How to Choose the Right Tarp Material for the Job

The short answer:

• Heavy Duty Poly is the go-to for most jobs: waterproof, lighter than vinyl or canvas, and our best-value option.
• Heavy Duty Vinyl handles demanding, long-term, or in-transit use, from truckloads of hot asphalt to roof covers.
• Heavy Duty Canvas lets covered materials breathe. It is ideal for firewood, hay, outdoor furniture, and boats.
• Mesh allows airflow while helping contain debris. It is not waterproof.
• Flame-resistant tarps contain sparks around hot work. For direct welding splatter, use fiberglass (made-to-order; call us).

USA made since 1874 · Philadelphia, PA & Gosport, IN · 1-year warranty · Updated 10/2026

 

Material	Waterproof	Breathable	Weight	Cold rating	Best for	Shop
Heavy Duty Poly	Yes	No	10.5 oz/sq yd (true 20 mil)	Passes -40°F cold crack	Construction materials, short-term emergency roof	Shop poly tarps
Heavy Duty Vinyl	Yes	No	18 oz/sq yd (22 and 40 oz available)	Passes -40°F cold crack	Loads in transit, hot asphalt, long-term outdoor use	Shop vinyl tarps
Heavy Duty Canvas	Water-resistant	Yes	18 oz/sq yd finished (12 oz duck + 6 oz wax)	None	Hay stacks, firewood, machinery stored for weeks	Shop canvas tarps
Mesh	No	Yes (airflow)	8.1 oz/sq yd (iron mesh tear-off)	None	Roofing debris, dump truck covers	Shop tear-off tarps

Tarp Materials Explained

Poly Tarps (Polyethylene Tarps)

Our Heavy-Duty Poly tarps combine a true 20 mil thickness with a 2,500-denier woven HDPE core and a 10.5 oz per square yard fabric weight. Waterproof and lighter than vinyl or canvas tarps of the same size, poly offers easy handling and affordable protection for most jobs.

Choose poly for covering construction materials, equipment, emergency roof damage, or anything else that needs short-term rain cover. Avoid it when the load is in transit (go vinyl; poly is fine for a parked truck bed) or when the cover needs to breathe (go canvas).

• Waterproof fabric keeps rain out.
• True 20 mil. Learn about true mil vs. advertised mil.
• Retains 90%+ strength after 2,000 hours of UV testing (ASTM G154).
• Resists most acids and alkalis; not for fuel or solvents.

Need a custom size or 1 ft grommet spacing? Order a made-to-order poly tarp.

Vinyl Tarps (PVC Tarps)

Our Heavy-Duty Vinyl tarps feature PVC-coated polyester fabric weighing 18 oz per square yard, with 22 and 40 oz options available made to order. Being heavier than poly, vinyl tarps offer durable, waterproof protection against wind, abrasion, and repeated handling. That is why contractors choose it for long-term outdoor coverage, and truck fleets choose it for loads in transit.

Choose vinyl when durability is being prioritized over weight or cost. Go with poly for lighter, lower-cost protection, or canvas when the cover needs to breathe.

• Waterproof and impermeable fabric.
• High grab tensile strength (484 lbf) with abrasion and puncture resistance.
• Passes -40°F cold-impact testing without cracking.
• Resists common oils and acids.

Need a custom size, heavier fabric, or different attachment options? Order a made-to-order vinyl tarp.

Canvas Tarps

Our Heavy-Duty Canvas tarps start with 12 oz cotton duck before a 6 oz wax treatment is applied to create a finished weight of 18 oz per square yard (21 oz is available made to order). Unlike poly and vinyl, canvas lets trapped moisture escape, reducing condensation under the cover. It is water-resistant, not waterproof: it can handle light to moderate moisture, but will soak through during prolonged exposure to rain.

Choose canvas for hay stacks, firewood, or machinery stored for weeks, where trapped moisture can contribute to mold or rust. Go with vinyl instead if the equipment will sit in standing water or oil, or if you need an indoor cover. The wax treatment leaves an odor, making canvas better suited for outdoor use.

• Breathable fabric helps reduce condensation.
• Wax treatment repels light to moderate moisture.
• Double-stitched hems with brass grommets every 2 ft.
• Restore water resistance with Canvak canvas protectant.

Need a custom size or 21 oz fabric? Order a made-to-order canvas tarp.

Mesh Tarps

Mesh tarps let air and light pass through while helping contain loose material and debris. They are not waterproof. Our options include:

• Dump truck mesh tarps: Available in several mesh grades to contain loose loads on the road. Explore dump truck tarps.
• Iron Mesh tear-off tarps: Made from 8.1 oz polypropylene with a 95% closed weave, they catch shingles and debris during roof tear-offs. Available in 20 x 30, 30 x 30, and 30 x 40 ft sizes. Designed for cleanup, not covering storm-damaged roofs.
• Mesh windscreens: Available through our CoverSports division for fence coverage, shade, and custom branding.

Mesh is best when you need ventilation or debris containment. If you need waterproof coverage, go with poly or vinyl. 

Need fence coverage or a custom windscreen? Explore mesh windscreens at CoverSports.

Flame-Resistant and Welding Tarps

Our poly, vinyl, and canvas tarps are also available in flame-resistant versions that are designed to self-extinguish once the flame source is removed. 

