When it comes time to look for and purchase a tarp, there are many things that you need to take into consideration. Tarps can be used for a variety of purposes, from protecting your property during a storm to covering equipment while it is in storage. There are different types of tarps available, made from different materials such as canvas, vinyl, clear vinyl, polyethylene, and mesh in numerous productive sizes, thicknesses and optional features including waterproof and fire retardant. In this blog post, we will answer some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about tarps so that you can make an informed purchase.
Tarpaulins, also known by their nickname Tarps, are an effective instrument for many protective applications that are a lot more diverse in benefits than many may be aware of. Big Box hardware stores such as Home Depot, Menards, and Harbor Freight provide a vast spectrum of tools, fixtures, and parts. But the selection of tarps at these superstores are typically very limited to a few poly and canvas covers for very general purposes. A whole world of protective benefits exists at specialty tarp online manufactures and distributors such as TarpsNow.com.
Frequently Asked Questions by those purchasing Tarps
This article is providing some of the top Frequently Asked Questions that are commonly asked by those that buy Tarps, Industrail Curtains, and Tarp Accessories. Hopefully, the answers to some of these FAQ’s will help inform and point you to the product that you need for your applications.
What is tarp short for?
The word tarp is short for tarpaulin, which originates from “Tar” (the dark oily substance) and “Pall” (heavy and thick cloth). Early uses of tarpaulins were for sailing where canvas sheets, or palls, were coated with tar to provide a resistance for the cloth against water, salt spray, rain, and snow during the trip across the seas.
What is a tarp used for?
A tarp is a diverse tool. Made from strong materials such as canvas, vinyl, clear vinyl, polyethylene, and mesh, a tarp can be used for many applications that include covering supplies, material, equipment, vehicles, areas, ball fields, floors, and structures including roofs. Hung vertically, a tarp becomes a temporary or permanent wall, barrier, or curtain. Clear vinyl tarps are a very popular product that is utilized in providing clear views and guard from the rain, snow, wind, and cold within porches, patios, decks, entryways, and other enclosures. A tarp can also be used for a cover and hauling in landscaping; tent creation and shielding for camping; generate a shield protecting from industrial operations; and provide valuable shade, privacy, and security overhead and on fencing. An insulated tarp will deliver a defense against the hazards of cold for your possessions, structures, and areas. Options for a tarp such as fire retardancy and waterproof provides these protections where necessary. Tarps are utilized in almost every industry including residential, construction, demolition, landscaping, trucking, manufacturing, ship building, oil production, and agriculture.
What is the best material for a tarpaulin?
The best material for a tarp depends on the application. A tarp is not a one size fits all tool. Where waterproof is important, a vinyl, poly, or waterproof canvas tarp are options. For lightweight ease of handling, general coverage, and cost effectiveness, a poly tarp is often the answer. For covering items where breathability is vital, a canvas tarp is useful. When shade and other lightweight coverage is needed, a mesh tarp is a great choice. Where clear views are needed a clear vinyl or clear poly tarp can handle the job. When you have a job to do for a tarp, make sure that you match the application to the specific features of the particular cover and the material it is crafted from.
How much does a tarpaulin cost?
The prices of tarps can be a few bucks up to many thousands of dollars. It depends on the product, material, features, and especially the size. A tarp is an investment in providing protection for your valuable possessions, supplies, areas, and people. A tarp will give you flexibility, options, and incredible defense when and where you need it. Don’t look so much at the cost of the tarp, but at the savings you will receive from the protection it will provide.
What is the smallest size of a tarp?
Many of the tarps offered are available in stock sizes in a wide range of sizes. Depending on the product, these will begin rather small from sizes such as 5’ X 5’ and 6’ X 8’. Another option to consider when you need very small tarps is to create your own covers from tarp material that is provided by the yard and by the roll. This do-it-yourself approach gives you the flexibility and control over the exact size. Grommet kits are also available to easily insert these eyelets into your tarps. Custom tarp creation is also available by tarp companies such as Tarps Now to make the exact tarp, even small in size, to your exact dimensions.
What are the different types of tarpaulins?
