The Complete Tarpaulin
Buying Guide
Everything you need to choose the right tarpaulin — materials, weights, sizes, colours, fixing methods, and industry applications. Written by UK tarpaulin specialists who supply everyone from homeowners to the Ministry of Defence.
Section 01 — Introduction
What is a Tarpaulin?
A tarpaulin (commonly called a "tarp") is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material. The word combines "tar" — historically used to waterproof canvas — and "palling" (a covering cloth). Today, modern tarpaulins are manufactured from synthetic polymers: polyethylene (PE), PVC, or natural canvas fibres.
Tarpaulins are used across an enormous range of applications: covering a woodpile in a garden, protecting construction materials on a building site, sheeting lorry loads in transit, covering cricket pitches, and shielding military equipment in the field. The right tarpaulin depends on three primary factors: material, weight (GSM), and size. This guide covers all three in detail — with specific application guidance for every industry and use case.
Section 02 — Materials
PE vs PVC vs Canvas — Which Material?
The three main tarpaulin materials each have distinct strengths. Choosing the wrong material is the most common buying mistake — use this guide to match material to application.
- Fully waterproof and UV-resistant
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Available 70gsm to 270gsm
- Best value for most applications
- Not suited to sub-zero abrasion
- 10× stronger tear resistance vs PE
- Flexible to −30°C
- Welded seams — fully waterproof
- Chemical & abrasion resistant
- 5–10 year outdoor lifespan
- Breathable — no condensation
- Wax-treated — self-improving seal
- 10–20 year service life
- Eco-friendly & biodegradable
- Heavier and higher cost than PE
Section 03 — Weight Guide
GSM Weight Guide — The Definitive UK Reference
GSM (grams per square metre) is the single most important specification when buying a tarpaulin. It determines durability, expected service life, and suitability for your application. Here is our complete GSM reference table.
| GSM Weight | Grade | Typical Use | Expected Life | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70–90gsm | Ultra Economy | One-off use, decorating dust sheets, temporary covers | 1 season | — |
| 100–120gsm | Economy | Garden furniture, camping groundsheets, light outdoor use | 1–2 seasons | — |
| 140–160gsm | Standard | Regular outdoor use, log stores, caravan covers, allotments | 2–4 years | Shop → |
| 185–200gsm | Medium-Heavy | Construction sites, agricultural use, vehicle covers, scaffolding | 3–5 years | Shop → |
| 250–270gsm | Heavy | Heavy machinery, permanent installations, agriculture, industrial | 5+ years | Shop → |
| 350–420gsm | Super Heavy | Industrial groundsheets, skip covers, permanent HGV covers | 7–10 years | Shop → |
| 500–900gsm | PVC Commercial | Lorry curtain sides, permanent structures, industrial enclosures | 8–12+ years | Shop → |
Pro tip from our team: When in doubt, go one GSM grade heavier than you think you need. The cost difference between 140gsm and 200gsm is minimal — but the difference in service life is 2–3 years. The most common mistake customers make is buying economy when they need standard, or standard when they need heavy.
Section 04 — Size Guide
Tarpaulin Size Guide — What Size Do You Need?
Always buy larger than the item you're covering. Our rule of thumb: add a minimum of 50cm to each dimension for overhang, tie-down margin, and wind movement. For permanent outdoor installations, add 1 metre per side.
Section 05 — Colour Guide
Tarpaulin Colours and Their Uses
Colour isn't just aesthetics — it affects UV performance, visibility, temperature regulation, and suitability for specific applications.
Section 06 — Eyelets & Fixing Points
Eyelets and Fixing Points Explained
All our tarpaulins come with metal eyelets around the perimeter for securing with ropes, bungee cords, or straps. Eyelet quality and spacing significantly affect performance — especially in wind.
Standard on economy and medium weight tarps. Rust-resistant but lighter duty than brass. Typically 8–12mm diameter, spaced every 100cm.
Stronger and more corrosion-resistant than aluminium. Found on heavy weight and PVC tarps. Spaced every 50–75cm for more secure lashing.
The highest stress points on any tarp. All quality tarps have double or triple-reinforced corner patches. Never lift a loaded tarp by corner eyelets alone.
Eyelet spacing rule: Economy tarps have eyelets every ~100cm. Heavy weight tarps every 50–75cm. More eyelets = more secure and less likely to tear at fixing points. For high-wind or permanent installations, always choose a tarp with eyelets no more than 75cm apart.
Section 07 — How to Secure
How to Secure a Tarpaulin Properly
A poorly secured tarpaulin is dangerous and will quickly damage itself and what it covers. Follow these professional best practices for every application.
Never just drape and weigh down with bricks or stones — this concentrates stress at single points and allows wind to get underneath. Our bungee shock cords provide the right combination of tension and elasticity to absorb wind gusts without tearing eyelets.
Using every other eyelet on each side creates a more even tension distribution across the tarp. This prevents stress concentration that leads to eyelet failure or fabric tearing around fixing points.
Use rope loops or dedicated edge weights at the bottom hem. For ground-level covers, tuck the edge under the item or use ground stakes. Wind getting under the bottom edge is how most tarps are destroyed — address this before the first storm.
Never allow a flat tarp to pool water — even a small amount of standing water can weigh hundreds of kilograms and collapse or tear the tarp. Use a central ridge pole or prop to create a minimum 10° slope so water runs off the edge. In heavy rain, check and adjust regularly.
In any forecast with gusts above 30mph, use at least 3 anchor points per side and add additional anchor ropes from central eyelets to fixed ground points. Check your securing every 24 hours during sustained high wind events.
