What are poly tarps used for? This is a very common question that many people have, and the answer can be quite different depending on who you ask. Some people might say that they are a lightweight and general type of tarp used for a variety of purposes, while others may say they are best utilized at construction or demolition sites. In this blog post, we will present the many different uses for Poly (Polyethylene) Tarps and why they are so versatile and price friendly. We will also review some of the benefits of using these tarps, such as their waterproof properties.
One of the most common uses for Poly Tarps is at a construction site. These tarps are often used to cover up materials that are being worked on, such as concrete, shingles, tooling, or lumber. This helps to protect the materials from weather damage, and the covering also keeps them clean and free of debris. Poly Tarps are also sometimes used as a form of temporary roofing that can quickly be applied and removed when necessary.
Another common use for Poly Tarps is as a form of protection for outdoor items. For example, if you have a boat or RV that you need to store outdoors, you can use Poly Tarp to cover them and help protect it from the elements. Poly Tarps can also be used to cover outdoor furniture or equipment that you do not want to get dirty or wet.
There are also many people who use poly tarps for gardening purposes. If you have a garden, you can use a tarp to cover it and help protect your plants from the elements. Poly Tarps can also be administered to create a temporary greenhouse, which can be very helpful if you live in an area with a lot of bad weather.
As just described, there are a wide variety of uses for Poly Tarps. These cost effective covers are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. If you need a tarp for any reason, chances are that a poly tarp will be just what you need. To follow in this article is a summary of some of the more popular Poly Tarp products along with effective, convenient, and creative uses of these covers.
What is a Poly Tarp?
Poly Tarps are the most popular type of covers purchased, accounting for 56 percent of all tarp sales in the $7 billion global Tarp Industry. Poly Tarps are attractive to consumers because of the wide spectrum of colors, sizes, thicknesses, and material weights and the fact that they are typically less expensive than other types of Tarps. Poly Tarps are readily available and easily utilized for a range of applications from the home to the construction site to the campground.
Poly Tarps are constructed with outer layers of Polyethylene (PE) sheets sandwiching a woven layer of mesh fabric. Polyethylene is a polyolefin resin, a thermoplastic polymer made from ethylene gas that is the most produced plastic used throughout the world. Besides Tarps, Polyethylene is the same material used for cable, piping, containers, and countless other plastic consumer products.
Here is a brief description of some of the important features of Poly Tarps:
Size
Throughout the many types of Poly Tarps, a wide variety of commonly used sizes are available to ship off the shelf to users for fast and convenient delivery. Some of these begin as small as 5’ X 7’ up to 100’ X 100’. Custom sizing options are available for some Poly Tarp products.
Thickness
This is the measurement of how thick the Tarps are. For most Tarps, the thickness is measured in Mils, which is 1/1000 of an inch. For example, a 12 Mil tarp is 0.014-inches in thickness. Regarding Poly Tarps, the thickness helps determine the heavy duty aspects of the protection. Lighter duty tarps are going to be 6 Mil and thinner, medium duty will run 7 to 10 Mils thick, heavy duty 11 to 13 Mils thick, and Super Heavy Duty 14 Mil and heavier, the thickest Poly Tarps readily available are typically up to 24 Mils thick.
Material Weight
The material weight of Poly Tarps also determines the durability of these covers. The material weight is measured in ounces per square yard. The heavier, the higher the figure the more dense and heavier the material will be. In most circumstances, the heavier the material weight the stronger the protection of material. Heavy duty jobs call for heavy duty material. The one benefit of Poly Tarps, even for the heaviest of material weights (for instance at 12 ounces per square yard is one of the heavy fabrics for Polyethylene) are still very lightweight and easy to handle.
Color
Depending on the type of Poly Tarps, these polyethylene covers come in a variety of color choices. Some products are only offered in white, silver, or blue. Other types of Poly Tarps are available in spectrum of color including white, silver, tan, green, red, yellow, and orange. In addition, Poly Tarps are provided in a number of camouflage designs.
Grommets
Metal grommets, also known as eyelets, are inserted in hems of the Poly Tarps. These grommets are created in sturdy and rust resistant metals including brass and aluminum. They are located in the four corners and equally spaced around the entire perimeter at distances of 12 inches to 36 inches apart depending on which product it is. Grommets help connect to the structures or implements to secure the Poly Tarps with fasteners such as zip ties, hooks, bungee ball cords, cord, string, and other items.
