Tarpaulins also known as tarps, are one of the most flexible, widely used protective covers across many different industries and everyday life. Whether protecting construction materials from rain, covering vehicles, or using them as emergency shelters, Tarpaulin offer an inexpensive and durable solution. Knowing the different size, materials, and uses of tarpaulins is important when selecting the correct tarp for your needs. This all inclusive guide will cover everything you need to know about tarps, so you can make an informed choice.
What Is a Tarpaulin?
A tarpaulin is a large flexible sheet made of waterproof or water-resistant materials to cover objects, trailers or areas from environmental elements. Tarpaulins come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and materials, each intended for particular uses. Most tarps have reinforced edges with grommets (metal eyelets) for fastening down with ropes, bungee cords, or straps. Their versatility make them essential in construction, agriculture, transport, camping and emergency preparedness.
Common Tarpaulin Materials
The construction of a tarpaulin impacts how long it can last, how weather-resistant a jobsite it will be, and what specific use it is suited for. The most common materials that tarpaulins are composed of include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), canvas, mesh and vinyl coated polyester.
Polyethylene (PE) tarpaulins are the lightest, cheapest and least durable muted covered tarps on the market. PE tarps come in a range of colors, typically only between blue, silver, or green, with decent UV protection, and are great for lightweight uses such as covering firewood, outdoor furniture, or construction materials temporarily. I typically use these for such applications since they are effortless to manage to throw over items. PE tarps' downside is that they are not durable, are easily torn with lint-free fabric, and typically do not last through a lot of wind or weight or combination of both.
PVC tarps are thicker and more rugged than PE tarps, built and designed for heavy-duty applications, truck covers, protection of equipment used in industry, and outdoor use in the most extreme of environmental conditions for longer periods. PVC tarps can provide a good level of protection against thermal expansion, are resistant to tearing, and do provide even commercial and agricultural level amounts of UV protection against the environmental elements we encounter today.
Canvas tarps are made of cotton or blended cotton and polyester, and canvas tarps are breathable, usually providing a level of mildew and rot resistance naturally. Course canvas tarps are used for agriculture and camping applications, but I also use them as painter's drop cloths. One advantage for covering items with canvas is that what is covered is that unlike a plastic tarp, canvas provides a level of air circulation, and is breathable, which means that condensation won't develop over time for longer applications; Neither you nor I want rot or mildew to develop under the protective covering for a short period or long-term application use!
Mesh tarps are made with woven polyethylene material and have little holes spaced apart, venting moisture and air without sacrifices in providing shade.
Standard Sizes for Tarpaulins
Tarps are available in many sizes for various applications. Smaller tarps (for example 5x7 feet or 6x8 feet) are suitable for covering motorcycles, small piles of lumber, or camping supplies. Medium tarps (10x12 feet or 12x16 feet) work for covering vehicles, patios, or as temporary shelters.
Large tarps (20x30 feet or larger) are primarily used for industrial and agricultural applications, such as covering hay, construction sites, or large equipment. There are also custom tarps for applications where standard size tarps would not be suitable.
As with any product, selecting a tarp for your application requires a thought process. A tarp should cover an area with sufficient overlap from the edge to provide maximum protection from the elements. A tarp that is too small will show exposed edges, while a tarp that is too large will be cumbersome or difficult to work with.
Main Uses for Tarpaulins
There are numerous tarpaulin uses in various industries and situations of everyday life. In construction, tarpaulin is used to cover building material, protect scaffolding, and cover unfinished buildings from rain, dust, or debris. Heavy Duty Tarpaulin sheets are also used by contractors to contain construction waste or create a temporary enclosure.
In agriculture, tarpaulins are used by farmers to cover crops, hay, or livestock feed. The purpose for tarp use in agriculture is to shield moisture and sun exposure to protect integrity. Mesh tarpaulins are used to shade plants, but benefit airflow from the environment.
Transportation and logistics companies utilize heavy-duty PVC or vinyl tarps to secure cargo and protect the goods in transportation. Flatbed truckers will use large tarpaulin to protect cargo as they travel to their destination from the wind, rain, or debris from the road.
Recreationally, tarpaulins are an outdoor choice for camping, hiking, or survival situations. A lightweight polyethylene or canvas tarpaulin can be used as a ground cover, rain protection, or wind break. Emergency responders will also utilize tarpaulins for a variety of emergency disaster relief situations, including temporary roofing for damaged buildings or shelters in emergencies taking place.
For everyday homeowners, tarps are useful for the everyday "honey do list" - covering firewood, outdoor furniture, and to protect vehicles from hail or snow. During home renovations, tarps are used as drop cloths covering furniture or floors from spills and growing dust from work being done.
How to Select the Right Tarpaulin
The factors to consider when finding a tarp for the right use ought to be considered. First, what is the intended use? What environmental factors? Durability? For lightweight covering for the short term there are polyethylene tarps which will suffice. For long - outdoors, camper (rain, snow, or sun) & durable use, a heavy-duty PVC tarp or vinyl-coated tarp is recommended.
Secondly, the thickness of the tarp is also crucial. The thickness of tarps is measured as mils, or a thousandth of an inch. Lightweight tarps may be anywhere from 5-8 mils and heavy-duty tarps may be more than 20mil. Tarps that are thicker will typically generally resist punctures and tearing, though they could also be heavier and less flexible.
There is often a welded reinforced edge and rust resistant grommets. These will help with the durability of the tarp as well, especially if it's going to be windy. You could select a tarp that has UV resistant coating to expand the tarp's life and would also be preferred especially for long sun exposure.
The Care and Life of a Tarpaulin
A tarp can endure for many years if properly taken care of. You can easily care for your tarp by taking off the dirt with mild soap and water. To prevent the growth of mildew or dirt, regular cleaning is needed. Ensure that you stay away from any harsh chemicals, as similar to plastics they will also break down the tarp fabric. Drying the tarp after use is imperative before packing it away. Mildew/mold will start after 48 hours or less if there is enough moisture and darkness.
Small repairable tears can be made with tarp repair tape or a tarp patch. If the damage is too large consider a professional repair or replacement. Install the tarp properly in a way that it is not stressed on the grommets and seams and the tarp wont wear out prematurely.
Eco-friendly and Sustainable Tarpaulin Options
Due to the growing awareness of environmental issues, biodegradable or recycled tarps are becoming increasingly available. There are some manufacturers that offer tarps made from recycled or recovered polyethylene tarps or tarps made from natural organic fibers, which reduce the amount of plastic used in the manufacturing of new tarps. Proper disposal or recycling of old tarps will also ultimately help lessen the environmental impact of these products.
Conclusion
Tarpaulins serve many indispensable purposes, and provide us protection, organization, and convenience in many different applications. Understanding the different materials, sizes, and nature of the use for tarps will allow consumers to better select the best Tarp to serve their purposes without sacrificing quality or curbing costs. Whether it be for industrial, agricultural, leisure, or emergency purposes, a quality tarpaulin provides continued defense against the elements, and can be a worthy purchase if you are a professional or home user. Tarpaulins with continued care and considered purchase can do what they were intended to do while contributing towards environmentally friendly practices.
No comments:
Post a Comment