Choosing the Best Material for Your Custom Cover
10/03/11 at 03:40 PMAt Equip, we specialize in designing custom protective covers for a variety of applications. All of Equip’s covers are custom, so we work with customers one on one to ensure the design we develop will suit your needs properly. When larger quantities are needed, we will develop a proto type and allow you to test and modify it before ordering the remaining quantity. Below we will cover some of the considerations you will want to make when deciding on what type of materials to include within your custom cover.
1. What are you covering?
Whether covering a RMU or kiosk in a mall, a piece of equipment or machinery or a trade show display, this will help our designers gauge the size and customization level of the cover. We will require dimensions or schematics to ensure the cover will fit properly. Lighter-weight materials are generally easier to customize.
2. Where will the cover be used?
This is an extremely important element in determining the type of material that will be best. Will you use the cover indoors or outdoors? Will it be exposed to a wide variety of temperatures and elements or kept in a relatively stable environment? Does the building you will be using it in have specific fire codes to adhere to? The answer to this will help you gauge the characteristics the material should have including fire retardant characteristics, moisture resistance, UV resistance and mold/mildew resistance. If a cover will be kept outdoor and exposed to the elements you may want to use a durable heavier material, while a cover that will be used indoors to deter theft and dust and debris may only require a light weight material.
3. How often will the cover be used?
The frequency at which the cover will be applied and stored will also affect the material you will want to use. If you intend to frequently take the cover on and off of the equipment on a daily or weekly basis, you may want a material that is easy to work with and store. If the cover will be used seasonally or during extended periods of storage, you may want to consider a heavier material that can go long periods of time without maintenance and will keep the equipment unexposed.
4. What is the value of the equipment or structure you are covering?
This is something that will affect h the amount of money you are willing to spend on a cover. When the equipment you need to secure or protect is high dollar value, you may want to invest in a high quality, high durability material. While if you are looking to temporarily cover a piece of equipment while in storage or keep dust from reaching a relatively inexpensive structure, a lighter weight more economical material may be the best option.
5. Do you need to secure the cover to the structure?
Many of our retail and concession customers will want to take this into consideration. All covers optionally include a lockable security cable to prevent theft and tampering. The coated metal cables run along the top and/or bottom of the cover and putting a lock in the loops of the cable will prevent others from removing the cover.
The above considerations will help you make the best decision of material type and quality for your custom cover from Equip. When requesting an estimate we will help you determine the right material and design choices. Contact us for fabric samples.
Below is an overview of the available cover materials:
Outdoor & Indoor -Recycled Billboard Vinyl
UV/mildew/water resistant
Fire Retardant 210D, 500D or 100D (Denure refers to the weight and thickness of the material)
*Meets CPAI-84 and NFPA 701 fire codes
15 oz. Poly-Cotton
UV/mildew/water resistant, FR-treated
*Meets CPAI-84 and NFPA 701 fire codes
Custom Materials Available Upon Request
