When it comes to protecting your valuable possessions, Polyethylene Tarps, commonly known as Poly Tarps, are your go-to solution. Made from durable, water resistant polyethylene, these Tarps are versatile and essential for homeowners, business owners, construction managers, and industrial professionals alike. In this comprehensive buying guide, we will explore the different types of Poly Tarps, their standout features, and the wide range of uses they offer. Get ready to find the perfect Tarp tailored to your specific needs.
Poly Tarps come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, colors, and features, making them suitable for nearly any application. Whether you need to protect outdoor items like boats, cars, and furniture, cover construction sites or roofs, or create temporary shelters for camping or emergencies, these adaptable Plastic Tarps have you covered. The possibilities with Poly Tarps are truly endless.
Choosing the right Poly Tarp for your needs starts with the right size, ensuring complete coverage and protection for your items. Additionally, consider the unique features that different Poly Tarps offer—some come with fire-retardant properties or reinforced materials for added safety and durability.
Do not forget aesthetics. With a wide range of colors available, you can select a Tarp that complements your surroundings or adds a touch of style. From clear and translucent options to camouflage designs, there is a Poly Tarp to suit your visual preferences while providing protection, safety, and privacy.
Affordable, reliable, and readily available, Poly Tarps offer superior protection against water, UV rays, and other elements—all in one convenient cover. Use this guide to gain the knowledge you need to select the right Poly Tarp for your situation. By considering factors like size, thickness, and color, you will have peace of mind knowing your Poly Tarp will provide the protection you need while enhancing your space. Start your Tarp-buying journey today and unlock the endless possibilities that Poly Tarps offer.
Feature and Benefits of Poly Tarps
Poly Tarps are constructed from multiple layers of polyethylene (PE) sheeting, providing exceptional protection and durability. These layers are reinforced with a woven mesh material, enhancing the Tarp's overall strength. Polyethylene, a thermoplastic polymer derived from ethylene gas, is the most widely produced plastic in the world. Its versatility makes it a popular choice not only for these Tarps but also for a wide range of products, including containers, cables, piping, and more.
Here are some of the key benefits of Poly Tarps:
Sizes
You can choose from a vast array of Poly Tarp products, with a wide range of commonly used sizes that are readily available for shipping. Tarp sizes vary from as small as 5' x 7' to as large as 120' x 120' for certain products. Additionally, various Poly Tarp styles offer custom sizing options to suit specific needs.
Thickness of Tarps
Tarps are typically measured in Mils, with one Mil equaling one-thousandth of an inch. For instance, a 12 mil tarp has a thickness of 0.012 inches. The thickness of Poly Tarps is a key factor in determining the level of protection they offer. Light Duty Tarps are typically 6 mils or thinner, Medium Duty Tarps range from 7 to 10 mils, Heavy Duty Tarps are 11 to 13 mils thick, and the thickest Poly Tarps, known as super heavy duty, can range from 14 mils up to 24 mils and beyond.
Material Weight
The strength of Poly Tarps is closely tied to their material weight, which is typically measured in ounces per square yard. As the material weight increases, the fabric becomes denser and more durable. Generally, a higher material weight indicates stronger fabric protection. For heavy duty applications, using a Tarp with a significant material weight is essential. Despite this, even Poly Tarps with a substantial weight, such as 12 ounces per square yard, remain surprisingly lightweight, making them easy to handle and us on every type of task.
Colors
Poly Tarp products come in a wide range of colors, including white, silver, tan, green, red, yellow, orange, and camouflage. Some Poly Tarps are available in solid colors like white, silver, red, tan, or blue, while others come in clear variations. The variety of colors allows for different uses, such as blending with the environment, enhancing functionality, or increasing visibility for safety needs.