There are many types of tarpaulins, or tarps. To start with many materials are utilized including canvas, vinyl, clear vinyl, polyethylene, mesh, and nylon. Each of these fabrics has their own features and benefits. Some tarps are classified by their industry applications such as construction, painting, trucking, gym floors, ball field covering, and welding. Covers are also grouped by specific features including clear view, fire retardant, waterproof, water resistant, anti-static, temperature control, and camouflage.
What colors do tarps come in?
Tarps come in a number of colors. It all depends upon the specific product. Some are only available in a single color such as the olive drab water resistant canvas tarp, while others like the awning/marine canvas tarps have 12 color options, or the 18 oz vinyl tarp which has eight colors to choose from. Some colors are safety in nature such as the orange safety netting. All tarp products mention the color options in their descriptions.
What is a good thickness for a tarp?
The thickness of a tarp is important as it provides density of the cover. The amazing thing about the materials used in tarps is that they are incredibly strong for the rather thin material thickness. A lot of protection is provided from just a thin amount of fabric. Many of the tarps are described in thickness by Mil, which is measurement of 1/1000 of an inch. For example, a 12 Mil thick tarp is 0.012-inch thick, a 6 Mil is 0.006. Each type of material is a little different in the thickness utilization. Poly tarps are commonly between 5 and 24 Mils thick, vinyl tarps between 14 and 40 Mil, and clear vinyl typically 20 and 30 mil thick.
What shape is a tarpaulin?
Most tarps, those available in standard and stock sizes, are going to be a rectangle or square in shape. There are some products such as baseball mound covers, and certain equipment tarps that are circular in shape. In addition, there are custom manufacturing options that can create circle, triangle, trapezoid, and other unique shapes.
What is the strongest type of tarp?
The strongest type of tarp will initially depend on the application. First match the use to the type of product that is supposed to be used. You are not going to utilize a mesh tarp because of the porous material for a waterproof purpose. The initial step in searching for a tarp is to determine the proper use and then look for the strength necessary. One of the primary ways of get the strength you need is by the thickness of the material as well as the material weight, which will be measured in ounces per square yard. The higher the weight figure the denser the fabric will be.
What is a waterproof tarp?
A waterproof tarp provides complete protection from the hazards of water penetrating the fabric in any way. Materials such as polyethylene and many vinyl covers are 100 percent waterproof generating protection for what is underneath. Waterproof canvas is also available with the added benefit of the material delivering breathability limiting and eliminating the build up of condensation and moisture under the cover. Not all tarps are waterproof, some are only water resistant while others have no water protection at all. So, if this is a feature you need make sure that your tarp is designated as waterproof.
Are clear tarps really clear?
Are clear tarps really clear? Yes and no. A clear vinyl tarp is crystal clear and often utilized for the window like views that they provide. A super heavy duty clear poly tarp and clear string reinforced poly tarp do not have absolute clear views. The material for these tarp products is translucent and also have a cross pattern of reinforcing string. They are considered clear in that they do allow light to easily transmit through ideal for greenhouse, enclosure, window protection, and other applications where light transmission is vital.
How do you hang tarps and industrial curtains on a patio or porch?
As a very popular use, clear vinyl tarps and curtains are hung in porches, patios, decks, entryways, and other enclosures to enjoy these outdoor spaces well into the fall and winter months as they guard well against the wind, rain, snow, and cold. There are many ways to install the tarps or curtains in these areas. They can be attached through their grommets to fasteners such as hooks, stayputs, U-bolts, and permalocks on the wall, beams, sills, etc. with zip ties, cord, bungee cords, and straps. Tarps and curtains can also be installed with a curtain track system that includes tracking, trolleys, and mounting hardware to give you the ability to move the tarps and curtains around as needed.
What are grommets?
Grommets, also known as eyelets, are typically metal ring shaped fasteners that cover and reinforce holes in the hems around the entire perimeter of the tarps and curtains. They are utilized for tying down and securing the covers to the surface or structure with bungee balls, zip ties, cord, rubber straps, hooks, or other fasteners. When tying down a tarp, attempt to use every grommet for an even connect and to prevent stress on the fabric. Grommets are usually equally spaced to help provide an even and safe amount of tension when tying down. Grommet kits are available to create and repair grommets in your existing tarps or ones that you are making yourself.
