Introduction
Whether you have browsed for a tarpaulin offline or online, you probably have seen the phrase "GSM" in the product description. What does it actually imply, though? And above all, what impact does it have on the performance of the tarp?
Picking the appropriate Tarpaulin is more than merely color or size. Choosing the appropriate product for your particular demands—whether you are sheltering cattle, covering building supplies, or creating a camping arrangement—starts with awareness of the GSM (Grams per Square Meter) score. Unfortunately, several purchasers ignore this crucial characteristic and frequently buy weak tarps that tear easily or ones far too thick and difficult to handle.
We will clarify in this guide what tarpaulin GSM means, how it impacts price and quality, and how to pick the appropriate rating for your house, company, or farm application.
What does GSM Stand For in Tarpaulins?
Grams per square meter are GSM. The weight of one square meter of fabric is measured in this unit. Regarding tarpaulins, it refers to the weight and density of the tarp fabric—that is, how thick, strong, and long-lasting the tarp is.
Put it Simply:
Higher GSM means thicker and heavier tarp.
Lower GSM means thinner and lighter tarp.
While GSM does not directly measure the thickness in millimeters or inches (for that, we use “mil” as a unit), it gives you a fair indication of the tarp's resilience, strength, and weather resistance.
Here's a Basic Comparison:
Lightweight, a 90 GSM tarp feels like a tablecloth.
A 200 GSM tarp is robust and weatherproof.
Built for severe outdoor use, a 300+ GSM tarpaulin is thick and strong.
GSM's Influence on Tarpaulin Performance
The performance of a tarpaulin in actual circumstances depends directly on its GSM. GSM is an essential measure from its lifespan in sun exposure to its storm resilience.
GSM affects performance in the following way:
1. Resilience and Strength
Higher GSM tarps are more resilient. Without ripping or thinning out, they can resist harsh treatment, abrasion, and extended outdoor exposure. That is especially important for employment like covering machinery or construction site building supplies.
2. Water-resistant Properties
Most tarpaulins are treated for waterproofing; higher GSM Clear Tarpaulin, however, due to their thickness and tighter weave, perform better in severe rain. Water flows off more readily, and their chance to sag or leak is decreased.
3. UV Resistance
Although it does not directly offer UV protection, denser tarps with more GSM seem to be more resistant to sunlight damage—particularly when used with a UV coating. When exposed to direct sunlight, lower GSM tarps degrade and become brittle more quickly.
4. Wind Resistance
Higher winds cause thicker tarps to remain put better. They're less prone to flap, tear down the middle, or rip at the grommets.
Usual GSM Ratings and Uses
Here's a basic breakdown to aid you in determining which GSM best suits your project:
Light duty is 70 to 100 GSM.
Extremely light and simple to fold
Perfect for indoor use, short-term covering, or light-duty protection.
Excellent for covering furniture, painting drop sheets, and interior dust prevention.
100–200 GSM MediumDuty
Balanced Strength and Flexibility
Appropriate for moderate outside use.
Ideal for: garden covers, firewood storage, short-term car coverings
200 GSM and more Heavy Duty
Strong and Tear-resistant
Constructed for prolonged outdoor exposure
Best for: Long-term shelters, covering hay or cattle, farm equipment, roofing projects
Often used in industrial and commercial areas, where heavy rain, strong winds, and UV exposure are regular difficulties, tarps with 300 to 500 GSM ratings
GSM versus MIL: What Distinguishes Them?
Weight is measured using GSM; thickness is measured in MIL (thousandths of an inch). Though it frequently leads to misunderstanding, both are useful in Tarp assessment.
GSM tells you per square meter how heavy the material is.
MIL tells you often in thousandths of an inch how thick the material is.
By Way of illustration:
A 10 MIL tarp can be 180–200 GSM as well.
A 20 MIL tarp may be approximately 300–350 GSM.
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