Do you know how to fold a canvas car shelter? The canvas is one of the most fragile parts of your carport shelter, hence the importance of maintaining it properly.
At the end of the cold season, when it’s time to dismantle your temporary fabric shelter or carport garage, it’s best to use the right methods to preserve your canvas for as long as possible. The methods for folding and storing it are therefore key steps in the maintenance cycle, especially after cold winter weather.
To help you maintain the longevity of your precious temporary winter shelter, our specialists have put together this complete guide on canvas maintenance, folding, and storage. Discover our methods and advice to make your investment profitable by extending its lifespan.
The maintenance steps to be carried out before folding your canvas
Before you learn how to fold a carport cover, it’s important to inspect and maintain your canvas. Our patio awning and winter shelter specialists therefore share some sound advice with you for preserving your temporary shelter canvas.
Cleaning your car shelter canvas
After dismantling your shelter, the first step is to clean it. Choose a sunny day to carry out this task. This will help the canvas dry faster and make it easier to fold and store your stuff—whether it’s your car, your garden equipment, snow blowers, and patio furniture.
Here are the steps to follow to carry out a quality canvas cleaning:
- Spread the canvas out to its full length on the ground.
- Sweep the canvas to remove debris and as much dirt as possible.
- Wash it with a mixture of warm water and mild soap, or use a cleaning product designed for cleaning canvas or polyplastic.
- Use a gentle brush and don’t use a pressure washing method, as these damage the UV protection and/or waterproofing product layer. You therefore also risk damaging the canvas itself with aggressive brushing.
- Rinse and repeat this cleaning step if necessary.
- If there are any stubborn stains, you can always entrust the cleaning and waterproofing to a professional team.
Drying and inspecting the canvas
Knowing how to fold a car shelter canvas is essential, as is knowing how to maintain it properly. The first rule to prevent damage to the car shelter canvas is to never fold and put away a wet or damp canvas.
Why? Because moisture encourages the formation of mold, the proliferation of bacteria, and the appearance of unpleasant odours. In the long term, these elements are harmful to your car shelter cover material, compromising its reliable protection. Whether you skip the cleaning step or not, don’t take the risk of storing a wet canvas.
The best method for drying a canvas is to suspend it using a rope and give it time to dry completely. You can also dry it flat on a sunny day, perhaps on concrete slabs.
Then, once your winter shelter canvas is dry, it’s time to inspect it to find cuts, holes, or other signs of deterioration in the zippered door panels. An annual inspection of your shelter canvas will allow you to make the necessary repairs in order to preserve it for longer.
Canvas storage: how to fold a car shelter canvas
When it’s finally time to fold up and put away your canvas for the summer, here are the elements to keep in mind:
- By storing your canvas inside (garage space or basement), you are keeping your equipment from sunlight. The car shelter must be protected from harsh weather conditions and sunlight.
- There are several methods for folding the canvas, choose one that suits your needs (depending on the configuration of your space). Roll it, lay it flat, or combine several methods.
- If your canvas tends to open or expand when folded, use ropes, shrouds, or bungee cords to keep it closed.
If you don’t have enough space for carport storage, contact a specialized company to take advantage of their storage solution at an affordable price. It’s a small investment that will help you protect your canvas and other outdoor equipment.
How to store a carport cover: fold or roll?
Generally speaking, there is no folding method that is better than any other. It will depend mainly on the duration of storage or the type of shelter.
How to fold a car shelter canvas
What you should know first of all is that the folding method may be specific to each one. Above all, it can be risky to fold it the same way too often.
Why? By folding your canvas the same way each year, you create stress lines in your canvas. These areas can therefore become vulnerable to cuts or tears.
This is also true for people who fold their canvas too tightly. Putting less tension on it and allowing a certain flexibility of movement will help you preserve your canvas for longer.
What you should remember is that you have to vary your folding methods from year to year without tightening the canvas and its tube frame too much. This will help reduce the risk of damage from one year to the next.
How to fold a thicker car shelter canvas
The high-quality materials and canvases offered by specialized suppliers are generally thicker, designed to handle snow load. As a result, some winter shelter canvases may be a little more difficult to fold. A continuous half-and-half folding method is therefore not the best way to manage your canvas folding.
We therefore recommend rolling the canvas or using a different folding technique. For example, it is easier to fold from the outer edge of the canvas toward the centre. This way of folding evens out the creases and requires less strength to fold flat.
Is rolling the temporary car shelter canvas a better solution?
Rolling your canvas is an excellent way to fold it and make it a compact storage solution for your garage, especially if you need room for bulk storage or additional storage. In addition, rolling the canvas helps avoid repeated pressure points from folding and unfolding. There will be some, but they will rarely be the same from year to year.
Whether you prefer to roll or fold, the most important thing is to keep your canvas in a dry place away from sunlight.
The final tip from our specialists to preserve the superior quality of your shelter canvas
To ensure that your shelter is protected from tough Canadian weather, sunlight, and humidity, two other storage solutions are available to you:
- Buying a protective cover
- Using the storage services of a specialized company.
In addition, some portable garages feature an innovative design with a large rounded structure made of conventional steel structure and many small parts. Whatever your carport size, an expert team such as Groupe Bellon Prestige can help you store your canvas properly, giving you peace of mind knowing your environment is protected.
If you have any questions about car shelter canvas folding or maintenance or to take advantage of our affordable automotive storage solution, contact us, and we’ll give you a custom quote. Groupe Bellon Prestige helps you keep your canvases in good condition for as long as possible.