Waterproof
Polyethylene Tarps are highly regarded for their exceptional waterproof capabilities, thanks to their laminated, multi-layered construction. This feature makes Poly Tarps not only highly effective but also incredibly cost-efficient. Protecting your valuable supplies, equipment, vehicles, furniture, and designated areas—along with ensuring the safety of people—from moisture is crucial. Whether it's rain, snow, leaks, or other sources of water, Poly Waterproof Tarps provide reliable defense against water-related damage.
Protecting against Rot and Mildew
In addition to their waterproof properties, the chemical composition and specialized treatments applied to Poly Tarps make them highly resistant to mildew and rot. This added protection extends the lifespan of the Tarp, ensuring long-lasting durability and reliable coverage.
Shielding Against Ultra Violet Rays
Many of the Poly Tarps available today are treated to resist UV rays, protecting the material from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. These treatments help prevent degradation, allowing the Tarps to maintain their strength and durability over time, even with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Grommet Placement
Metal Grommets, also known as eyelets, are integrated into the hemlines of Poly Tarps to enhance both their functionality and durability. Made from strong, corrosion-resistant materials like brass or aluminum, these Grommets are strategically placed at the four corners and evenly spaced along the edges on all four sides. The spacing between the Grommets typically ranges from 12 to 36 inches, depending on the Tarp style. These metal eyelets are designed to secure the Tarps using various fasteners such as zip ties, hooks, bungee cords, rubber straps, ropes, wires, and similar fasteners.
Popular Poly Tarps and Sheeting
Poly Tarps have a significant presence in the market, accounting for roughly 56 percent of total Tarp sales in the $7 billion global tarp industry, which is projected to grow to $10.5 billion by 2028. The market offers a diverse selection of Polyethylene Tarps, far exceeding the limited options typically found among cheaper alternatives at big box and major hardware stores. Below are descriptions of some of the most popular and available Poly Tarps:
General Purpose Poly Tarps
Tough, waterproof, and lightweight, General Purpose Poly Tarps feature laminated layers on both sides for long-lasting protection. Constructed with multiple UV-stabilized polyethylene layers, these Tarps are designed to resist tears, abrasion, acid, rot, and mildew. Compared to other covers, General Purpose Poly Tarps are typically thinner and lighter, making them easy to handle, cost-effective, and 100 percent waterproof. These versatile Tarps are ideal for a wide range of applications, including Roof Tarps, Ground Covers, Material Covers, Equipment covers, Furniture Covers, Camping Tarps, Tent Tarps, Temporary Shelters, Divider Curtains, and Construction Tarps.
Medium Duty Poly Tarps
Engineered for medium-duty tasks, Medium Duty Poly Tarps are made from high-density polyethylene layers, resulting in durable yet lightweight covers that are easy to handle. These Tarps offer excellent strength, waterproof benefits, and resistance to UV rays, tears, rot, and mildew. They are commonly used in residential, construction, roofing, warehousing, landscaping, agriculture, industrial, and commercial settings, providing dependable performance across a range of applications.
Heavy Duty Poly Tarps
Heavy Duty Poly Tarps offer exceptional protection, with strong resistance to UV rays, tears, abrasions, acids, rot, and mildew. These durable Tarps are fully waterproof, providing effective defense against rain, snow, water, wind, dirt, dust, grime, insects, and pests. They are particularly valuable for safeguarding homes, garages, warehouses, construction sites, demolition areas, asbestos containment, shipyards, offshore oil rigs, and landfills along with serving as excellent ice rink liners and pond liners. Additionally, some Heavy Duty Poly Tarps feature fire retardant options for enhanced safety.
Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarps
Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarps offer a robust and reliable solution for demanding applications, featuring a multi-ply waterproof material construction with thicknesses reaching up to 24 mils. These Tarps are exceptionally strong, 100 percent waterproof, and resistant to UV rays, tearing, abrasion, acids, chemicals, rot, and mildew. They are ideal for a wide range of applications including residential, camping, manufacturing, construction, painting, roofing, landscaping, and agriculture. Additionally, they are suited for specialized uses such as Tent Covers, Roof Tarps, Construction Tarps, Heavy Equipment Covers, Building Enclosures, Asbestos Removal Curtains, Membrane Structures, and Landfill Covers. Many Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarps also come with fire retardant options for added safety.
Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps
Made from 14 mil thick polyethylene reinforced with sturdy white string, Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps provide a translucent quality that lets natural light filter through. While not completely transparent, these Tarps are versatile and widely used in residential, construction, industrial, and commercial environments. They are ideal for applications such as greenhouses, porches, enclosures, scaffolding, and other structures. The Heavy Duty Clear Tarps feature grommets spaced 36 inches apart along the entire perimeter and offer exceptional benefits, including being 100 percent waterproof, tear-resistant, UV-resistant, acid-resistant, rot-resistant, and mildew-resistant.
Clear String Reinforced Poly Tarps
Clear String Reinforced Poly Tarps are versatile and widely used for various applications, offering both protection and light transmission. These durable covers feature a construction of three layers: two outer layers of laminated polyethylene film with a middle layer of molten polyethylene. For added strength, heavy duty white diamond-patterned string reinforcement is embedded between the layers. With a material weight of 7 ounces per square yard and a thickness of 10 mil, these Tarps are both reliable and resilient. They are 100 percent waterproof and resistant to UV rays, rot, and mildew. Additionally, they come with sturdy brass grommets spaced 24 inches apart along all four sides. The translucent polyethylene fabric has a milky appearance with patterned reinforcement, allowing light to pass through, though it does not provide a clear view. These Tarps are ideal for use in enclosures, greenhouses, and animal shelters.
Fire Retardant Tarps
A wide range of Poly Tarp products is available, each designed for specific fire retardant and flame-resistant applications. These Tarps comply with various fire safety standards, including NFPA 701 (large scale), CPAI-84, CAN/ULC S-109-M87, ASTM E-84 (Class A), California State Fire Marshal, and CSFM Title 19. In addition to meeting rigorous fire safety requirements, Fire Retardant Poly Tarps offer outstanding features such as being 100 percent waterproof, UV-resistant, abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, rot-resistant, acid-resistant, and mildew-resistant.
Roof Tarps and Storm Tarps
Roof Tarps and Storm Tarps are essential for protecting roofs, buildings, and various structures from severe weather, construction activities, and other heavy duty tasks. They play a critical role in safeguarding structures after storms, helping to prevent further damage and loss. Our range includes Super Heavy Duty and Heavy Duty Poly Tarps, offering dependable protection. These Tarps are 100 percent waterproof, durable, lightweight, and easy to handle, making them well-suited for a range of challenges. Available in various thicknesses, sizes, and colors—including traditional blue, as well as white, silver, tan, green, and clear—these Tarps provide versatile and reliable protection.
Camo Poly Tarps
To blend functionality, enjoyment, and style, a diverse selection of camouflage designs is available for Poly Tarps. These Camouflage Poly Tarps come in various weights, sizes, and camo color schemes and patterns, making them ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities, sports, and work-related tasks. Favored by hunters, anglers, boaters, campers, and others in need of protective solutions, these Tarps not only blend seamlessly with their surroundings but also offer outstanding durability. Camo Tarps are 100 percent waterproof and resistant to tears, abrasion, UV rays, acid, rot, and mildew.
Poly Sheeting / Plastic Sheeting
Poly Sheeting, also known as Plastic Sheeting, is designed for a variety of industrial uses, including construction, enclosures, and scaffold coverings. It provides an efficient solution for protecting fixtures, structures, materials, and designated areas. Available in clear and translucent options, this Plastic Sheeting allows sunlight to pass through while offering reliable protection against rain, snow, wind, dirt, and other elements. Made from polyethylene plastic, Poly Sheeting comes in various thicknesses, including 5 Mil, 6 Mil, and 10 Mil, with widths of 15', 20', and 40', and roll lengths of 100 and 200 feet. Additionally, many options include special features such as flame retardant properties and string reinforcement for enhanced functionality.
