Manufacturers create tarpaulins, or tarps, from strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof materials. They often use cloth like canvas or polyester with polyurethane coating, or plastics such as polyethylene. Many tarpaulins feature reinforced grommets at the corners and along the sides. These grommets serve as attachment points for ropes, enabling users to tie down or suspend the tarpaulin.
Uses of Tarpaulins
Tarpaulins play an important role in protecting the loads of open trucks and wagons, to keep wood piles dry, and for shelters such as tents or other temporary structures. Few of its uses are listed below:
- People use tarpaulins to protect against wind, rain, and sunlight. Construction workers and disaster relief teams use them to shield partially built or damaged structures. Painters use tarps to prevent messes. Workers use them to contain and collect debris. Truck drivers use tarps to protect open loads. People keep wood piles dry with tarps and create temporary shelters like tents.
- Advertisers print on tarpaulins, especially for billboards. They use perforated tarps for medium to large ads or to protect scaffolding. Perforations (20% to 70%) reduce wind vulnerability.
- Many choose polyethylene tarpaulins when they need an inexpensive, water-resistant fabric. Amateur plywood sailboat builders often make sails from these tarps due to their low cost and ease of use. Builders can create serviceable sails for small boats using proper adhesive tapes, without sewing.
- Some indigenous North American communities use plastic tarps as building materials. They call tipis made with tarps “tarpees”.
Types of Tarpaulins
Let’s check out the top 6 different types of materials provided by tarpaulin manufacturers and their features and applications.
1. HDPE Tarpaulin
An HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) tarpaulin is constructed by laminating high-density polyethylene fabric with low-density polyethylene fabric.
Features
- This type of tarpaulin is made with virgin raw materials, UV masterbatches, and color masterbatches of the highest quality.
- This product is waterproof, leakproof, weatherproof, oilproof, and rot-proof.
- Designed to protect against UV rays from both sides for longer life even in sunny conditions
Applications
- HDPE tarpaulins are solid and resistant to water and UV rays.
- These are flexible, strong, and resistant to wear and tear.
- Light-duty poly tarps are lighter, have lower poly coatings, and have fewer meshes.
- Due to its outstanding flexibility, it is suitable for covering irregular shapes.
- It can be widely used for Fish Tanks, Poultry Curtains, Grass Land Cover, Pond Lining, Machinery Covers, Truck Covers, Swimming Pool Covers, Construction Sites covers, and more.
2. LDPE Tarpaulin
LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) tarpaulin is a polymer made by compressing monomer ethylene gas in an autoclave or tubular reactor to facilitate polymerization.
Features
- LDPE tarpaulins use high-quality reprocessed polymer granules. Designers employ high-density polyethylene and advanced technology to protect items from water damage. Under UV exposure.
- LDPE tarpaulins prove more durable than HDPE and PVC tarpaulins. They are 100% recyclable and eco-friendly.
Applications
- People primarily use LDPE tarpaulin sheeting to shield against harsh weather conditions. During the rainy season, they use LDPE tarpaulins for packaging and storage to provide extra protection against damage.Â
- In coconut mills and coir pith mills, LDPE tarpaulins often replace concrete flooring for drying yards in these mills and brick factories.
3. Multi Layer Tarpaulin
A multilayer tarpaulin film comprises several layers of plastic that overlap each other before being laminated by a patented hot-cold process.
Features
- As a result of its multilayer lamination, it is more robust, agile, challenging, and flexible than other plastic films of comparable weight and thickness.
- Technology and state-of-the-art equipment make Multilayer Tarpaulins of the highest quality.
- Each edge of this sheet is sealed with really strong joints and seals that make it exceptionally strong and tough and withstand the toughest conditions.
- The Extra Layer adds an extra level of protection for your valuables.
Applications
- No matter the weather, this film can endure any condition. Even in extreme weather conditions, you can protect your valuables with this latest international technology.
- These are better alternatives to HDPE fabrics, polyethylene sheets, and other coverings commonly used in applications.
- A wide range of uses is possible with this product, such as Pond Liners, Heavy Duty Shading, Truck Vehicle or Railway Wagon Covers, Extreme Weather Adventure Tents, etc.
4. Cross Laminated Tarpaulin
LDPE Tarpaulins are laminated with woven fabric on both sides (lamination + fabric + lamination) between two layers of HDPE tarpaulins.
Features
- Users widely regard this type of tarpaulin sheet as tough and agile.
- Manufacturers use cutting-edge technology and excellent quality CROSS PLY techniques to produce this product.
- An innovative process creates cross-laminated coextruded film, and these tarpaulins offer strong tensile strength and balanced tear resistance.
Applications
- Cross Laminated Tarpaulins offer complete protection and all-weather cover.
- Farms use these to shelter cattle when it gets warmer or colder.
- As a monsoon shade, it covers shamianas/mandaps at every festive occasion as well as being used for outdoor camping.
- Generally used for general-purpose shading in factories, shops, and godowns. The shelter protects you from rain, wind, and sunlight.
5. PVC Coated Tarpaulin
It is made up of high-intensity and low-shrinkage terylene coated with PVC films by 180 hot rollers affixed under pressure and cooled to become laminated tarpaulin.
Features
- This PVC-coated tarpaulin is flammable, strong, climate change-resistant, and geometrically stable.
- It is waterproof, mildew-proof, wear-resistant, durable, cold-resistant, and aging-resistant.
- A better option than traditional tarpaulin in terms of breaking strength, tear elongation and tear strength due to its resistance to water, mildew, and cold, anti-aging, and anti-static properties.
Applications
- In the animal husbandry and breeding industry, people use PVC-coated tarpaulin for pig farms, animal husbandries, chicken farms, white transparent tarpaulins, and sheep farms.
- For agricultural plantations, PVC-coated tarpaulin serves as awning waterproof tarpaulins, steel covering waterproof tarpaulins for construction sites, greenhouse insulation tarpaulins, and international trade tarpaulins.
- People also use PVC-coated tarpaulin as car cover tarpaulins, train cover tarpaulins, and ship cover tarpaulins. Additionally, the sheer material of these tarps allows them to function effectively as curtains, letting light pass through.
6. Cotton Canvas Tarpaulin
The Cotton Canvas Tarpaulin is made of 100% cotton single duck fabric and is mainly used in applications such as transportation and industrial industries.
Features
- The fabric used for these tarps is a hybrid of cotton and polyester and offers the advantages of both materials.
- They are entirely waterproof and also breathable and rip-proof.
- Having a breathable material will prevent moisture from accumulating, reducing the chances of rotting.
Applications
- The tarps are ideal for covering stationary things like goods or supplies that need the flexibility of canvas sheet fabric.
- In addition to protecting your items from rain, sunshine, dust, and other harsh elements, canvas tarpaulins prevent rust, mildew, and heat damage as well.
- Compared to poly tarps, cotton canvas tarps are much more cost-effective in the long run and are best suited for outdoor use.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tarpaulins for your outdoor project is necessary for ensuring durability and protection. Tarpaulin manufacturers offer a variety of materials, each with unique features and applications, from HDPE and LDPE to multi-layer and PVC-coated options. Understanding the specific needs of your project and the characteristics of each type will help you make an informed decision. Whether you need weather protection, storage solutions, or versatile covers, the right tarpaulin can make a significant difference in achieving your goals.
