Tarpaulins

A tarpaulin, also colloquially known as a tarp, is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material.

Tarpaulins are most often made of cloth such as canvas or polyester coated with urethane, or they can be made of plastics such as polyethylene. Inexpensive modern versions of tarpaulins are made from woven polypropylene; this material is often known as polytarp. Tarps can be classified by material type, by thickness, or by generalised descriptor such as “regular duty”, “heavy duty” or “super heavy duty” among others.

Tarpaulins have multiple uses, including providing shelter from the elements such as wind, rain, or sunlight; as a ground sheet or tent fly in camping, as a drop sheet for painting and maintenance; and for protecting objects, such as unenclosed road or rail goods carrying vehicles or wood piles and hay stacks.

Canvas tarps are not completely waterproof, though they are water resistant. Thus, exposure to a little bit of water for a short period of time will not affect them. When there is standing water on canvas tarps, it will eventually drip through the tarp. Vinyl and polyethylene tarps are super industrial heavy duty grade tarps and have a high tear strength. They are waterproof and have high abrasion and substance resistance. These tarpaulins resist oil, acid, grease and mildew. A vinyl or polyethylene tarp is ideal for agriculture, construction, industrial, auto, and marine purposes.