Introduction
Do you know the Royal Navy first used tarpaulins in the 1600s, where they were used to cover important Navy kits?
It is easy to find yourself in need of covers for your greenhouse, protecting gear, construction sites, cover boats, or other outdoor adventures.
The most common cover is a tarpaulin when you find yourself in need of weather protection.
But even then, some of this tarpaulin may not be effective. In modern days, PE tarpaulin sheet is effective and can be used to protect various objects from rain protection for the cherry to cold resistance in plantations.
This PE Tarpaulin Comprehensive Guide (2024) will provide you with the information you need to settle for the right tarp.
Now, let’s get to it.
What is Tarpaulin?
What is it? You probably know it in its shortened form “tarp.” It is a large sheet of the strong and waterproof liner.
The word tarpaulin comes from tar and pall, meaning sheets for covering ships. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) tarpaulin is made from cross-weaved fabric. The fabric is further double-coated pe film.
This is the plastic industry’s latest technological development to give you a good chemical stability tarp.
Types of Tarpaulin
Tarpaulins are of three main types. There is the traditional canvas, and modern type, i.e., polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Canvas
This is made of woven cotton. It is heavier than a polyethylene tarp. It is strong and withstands rough conditions.
Polyvinyl chloride (Vinyl）
This is for industrial or heavy-duty use. It has water resistance, great abrasion resistance, and tear strength.
Poly tarp
The poly tarp is lightweight. It is the least expensive compared with canvas and vinyl.
Besides, they are waterproof and rot-proof. Poly tarpaulins are a wonderful choice for your everyday use. But they are not as strong as vinyl or canvas tarps.
How to Make PE Tarpaulin
Polyethylene is PE tarpaulin made from polyethylene material. A liquid called Naphtha is produced when petroleum is refined. The naptha undergoes cracking to produce ethylene. Ethylene is then polymerized to produce polyethylene pellets. The process is controlled under catalyst, pressure, and temperature. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE plastic) is produced through high-pressure polymerization. Alternatively, high-density polyethylene is produced (HPDE) through a low-pressure process. HDPE is useful for making other plastic items such as plastic bags and garbage cans.
After getting high-density polyethylene (HDPE), you’ve 2 options leading to either 3 or 5 layers.
- The 3 layers comprise a layer of fabric and 2 layers of coating.
- The 3 layers contain 2 layers of fabric and 3 layers of coating.
A weaving makes it stretch-resistant while coating gives it a protective shiny finish. The rolls are cut to size, edges strengthened with rope and fastened.
Your HDPE tarpaulins have components that include grommets, rope construction, special coatings, and accessories.
It is a process; it does not happen in a few minutes but is perfected by the manufacturer over time.
Where to Use the Tarpaulin?
There are 1001 uses for tarpaulin. Whether you are a gardener, boat owner, builder, landscaper, or adventurer, you’re covered.
In Commercial Enterprise
If you run a commercial enterprise, use the tarp for your camping and home renovation. Probably want to cover the vehicle, swimming pool, shading, and much more, the tarps come in handy.
In the Construction industry
In case you’re in the construction industry, you can use scaffolding to protect unfinished buildings; you can also use a welding curtain, machinery cover, and many others.
In orchard
Even better, if you’re a farmer, the tarp protects your food grains from everything – pests, rain, and weather. And there is more. You can use it in a greenhouse, solar drying shed covers, fish pond liners, biogas, poultry roofs, and many more.
In cherry cultivation, the tarpaulin is one of the best rain protection facilities, it can prevent cherry rot, prevent fungal diseases.
In disaster relief
Next, if you’re involved in the humanitarian field, you can use tarps as a temporary refugee shelter. You shelter the homeless after a natural disaster.
As you can see, PE tarpaulins are versatile and have never-ending uses.
How to Buy PE Tarpaulin Sheet? (Weight, Thickness, Uv, Size, Color)
When you go to buy tarps, pay keen attention to the specifications. This ensures you get the right tarp for your needs.
Weight
Check the weight specification (listed in grams per square meter) because it is a durability measure. This is important when choosing between different tarps of the same brand.
Thickness
The thickness is indicated in millimeters varying from 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The thicker the tarpaulin, the more strength. Use thicker tarps in your heavy-duty applications.
UV
Note also whether your tarp is UV stabilized. If the tarp is not UV resistant, it may degrade quickly.
Size
When you’re buying a tarp, the size, and area should indicate coverage for the application.
Color
The tarps come in a wide range of colors to suit your needs. They don’t conform to any standard. You can find a great color that goes with your needs. For example, you want a tent for your general light works. In this case, you can go for blue, green, and brown colors. If you’re leading a crew working outdoors, go for yellow, orange, and red. Choose white and silver tarps if you want to shelter from the sun.
Installation Accessories
The tarpaulin goes with accessories for its installation, repairs, and maintenance. EyouAgro stock a wide range of tarpaulin fasteners, connectors, and ties down ropes, clips, brackets, clamps, droppers, and many more to fit all your needs.
The tie-downs are used to keep the cover placed on an item. This is to prevent your tarp from draping off or being blown by the wind
The clips provide points to attach your ropes, canopies, and covers. The clamps also hold the canopies and covers without damaging your tarp.
The ground cover pegs keep your tarpaulin safely secured to the ground. You can use eyelet accessories because they reduce tearing. There are also products for repairing tarps and adding extra eyelets. This will help to extend the life of your tarp.
Installation Method
After acquiring the tarp and accessories, the last stage is installation. The installation is dependent on the use. You can also get expert advice for the entire tarp installation process.
For example, let us look at the Cherry rain cover. The cover is used in the production of cherry berries and other fruits. Without the cover, your cherry production is uncertain. Insects and rain conditions will affect your cherries.
Cherry Rain Cover
Because of this uncertainty, the cherries are grown under various tarpaulin covers. The common ones are
- Tunnels protecting many rows
- Cables and pole structures that protect individual rows
- A greenhouse-like structure protecting the whole orchards.
The covers for your cherry are made from HDPE fabric cross-weaving waterproof cloth with lamination. The finished product is made in custom sizes. It is reinforced with selvage and grommets at intervals for easy anchoring to the crop protection structures. The tarps cover also comes with a full set of accessories.
Conclusion
You should never be in a hurry to invest in a tarpaulin. It should be something where you give serious thought. On the market, you will find too many tarps. The only way you can determine the best pick is by arming yourself with proper information.
We hope this guide should help you have a clear perspective on PE tarpaulins.
EyouAgro is a trusted tarpaulin supplier, providing quality covers for your orchards. The covers are made from HDPE fabric cross-weaving waterproof cloth with lamination and reinforced with selvage and grommets for easy anchoring to crop protection structures.
If you have any requests please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to assist you and make sure your needs are met.
