Since the ancient times of the invention of navigation, mankind has known such a concept as eyelets, which have become an integral attribute of the sails used by sailors. Externally, this device is two rings of the same diameter, fixed in the hole of the target material and serving to strengthen and hold the entire structure on the base.

Synthetic awning with round eyelets
Eyelets are the basic method of fastening awning fabrics

What is this?

In the modern world, the areas of application of eyelets have expanded many times, and they can be used:

  • in the production of banners for outdoor advertising;
  • for tarpaulin awnings;
  • in tents for tourism;
  • in the production of awnings for cars;
  • in clothes and shoes;
  • in the manufacture of curtains for curtains;
  • in accessories and much more.

In essence, eyelets are a rim around a hole, built into a material, used to strengthen it and allowing cables, ropes, bundles and other guides to be threaded through them without causing mechanical damage to the material during use.

Cord fastening of the awning with eyelets
The awning with eyelets can be secured using a cord threaded through the holes.
Green awning with oval eyelets
Or with a strap passed through the brackets
Swivel bracket in oval eyelet
In designs that require quick and easy assembly, eyelets with rotating brackets are used.

Awning eyelets allow you to give the entire structure the necessary shape and tension, which distinguishes them from other fasteners.

The main characteristics that eyelets have are the following:

  1. The diameter must match the hole in the material.

    Technical parameters of the eyelet for choosing the right product
    Eyelet parameters
  2. Strength depends on the material from which the eyelets are made (plastic or metal).
  3. The appearance of eyelets is usually made in the form of a circle or oval.

Depending on the material from which the eyelets are made, they can be divided into two types:

  1. Plastic.
  2. Metallic.
Multicolored plastic eyelets for banners
Plastic eyelets are secured by welding the two halves together using special equipment.

Undoubtedly, metal eyelets are more practical and reliable, as they are less susceptible to deformation under constant physical stress, and their installation does not require special devices, as for plastic ones.

Nickel plated round type awning eyelets
Metal eyelets are most often made galvanized or nickel-plated.

Eyelets for tarpaulin awning

The article contains all the necessary information for self-installation of eyelets on a tarpaulin awning and the features of a tarpaulin with eyelets. For such a dense and heavy material as tarpaulin, it is recommended to use metal eyelets, which allow you to extend the service life of the entire product.

Tarpaulin awning with galvanized eyelets
Tarpaulin eyelets are marked with the letter L and an internal diameter. For example, L-22 is an eyelet with an internal diameter of 22 mm.

Chemical treatment of metal eyelets with zinc, nickel or special paint prevents the effects of corrosion on the metal and also ensures smoother sliding of the guides through the eyelet opening, which in turn reduces friction and ensures longer service life and compares favorably with plastic eyelets.

Galvanized eyelets with washers
The eyelet comes with a washer that clamps it on the other side of the material.

The metal eyelet consists of two mandatory elements - blocks and rings, connected to each other with special tools, providing reliable and durable fastening on any material:

  • textile;
  • leather;
  • tarpaulin;
  • PVC products.

Instructions for self-installation

Having all the necessary materials and tools at hand, anyone can make an awning or canopy with eyelets at home, which can be used in the household. Such a product can be used in various areas, from a tarpaulin curtain at the entrance to a garage to covering an outdoor pool from foreign objects and dirt.

Tarpaulin curtain on the gate of a private garage
Eyelets are great for securing canvas curtains to gates

Regardless of the area where you plan to use an awning with eyelets, first of all, you should get high-quality blocks and rings, as the overall strength of the eyelets will depend on them. Experts recommend purchasing ready-made kits in specialized stores.

Table with parameters of eyelets for tarpaulin awning
Typical sizes of eyelets

As for the tarpaulin, its choice should be made based on the purposes of its intended use, based on the characteristics of strength, moisture resistance, frost resistance, etc. The shape and size are selected individually.

