Tarpaulin for Sale: Sizes, Grades & Uses Compared
Key takeaways
A tarpaulin's GSM (grams per square metre) is the single best signal of how tough and long-lasting it will be.
PVC tarps outlast polyethylene for permanent and industrial jobs, while lighter PE covers suit short-term use.
Waterproofing is measured by how much water pressure a fabric holds back, the principle behind the ISO 811 hydrostatic test.
Made-to-measure tarps with reinforced hems and correctly spaced eyelets fail far less often at stress points than trimmed standard sheets.
Confirm material, size, eyelet layout and delivery terms before you pay, especially for custom covers.
Before you buy, match three things to your job: the material, the weight grade and the exact size you need. Getting those right matters far more than price, because a cover that is too thin or too small will fail long before a properly specified one does. This guide compares the tarpaulin options for sale so you can order with confidence, whether you are covering a woodpile, a hay bale or a loaded tipper truck.
Most searches for a tarpaulin for sale come from people ready to buy, not people learning the basics. So the sections below focus on the decisions that change your order: grade, size, finishing and delivery.
Common Tarpaulin Uses for Homes, Farms and Businesses
Tarpaulins do the same core job everywhere, keeping water, sun and dust off whatever sits underneath, but the demands differ sharply by setting. A quick, honest read of your use case tells you most of what you need to know about the grade to buy.
Around the home, tarps cover firewood, patio furniture, trailers, DIY materials and leaking roofs during repairs. These jobs are usually short-term and lower-stress, so a lighter cover often does the work.
On farms, the demands rise. Hay and feed covers, implement protection, silage sheeting and livestock shelter all face constant sun, wind and abrasion. Farm tarps need higher tear strength and better UV resistance because they stay outdoors for months.
Businesses push tarps hardest of all. Tipper tarps, truck and trailer covers, builders' sheeting, marquee tents and industrial screens face daily handling, road grit and heavy weather. Here a heavy-duty PVC cover is usually the sensible choice, and often a custom one.
Weight Grades and Waterproof Ratings on a Tarpaulin for Sale
Weight grade is the clearest signal of durability, and it is measured in GSM, or grams per square metre. GSM captures the combined weight of the base fabric plus any coating, so a higher number almost always means a thicker, tougher tarp. Match the grade to how hard the job is, then confirm the material.
Polyethylene (PE) tarps sit at the lighter end and suit temporary or budget jobs. PVC tarps are heavier and far more hard-wearing, which is why they dominate industrial and permanent applications. As a rough rule, PE covers are the short-term option and PVC is what you buy when the tarp has to survive years outdoors.
"Waterproof" also deserves a closer look. No fabric holds back water at every pressure, so the meaningful question is how much water pressure a cover resists before it lets water through. That is exactly what the international hydrostatic test, ISO 811, measures: it applies steadily rising water pressure and records the point at which water penetrates the fabric (Airmid Health Group). A well-made PVC tarp with sealed seams performs strongly on this measure, which is why it sheds heavy rain where a cheap sheet weeps at the stitching.
Independent textile testing bodies stress the same point: rain resistance depends on both the fabric and how it is finished, not on a single marketing label (SGS). Several recognised standards exist for this, and ISO 811 sits alongside methods like AATCC 127 in a wider family of hydrostatic tests (ChiuVention). When you compare a tarpaulin for sale, ask for its material and GSM rather than trusting the word "waterproof" on its own.
A simple grade guide
Light-duty: thin PE sheeting for short-term covers and one-off jobs.
Medium-duty: mid-weight PVC for regular use, trailers and general site work.
Heavy-duty: high-GSM PVC for tipper tarps, permanent structures and demanding industrial use.
Standard Sizes vs Made-to-Measure Options
Standard tarps come in fixed rectangular sizes off the shelf, which makes them cheap and quick to buy. They work well when a stock sheet covers your item with a bit of overlap to spare. The trade-off is fit: you either accept extra material flapping in the wind or trim the sheet, which weakens its edges.
Made-to-measure covers solve the fit problem. When you need an exact shape, a standard rectangle rarely does the job cleanly. Pool covers, lapa blinds, marquee panels, tipper tarps and bakkie covers all benefit from being built to precise dimensions, so they sit tight, shed water properly and last longer.
Moderntarps manufactures both, including custom pool covers, tipper tarps, lapa blinds and bakkie covers cut to your measurements. For anything that has to fit a specific frame, vehicle or opening, measure carefully and order the size you actually need rather than forcing a stock sheet to work.
Eyelets, Reinforced Edges and Other Finishing Choices
Finishing is where a tarp quietly succeeds or fails, because tears almost always start at the edges and fixing points. The cover material can be excellent, but if the hem is weak or the eyelets are poorly placed, wind and tension will find that weakness fast.
Reinforced hems matter most. A folded, welded or double-stitched edge spreads load across the border of the tarp instead of concentrating it at a single point. Eyelets, sometimes called grommets, are the metal rings you thread rope or bungees through. Their spacing controls how evenly you can tension the cover, and closer spacing on heavier tarps keeps the sheet flat in wind.
Other useful finishing options include rope-reinforced edges for extra pull strength, corner plates at high-stress corners, and welded seams rather than stitched ones for better waterproofing. When comparing products, check the finishing spec, not just the fabric, because that is what determines how long the tarp survives real use.
How to Order and Get Delivery to Your Door
Ordering is straightforward once you have settled on material, grade, size and finishing. Have those four details ready, because they are exactly what a supplier needs to quote accurately and cut a custom cover correctly.
For custom work, measure twice and note where you need eyelets or reinforcement. Confirm the material and GSM in writing, agree the finishing, and ask about lead time for made-to-measure items, which take longer than pulling a standard sheet off the shelf.
Delivery is the last thing to lock down. Moderntarps offers door-to-door delivery across provinces including Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo, and installation on larger custom covers such as pool covers and lapa blinds. Confirm your delivery area, any installation options and the timeline before you pay, so the tarp arrives ready to fit the day it lands.
Your next step is simple: write down your item's dimensions, decide how long the cover needs to last, and use that to choose a grade. With those in hand, request a quote for the exact size and finishing you need rather than settling for the nearest stock sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the strongest type of tarpaulin?
Heavy-duty PVC tarpaulins are the strongest common option. They carry high GSM ratings, resist UV and abrasion, and typically last several years longer than polyethylene covers in permanent outdoor use.
What does GSM mean on a tarpaulin?
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It measures the combined weight of the base fabric and any coating per square metre, so a higher GSM generally means a thicker, tougher and more durable tarp.
Is a PVC or polyethylene tarpaulin better?
PVC is better for heavy-duty, long-term and industrial jobs because it resists weather and tearing. Polyethylene is cheaper and lighter, which suits temporary covers and short-term protection.
Should I buy a standard or custom-size tarpaulin?
Buy standard sizes when a stock sheet fits your job with a little overlap. Order made-to-measure when you need an exact fit, such as a pool cover, tipper tarp or bakkie cover, to avoid gaps and flapping.
How are tarpaulins delivered in South Africa?
Many manufacturers, including Moderntarps, offer door-to-door delivery across provinces such as Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo. Larger custom covers may also include on-site installation.
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