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What is a keder and how to find out which one your tent has

5 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Keder is a generic term in the industry: the PVC cord or bead welded to the edge of the tent tarpaulin that slides into the groove of the aluminium profile. Its function is to hold the tarpaulin to the structure, keep it taut and seal the edge against water. If your tent has a profile with a groove on the sides or at the ridge, the tarpaulin is very likely sewn or welded with a keder. It is key information when ordering replacement tent covers.

What the keder does on the tent

The keder is not a decorative extra; it is the piece that connects the tarpaulin to the aluminium structure. By fitting into the groove of the profile, it spreads the tension of the tarpaulin along the whole edge instead of concentrating it at a few points, as would happen with eyelets and ropes. This helps the PVC tarpaulin stay properly stretched, without wrinkles or pockets of water, and keeps the edge sealed against rain.

Types of keder

There is no single keder design. The term covers different solutions that each profile and structure manufacturer has developed over time, so two tents from different manufacturers can have keders with different shapes and diameters even though both are called the same. In general you may come across:

  • Single-flap keder, with a single PVC cord welded to the edge of the tarpaulin.

  • Double-flap keder, with two cords or a wider piece, designed for profiles with a deeper groove.

  • Cords of different diameters, from thin pieces to thicker beads for structures with a wider span.

  • Keder fitted only on the sides, or also at the ridge and corners, depending on the design of the structure.

How to find out which keder your tent has

Before ordering a replacement tarpaulin, it is worth identifying the keder fitted to your tent, since it cannot be told just by looking or from the structure's trade name. Here are the steps we recommend:

  1. Find a section of old tarpaulin or an offcut where you can see the edge with the welded PVC cord.

  2. Measure the diameter of the cord with callipers, not by eye or with a ruler.

  3. Check whether the keder has a single flap or two, by running your finger along the welded edge.

  4. Look at the groove of the aluminium profile: its width and depth need to match the keder.

  5. Take several clear photos of the edge of the tarpaulin and of the profile, including one with the callipers in place, and send them along with the measurements of your tent.

Why the keder matters when ordering a replacement tarpaulin

When you order a replacement tarpaulin for your tent, the keder is just as important as the overall measurements of the roof. If the diameter or the type of flap does not match the profile, the tarpaulin will not fit into the groove, will fit loosely and not sit properly taut, or simply cannot be fitted without also changing the profile. That is why at Plastold we manufacture replacement tarpaulins made to measure, respecting the fixing system your structure already has, whatever brand it may be.

Common mistakes when ordering a tarpaulin because of the keder

These are the most common mistakes when ordering a new tarpaulin without checking the keder properly:

  • Assuming all keders are the same or the same diameter because "they all are".

  • Measuring the cord with a ruler instead of callipers, which gives unreliable measurements.

  • Focusing only on the width and length of the tarpaulin and forgetting the detail of the edge and the profile.

  • Not sending photos of the edge of the tarpaulin or of the profile when requesting a quote.

What to have ready before requesting a quote

To make the process quick, before writing to us it helps to have to hand the diameter of the cord measured with callipers, whether the keder has one flap or two, the overall measurements of the roof (length, width and height of the sides) and several photos of the edge of the tarpaulin and of the profile. With this information we can assess your case and, if you work in the trade, you can also request the free PVC tarpaulin sample book to see the different weights and finishes up close before deciding. If you have doubts about any technical term, in the tent and tarpaulin glossary we explain other common parts and concepts, and in the guide on how to measure your tent step by step you will find the rest of the measurements we need to prepare your made-to-measure tarpaulin, whether for a jaima tent (a traditional pagoda-style tent), a pitched-roof frame tent or another type of structure.

Order your replacement tarpaulin with the correct keder

If you have already identified the diameter of the cord and the type of keder your tent has, or you would simply like us to help identify it from photos, contact us and we will tell you what we need to prepare your made-to-measure replacement tarpaulin, always respecting the fixing system of your structure.

Real project: PVC grandstand roofs and 288 tent side walls, made in Málaga for a major motorsport event in Madrid. See the project

 
 
 

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