How to Make a Rain Barrier for a Screen Tent

Screened tents are essential gear items for camping, especially if you are dealing with rainy and wet conditions. They offer great protection when the rain is not falling hard, or blowing. In those conditions, you may be required to place a rain barrier such as a tarp, on top of the tent to keep the inside completely dry. Installing a rain barrier will not be that difficult and most of the items required are probably already in your gear bag.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Creating a Rain Barrier for the Screened Sides

Things You’ll Need:

Tarp
Knife
Ropes
Stakes
Hammer
Tent poles

Step 1

Use a tarp that has dimensions larger than the roof of the screened tent. You will need the extra length, so it will be able to fold down and cover the screened sides. The larger the tarp, the more barrier for the sides you will have.

Step 2

Pull the tarp on top of the screened tent, covering the roof. Allow equal sections of the tarp to drape down on all sides.

Step 3

Tie ropes to each corner of the tarp that will be long enough to reach the ground. You will then be able to stake the ropes into the ground and hold the tarp in place.

Step 4

Pull the sides of the tarp toward the ground, covering the screened sides of the tent. Stake each corner with rope into the ground. Pull the opposite corner of the tarp taut and repeat the staking process. This will keep the tarp stable and block rain dripping in from the edges, or blowing in from the sides.

Creating a Rain Barrier for the Roof

Step 1

Select a tarp larger than the dimensions of the screened tent's roof. You will need the extra length on all sides, to extend the roof area.

Step 2

Situate the screened tent in an area that has four objects where you will be able to attach ropes. Trees and extra tent poles are some of the items you can use.

Step 3

Measure the distance between the four objects you will be tying the ropes to and the edges of the tarp. This will give you an idea of how long each section of rope needs to be. Cut the ropes to their desired length.

Step 4

Pull the tarp over the top of the screened tent. Allow equal portions of it to hang off each side. Tie your ropes through the grommet located on each corner of the tarp.

Step 5

Insert tent poles into the ground, if you will not be tying off to trees. Tie each corner section with rope, to the tree or tent pole. Pull the tarp taunt as you tie off each corner. The roof barrier will give a larger area that is out of the rain and keep it from entering into the screened tent.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

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