A Guide to Tarps
Tarpaulins, more commonly known as tarps, have a wide variety of
uses. Tarps are large, strong sheets of fabric that are usually
waterproof or at least water resistant. Tarps are flexible and
are often coated in latex or plastic to give them extra
strength. Traditionally, tarps are made of canvas, but they can
be made of other fabrics as well. Tarpaulins have been in use
for well over a century, and they are still being updated and
used in new situations.
There are countless uses for tarps, ranging from covering
baseball diamonds during rainstorms, to hauling lumber, to
protecting campers from the elements. They can be used both as a
roof or extra layer of protection of a tent and as a first layer
on the ground to keep out the damp.
Many tarps can be used for several purposes, but others are made
for one or two specific uses. Tarps can be used for basically
any outdoor endeavor, including gardening, hauling, large scale
lawn care, camping, and numerous military uses.
Tarpaulins come in numerous colors, including camouflage. They
are made of different materials, depending on what they are used
for. Some of the strongest tarps are made of polyethylene and
other synthetic fibers. Most tarps are water-resistant and many
are fire retardant. There are several different sizes of tarps
as well. Some are small squares of fabric measuring a few square
feet, and others are big enough to cover a football field.
Tarps are such a large part of many activities that they may be
taken for granted. People assume that all tarps are the same,
but that is not the case. Tarps are made of many different
materials and come in several different strengths, sizes and
colors. There is a similarly wide range in prices, but one can
be found to meet the needs of most any budget.