3 Essential Protective Materials for Outdoors
As the warmer weather slowly begins to draw a little closer, we can all be grateful that many Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are set to ease in coincidence with the summer months, and if we are fortunate enough, we may all just get a great summer holiday experience, whether at home or abroad.
One thing many of us can agree on though is that we can’t wait to have friends and family around again for a BBQ, a few beers or even a chat in the sun. But given that many of us haven’t had the opportunity to host anybody for over a year, the garden might just be a little out of sorts.
Tidying up the yard, cleaning furniture, and replacing appliances might be on the agenda and in order to quell the unpredictable elements, you might need one or more of the following:
- Neoprene Rubber
- Tarpaulin Sheets
- PVC Covers
UV, heat and water-resistant, neoprene offers some of the best protection available from the elements while tarpaulins can be used to temporarily cover garden furniture or party supplies and PVC sheets offer complete water resistance which makes them excellent for expensive BBQs or other outdoor appliances.
Neoprene Rubber
A DIY essential, neoprene is naturally resistant to water which makes it a prime candidate when completing any outdoor project. A neoprene rubber strip can be used for sealing off gaps in order to make them less susceptible to rain and moisture as the material is able to form a watertight seal where it is applied.
Neoprene also comes in heavy-duty, water-resistant sheets that won’t lose their shape or swell up when exposed to large volumes of moisture. In addition, neoprene is also UV resistant which makes it an excellent candidate for small-scale construction such as roofing for the garden shed or outdoor dog house.
Tarpaulin Sheets
One of the most reliable materials you can buy, tarpaulin is any DIY enthusiast’s “go-to” covering when it comes to protecting something from the elements. Relatively inexpensive, lightweight and malleable, a tarpaulin is excellent for covering up wooden furniture, protecting a stored vehicle or securing stacked boxes thanks to their eyelets.
However, as good as a tarpaulin might be, you need to be aware that it isn’t designed for long-term exposure to the elements and isn’t completely waterproof when left for a long time. If enough water is able to gather on a tarpaulin then it might eventually begin to seep through and they are very susceptible to the danger of strong winds.
PVC Covers
One of the cheapest yet most useful materials for protecting outdoor items is PVC covers. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a type of plastic that can be manufactured in very thin and light sheets which makes them extremely useful for both indoor and outdoor projects. One of the best uses for PVC sheets is protection from liquids.
Because of this, they are used for covering up water-sensitive machinery when cleaning in close proximity or for protecting furniture and flooring from paint when redecorating. They can also be used for protecting expensive BBQs, gas bottles or patio heaters from rain and wind and just like tarps they can be fitted with eyelets to hold them in place.