Preparing the tarpaulin for installing eyelets

Having prepared all the necessary components and selected the tarpaulin for installing the eyelets, you can move on to the next stage - punching holes in the tarpaulin, for which you will need the following tools:

  1. Ruler.
  2. Pencil, marker.
  3. Punch.
  4. Hammer.

Using a pencil and a ruler, find and mark the areas on the tarpaulin where the eyelets will be placed. The marks should be made according to the diameter of the ring, evenly, at the same distance from each other. After this, using a punch and a hammer, make holes in the tarpaulin in accordance with the marks made.

Marking the hole for the eyelet with a marker
It is necessary to determine the exact location of the eyelets so as not to make unnecessary holes.

Please note! Before punching holes, it is recommended to fold the tarpaulin in half to more securely attach the eyelet to the material.

Reinforcing the eyelet attachment point on the tarpaulin with a washer
If the tarp is thin, you can put a piece of strong fabric underneath or use plastic or brass washers.

Before punching holes under the tarpaulin, a wooden board is placed to act as a shock absorber when the hammer and punch collide.

Installing eyelets on an awning yourself

Having completed all the above manipulations, it remains to secure the eyelet in the tarpaulin awning, which, if all conditions are met, will not be difficult.

To do this you will need the following tools:

  1. Flaring.
  2. Hammer.

A block and a ring are placed into the previously prepared holes on the tarpaulin on both sides, opposite each other, after which they are securely fixed to the material using a flaring tool and a hammer.

Flaring an eyelet with your own hands using a bolt
A wide-headed furniture bolt can be used as a flare tool.

This method allows you to quickly and efficiently install eyelets on the awning for further use as intended.

DIY grommet installed on green fabric
As you can see in the photo, you can flare quite well even without a special tool.

In addition, there are special manual presses for installing eyelets, which allow you to install eyelets on any type of material, as quickly and easily as possible. This method is more suitable for installing eyelets for commercial purposes.

Tools for self-installation of eyelets on a tarpaulin awning

Today, there are several known methods for installing eyelets on various materials, divided depending on the tool used. At home, of course, it is preferable to use a manual type of tool.

Hand tool kit for installing eyelets yourself
For home use, it is enough to purchase a set of good quality hand tools.

The ideal option for installing eyelets on an awning is to use specially designed tools, sold in specialized stores: a flaring punch and anvil.

Manual press for mounting eyelets on an awning
Professionals use a hand press to install eyelets.
Press attachments for installing eyelets
The press attachment kit consists of a punch, a punch and a matrix.

However, almost any household has suitable tools that can replace them. The flaring tool can be easily replaced with a ball from a bearing, a product made from improvised means, provided that its diameter is of the appropriate size, and it cannot cause mechanical damage to the eyelet.

Homemade eyelet installer for tarpaulin tent
A good tool can be made on a lathe

The punch can be replaced with a thin-walled metal bushing of the required diameter, which can be found on the farm. Also, a piece of metal pipe, slightly sharpened along the inner diameter on one side, can be used as a punch.

Homemade eyelet hole punches
It is acceptable if the inner diameter of the tube is 1–2 mm larger than the size of the eyelet.

As a last resort, you can use sewing scissors or a utility knife, but this method is more labor-intensive and takes much more time.

Examples and photos of installing eyelets on a tarpaulin awning

Installing eyelets on a tarpaulin may seem like a rather labor-intensive process that requires certain knowledge and skills, as well as special tools. However, by following simple advice and instructions, anyone can install eyelets on a tarpaulin awning on their own at home.

Green tarpaulin awning with round eyelet
Example of quality installation on a tarpaulin awning - excellent work using a factory made hand punch
Installing a Grommet on a Car Mat with Your Own Hands
An example of a satisfactory grommet installation on a rug, especially considering what was used for flaring
Flaring the eyelet on a car mat
And a spanner was used - they put it in place, hit it, moved it and hit it again
Poor quality of the eyelet fastening on the awning
An example of how not to do it. And the problem here is not in the tool at all, but in carelessness - even scissors could have cut better
The eyelet ring broke during DIY installation
As they say, “the first pancake is always lumpy” – the flaring tool had to be held strictly vertically and the force of the blow had to be calculated, at first inspecting the degree of bending of the edge after each blow.

Video on how to install eyelets on a garage curtain