Greenhouse Tarps and Greenhouse Sheeting
Poly Greenhouse Tarps and Poly Greenhouse Sheeting, available in 5 Mil and heavy duty 10 Mil thicknesses, are designed for use in greenhouses and similar structures. These materials provide a translucent finish that allows light to penetrate while protecting against wind, rain, snow, and other elements. Fully waterproof and UV-resistant, they ensure the well-being of both the plants and the structure. The Greenhouse Poly Fabric promotes excellent light saturation and diffuses shadows, supporting optimal plant growth. Lightweight yet durable, at 5.7 ounces per square yard, these Tarps are easy to handle. They feature reinforced hems with rope and strong metal grommets spaced 36 inches apart along all sides for secure tie-downs. Available in two popular sizes—40' x 60' and 40' x 100'—they are suited for common greenhouse layouts. Greenhouse Sheeting in the same sizes is also available for those who prefer a version without grommets.
Hay Tarps
Hay Tarps are highly beneficial for farmers and others looking to protect hay bales from various environmental factors. Made from durable reinforced polyethylene, these Tarps offer excellent resistance to UV rays, rot, mildew, and are fully waterproof. Available in a range of effective sizes, Hay Tarps are easy to apply and effectively shield hay bales from sun, heat, rain, and wind. By extending the lifespan and improving the quality of hay, these Tarps help enhance crop yield, reduce spoilage, and ultimately boost your bottom line.
Custom Poly Tarps
Poly Tarps and related Covers are available in a variety of popular and efficient stock sizes. However, when standard sizes do not meet your needs, Custom Made Poly Tarps are available. The Custom Size Tarp Builder app allows for precise sizing, ensuring a perfect fit tailored to your specific requirements.
Helpful and Creative Applications for Poly Tarps
Poly Tarps deliver a blend of protection, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. They are ideal for covering and safeguarding various items such as materials, supplies, equipment, vehicles, structures, and areas. Here are some innovative, practical, and enjoyable ways to use Poly Tarps:
- Protect damaged areas of structures, including roofs
- Gather and collect tree and bush trimmings, as well as grass and garden clippings
- Drag and transport various items
- Provide waterproof protection for materials, supplies, structures, furniture, and vehicles
- Shield valuable plants, trees, and bushes from adverse weather conditions
- Create temporary shelters and hunting blinds
- Construct and cover tents
- Collect rainwater in backyard and campsite settings
- Use as emergency blankets and covers
- Function as stretchers and gurneys
- Serve as emergency boat sails
- Use as sleeping blankets
- Make easy hammocks for relaxation
- Serve as weather protective ponchos
- Convert into backpacks, totes, and bags
- Create fun slip and slide runners
- Build kids' forts
- Act as pet liners for floors, furniture, and vehicles
- Use as liners for car trunks and pickup beds
- Design banners and signs
- Function as Roof Tarps
- Create divider curtains for garages, basements, shops, and warehouses
- Serve as wind shields
- Set up privacy barriers
- Cover construction, repair, and renovation projects
- Use as painting covers and drop cloths
- Provide floor and table coverings for arts, crafts, or cooking activities
- Serve as Groundcovers
- Cover picnic areas and beaches
- Line ponds and ice rinks
- Wrap holiday trees for transportation and disposal
Tarps Now is your Premiere Source for Poly Tarps
For securing and covering your possessions, supplies, equipment, structures, or spaces, there is a Poly Tarp that is perfect for the job. These Covers are efficient, easy to handle, and cost-effective, offering a wide range of options. Tarps Now offers an extensive selection of Poly Tarps, as well as other types like canvas, vinyl, clear vinyl, and mesh. Whether you are ready to make a purchase or need help finding the right protection, we are your top choice. Contact our knowledgeable and friendly team at our Michigan headquarters for assistance. Call us at (888) 800-1383 or email sales@tarpsnow.com. We look forward to helping you.
