Tarp Mounting Ideas
Twist Locks
Twist locks use a special oval shaped grommet with a twist lock fastener. The fastener screws into you structure and stays there all year round. When you take down the tarps for the year they will be ready for next year. This video is a good overview on how these work. Please note that not all ALCO covers can use twist locks so please inquire with us first.
Sleeve Expansion Anchors
Another popular method for hanging your tarps is by using a sleeve expansion joint. Basically you drill a hole and then when you tighten the bolt down it expands the sleeve holding the bolt/tarp tightly. The mounting holes can stay in place all year until its time to once again install the tarps. Available from local hardware stores and many online stores.
Tarp Bungee Cords
A tarp bungee cord has an elastic cord that stretches and a ball that keeps it in the grommet. This method of hanging tarps allows you to attach to objects that might not be right next to the tarp. For instance attaching to a bracket around a corner. Readily available from Amazon.
Cornice Hooks
Another simple tarp hanging method. The cornice hook screws into your structure through the grommet and then you just point the L shape head upward to hold the tarp. Available from local hardware stores and many online stores.
Eye Lag Screws
One of the simplest ways to keep a tarp in place. The eye lag screw screws into your structure through the grommet and then you put a small piece of material through the opening of the lag screw so the tarp can blow off. Available from local hardware stores and many online stores.
Under Mount
If you need to mount to the underside of your structure you can use this method. A simple "U-Shape Eye Plate" and a "Quick Link" used together can hold the tarp from above without the need to bend the tarp at the top.
Snaps
Snaps attachments allow you to screw the base snap into your structure for mounting. Then the tarp snaps onto those bases for quick hanging and removal. The base screw is 15mm and works great for most structures. Not ideal for very large tarps or high wind loads. Snaps must be requested when ordering.
Snaps | Adhesive
Adhesive snaps allow you to stick on an adhesive base to your structure then the tarp snaps onto those bases. These are ideal when drilling into your structure is not possible or ideal. For instance attaching to aluminum screen enclosures and vinyl siding. Using a 1.60" wide stick on adhesive snap can work well for hanging your tarps. Not ideal for very large tarps or high wind loads. Snaps must be requested when ordering. Video overview.
Hanger Hooks
Hanger hooks are great for hanging your clear custom tarps. They can attach to almost any surface and removal of the tarp is easy once it is no longer needed. You can get these on Amazon or any local hardware store.
Grommet Kit
If you need more grommets or are simply missing them then you can use a grommet punch to quickly install them. The kit includes a die, a punch, and of course grommets. You can view how the grommet kit works on this Youtube Video.
Q-Hangers
Q-Hanger hooks are great for hanging your clear custom tarps. They screw into wood or similar material and removal of the tarp is easy once it is no longer needed for the season. You can get these on Amazon or any local hardware store.
Magnetic Hooks
Magnetic Curtain Hangers can support 65lbs for each hook. They are a versatile option for hanging curtains that don't require any drilling. They also allow you to quickly take them down when not needed. You would only need a few of these to support a long stretch of curtain.
Aluminum Angle
Aluminum angle and Tek screws hold the tarp up. The angle is clamped to the joists or anchored into your roof deck. Then self taping Tek screws (not supplied by ALCO) are screwed into the angle through the tarp grommets with a washer to pinch the curtain to the angle. This part is sold by ALCO.
Tension Cable
You can hang your tarp using aircraft cable, S-hooks, and cable turnbuckles to tighten the cable. The S-hooks go through the tarp grommets. Not supplied by ALCO but readily available from most hardware stores and online stores.
I-Beam Clamps
The I-Beam clamps allows for mounting to any flange such as joists, purlins, and of course I-Beams. The eye hook then goes through the grommets and into the bottom of the clamp. This is part is sold by ALCO.
Tarp Grabbers
When you don't have grommets in a place where you need to anchor down your tarps you can use a tarp grabber. These mechanisms pinch the edge of the tarp and the harder you pull the harder they grip. They come in two versions. One that punches the tarp with a spike and locks or a version that simply pinches the material. If your tarp has webbing use the version that pinches. Readily available on Amazon.
Ground Anchors / Wind Webbing
Wind Webbing
Curtains can be damaged by strong wind and this increases with the size of the curtains. There is a lot of stress on the grommets and floor anchors as the wind blows. A great way to increase the life of your curtains is to use straps that take the load. Simply use "tie down straps" with "D-Rings anchors" at the top and the bottom. Both options are available from Amazon.
Bolt Down Anchor
If you need to anchor your tarp to a solid surface when it is not very close to the ground/deck then you can use floor anchors in conjunction with a tie down strap through the grommets. This allows the tarp to be secured but also unhooked when needed. ALCO supplies both the floor anchors and the strap.
Bottom Pockets
Another great option for anchoring is by using a pocket with a PVC pipe. Here the customer used PVC pipes with a elbow and then tied the tarps together with tarp bungee cords. You can use other objects like chains, steel pipes, wooden rods...ect. If using this method, make sure the tarp is not blowing back and forth as the concrete can wear a hole in the pocket.
Floor Anchor With Clip
If you need to anchor your tarp to the ground then you can use ALCO floor anchors in conjunction with a snap hook carabiner. The hook clips through the grommets and onto the D-ring of the floor anchor. This allows the tarp to be secured but also unhooked when needed. You can also use this method on the vertical edges of a tarp. ALCO supplies the floor anchors but not the clips.
Soil Anchor
If you need to anchor your tarp into dirt or sand then you can use GroundGrabba spikes in conjunction with a tie down strap or snap hook carabiner hooks through the grommets. This allows the tarp to be secured but also unhooked when needed. ALCO supplies anchor straps if the tarp is not near the ground.
Connecting Tarps
Snap Hooks
If you need to connect your tarps together then one method is to use a snap hook carabiner. The hook clips through the grommets and are easy to operate. Make sure you have edge webbing or the material is opaque in color. If the material is just clear material it may rip the grommets out under wind stress. Also you must inform ALCO to line the grommets up on the vertical edges.
Zipper Split
You can connect multiple tarps together using zippers. In addition to connecting the tarps together, many customers use the zipper splits as door options for entry. When being used as a door option, we generally stop the zipper just short of the top of the tarps webbing.
Tarp Bungee Cords
Tarp bungee cords are great for connecting tarps together and are especially useful when the grommets do not perfectly line up. Just pull the cord through both grommets and then tuck it around the ball portion of the cord. Easy to attach and un-attach as needed. Make sure you have edge webbing or the material is opaque in color. If it is just clear material it may rip the grommets out under wind stress. Also you must inform ALCO to line the grommets up on the vertical edges.