Need help w/ TYPE of kennel tarp...?

Question

We are building a fairly large (36' x15') run/ kennel for our large newly adopted dog.
A 15' x8' area in the back will be tarped on all 4 sides. with an opening on inside for entry. The top will be tarped as well.
Tarps- Local stores have no selection as far as sizes/ colors go. I have checked on line and found several but have questions.
Obviously, they need to offer shade and be the waterproof poly type. In Indiana, the summers are hot and the winters are very cold. Shade factor- do only the blue colors offer the best shade? We would really like to have brown/ tan. It seems those, or any color other than the blue only offer UVA protection like you would need for a car, etc. to prevent fading, and don't offer shade. Other colors, in the poly tarps, such as the brown, often say they are translucent. How could a tarp be translucent?
What do I need to look for in a tarp beside the mil- thickness? Those with outdoor dog- what do you use? He has insulated dog house.

We live on 3 acres but have no trees except large evergreens at the perimeters, so shade from tress isn't an option.

Thanks- we were going to do the arches on the covered portion but we were talked into a top rail framed pitch so the snow and rain will just slide off. ;)

Answer 1

I will just tell you what I did for my outside dogs. We have the same weather. I bought the regular black netted cover made for dog kennels. I put one on all 3 sides to give much need protection from the sun. I also put two dog houses in there and put a piece of plywood across the two of them to give the dog something to get under and still be cool and to be on top of. If you do this make sure he can't use the plywood to jump out. In the winter I used plywood and tarps on the sides to help with the wind. I also used lots of straw. Hope that helped. Oh, I also used tarps on top and plywood on top in the winter too, watch the snow weight and sometimes the tarps were a pain and would blow.
PS They sell curved pipes to hold up the netting or tarps. If your'e handy you can bend conduit and make your own. This keeps the tarp from getting rain soaked or too heavy with snow. Either way I use the netting in the summer and partial plywood in the winter. Sometimes I would pile straw 2 or 3 high on the outside of the kennel for a good wind break, you can even put the straw on the outside of the dog house on three sides for extra wind break.

Answer 2

Dog Kennel Tarps

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Need help w/ TYPE of kennel tarp...?
We are building a fairly large (36' x15') run/ kennel for our large newly adopted dog.
A 15' x8' area in the back will be tarped on all 4 sides. with an opening on inside for entry. The top will be tarped as well.
Tarps- Local stores have no selection as far as sizes/ colors...

Answer 4

Translucent means that the tarp lets in more sunlight than usual, but you can't see through the material very well. Transparent is when the material is totally clear and lets in all the light.

As far as color, in my opinion forest green poly. tarps do the best job with shade. Also look to be sure the tarps have good durability. If it is windy where you live, be sure to tie down the tarps well to avoid loud noises that might frighten the dog as well as fraying that may occur on the edges of the tarp.

Answer 5

I helped a friend with a lab that chewed the tarps put a ribbed plastic panel roof on their outdoor kennel. We were able to tilt it so any moisture would go towards the back & off. It was easy to secure to the kennel top & walls with bolts. Worked really well & lasted a long time. You can get the panels at most hardware stores.

Answer 6

If your dog(s) are outside all the time then I would consider putting an actual roof on it and making it more permanent. But check out this website www.windscreen.bigstep.com for tarps and shades.
They have every color, weight, dimension that you could want.
And they are reasonably priced.

Answer 7

If you go to Sears Automotive they will help you choose a tarp.
Also Lowes and Home Depot in automotive depts. You know, you might even use a nylon tent - it has lots of sides.

Answer 8

I wouldn't waste my time or money on tarps, this is a cheap and more permanent solution to your needs.
Polycarbonate or Solexx Sheeting
http://www.farmwholesale.com/panels.php3
http://www.klerksusa.com/products/pcsheet.htm

Answer 9

Put your large dog run under some trees for shade. Don't waste your money on "kennel shades" , they barely last a couple months.