Heavy Duty Shelter: Which PVC Cover and Frame Fit Your Climate?

The right heavy duty shelter depends on your weather: Covermore Buildings recommends dual truss frames with 27 oz or 30 oz PVC covers for snow country and the standard 21 oz PVC cover for southern and coastal states. A heavy duty shelter is more than a simple tarp structure, and Covermore offers its PVC fabric shelters and buildings in multiple sizes and fabric weights so each one can be matched to the climate it stands in.

Which heavy duty shelter works in northern snow country?

For northern states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, New York and New England, Covermore recommends:

• Dual truss frames
• 27 oz or 30 oz heavy-duty PVC covers

The heavier fabric gives greater snow load capacity, better wind resistance and longer life where freeze-thaw cycles are hard on a cover. Thicker PVC also resists cracking, UV degradation and ice buildup far better than lighter tarps.

Which cover weight works in southern and coastal states?

The standard 21 oz PVC cover works well in southern and coastal states. It offers UV resistance, waterproof protection and airflow options, without the extra weight a snow-country cover needs.

What do people store in these shelters?

Covermore heavy duty shelters store square bales, combines, boats, excavators, RVs, palletized inventory and snow equipment. Common uses include hay storage, hoop barns for livestock, tractor and equipment storage, RV and boat sheds, dry material storage, jobsite work areas, warehouse overflow and personal property storage.

Does a heavy duty shelter need a concrete foundation?

Not always. Covermore twist-lock shelters do not need a poured foundation, while stand-alone PVC-covered buildings are built on a concrete pad or other solid foundation.

The twist-lock shelters mount on concrete blocks, shipping containers, existing pads or custom pony walls, and they go together without welding or specialized trades. The stand-alone buildings need proper anchoring for permanent, ground-mounted use, and a concrete pad gives them the strength and stability to handle harsh weather, high wind or heavy equipment traffic.

Can you add on to a shelter later?

Yes. Because of the modular, stand-alone design, many customers start with one structure and expand as their needs grow, which is nearly impossible with a conventional building.