Nothing holds the fort down like a good, reliable tarpaulin. Often referred to simply as a tarp, it is a versatile handyman's item that no household in the UK should be without.

Don’t underestimate the handiness and safety these seemingly simple sheets can provide you; all for mere pounds and minimal storage space. Tarps are typically outfitted with metal rings in each corner and along the sides, which allow for the ropes to slide through so that the sheet can be tied down or suspended securely to the ground. At first glance, the traditional bland, blue tarp is unimpressive. Yet its plain looks mask a carousel of handy uses.

Home:

Cold, soggy winters and the threat of heavy ice means your outdoor items need to be protected against the elements. When it comes to expensive pieces of yard equipment, vehicles or outdoor furniture you can't take any chances with flimsy coverings that will rip, wither or blow away when nature's elements take over. An inexpensive tarpaulin, when properly anchored, can provide a canopied fortress for all your treasured lawn items. When it isn’t in use fighting off the wind or rain, a tarp can be useful indoors also; a tarp can be laid as a drop sheet for painting jobs to protect floors against stains and splatters.

Travel:

A durable tarp is not only useful for your garage and yard at home, but is perfect for shielding cargo on your vehicle when travelling with items packed in an exposed truck bed or fastened to the roof of a car or trailer.

Outdoors:

For the outdoor enthusiast, a sturdy tarp is a cheap and convenient tool that comes in handy during camping trips. When rain or wind threatens to spoil your camping plans, a tarp can reinforce the roof and walls of your tent or be laid on the ground underneath to provide a dry refuge from a soggy terrain. On a sunny day, the same durable sheet that keeps you dry in the rain will protect you from the sun's harsh UV Rays. It is important to make sure that any tarp you purchase has been treated for UV resistance; this will ensure years of endurance to sun exposure, while non-treated tarps will become brittle and scaly under the stress.

Safety and Emergency:

Even if you aren't an avid camper, keeping a tarp stowed away in the trunk of your car for breakdowns and emergencies can save the day! A tarp offers a sturdy shelter than can go up in mere moments in the awful case that you are stranded away from home. For boat enthusiasts, you can keep a spare tarp rolled up and stored on deck to use as a backup wind sail in case of an emergency.

So no matter if your needs are domestic or adventurous, keep a few tarps handy around your garage and in your car can help you protect your cherished items, and yourself!