Tarpaulins are large sheets of fabrics that can be reinforced with rope and eyelets for multipurpose uses and applications.
Here is a guide to help you choose the fabric of your tarpaulin depending on the purpose of the tarpaulin
Laminated PVC | Coated PVC | Dickson Coatings Laminated | Low & Bonar Laminated | Canvas CC3 | Canvas CC4 (510gsm) | Wax coated polycotton ripstop | PE 200gsm | PE 300gsm | Agricultural shadenet | PU coated polyester ripstop | |
Cost | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
Lifespan | 1-3 years | 2-4 years | 4-6 years | 4-6 years | 2-3 years | 2-3 years | 2-3 years | 6 - 18 months | 18 - 24 months | 1 - 3 years | 3-5 years |
Availability | Usually In Stock | Usually In Stock | Seasonal | Usually In Stock | Usually In Stock | Usually In Stock | Limited | Usually In Stock | Limited | Usually In Stock | Usually In Stock |
Sun protection | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Grade dependent | Excellent |
Rain protection | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Not Good | Not Good | Good | OK | OK | Grade dependent | Excellent |
Maintenance | Frequent | Occasional | Occasional | Unlikely | Occasional | Occasional | Unlikely | Frequent | Frequent | Frequent | Unlikely |
Aesthetic | OK | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | Poor | Poor | Depends on application | Excellent |
Durability | Low | Medium | High | High | Medium | High | Medium | Low | Low | Medium | High |
Repairability | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Tricky | Tricky | Very Tricky | Easy | Easy | Tricky | Tricky |
Weight | Light | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Heavy | Medium | Light | Light | Light | Heavy |
Thermal Properties | Poor | Poor | Good | Good | OK | OK | Poor | OK | OK | n/a | Good |
Each tarpaulin fabric has its own qualities and specified application. See our guide below
Common Applications of Tarpaulins | Laminated PVC | Coated PVC | Dickson Coatings Laminated | Low & Bonar Laminated | Canvas CC3 | Canvas CC4 (510gsm) | Wax coated polycotton ripstop | PE 200gsm | PE 300gsm | Agricultural shadenet | PU coated polyester ripstop |
Trailer cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ideal but possible | No | No | No |
Not Ideal but possible
|
Truck fitted cover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Truck curtains | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ideal but possible | Not Ideal but possible | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Flysheets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ground Sheets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Not Ideal but possible | Yes | Yes | No |
Not Ideal but possible
|
Water bladders | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Grain Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Fumigation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Temporary shelter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |