FeatureFit: Your Cover, Your Way – Cover Vents 

In our ongoing series, “FeatureFit: Your Cover, Your Way” we’re diving into one of the often-overlooked components of protective covers—vents. Proper ventilation is essential to the effectiveness of any cover, especially when protecting assets like boats, machinery, and other valuable equipment. This segment focuses on why vents matter, the types offered by Transhield, and best practices for their use. 

The Importance of Vents in Protective Covers 

Vents are crucial for maintaining the integrity of protective covers, particularly in humid or variable climates. The main functions of vents are: 

• To allow heat and moisture to escape from beneath the cover, preventing mold, mildew, and other harmful effects that can degrade the asset being protected. 
• To increase aerodynamics and prevent excess movement and ballooning of the cover during transportation. Too much movement of the cover can cause it to blow off or to snag and tear on an object (e.g. overpasses, signage, etc.).  

Types of Vents Offered by Transhield 

Transhield offers different vent types, each designed to meet specific needs: 

1. Dome Vents: The standard dome vent allows air to escape from beneath the cover while minimizing the amount of water and dust that can enter. This type of vent is ideal for general applications where protection from moisture and humidity buildup is desired. 

2. Venturi Vents: These vents create a constant flow of air by pulling in outside air and pushing out the air trapped inside the cover. This continuous air exchange helps maintain a balanced environment beneath the cover and is especially useful during transportation.

How Transhield Installs Vents

Unlike many covers or shrink wrap options that rely on adhesive to secure their vents after installation, Transhield’s vents are pre-installed into the cover during the manufacturing process. This procedure ensures that the vents remain in place when the cover is being handled and exposed to high winds or extreme temperatures during transport and storage.

Vent Placement for Optimal Protection

The placement of vents on a cover is just as important as the vents themselves. For dome vents, it’s best to position them near the highest point of the cover (but never on a flat surface), allowing rising heat to escape effectively. Venturi vents, on the other hand, should be placed where air might become trapped, creating a constant flow and preventing pockets of stagnant air from forming.

Cover vents should never be placed on flat horizontal surfaces that are parallel with the ground, doing so may allow water to pool and enter the cover. Vents should be placed on an angled or vertical surface that allows water to run off around them.

How Many Vents Do You Need?

The number of vents required depends on the size and type of the asset being protected. For smaller items like boats, 2-3 vents are usually sufficient. However, for larger industrial equipment you may need 8-10 vents placed strategically on the cover. The exact number and placement are often determined by specific customer needs and environmental factors.

Are Vents Standard on All Transhield Covers?

Not all Transhield covers come with vents. Vents are an optional feature based on the customer’s concerns about moisture and humidity buildup, as well as the cover ballooning/moving during transit. If keeping the environment under the cover dry, and/or there are concerns about the cover ballooning or moving during transit, then adding vents is highly recommended.

Conclusion

Vents are a small but powerful feature that enhances the performance of protective covers, ensuring that your assets remain in optimal condition, even in challenging environments. Whether it’s regulating temperature, preventing moisture buildup, or enhancing aerodynamics during transport, vents are an integral part of the cover customization process.

Ready to elevate the protection of your valuable equipment? Explore the full range of customizable features available with Transhield covers, including our ventilation options. Contact us today to learn how you can tailor a cover to meet your exact needs and ensure your assets are safeguarded in any environment.