What is a Heavy Duty Tarp? The answer is not simple. The market offers a wide range of heavy duty tarps made from many materials including vinyl, clear vinyl, poly, canvas, mesh, Hypalon, neoprene, and nylon. Comparing them across fabrics is not straightforward. But in each category, heavy duty tarps deliver strong, reliable protection.
These tarps are used for residential, commercial, construction, demolition, landscaping, trucking, agriculture, industrial, and warehousing needs. Whatever your project, you can find the right heavy duty cover at Tarps Now, not the flimsy plastic covers found at big box stores.
When shopping for a heavy duty tarp, start with thickness. Tarp thickness is measured in mils (one thousandth of an inch). The thicker the cover, the more durable it tends to be. Also check the material weight, expressed in ounces per square yard.
Beyond thickness and weight, look at weave count and density. Denser weaves add strength and protect against weather, pests, and UV rays. Also think about the job you need it for, different tarps are built for different uses.
Popular sizes include 6' x 8', 10' x 10', 10' x 12', 12' x 16', 16' x 20', 20' x 30', and 30' x 40'. Custom sizes are also available.
Heavy Duty Tarps and Thickness
Tarps protect structures, equipment, vehicles, and people from weather, debris, and pests. When you need serious protection, a heavy duty tarp is the answer. But how thick should it be?
Tarp thickness is measured in mils, one mil equals 1/1000 of an inch. An 8 mil tarp is 0.008 inches thick. A 20 mil tarp is 0.020 inches thick.
Heavy Duty Tarps generally start at 12 mils (0.012 inches). Thickness varies by material. Poly tarps can reach 24 mils. Canvas can go up to 30 mils. Hypalon tops out at 35 mils. Neoprene can reach 40 mils. Mesh and vinyl can go as thick as 50 mils for heavy use.
Heavy Duty Material Weight
Material weight also helps determine if a tarp is heavy duty. Weight is measured in ounces per square yard.
Mesh Tarps are lighter than most fabrics but still qualify as heavy duty starting at around 10 oz. per square yard. Poly Tarps reach heavy duty status at about 6 oz. Vinyl and Canvas Tarps are considered heavy duty at around 15 oz.
The Market’s Popular Heavy Duty Tarp Products
Heavy duty tarps are made from strong materials like vinyl, clear vinyl, canvas, poly, mesh, Hypalon, neoprene, and nylon. They protect equipment, vehicles, freight, structures, and people from weather, debris, and hazards. Many come in custom sizes. Here are the most popular options.
Heavy Duty Polyethylene (Poly) Tarps
Poly Tarps are the most popular tarps in the world. Budget versions are sold at big box stores, but heavy duty and super heavy duty versions offer far better protection.
These tarps use a dense, layered woven construction. They are waterproof and resist UV rays, tears, rot, and mildew. They come in many sizes, grades, thicknesses, and colors.
Specialty options include fire retardant, camouflage, string-reinforced, clear poly, and Heavy Duty Hay Tarps. They work well for industrial, construction, agriculture, camping, and home use.
Heavy Duty Canvas Tarps
Heavy Duty Canvas Tarps are made from tightly woven cotton. They are tough and resist wear and tear. Many are also waterproof or water-resistant.
Canvas tarps are breathable. They let air flow through, which helps prevent moisture and heat from building up underneath. This makes them a great choice for warm or humid climates.
A top option is the Heavy Duty Waterproof Canvas Tarp made with Rhino-Tex silicone-treated polyester. Use them to cover equipment, supplies, and more — or for camping, picnicking, and gardening.
Most canvas tarps have grommets spaced evenly around the edges for easy tie-down.
Heavy Duty Vinyl Tarps
Heavy Duty Vinyl Tarps protect against extreme weather, sunlight, dust, dirt, and other hazards. They are waterproof and built to last.
These tarps come in many grades, weights, colors, and sizes. Key features include heat-sealed seams, rust-resistant grommets, and UV resistance. They hold up against abrasion, rot, and mildew.
Specialty options include fire retardant, camouflage, anti-static, outdoor movie screens, and awning or canopy tarps. They are widely used in trucking, warehousing, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Heavy Duty Clear Vinyl Tarps
Heavy Duty Clear Vinyl Tarps let you see through the cover. Use them as clear curtains for patios, porches, decks, enclosures, and entryways.
