Aluminized tarps

**Mustardman** · 03-11-2009, 22:27

So I was sitting here thinking about how the temperatures are starting to heat up fast here in Georgia, and wondering about ways to keep cool summer camping. One thing I definitely like to do is use my tarp as a sun shade, but even pitched high, a tarp can trap a lot of heat when the sun is beating down.

I wonder if anyone sells something like an aluminized sil type material, or some other type of really reflective tarp that would help keep out those brutal rays. Any ideas/experience?

**Mrprez** · 03-11-2009, 22:35

Originally Posted by Mustardman

So I was sitting here thinking about how the temperatures are starting to heat up fast here in Georgia, and wondering about ways to keep cool summer camping. One thing I definitely like to do is use my tarp as a sun shade, but even pitched high, a tarp can trap a lot of heat when the sun is beating down.

I wonder if anyone sells something like an aluminized sil type material, or some other type of really reflective tarp that would help keep out those brutal rays. Any ideas/experience?

Seattlefabrics.com sells something like this. I've been meaning to order some but haven't gotten around to it.

**warbonnetguy** · 03-12-2009, 00:27

2 tarps with a gap between should do the trick i think, not that that's convenient to do or anything. how bout a couple shade trees?

**Rushthezeppelin** · 03-12-2009, 00:37

The stuff that Finn made the cover out of on my thermadrape quilt is DWR that is aluminized one side. It's pretty darn heavy per sq yd but seems like it could have application for keeping heat out as well as possibly in.

**MacEntyre** · 03-12-2009, 05:47

Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

2 tarps with a gap between should do the trick i think...

Especially if the gap is ventilated. I once replaced a Sunbrella canvas bimini on a sailboat with a fiberglass hard top made of a foam sandwich. Then we added a method for allowing air to flow in just under the top. The cooling effect on the cockpit below it was amazing!

**fin** · 03-12-2009, 12:03

Rockywoods

**Brian** · 03-12-2009, 12:16

The 1.1oz aluminized stuff that Seattle Fabrics sells is really cool - it's silnylon weight with a pretty hefty, remarkably shiny coating. Fairly expensive, but the two tarps that I've made out of it both seemed like they would perform excellently in intense sun.

**Brian** · 03-12-2009, 12:17

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Especially if the gap is ventilated. I once replaced a Sunbrella canvas bimini on a sailboat with a fiberglass hard top made of a foam sandwich. Then we added a method for allowing air to flow in just under the top. The cooling effect on the cockpit below it was amazing!

Because air is an incredible insulator - get rid of the re-radiation/convection caused by having only one layer of fabric and you've added an incredible source of comfort