Waterproof
Because of the laminated layers of polyethylene material, a majority of Poly Tarps are naturally 100 percent waterproof. This is one of the most important and a main reason that these are purchased along with their typical low costs. Keeping your possessions, furniture, materials, equipment, areas, and people from getting wet. Water from rain, snow, leaks, and other sources is a hazard that Poly Tarps tremendously help protect against.
Mildew Resistance and Rot Resistance
The waterproof qualities of the polyethylene material contributes to the Poly Tarps also being extremely resistant to both mildew and rot issues.
UV Ray Treated
Many of the Poly Tarps on the market are also UV treated to help guard against the deterioration of the material of these covers by resisting the damaging effects of the sun’s ultra-violet rays.
Poly Tarp Products
To follow are the most popular Poly Tarp products. From the all-purpose and everyday uses to very unique tasks, there is a Poly Tarp for the job.
General Purpose Poly Tarps
These lightweight and waterproof General Purpose Poly Tarps are created with lamination on both surfaces for effective and lasting protection. The woven and bonded material is made with UV ray stabilized polyethylene layers that are also mildew and rot resistant. The General Purpose Poly Tarps are generally thinner in thickness and lighter in material weight where their convenience, ease of handling, and waterproof properties are utilized as material covers, equipment covers, construction site tarps, paint-spray tarps, tent protectors, temporary shelters, and temporary divider curtains.
Medium Duty Poly Tarps
Medium Duty Poly Tarps are manufactured with high-density polyethylene layers providing strong covers that are lightweight and easy to handle for medium duty applications. These strong, waterproof, rot-resistant, and mildew resistant covers are used for a wide range of tasks that include residential, landscaping, construction, roofing, agriculture, commercial, manufacturing, and warehouse applications.
Heavy Duty Poly Tarps
A tremendous level of protection is provided from these strong, Heavy Duty Poly Tarps that include tear resistance, abrasion resistance, UV ray resistance, mildew resistance, and rot resistance. These durable polyethylene covers are 100 percent waterproof helping hold up to the hazards of rain, snow, and water along with wind, dirt, dust, and grime. Heavy Duty Poly Tarps are great for protective duties at construction and demolition sites, asbestos containment, warehouses, shipyards, offshore oil rigs, landfills, pond liners, and ice rink liners. There are Fire Retardant options for select Heavy Duty Poly Tarps.
Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarps
The Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarps offer multi-ply waterproof material construction that possess thicknesses up 24 Mils. These incredibly strong and 100 percent waterproof covers are also UV ray, mildew, rot, tear, and abrasion resistant. Consumers know that Super Heavy Duty Tarps are ideal for a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, construction, roofing, painting, landscaping, agriculture, and other specialized areas such as building enclosures, asbestos removal, membrane structures, landfill covers, and heavy equipment covers. Fire Retardant choices are offered for many of these Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarp products.
Storm Tarps and Roofing Tarps
As a result of extreme weather damage, other concerns, and construction operations, roofs and other structures are required to be guarded from further issues and loss after the original incident. Many Heavy Duty Poly Tarps are available for this type of valuable protection. These covers are lightweight and easy to handle, durable, 100 percent waterproof meeting the challenges and delivering the safeguards necessary.
Fire Retardant Poly Tarps
A number of these Poly Tarp products are offered for specific fire retardant and fire resistant applications. They meet fire safety standards and their ratings include 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 the fire safety features these Fire Retardant Poly Tarps are waterproof along with having UV ray, abrasion, tear, rot, and mildew resistance.
Camouflage Poly Tarps
Functional and fun, camouflage colors is available for Poly Tarps in a variety of weights, sizes, and camouflage colors and patterns. Great for outdoor sports and work applications, Camouflage Poly Tarps are ideal for hunting, fishing, boating, camping, storage, and for other functions as they are waterproof, tear resistant, UV ray resistant, rot resistant, and mildew resistant along with the benefits of the camouflage coloring.
Poly Sheeting
Invented for construction and other industrial uses that include enclosures and scaffoldings, Poly Sheeting is easy and effective way to cover structures, materials, and areas. Offered in full rolls of clear and translucent colors, this material fully transmits sunlight while protecting against the elements, dirt, and other hazards. Poly Sheeting is made with polyethylene in 5 Mil, 6 Mil, and 10 Mil thicknesses available in a variety of widths (15’, 20’, and 40’) and roll lengths of 100 and 200 feet along optional features that includes flame retardant and string reinforcement.
Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps
These Super Heavy duty Clear Poly Tarps are manufactured with 14 Mil thick material that is reinforced with white string. The material for these covers is translucent and not visually clear. The design of the tarp does allow natural light to pass through ideal for residential, construction, and commercial applications such as greenhouses, porches, structures, enclosures, scaffolding. The Super Heavy Duty Clear Poly Tarps are fitted with grommets that are spaced every 36-inches around all four sides and are waterproof, tear resistant, UV ray resistant, rot resistant, and mildew resistant providing premium protection.
Clear String Reinforced Poly Tarps
Clear String Reinforced Poly (Polyethylene) Tarps are used for many applications in covering structures, materials, and areas that require the transmission of light. These covers are constructed in three layers, two outer layers of polyethylene film that is laminated with a center layer of molten polyethylene, which has a heavy duty white diamond shaped string reinforcement in between the layers for added strength. These Clear String Reinforced Poly Tarps are made with 7 ounces per square yard polyethylene fabric that is 10 Mil thick. It is waterproof, UV ran resistant, and mildew and rot resistant with sturdy brass grommets spaced every 24-inches around the perimeter. The material is translucent with a milky quality and the reinforced string. This material is not a clear view product, but light does easily transmit through ideal for greenhouses and enclosures.
Greenhouse Tarps and Sheeting
Greenhouse Tarps and Sheeting are created from heavy duty 10 Mil thick polyethylene, which is translucent clear, 100 percent waterproof, and UV ray resistant in shielding against wind, rain, snow, and other hazards protecting the plants inside along with the entire structure. The design of the poly fabric delivers great light saturation while also helping diffuse shadows always assisting the growing process. The sturdy, lightweight, and easy to handle 5.7 ounces per square yard material weight Greenhouse Tarps are reinforced with rope in the hems providing additional strength. Also, these are fitted with strong metal grommets that are spaced 36-inches apart around the entire perimeters to securely tie down the covers to the structure. Greenhouse Tarps are provided in two popular 40’ x 60’ and 40’ x 100’ sizes to work with popular Greenhouse designs and dimensions. This product is also offered in the same size Greenhouse Poly Sheets. The only difference between tarps and sheeting is that the sheeting is not fitted with grommets.
Custom Poly Tarps
Although there are many Poly Tarps products that are available in a wide variety of common and effective sizes, most in stock, there are unique dimensions that are required for specific applications. For the purpose of providing the best fit, a number of Poly Tarps have the ability to be custom made to the exact sizes.
A Variety of Productive, Creative, and Fun Uses for Poly Tarps
Poly Tarps are applied and utilized with almost every type of applications in every industry. These help cover and protect supplies, equipment, and people along with dividing space and helping better utilize space. In addition to the common protective benefits, there are many creative, safe, and fun uses for Poly Tarps. See for yourself:
- Tent Cover
- Cover Damage Structures and Areas
- Keep Materials and Supplies Dry
- Temporary Shelters
- Privacy
- Picnic Covering
- Ground Cover
- Slip and Slide Track
- Block Wind
- Kids Fort
- Sleeping Bag
- Emergency Blanket or Wrap
- Stretcher/Gurney
- Poncho
- Hammock
- Backpacks
- Totes
- Drag Heavy Items
- Catch Rainwater
- Emergency Boat Sail
- Boat Creation
- Protect Plants in Cold Snaps
- Catch All for landscaping, art, crafts, cleanup
- Pet liner for furniture and automobiles
- Vehicle Lining
- Billboards and Banners
Tarps Now is the Premier Provider of Poly Tarps
Not if, but when you need a tarp to protect your furniture, materials, supplies, structures, areas, campsite, and even people there is going to be a Poly Tarp for the job. Tarps Now provides dozens of different Poly Tarp products. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your upcoming projects and Poly Tarp or any type of Tarps, please contact us right now at (888) 800-1383 or sales@tarpsnow.com where one of our experienced and pleasant Tarp Team Members located at our Michigan headquarters will be more than happy to help.
Tarps Now is based in the southwest Michigan city of St. Joseph. The company focuses on the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of Poly Tarps Tarps and Sheeting, Vinyl Tarps, Mesh Tarps, Canvas Tarps, and Tarp Accessories all available in a wide range of effective materials and specifications along with Custom Made Tarps and Cover capabilities. We are proud to offer a vast selection of Tarps and Covers direct from the factory along with convenient and popular stock items to individual consumers, businesses, organizations, and municipalities located throughout North America.
Tarps Now and our dedicated staff looks forward to speaking with you about protecting your possessions.
