Comparing Vinyl Tarps with Other Variants

Tarps are used in construction, building, transportation and painting. Items that should be stored outside a building or shed temporarily or need to be moved between places require some kind of protection from elements. Using tarp to cover and protect a material with stakes and ropes makes it easy to keep wood, building materials, tools or similar objects safeguarded from snow, wind and rain. Earlier, canvas was the preferred tarp material, but with polymers, nylon and vinyl entering the fray, the field is more level-grounded. Before we get to the different variants, let's learn a bit more about tarp usage.

Using Tarps

Usually, tarps are manufactured from huge amounts of fabric, which function as a safeguarding buffer between the elements and items stored beneath the tarp or as temporary shelter during emergency scenarios, if there aren't tents available. Use stakes with bungees or ropes to secure the tarp, or have it fastened to a pickup's bed. The climate, material storage duration, and the material's sensitivity to weather ascertains the tarp material you must be using for particular jobs.

Vinyl Tarps

Vinyl tarps have an appearance like polyester tarps. But vinyl, made from ethylene and salt, is sturdier, stronger, and much water-resistant compared to polyester. Also, vinyl is more pro-environment than polyester. Some of these tarps could also have a polyester coating for increased strength and element resistance.

Polyester Tarps

Before polyester was invented, canvas tarps were the norm. But immediately after the first set of tarps were made out of polyester, they turned out more inexpensive and protective than canvas. Usage during extreme climates also became possible. A polyester tarp is available in multiple hues, and are extremely flexible and inexpensive. Generally, a polyester tarp has a UV coating material on top for sun protection, as sunlight could debase polyester and cause openings in the material.

Nylon Tarps

Nylon tarps offer maximum strength and damage resistance. Quite a lot of them have a neoprene coating - a material that's pliable and supple. These tarps cannot be penetrated by grease and acids, chemicals, which makes them a sound choice for garage and industrial applications. Recommended webpage for further reading.

Canvas Tarps

Compared to vinyl and nylon, canvas is much more eco-friendly. The material resists water and is quite durable, provided it's retreated regularly. The material is breathable as well, making it ideal for covering machinery and automobiles. But these tarps have limitations as well. When exposed to moisture, the material could mold, and its treatment may spread to other items during contact. And if pulled tightly, these tarps could tear, which makes them a bad choice during windy conditions. 

Choosing the Correct Variant

If you're using tarps for a limited or short term, or just for temporary protection from the elements, and if the material being covered isn't too moisture-sensitive, a polyester tarp would be sufficient. A polyester tarp could also be utilized for covering material transported on a pickup truck during good weather. But if you require extended protection, note that the weather scenarios would influence the material below the tarp. A vinyl tarp, in such scenarios, is the best choice.