers, they think of the great outdoors. Although it is true that they are used outdoors, athletic field covers should also be used indoors. This is especially the case during the winter months and special events. 

Here’s why:

Depending on the gymnasium’s age, the flooring may be constructed out of maple or a commercial grade rubber. If it’s a maple floor, there’s a good chance that it’s been coated with a clear polyurethane. The coatings used on commercial grade rubber flooring, on the other hand, tend to vary. Some companies coat the rubber with stain resistant materials. Other firms do not. Regardless, such flooring materials, if not cared for correctly, may sustain damage over time.

For example, during the winter months, gymnasium floors are exceptionally prone to damage due to three main substances. Those three substances are rock salt, other chemical deicers and moisture. All three substances may be tracked into the gymnasium thanks to the footwear and clothing of assorted visitors.

If left onto the gymnasium floor, the previously mentioned substances may cause a variety of damages. Those damages include, but are not restricted to discoloration, warping, weakening of the surface materials and cracking. Other items that may cause similar or additional damage to a gymnasium floor are high heels, tables, chairs, podiums and refreshments.  

So how does one prevent such damage from occurring to their gymnasium’s flooring? That’s where the use of athletic field covers and routine maintenance can help. Take our athletic field covers as an example. They are made with a 10 oz. vinyl. The vinyl is designed to be extremely durable and provide protection against various elements. Those elements include salt, moisture, mildew growth, rot, harsh chemicals and oils. In addition, the athletic field covers are capable of being cleaned with mild soaps and tap water as needed.

To learn more about athletic field covers and how they may protect your gymnasium’s flooring this winter, contact us. We may be reached toll-free at (877) 811-3911 during normal business hours or through the Canopies and Tarps’ website.

Shop Athletic Field Covers: http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/baseball-field-covers.html

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3 Tips for Creating Halloween Party Tents of Terror

Are you hoping to dazzle the neighborhood’s trick-or-treaters this year? Perhaps you’re looking to capitalize on the spooky holiday as a way to raise funds for your favorite cause. Either way, why not take a second to read our tips for setting up Halloween party tents of terror? Here they are:

Party Tents of Terror Tip #1: Consider the Audience Size & Exhibitions

Before making your party tent purchase, consider your Halloween shindig’s audience size and exhibitions. You’ll want to make sure that the party tents are large enough to accommodate the exhibits and the crowd safely. At Canopies and Tarps, we have a multitude of party tents that would be suitable for various size Halloween events. Two of them are the 14’ x 20’ 1-5/8” Diameter Luxury Party Tent and the 14’ x 32’ 1-5/8” Diameter Luxury Party Tent. Both of the party tents are fire retardant. They also come outfitted with sidewalls, clear plastic windows and standard end doors. Thus, they’ll be able to accommodate good size crowds.

Party Tents of Terror Tip #2: Consider the Age Groups

We’d also suggest that you think about the ages of the people that you expect to visit your party tent of terror. After all, some Halloween exhibits can be quite scary. If you plan on a mixed crowd, two party tents may be in order. That way, you can easily keep the little kids away from the truly terrifying displays. One item that would be perfect for the kiddies’ area is the 20’ x 20’ Eureka Capri Party Canopy. It has a funky, open shape that could be decorated to look like a giant spider or friendly bug.

To make the party tent look like a spider, shine a low-temperature, LED purple spotlight onto its exterior. Then create a spider’s head and legs out of garbage bags. Afterward, place the head above the front door and the legs along the party tent’s sides. Directions for making garbage bag spiders are readily available online. When you are finished, fill the party tent with child-friendly displays.

Party Tents of Terror Tip #3: Separate the Food from the Fright

Lastly, contemplate keeping the food separate from the frights. The benefits of doing so are two-fold. First, you won’t have to worry about food preparation and servers getting in the way of the exhibits. Second, it will allow people who would rather not be frightened at least enjoy the refreshments.

