Introduction
Ever tried to buy a Tarpaulin sheet online and felt like you were reading a foreign language? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Between the endless list of materials, weights, coatings, sizes, and sellers, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.
Buying tarpaulin online is actually one of the smartest ways to go about it. You get access to a wide range of products, brands, price points, and reviews—all from the comfort of your home. But, it’s only a good move if you know what you’re looking for. Otherwise, you could end up with a tarp that's too thin, too small, or just plain useless for your needs.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from understanding tarp types and materials to figuring out which one suits your project best. Whether you're looking to cover your boat, shield your firewood, create a makeshift roof, or protect your floors during a painting job, we’ve got you covered. Literally.
Understanding Tarpaulin Basics
What is Tarpaulin Made Of?
Tarpaulin (often shortened to tarp) is a large sheet of strong, flexible, and waterproof or water-resistant material. The most common materials used are polyethylene (a type of plastic), canvas (a tightly woven fabric), and vinyl (a synthetic material with high durability).
Each material has its pros and cons. Poly tarps are lightweight and affordable but might not last forever under heavy strain. Canvas is breathable and durable but not always waterproof. Vinyl, on the other hand, is the heavy-duty champion—perfect for industrial use, though usually more expensive.
Key Features to Look for
Not all tarps are created equal. Here are the key features to pay attention to:
Waterproof or Water-Resistant: For outdoor use, this is a must.
UV Protection: If you’ll be using it in the sun, make sure it can resist fading and degradation.
Tear Resistance: Look for reinforced corners and hems.
Grommets: These metal rings let you tie the tarp down. Spacing and strength matter!
Thickness and GSM: The thicker the tarp, the stronger it generally is.
Common Tarpaulin Applications
Tarpaulin is a jack-of-all-trades. Here are just a few ways people use it:
Covering boats, vehicles, or construction equipment
Protecting floors during painting or renovation
Building temporary shelters or tents
Camping ground sheets or rainfly's
Gardening covers or shade cloths
Your specific application will dictate the kind of tarp you need. You wouldn’t use a light-duty poly tarp to cover a roof, and you probably don’t want to lug around a heavy vinyl tarp for a casual picnic.
Types of Tarpaulin Sheets
Polyethylene Tarpaulin Polyethylene tarps are most likely to be the most common type of tarps you will find available online. These tarps are lightweight, waterproof, inexpensive, and extraordinarily versatile. These tarps are made by weaving strips of plastic together and then coating them with a waterproof layer, making them very useful for such day-to-day things.
Such tropp shop will often be seen using it for temporary cover on garden furniture, vehicles, or wood piles. Sometimes, they also use it for painting jobs, makeshift shelters, and for other purposes. Poly tarps come available in a variety of colors and sizes. They generally come just with grommets to make securing it easy, but the downside is that they are not the most durable when it comes to extreme weather or over an extensive period.
If you are brand new or even just require a basic tarp for infrequent use, this is your go-to little guy.
Canvas Tarpaulin
The sheets of canvas tarpaulin are made from woven cotton and sometimes incorporate a polyester thread, and they are treated for water-resistance. Unlike the slick and plastic-wrapped thing that poly tarps ooze, canvas is more natural. Because of this, these tarps are great for places where things need ventilation-such as firewood, machinery, and construction sites.
It is known as the heavy-duty canvas, and it is typically used in construction, agriculture, and even in art studios, as it is known to resist abrasion and usually outlive poly tarps. They are heavier and not 100% waterproof, but they can be more expensive than other materials. If you want durability with a more traditional look and feel, go with canvas.
The Vinyl Tarpaulin
Very Heavy Duty Tarpaulin, made of not vinyl-coated polyester, these tarps are well resistant to UV, mold, mildew, oil, and even some chemicals. They are utilized in industries, for trucking, or for long-term outdoor setups.
You are best suited to do everything important, be it mega renovation to cover the roof, protecting equipment from elements, or erecting a semi-permanent tent-like structure; with vinyl, you won't go wrong. They are high on initial costs but are worth their life and strength.
Mesh Tarpaulin
Mesh tarps are woven with tiny spaces between the threads to allow air circulation, while shade and at least some form of protection are provided. They're definitely not waterproof, but they're great for applications where ventilation is critical, such as greenhouses, privacy screens, or sun shades over patios.
Mesh tarps provide the added benefit of UV protection and can be very useful in truck beds or landscaped areas where debris containment is sought but doesn't require full waterproofing.
Flame-Retardant Tarpaulin
Indoor versus Outdoor Use
Most importantly, consider where the tarp will be used. Lightweight poly tarps are good for indoor projects such as painting or protecting furniture. For outdoor working environments where all-weather events such as rain, wind, or sun can come crashing in, you'll want something heavier and sturdier.
Canvas or vinyl tarps are ideal for long outdoor use, while mesh may be perfect for some kind of shade in a garden or construction site. Make sure not to overanalyze; just match the strength and features with the environment in question.
Heavy Duty Vs. Light Duty
Where many get it wrong is here. It is just that a light-duty tarp can be of lesser cost, so good enough for one to work on, but surely will rip or succumb to its purpose under pressure. Here's a quick fix to distinguish between them:
Light duty: 5-6 mil thick, around 70-90 GSM
Medium duty: 8-10 mil thick, around 120-150 GSM
Heavy-duty: 12+ mil thick, 180+
You would want to go heavy-duty if your project is lifting, tying, or just leaving it out for a few weeks. For cheaper and short-time light use, lighter will do. Heavy-Duty versus Light-Duty. For many, this is where many get it wrong. A light-duty tarp may be cheaper to purchase or easier to deal with, but very quickly, it may tear or deteriorate under the conditions for which it has been put to use. Here are some fast definitions:
If lifting, tying, or just leaving the tarp out for a few weeks is in order, do heavy-duty. Light-duty will be appropriate for projects requiring only short-term or very light usage and save you some bucks.
Size, Thickness, and GSM Explained
Tarps are normally measured in foot and mil thickness, and GSM is another crucial point. GSM stands for grams per square meter, which is a measure of fabric weight: more GSM, better durability.
Here we go:
Low GSM (70-100): Suitable for indoor and maybe light outdoor use
Medium GSM (110-150): Fairly strong, able to cover normally outdoor
High GSM (160-250+): Heavy duty, long-term, all-weather use
Always order tarps that are a little larger than required for coverage. You can fold the extra bit, but not the other way around!
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