They are great in bad weather, rain, snow, wind, and cold, because they protect without blocking the view. They are waterproof and resist UV rays, chemicals, grease, and mildew.
Use them for temporary or permanent installs. They are a tough, versatile option for any space that needs both protection and visibility.
Heavy Duty Neoprene Tarps
Heavy Duty Neoprene Tarps are built for tough outdoor use. They are waterproof and resist tears, abrasion, UV rays, mildew, gasoline, diesel, chemicals, and acids.
They work well as cold weather covers. You will find them used in trucks, shipyards, docks, oil refineries, and asbestos abatement projects.
Heavy Duty Hypalon Tarps
Heavy Duty Hypalon Tarps are strong, waterproof, and built for harsh outdoor conditions. They resist UV rays, abrasion, punctures, tears, oil, mold, and mildew. They can handle temperatures up to 250°F.
Common uses include floating covers for water and sewage containers and pad covers for trucks and equipment. The flexible fabric fits many shapes and sizes.
Heavy Duty Waterproof Tarps
Waterproof protection is one of the most important features in any tarp. Heavy Duty Waterproof Tarps shield materials, equipment, spaces, and people from water damage.
They are made from vinyl, clear vinyl, Hypalon, neoprene, poly, and canvas. They come in many thicknesses, weights, grades, and colors. Stock and custom sizes are available.
Use them for trucking, boating, farming, storage, equipment covers, and firewood protection.
Heavy Duty Truck Tarps
Heavy Duty Truck Tarps are made from tough, weather-resistant materials like polyethylene, vinyl, and mesh. Options include Lumber, Flatbed, Steel, Coil, Machinery, Mesh, Smoke, Refuse Transfer Trailer, and Asphalt RFL Truck Tarps.
They come in many grades, weights, and colors to fit any trucking job. Use them to secure cargo, protect machinery, and keep loads safe on the road or in the yard.
Heavy Duty Construction Tarps
Heavy Duty Construction Tarps protect job sites, warehouses, yards, and workers. They cover supplies, equipment, vehicles, and structures and keep the public safe from hazards.
Made from vinyl, clear vinyl, mesh, and canvas, they serve many purposes. Common uses include Temporary Building Enclosures, Welding Blankets, Welding Screens, Containment Tarps, Concrete Curing Blankets, Scaffold Tarps, Snow Tarps, Debris Netting, and Orange Barrier Fencing.
Heavy Duty Industrial Covers
Heavy Duty Industrial Covers protect equipment, machinery, structures, and flooring. They come in stock sizes and can be custom made.
Options include Equipment Covers, Cylinder Covers, Round Covers, Box Covers, and Industrial Divider Curtains. Made from vinyl, canvas, and mesh, they come in many colors, weights, and thicknesses. Waterproof and fire retardant options are available.
Heavy Duty Industrial Curtains
Plants, warehouses, auto shops, and other spaces often need to divide areas quickly. Heavy Duty Industrial Curtains and Divider Curtains make that easy. They improve efficiency, add privacy, and create temperature-controlled zones.
Materials include vinyl, clear vinyl, and polyethylene. They are waterproof, mildew-resistant, and resist oil and grease. Popular uses include wash bays, clean rooms, and paint booths.
Accessories like straight and curved tracking, track trolleys, support mounts, track connectors, and end stops help create a complete, flexible system.
Heavy Duty Custom Tarps
Need a unique size? Heavy Duty Custom Tarp are made to your exact dimensions. They fit better and cost less than forcing a standard size to work.
Use the Custom Size Tarp Builder app to order. Enter your specs in a few clicks and your tarp or curtain will be ready quickly.
Available Heavy Duty Fabric by the Yard and Roll
Need material for a DIY project, repair, or inventory? Heavy Duty Fabric is available by the yard or in full rolls. Options include vinyl, clear vinyl, mesh, canvas, poly, nylon, Hypalon, and neoprene. Order as little as one yard or as many rolls as you need.
Whatever Heavy Duty Tarps, Covers, or Industrial Curtains needed, Tarps Now has the Products for You
Now that you know more about heavy duty tarps, it is time to find the right one for your job. Tarps Now carries vinyl, clear vinyl, canvas, poly, mesh, and more, plus a full range of tarp accessories.
Have a question or need help choosing? Call us toll-free at (888) 800-1383 or email sales@tarpsnow.com. Our team in Michigan is ready to help.
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