ISO canopy for outdoor fort

[memartha]

DH built a great fort for the kids for the backyard, with some instructions from Family Fun magazine. Now we are looking for some sort of material to drape across the top to make a roof/canopy. It has to be 10 feet x 4 feet.

I was thinking a shower curtain or tarpaulin type of fabric, but can't find what I'm looking for at the stores. I'd like something that would last, though I'm not opposed to replacing the fabric if it gets moldy or ruined in our New England winter, if it's inexpensive enough.

What should we be looking for? Vinyl? Cotton? Has anyone done this before? Thanks for any tips. Martha

[Lauren]

Martha,

Our next door neighbors have a cool fort they built several years ago. I'm not sure if this will work for your fort, but their roof has pieces of clear, corrugated-like, plastic across the top. I'm sure they bought it at either Home Depot or Lowes. Great for all seasons!

[tbb113]

I would think you can get what you want at a marine supply shop. Something similiar to what would cover boats.

[RunnerKim]

Martha,

I've thought about this before b/c the house we bought has a nice fort play structure in the back yard but the previous owners took the cover canopy :confused:

I think it was made by this local to Oregon company Rainbow
http://www.123playground.com/

I didn't see anything listed on their web site about ordering replacement canopies, but I'd think some place like this would sell them...

Kim

[tbb113]

Martha:
Here is a link (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=6118&catalogId=10001&classNum=597&subdeptNum=58&storeNum=18) to the type of tarp I was thinking of. Very inexpensive and I think would work great.

[memartha]

Lauren, Tyra and Kim,

Thanks for the suggestions. I had in mind a tarp like the one Tyra linked me to. The plastic panels that Lauren mentioned sound good, too, and maybe more durable. I haven't investigated Kim's link yet, but I will. Thanks for the great ideas. Hopefully I will post a picture when it's all done. Martha

[slknight]

They have inexpensive blue tarps like that at places like Wal-mart and Home Depot.