Some Tips For Buying Portable Shelters
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Posted On :
Dec-06-2010
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Article Word Count :
493
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Some things you should check before buying a portable shelter.
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There are a number of essential components to a cloth-covered instant shelter. These are the frame, anchoring mechanism, and covering. Each of these components, if they fail, can reduce the entire structure to a wrecked pile on top of the prized possessions you were trying to protect. There are a number of things to check when buying a portable garage, in order to avoid waking up to a steel tube through your Mustang's windshield.
First, the anchors need to lodge deep enough, and the cables attached to them need to be strong enough to withstand heavy snowfalls, wind or a combination of the two. Tents in American desert encampments in Iraq would get routinely blown over during sandstorms when the high winds would tear the anchors out of the ground, leading the entire tent to collapse. While the continental United States doesn't suffer from desert storms, that's slim comfort to places like Chicago with its icy winds. When buying a shelter, always ask how deep the anchors go and what the pull-out rating is for them.
The frame of your shelter is also crucial. These are almost always made from metal pipes – either steel or aluminum. While aluminum is light-weight, it doesn't have the strength of steel, so if you're looking for something longer-lasting that can withstand wind, snow and falling branches, steel tubes are the way to go. An important thing to remember that durability doesn't get decided by just the thickness and strength of the frame. In order for the pipes to last a long time without getting degraded and corroded, high-quality steel must be galvanized (preferably through a hot-dipped process) instead of powder-coated. Some manufacturers put additional corrosion-proof sprays or other coatings on the pipes, and some put coatings even on the inside. The bolts and fasteners that hold the frame together are important as well – a rusty, weakened bolt can bring down the entire structure, so make sure they are made of high-grade steel.
The fabric covering is the final part of the equation. It must be waterproof, but don't forget to check whether it also blocks out ultraviolet radiation and, if you're looking to protect a fragile item like a classic car, all sunlight. Make sure that the fabric can be stretched tightly on the frame, to minimize destructive vibrations due to wind. Try to find out whether the fabric tears easily, and whether it can be repaired without having to buy a whole new tarp. Finally, make sure that the fabric meets or exceeds fire code requirements.
Unlike a brick-and-mortar garage, the cost of which can easily run into the five digits, a portable garage will only cost you a few hundred dollars and last upwards of a decade if the materials are of good quality and the construction is solid. MDM Shelters is committed to using the highest-quality materials for our shelters, portable garages, car covers and all other products.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Some Tips For Buying Portable Shelters_44087.aspx
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Author Resource :
For more information about instant shelter, portable garage and car covers visit the site.
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Keywords :
instant shelter, portable garage,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home Improvement
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