Poly tarps are one of the most popular and most used tarps available to consumers. Several factors like a variety of colors, sizes, weights, strengths and prices make poly tarps an all-time favorite. In case you need heavy duty poly tarps, you need to keep certain tips in mind before you purchase. Only then can you get maximum benefit from your covering, whether it is a canopy, tent, construction cover, wedding or yard.
Heavy duty poly tarps are made of multiple layers of polyethylene meshed between more polyethylene sheets. Thus, these are sturdy, durable and lightweight. Before purchasing heavy duty poly tarps, consider the following features:
Heavy duty poly tarps are made of multiple layers of polyethylene meshed between more polyethylene sheets. Thus, these are sturdy, durable and lightweight. Before purchasing heavy duty poly tarps, consider the following features:
- Thickness: As you know, the thicker the tarp, the heavier and stronger it is. Typically, lightweight poly tarps are found in 6 mil thickness (1 mil is 1/1000 of an inch). A heavy duty poly tarp would be 11 -12 mils in thickness and a super heavy duty poly tarp would be 23 or more mils.
- Size: This is an important consideration as the actual tarp size is different from the specified size. If they say 10 x 10, you may actually be getting 9 ft 6 inches of usable tarp. The rest is taken up in hemming the tarps at the borders. Since the hem is accounted for in the original measurement, the tarp that you can use will be somewhat smaller. There are no universal sizes. Check measurements when you buy heavy duty poly tarps.
- Fabric: Poly tarps are made of plastic. However, heavy duty and super heavy duty poly tarps may contain a layer of laminated polyethylene in the center. This is black in color and its purpose is to keep the sun’s rays away from the area that is being protected by the poly tarp.
- Mesh size: This refers to the number of threads per square inch of the tarp. So, an 8x8 mesh has 8 threads in an inch, both horizontally and vertically. Mesh size determines the strength of the tarp. Heavy duty tarps generally have large thread sizes like 12 to 16 threads per inch. Threads used may also be heavier.
- Grommets: These are metal hoops that are stitched into the sides of the tarp to hold attachments. You may have poly tarps with grommets at 18 inches to 36 inches apart. The nearer the grommets, the greater its tensile strength. Most high quality heavy duty poly tarps have grommets placed approximately 18 inches apart. While aluminum grommets are the most common, brass grommets are most durable.
- Reinforcements: This keeps the tarp strong as reinforcements add strength and durability to the tarp. There are different kinds of reinforcements like corner reinforcements, ropes, hemming and grommets. Very heavy duty poly tarps generally have a patch, or an additional reinforcement at the hem. This improves the strength of the grommet.
- Protection: Most heavy duty poly tarps are made to last. Thus they are waterproof, weather proof, flame retardant, mildew proof and UV treated. They also appear in several colors from silver grey to blue, green, brown, red, orange, yellow and clear.