• FR Poly: 20 mil, gray.
• FR Vinyl: 18 oz, red, with 10 and 13 oz options available.
• FR Canvas: 18 oz, olive drab.
• All three meet NFPA 701 and CPAI-84 standards.

Stock sizes range from 8 x 12 to 12 x 30 ft, with custom sizes available made to order.

Flame-Resistant Tarps vs. Fiberglass Welding Covers

Flame-resistant does not mean it is suitable for all welding applications. FR vinyl can be used as a hot work curtain or barrier to keep sparks from reaching nearby materials.

For direct spatter, under the work, or overhead, go with a fiberglass welding blanket. NFPA 51B calls for an approved welding curtain, blanket, or pad to protect combustibles near hot work. No cover replaces a hot-work permit or a fire watch.

Need a custom fiberglass welding blanket? Request a fiberglass quote.

How Thick Should Your Tarp Be?

The right tarp depends on both the material and the job. Poly tarps are rated in mils, where 1 mil is 0.001 inch. Vinyl and canvas are measured in ounces per square yard, which measures fabric weight rather than thickness. These ratings are not directly interchangeable. 

Every stock tarp we offer is heavy-duty: true 20 mil, 18 oz vinyl, or 18 oz canvas. We do not manufacture light-duty tarps under 10 mil.

Duty	Poly	Vinyl	Canvas
Light	Under 10 mil	10 to 13 oz	10 to 13 oz
General	10 to 15 mil	14 to 17 oz	14 to 17 oz
Heavy	16 to 20 mil	18 to 21 oz	18 to 21 oz

What Features Should You Look For?

• Hems: Look for reinforced edges that hold up to repeated use and tie-down tension. Our poly tarps have heat-welded hems, and our canvas tarps have double-stitched hems.
• Grommets: Every stock tarp has rust-proof #4 brass grommets spaced every 2 feet. For tight tie-down jobs, we offer 1-foot spacing made to order.
• UV test data: Look for test results, not a vague claim. Our 20 mil poly retains 90% of its strength after 2,000 hours of ASTM G154 testing. For more, see our UV-resistant tarp guide.
• Cold rating: Our vinyl passes a -40°F cold test, while our poly passes a -40°F cold crack test and a -60°C bend test.
• Cut size vs. finished size: Our tarps are listed by finished size (±3%), meaning its true size after hemming.
• Fabric construction: Strength comes from weave count, tape denier, and coating working together, not one specification. Our poly tarp uses a 2,500-denier HDPE core.

What Size Tarp Do You Need?

Start by measuring the area or item you want to cover, then allow for extra coverage:

Note: Round up to the next available size for complete coverage. Our quick-ship sizes range from 6 x 8 ft to 20 x 40 ft, depending on the material. Need a custom size? We can build your tarp to order in 2-3 weeks.

Common Questions About Tarp Materials

What’s the difference between poly and vinyl tarps?

Both are waterproof, but vinyl is heavier and tougher. Our vinyl tarps are made from 18 oz PVC-coated polyester, while our 20 mil poly weighs about 10.5 oz per square yard. Vinyl also has a higher grab tensile strength, at 484 lbf compared with 400 lb for poly. Choose vinyl for loads in transit, roof coverage, and long-term outdoor use. Poly is a lighter, lower-cost option for most other covering jobs.

Are canvas tarps waterproof?

No. Canvas is water-resistant, not waterproof. It can handle light to moderate moisture, but prolonged rain or standing water can soak through. Its advantage is breathability, which allows moisture to escape rather than collect beneath the cover. That makes canvas an option for machinery and hay that need ventilation, provided the application does not require fully waterproof protection.

How long do tarps last outside?

A tarp’s lifespan depends on its material, exposure, and use. Our vinyl tarps typically last 5 to 10 years or longer, while vinyl dump truck tarps generally last about 3 to 5 years under daily commercial use.

Our 20 mil poly retains more than 90% of its strength after 2,000 hours of ASTM G154 UV testing, but those lab hours do not translate directly into years outdoors. Regular cleaning helps too; see our guide to cleaning poly tarps. Canvas has no published UV rating. Applying Canvak helps maintain its water resistance.

Is a vinyl tarp worth the extra cost?

Consider the cost over the tarp’s useful life, not just the purchase price. A vinyl tarp that lasts 5 to 10 years or longer may cost less per year than a lower-priced cover that needs frequent replacement. For short-term or occasional use, poly is usually the more economical choice.

What’s the best tarp for hay?

Canvas is a good choice when the stack needs a breathable cover. It allows moisture to escape, while a waterproof cover can trap condensation beneath it. However, canvas can soak through during prolonged rain, so consider both ventilation and rain protection when choosing a cover. Use poly for temporary rain coverage rather than as a tightly sealed, long-term cover.

Can I use a tarp for welding?

A flame-resistant tarp, such as our FR vinyl, is intended for spark containment around the work area, not direct exposure to welding spatter or slag. For direct spatter, slag, or overhead welding, use a purpose-made fiberglass welding cover, available made to order. No cover replaces a required hot-work permit or fire watch. See Flame-Resistant and Welding Tarps above.

Need help choosing a tarp? Call 800-457-4406 or get a free quote.