What is the best way to keep a tarp down?
It is extremely important to secure and tie your tarp down in shielding what it is protecting as tight as possible without causing stress on the cover. Connect it to the surface or structure with the grommets, which are metal eyelets fitted in in the hems of most tarps to secure the cover. These are used to aid in the tying down of your tarp with a variety of implements such as zip ties, bungee balls, cord, rubber straps, hooks, or other additional fasteners.
Which is better a poly or vinyl tarp?
Poly tarps are made with woven polyethylene providing a lighter and more pliable cover. Poly tarps are also generally more cost effective. Vinyl tarps are constructed with laminated PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Vinyl tarps are typically thicker, denser, and a heavier product than poly tarps. Which is better depends on your needs. Most vinyl tarps are waterproof, all poly tarps are waterproof. Poly tarps are less expensive for the most part and lighter to handle. Vinyl tarps are more durable and longer lasting.
What is a heavy duty tarp?
The term heavy duty tarp is a pretty broad topic. This type of cover is made from a spectrum of materials such as vinyl, clear vinyl, poly, canvas, mesh, and nylon. Even though some tarps may be lightweight in handling in comparison to others, this does not mean that they are not heavy duty when referring to protection and usage. Heavy duty tarps are used for just about every application imaginable in every industry.
Are canvas drop clothes/painters tarps washable?
The untreated natural cotton canvas fabric that drop clothes / painters tarps are crafted from allow these covers to be machined washed and used over and over. Drop clothes are made to show up to work every day and have nice long career.
What is the best tarp for camping?
Tarps are often utilized as more basic types of tents and other shelters such as lean to’s and fly tents. A variety of tarps that are made from waterproof fabrics such as poly, waterproof canvas, and vinyl are ideal for camping and tent creations. A fly tent is also a great way to generate an outer layer over an existing tent providing even more protection from the rain, snow, wind, cold, debris, pests, and falling branches.
What tarps do truckers use?
A wide variety of heavy duty truck tarps are available for the vast classification of truck cargo that is out on the open roads. These are manufactured from durable and protective materials that include vinyl, clear vinyl, and mesh. Truck Tarps help make sure that loads will arrive at their destinations safe, clean, and dry. Some of the truck tarps mentioned are also available in an array of colors for safety, branding, and aesthetics. Truck tarps are also available for specific trucking including flatbed tarps, steel truck tarps, coil truck tarps, lumber truck tarps, heavy duty machinery tarps, smoke truck tarps, and refuse transfer trailer knitted tarps. These special truck tarps are fitted with strong grommets and D-rings so that they can be tied down securely protecting the freight along with the covers themselves from not flapping in the wind from the covers being too loose.
What is better than a tarp?
For something that protects your possessions, areas, freight, and people along with being adaptable and quite easy to use there is not much that is better and more cost effective than a tarp as a cover or hung as a curtain.
What if I am still not sure what type of tarp I need?
It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when you are talking about the protection needed from a tarp for your things, places, or people. At Tarps Now, our dedicated and experienced staff is available at (888) 800-1383 to answer your questions and find the solution for your needs.
How do I Order Tarps?
To buy tarps, all the products are available to be ordered at the TarpsNow.com website on the specific product pages by adding them to the cart. Many of the products are stocked in a huge selection of popular, convenient, and effective sizes. There is also the ability to order custom tarps through a variety of Custom Tarp Builder Apps. For more unique and specialized custom tarp designs, prints and sketches can be submitted for a manual ordering process.
Tarps Now Answers Your FAQ’s and Helps You Find the Tarps Your Need
Hopefully, your questions were answered in this article. If not or if you are looking for a little further clarification on a tarp, curtain, or accessory please do not hesitate to contact Tarps Now at (888) 800-1383 or sales@tarpsnow.com. Our experienced, pleasant, and helpful staff located at our Michigan headquarters is waiting to speak with you about our tarps for sale or any other question that you might have. Tarps Now is the best place to buy tarps, not only because we have the best prices on tarps with the highest quality but because we also have exceptional customer service.
Thank you for reading and for your tarp consideration!
