General Coverage Tarpaulins

Polyethylene tarpaulins have also proven to be a popular source when an inexpensive, water resistant fabric is needed.

Tarps can be classified based on a diversity of factors, such as material type (polyethylene, canvas, vinyl, etc.[3]), thickness, which is generally measured in millimeters or generalized into categories (such as “regular duty”, “heavy duty”, “super- heavy duty”, etc.), and grommet strength (simple vs. reinforced), among others.

Tarps can also be classified by size—a common determining factor for consumers in acquiring tarps—and measured in width by length. Actual tarp sizes are generally about three to five percent smaller than the advertised size.(Thus, a tarp advertised as 20 ft. × 20 ft. will actually measure about 19 ft. × 19 ft.[5]) Some other factors that may influence a purchase decision include color often they come in blue, green, black, or silver, grommet type (aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), and grommet-to-grommet distance.