Tarpaulin | Tarpaulin Sheets | Tarps (2024)

FAQs

What is a tarpaulin sheet? ›

A tarpaulin (/tɑːrˈpɔːlɪn/ tar-PAW-lin, also US: /ˈtɑːrpəlɪn/) or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material, often cloth such as canvas or polyester coated with polyurethane, or made of plastics such as polyethylene.

Tarp is usually lighter and not coated, while tarpaulin is heavier and often made from canvas or another thick material that's been treated with a waterproof coating.

PVC tarpaulins are durable and designed to last up to 10 years. Whereas pe tarpaulin lasts about 1-2 years for a single use. If you hold both materials, you will find that PVC tarps are thicker and more robust. This is because PVC tarpaulins have a strong internal mesh fabric and are therefore more robust.

Most tarps on the market today are either waterproof or water resistant. But some tarps simply aren't designed for exposure to water. And as you can surely guess, some tarps hold up against the elements a lot better than others.

(US usually tarp) Add to word list Add to word list. (a large piece of) heavy waterproof cloth used as a covering. Coverings and layers.

As an alternative to tarpaulin, polythene sheets are also available from Toolstation and are ideal for use around the house and garden.

The word tarpaulin comes from tar and palling—another 17th Century name for sheets used to cover objects on ships. Sailors also made waterproof clothing from tarpaulins including tricorn hats, choosing the style in an act of defiance to mimic what the officers wore.

Light-duty tarps, usually between 5 and 8 mils thick, are perfect for temporary or mild weather conditions. They are ideal for everyday tasks around the home or light commercial use. In contrast, heavy-duty tarps, which can range from 23 to 30 mils in thickness, are designed for more rigorous conditions.

Vinyl tarps are heavier in their nature and thus used in more heavy-duty operations. Vinyl has higher density and is remarkably strong. It is resistant to abrasion, tearing, mold, mildew, and wind whip. With higher thicknesses, vinyl can withstand super harsh weather for long exposures.

Tarps made mostly of polyethylene are more durable, stronger, and have a more waterproof ability as compared to other types of material like canvas. Nylon ground covers and polyethylene mesh tarps are more lightweight and allow shade from the sun while still being breathable.

How long does PVC tarpaulin last? ›

Due to being coated in a PVC layer on both sides, PVC tarpaulin is highly water resistant. Being waterproof, PVC tarps are excellent for outdoor use. How long do PVC tarps last? PVC tarps are highly durable and can last anywhere from 3 to 15 years.

Heavy-duty tarps are typically made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride. These materials are well known for their waterproof properties and durability. They should last 2 to 5 years and can cope with tough Indian outdoor conditions.

These lightweight & easy to handle covers are widely used as a waterproof cover for many applications. Such as ground-sheets, home & garden, agriculture, building, industry, wood stack cover, temporary roof cover, etc. It prevents all your valuable things from scratches, weathering and dust.

Since tarps are generally used as a protective material, they will mostly be produced with water-resistant features. However, not all tarps are waterproof! Given the different uses for tarps, it's essential to find out if the tarp you own, or are eyeing to buy, is really waterproof or simply water-resistant.

Unlike many synthetic tarpaulins, canvas is breathable, allowing air circulation that helps prevent the growth of mould and mildew. Canvas tarpaulins are also available in various sizes and colours, and environmentally conscious users will appreciate that canvas is biodegradable and made from natural materials.

These two terms may seem similar, but they are actually very different. 1) Material construction difference: Canvas tarpaulin is a natural material made out of 100% cotton, whereas vinyl tarpaulin is a synthetic plastic.