If you do decide to take our advice, be sure to check out our other party tents, party chairs and party tables too. We have many that would be ideal for your Halloween event’s refreshment area. To learn more about them and the other party items that we have available, contact us.

www.canopiesandtarps.com

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Some Popular Uses for Tarps around the Home

When it comes to protecting things from exposure to the weather, nothing is more valuable than the right tarp. Tarps actually have a number of uses around the home, and can be ideal for everything from creating shade to helping make yard work go smoother.

Providing Protection

Tarps can come in handy for providing protection from the elements, and here are just a few items they could be used on:

• Barbecue grills
• Boats
• Bicycles and motorcycles
• Firewood
• On top of a pet kennel
• Lawn equipment

Keep an over-sized tarp handy whenever you’re performing yard work, and the cleanup process will go much smoother. For example, when you are cleaning out gutters, throw the debris down onto a tarp, and it will be much simpler to dispose of later. Tarps can also be used to haul leaves, tree limbs and other yard waste to a disposal site, and can typically hold more material than a wheelbarrow or wagon might.

You’ll want to have a tarp available whenever you go camping, as there are multiple uses for one in this situation. Hang one from a tree in order to provide shade while you are eating. Place one in front of your tent’s opening for additional privacy while you are dressing. If you’re sleeping under the stars, laying a tarp on the ground can provide some protection from moisture and insects that you wouldn't otherwise be able to enjoy.

When moving, tarps can be used to wrap furniture or place around boxes full of breakable items in order to provide additional protection for them. They can be especially helpful when hauling items in the back of an open pickup truck, as they can safeguard items against the elements as well.

You can also use tarps as drop cloths when painting, or cover a child’s sandbox with them. In fact, there are so many different uses for tarps that we’re sure you’ll never run out of possibilities. Here at Canopies and Tarps, we have one of the widest selections available anywhere, so contact us to find the one that is exactly right for you.

Shop Tarps: http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/tarps.html

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Best Pop-Up Tents and Tailgating Gear for the NBA Season Kickoff

Can you feel the excitement building? The start of the 2013-2014 NBA season is drawing ever closer. As it stands now, the first game is scheduled to take place in late October between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Brooklyn Nets. We are guessing that as a result, many of you have tailgate party planning on your mind. If you do, take a moment to check out our picks for the best NBA pop-up tents and tailgating gear available:

In our opinion, every NBA tailgating party worth its regulation hoop has to have a good size, pop-up tent on hand. It’s a great way to sport your team pride and keep the sun from beading down onto your frosty beverages. Take our 10’ x 10’ Cleveland Cavaliers Red pop-up tent for example. It can comfortably accommodate two 3’ x 8’ folding tables and 10 to 16 folding chairs.

You could set the tables and chairs up in a variety of ways. For example, you could create an “L” shape with the 3’ x 8’ folding tables and place our Cleveland Cavaliers Folding Chairs outside of the tent. That type of NBA pop-up tent set-up would be ideal for a buffet-style food service area. The tops of the tables could contain all of your hot and cold tailgating foods. The ice and beverage filled coolers, on the other hand, could be easily placed underneath the tables or on the ends near your stack of plastic team cups.

If you don’t want to use a buffet-style set-up, you could always opt to place the tables side-by-side under the tent and surround them with our white plastic folding chairs instead. The plastic folding chairs and tables could then be outfitted with folding chair covers, table cloths and skirting designed to match your team’s colors. Of course you don’t have to get that fancy with the table linens unless you want to.

Understandably, we do have more than just Cleveland Cavaliers tailgating essentials in stock. Our list of NBA pop-up tents and NBA folding chairs on offer also includes, but is not limited to the following teams:

• Los Angeles Lakers
• Sacramento Kings
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Denver Nuggets
• Dallas Mavericks
• Orlando Magic
• Atlanta Hawks
• Boston Celtics
• Chicago Bulls

To learn more about them and our other great tailgate worthy tents, contact us toll-free at (877) 811-3911. We’d love to help you kickoff the 2013-2014 NBA season in style.

Shop Pop Up Tents: http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/instant-canopies.html

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