A tarpaulin is the best and easiest way to secure and protect an item from bad weather as well as from sun exposure. The tarpaulins are made of strong and waterproof materials, and are capable of providing protection to everything stored underneath ranging from piles of lumber to load on a flatbed truck as well as various other such things. These covers help in keeping the dirt, dust and other such things away from the items underneath.
As far as buying the best truck tarpaulins is concerned, there are several things you need to consider to choose the right truck tarpaulin. There are a number of sellers selling a wide variety of tarpaulins at different price points. Here is a list of some of the important factors you should take into account to choose the right one for your needs.
- Buying the Best Truck Tarpaulins
Before you decide to buy tarpaulins, there are some terms you should know to ensure you understand the factors that affect the strength as well as durability of the tarpaulins.
The most important factor that affects the strength of tarpaulins is the thickness of the material. It is usually measured in millimeters, and the thickness usually ranges anywhere from 0.1 to 0.4 mm. Needless to say, the thicker the tarpaulin, the more heavy-duty its application as thickness also increases the weight of the cover.
While light tarpaulins are typically used for indoor applications where they are never exposed to harsh weather and sunlight, thicker and heavier tarpaulins are used outdoors where they are exposed to the elements on a regular basis. Therefore, tarpaulins required to be used outdoors need to be heavier and strong.
Another significant factor that affects the strength of a tarpaulin is the mesh count. A higher mesh count means a stronger tarpaulin. The count of mesh gives a general idea of the thickness of tarpaulin material. It also affects the weight of the tarpaulin as well as the level of protection. In simple terms, tarpaulin with higher mesh count is better suited for heavier application.
Different terms are used by sellers to refer to the size of the tarpaulins. You need to understand the difference between the cut size and finish size. The cut size in case of tarpaulins refers to the initial size of the material when it is first manufactured. This gives an idea to the tarp manufacturer regarding the amount of material that can be folded over the edge.
This folded over material helps in providing reinforcement at the edge and prevents the tarp from wear and tear. In simple terms, the finish size of the tarpaulin is up to 6 inches shorter than the cut size. Therefore, you need to remember this distinction between cut size and finish size when you are looking to buy a tarpaulin.
There are many different types of tarpaulins available in the market with varying thicknesses, mesh count and sizes. Different types of tarps are used for different functions. Here is a list of some of the popular types of tarpaulins available in the market these days.
Polyethylene tarp is the term used for tarpaulins made from polyethylene. These are versatile tarps that can be used for a variety of purposes. Generally, these are the most economical choice available on the market. These are not only cheaper but also easy to work with as compared to some of the options available on the market.
Another option available is PVC tarps that are more heavy-duty tarpaulins and these are more widely used in the construction industry. These are also used as a roof tarps as well as truck tarps. In addition, these are also widely used as grain covers as these are waterproof. There are also canvas tarps which are widely used in the transport industry as truck tarpaulins. These are usually chosen where breathability is a requirement as this material allows the air to pass through.
When it comes to material of the truck tarpaulins, many different types of materials are used for making truck tarpaulins. One of the most common types is the polyethylene tarpaulins where a plastic based synthetic polymer material is used for making tarpaulin. The biggest advantage of polyethylene tarpaulins is that these are inexpensive, flexible, tough and waterproof. Another type of the material used for making tarpaulin is the canvas which is made of closely woven fabric that is usually made of synthetic or natural fibers. The canvas material is not waterproof and soaks up spilled liquids.
There are also the mesh tarpaulins that are made from nylon threading that allows wind and water to pass through. This type of tarpaulin is great for reducing the wind flow in an area. As far as choosing the right material is concerned, it depends on the application.
There are many sellers of truck tarpaulins in the market but buying the best truck tarpaulins depends can be challenging if you do not choose the right seller. Make sure that the seller you are buying from has a good reputation in the market for selling high-quality material at the right price.
Before buying, ask them about the warranty offered regarding the durability as well as strength of the tarpaulin material. Keep in mind buying tarpaulin is expensive, and you won’t be buying it every other week. Therefore, do not waste money on cheap tarpaulins. Buy high quality tarpaulin to ensure it serves the intended purpose for a long time.