How do you put tarp on a dog cage styled run?

[Elmochook]

I gave in and got a tarp for my run again. (I had one up and it was srolen from me for another project... Ugh) but i bought 3.5mil black roll tarp. How can i get this up on my run to block some of the wind? Im blank other than running string all around like crazy but it wont hold up im sure... Thanks in advance for tips. I asked at the hardware store and got no help from the kids working other than maybe i should nail it onto wood somehow... But how do i hold up wood its all metal so nowhere to screw through really.

 

[staceyj]

Tie wraps. They help for everything. And come in lots of lengths and thicknesses.

 

[Elmochook]

Like zipties? Now that i have... Im just afraid if i put holes in it will more likely rip... I was hoping for a washer type idea?

Would i use a hole punch or how is the best way to make systematic holes in it?

 

[centrarchid]

I have used bungee cords in the past. Problem has been when bungee cords did not fail when winds got really high, then run / pen goes rolling across field.

 

[junebuggena]

Mine is held on with bungies and zipties. The kennel is anchored to the ground with steel cable and anchors, sunk at least a foot and a half into the ground to keep it from blowing away.

 

[Elmochook]

Ok well mine is way too huge to go flying im sure. Its actually an old server cabinet made of heavy gauge metal wire... Its 15×10 and 10 feet tall. I dont intend to cover the whole thing, just the back wall and around half of the run area.

 

[dpenning]

You will want to use some strips of thin wood or heavy duty plastic around the edges, roll the edge of the tarp around whatever you find (i'm thinking like a stake or something) to give you and edge that you can then zip tie around the metal run. That gives the zip ties something to hold onto besides the plastic.

 

[centrarchid]

Be watching it either way. I did not feel my kennels would be up rooted. When more properly anchored, they get deformed. My favorite approach now is to use under sized covers that blow off easily. Covers have to be policed up but I do not have to deal with a lot of damaged pens.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Like zipties? Now that i have... Im just afraid if i put holes in it will more likely rip... I was hoping for a washer type idea?

Would i use a hole punch or how is the best way to make systematic holes in it?

It looks like you have plastic sheeting, not a tarp persay. Maybe you could put duct tape where you want the holes. Place it so that when you punch a hole it goes through the duct tape. You could try an X formation with two pieces to really reinforce it. If it does rip, you can always fix it with duct tape.
I actually put a zip tie through an area of the plastic sheeting that I used where it did not meet wood - only hardware cloth - it has held up well with no ripping, but, the whole plastic sheet is not held with zip ties so that could make a difference.

 

[Ryn2011]

Like zipties? Now that i have... Im just afraid if i put holes in it will more likely rip... I was hoping for a washer type idea?

Would i use a hole punch or how is the best way to make systematic holes in it?

I set up a tarp for a neighbors coop a while back. I used a hole punch to make holes, singed (melted) the hole edges a bit and then used small washers and zip ties. It's about a year and a half old now and it's still holding up.