Tarps (or Tarpaulins) offer one of the most versatile protective measures on the market. Tarps can be used to protect various items from all kinds of conditions, both outdoors and indoors. Their durable nature allows them to withstand any type of outdoor condition like storms, rain and sun. Since tarps and covers are endlessly helpful, you may likely need one. Tarps were initially introduced in the 1600s in the Royal Navy. They were typically used to cover all sorts of important navy kits. Such a kit was referred to as ‘pall’ hence ‘tar-palling’, but it was later changed to its most widely known name on a global basis, that of the “tarpaulin”.
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Tarp is widely spread from the Navy to the entire maritime world. Moreover, pirates used a black piece of tarp for some time, which encompassed no logo at all as their flag instead of the crossbones and a skull. While it might seem obvious, purchasing ideal tarps online can sometimes be challenging. However, worry not; you can consider the following tips to guide you as you make the right purchase.
1. Determine Tarp Applications
Currently, tarps are utilized to serve a variety of purposes, and this has led to increased market diversification. To meet the high demand, manufacturers produce various tarps for each specific application. The most common tarpaulin applications include:
Advertising material- tarps are also standard in the advertising business, where pictures and words are printed on them and put on advertising boards. Their resistance to outdoor elements makes them ideal to be placed anywhere. Thus, tarps are highly effective for advertising.
Billboards that use Tarp Materials
Outdoor billboards are a very popular use of tarps. Here, they facilitate protection against various elements, thanks to their waterproof and weatherproof nature. In protecting outdoor elements, an appropriate tarp will depend on the conditions it can withstand and the anticipated amount of time e it will be exposed to the elements before suffering from degrading. Typically, tarps are classified into three categories including super heavy duty, heavy duty and regular duty. Super heavy-duty tarps and other heavy-duty tarp options usually tend to provide better water and wind resistance. Also, they will facilitate improved pliability even in extremely cold environments.
Other Tarp Applications
Tarps are frequently employed for emergency or temporary barrier conditions, like when a wall or a roof tarp is used to repair a home, vehicle, equipment or machinery becomes damaged and cannot be replaced immediately. Also, painters drop cloth tarp can be used to protect the furniture or industrial equipment from getting paint. Moreover, tarpaulins can be used as a protective barrier against dirt or dust, especially when renovating part of a larger building.
Surface or ground cover tarps can be used to cover ground or any surfaces that need protection. For instance, a concrete tarp will efficiently cover a building or a surface under construction. They can even hasten the time the construction project must be completed as they help maintain a specific room temperature. This temperature will ensure the concrete dries faster even when the weather is cold. On the other hand, a tarp is a must-have item if you like going camping. It can be used as a shelter to protect yourself against sun or rain.
2. Check the Types of Tarps Available
While numerous types of tarps are available, these options vary in mesh counts, thickness and sizes. Besides, different tarp types are manufactured to cater for specific needs. Some of the most popular tarp types you should know to include the following:
Canvas Tarps are among the oldest and most frequently used types of tarps throughout history. Especially so, as they relate to boating, shipping, railways and semi-trucking needs. Canvas tarpaulins are mainly utilized within the transportation industry to cover goods in transit. Also, they can be used to cover vehicles, protecting them from the harmful sun rays. Typically, canvas tarps are a perfect solution where breathability is essential.
Canvas Tarps
PVC tarps- these include more heavy-duty tarps commonly used in the building and construction industry. They offer a perfect solution where a roof or heavy-duty solution is necessary. Additionally, PVC Tarps can also be used as grain or truck covers.
Poly tarps- Poly entails a general term used to describe Polyethylene. It is used in several different forms to make tarpaulins. Hence, poly tarps are usually versatile and can be used for any purpose. Consequently, these tarps provide the most economical choice in the market. Besides being cheap, poly tarps are also easy to store and work with.
3. Select the Ideal Material
When purchasing a tarp, you will likely have numerous material options to choose from. Besides the types of materials mentioned above, there are also other options, such as canvas, vinyl, polyethylene, neoprene, polypropylene, Hypalon and many other options available in both enforced and non-enforced options. Therefore, you must critically analyze your needs before settling on a particular tarp material. If you need help determining the best tarp for your needs, you can seek assistance from a professional.
Are Water-Resistant and Waterproof Tarps the Same?
Most people get confused with the terms water-resistant and waterproof tarpaulins. In fact, most will think that they mean the same thing. However, each of these tarps has a different meaning. Waterproof tarps include tarpaulins that offer complete protection against water damage. On the other hand, water-resistant tarpaulins are tarps that can withstand water from entering the tarp material. Your desired tarp application will highly influence the feature that fits you best.
Are All Tarps of the Same Grade?
Even though tarps are often advertised as strong and durable, they are available in different grades. This means that a tarp can cater to a particular amount of stressors while another can withstand more extreme elements. For instance, light-duty tarps are perfect for temporary shelters. This is because they are cheap, convenient and easy to carry and store since they are lightweight. Also, they help fix popular issues such as an instant garage, leaky roofs and greenhouse covers.
On the other hand, heavy-duty tarpaulins are heavier but more durable compared to light-duty tarps. Nevertheless, even though they are more long-lasting, they cannot serve well for the purposes that lightweight tarps are used for. Heavy-duty tarps are often used for commercial and industrial purposes. Besides, they have a higher resilience to chemicals and UV rays and are extremely resistant to flex cracking. Again, they have a glossy surface.