Section 08 — Fire Safety
Flame-Retardant Tarpaulins: When Are They Required?
For certain applications, standard tarpaulins are not permitted by law or health and safety regulations. Specifying the wrong product creates serious legal liability.
FR Tarpaulins Are Required For:
- Public events, festivals and outdoor markets
- Theatre and stage applications
- Scaffolding shrouds around occupied buildings
- Any application near electrical equipment or welding
- Schools and public buildings
- Hospital and NHS site work
Our Flame Retardant range meets: BS 5438 (UK) • M2 (French Standard) • DIN 4102 B1 (German Standard) • Always request a fire certificate from your supplier.
Section 09 — By Industry
Tarpaulins by Industry and Application
We cover every major industry application in dedicated guides and collections. Find your specific use case below.
Scaffold sheeting, material protection, site covers. 200–270gsm recommended minimum.
Shop Heavy Weight →Silage covers, hay storage, machinery protection. Canvas for breathable covers, PE for waterproof.
Shop Agricultural →Lorry curtain sides, load securing covers. PVC 500–900gsm, welded seams, certified.
Shop PVC →Market stall canopies, event covers, festival roofing. Clear and coloured PE in standard stall sizes.
Shop Market Stall →ECB-specification cricket pitch covers. Club and county standard. Roll-on covers and flat covers.
Shop Cricket Covers →Boat covers, dinghy covers, marina equipment. Canvas breathes — prevents hull condensation unlike plastic.
Shop Canvas →Section 10 — FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions our team answers most often — with thorough, honest answers from 14+ years of tarpaulin expertise.
What's the difference between a tarpaulin and a ground sheet? +
Very little in material terms — a groundsheet is simply a tarpaulin used on the ground, typically for camping or construction. The main practical difference is that groundsheets need to be heavier and more puncture-resistant as they bear weight and abrasion from below. For camping groundsheets, we recommend a minimum of 140gsm. For construction site groundsheets, 200gsm minimum — more if heavy plant or vehicles will pass over it.
Can I use a tarpaulin as a temporary roof? +
Yes, temporarily. We recommend a minimum of 170gsm for any roofing application, with the tarp tensioned to allow water run-off — never pooling. Create a ridge or slope using a central batten or prop so water runs to the edges. For anything more than a few weeks, use our PVC range which handles UV degradation and physical stress far better than PE. Never leave a flat, horizontal tarpaulin in heavy rain without checking for water accumulation — even moderate pooling can weigh hundreds of kilograms.
Are tarpaulins recyclable? +
PE tarpaulins are technically recyclable as type 2 or 4 plastic, but very few UK councils accept them via household recycling. Some specialist recyclers process large quantities for commercial customers. PVC tarpaulins have more limited recycling options — contact your local council or a specialist waste contractor. Canvas tarpaulins are the most eco-friendly option, being biodegradable at end of life and producing no microplastic contamination during use.
How do I clean and store a tarpaulin? +
Cleaning: Brush off loose dirt when dry, then wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush for stubborn marks. Rinse thoroughly. Never use solvents or bleach on PE tarps — these degrade the UV stabilisers. For canvas, do not machine wash as this strips the wax treatment. Storage: Allow to dry fully before folding — never store damp as mould will develop within days. Fold or roll loosely (never tightly creased in the same places), and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Prolonged tight folding at the same points causes crease failure over time.
Are tarpaulins VAT-exempt? +
No — tarpaulins are subject to standard UK VAT at 20%. We display both inc. VAT and exc. VAT pricing on all our products for your convenience. Trade customers with a VAT number can purchase on trade accounts with invoices showing exc. VAT pricing. Contact our team for trade account setup.
Can I get a tarpaulin cut to a custom size? +
Yes. Call our team on 01744 520 110 or email sales@tarpaulinsuk.uk for custom sizing. We can supply bespoke sizes in PVC with welded seams and custom eyelet placement for orders over 10m². Canvas roll is also sold by the metre for custom-length projects. For standard PE tarpaulins, we stock the widest range of pre-made sizes in the UK — from 1.8m × 2.4m to 15m × 30m and beyond.
Do tarpaulins rot or degrade outdoors? +
Modern PE and PVC tarpaulins do not rot. However, prolonged UV exposure degrades polyethylene tarps over time — economy tarps may begin to become brittle after 2–3 seasons in direct sunlight. Heavier GSM tarps with better UV stabilisation last significantly longer. Canvas tarps can rot if stored wet. Mould can grow on the surface of any tarp that is stored damp, but this does not affect structural integrity and can be cleaned off. The key enemies of any tarpaulin are: prolonged UV without adequate UV stabilisation, abrasion from rough edges, and water pooling causing mechanical stress.
Section 11 — Why Tarpaulins UK
Why Buy From Tarpaulins UK?
We've been supplying tarpaulins across the UK since 2010. Here's what sets us apart from generalist suppliers and marketplaces.
- ✓ Express delivery on orders before 2pm
- ✓ 30-day returns on all standard products
- ✓ Expert advice: 01744 520 110, Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm
- ✓ Trade & bulk pricing for regular commercial customers
- ✓ Widest UK range — economy to industrial PVC, all in stock
- ✓ Custom sizing & bespoke PVC fabrication available
Ready to Buy?
Find Your Perfect Tarpaulin
Browse our full range — from economy 140gsm to industrial 420gsm PVC. Expert advice available on 01744 520 110.
📞 01744 520 110 • ✉ sales@tarpaulinsuk.uk • Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm