Tarpaulin sheets, simply referred to as tarp, are widely used in covering and sheltering lots of commodities and merchandise. Whether it’s shielding a boat from a storm, wrapping a pile of wood, or putting up a makeshift shelter, tarps have a critical purpose in varied uses. However, with new and improved types of Tarps in the market it is very important to look at the weight-carrying capacity to get the right tarp that will suit the intended purpose. What you have to know about tarpaulin sheet weight ratings is what this blog aims to impart.
A basic orientation to tarpaulin sheet weight ratings
To describe the strength of a tarpaulin sheet different companies use weight ratings, this can be somewhat unhelpful but clear as mud, it is very important to bear in mind when choosing your tarp. Weight ratings refer to the actual allowable weight the tarp can bear without tearing the fabric or losing its form. This information is vital when choosing a tarp since it will help you decide whether it can protect your belongings from natural conditions. There are mainly three weight ratings for tarps: the categories that are usually subcategorical to heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty vehicles.
Heavy-Duty Tarps
Commercial duty tarps are meant for use in the heaviest applications and the worst conditions. They are available in materials like vinyl or polyethylene and are up to ten to twenty-five mils thick. These tarps affording 14 oz/sq yard or above, are capable of handling loads and able to endure the result of sun, wind, and rain. Many applications can be associated with heavy-duty tarps such as construction areas, moving equipment, and ships among others.
Medium-Duty Tarps
The mid-weight ones are perfect for roughly average use, such as canoes, tools, and other small merchandise storage, and the like. These tarps are made using thinner materials which include 6 to 10 mil Poly ethylene and a weight of between 9 to 13 oz per sq yard. They allow average climate conditions, however, they are not good when exposed to extreme weather or if they have to support heavy loads.
Light-Duty Tarps
General-purpose tarps are used in easy tasks, for example, to protect furniture during the moving, to hide a rake with leaves, or to have a picnic using the tarp as a shade. These are mostly made from lighter materials like 3 to 6 mil polyethylene and are the lightest with a weight of about 8 oz per sq yard or less. Standard or what we call light-duty tarps are not recommended for very heavy loads and or for uses in areas exposed to weather elements for long durations.
Things That You Should Consider When Selecting a Tarpaulin Sheet
When selecting a Heavy Duty Tarpaulin, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Material: Most tarp fabrics come in different thicknesses and quality, as such, you need to make your choice based on the intended usage of the tarp. Commonly used materials are polyethylene, vinyl, canvas, and polyester.
- Size and shape: The form of the area you wish to cover should be another factor when choosing a tarp. Tarps come in different sizes and formations including rectangular, square, and triangular, and may come in custom shapes.
- Strength and weight rating: Select the tarp based on the weight it was assigned since we mean to effectively safeguard an item against the elements that came from the manufacturing line designed for maximum strength to safeguard against such loads.
- Reinforcements: Special features that are found in some tarps include grommets on the corners and sides, rope on the edges, or polyurethane laminated on the tarp’s surface. That is, these features can help enhance the firmness or ruggedness of the tarp to abrasion and other mechanical stress.
Ensuring Proper Tarp Usage
Flashing and protective edging added to the tarp ensures it can be well protected, with the right installation and regular maintenance, you are sure of its durability. Make sure that when you are tying the tarp on the roof you have well staked down the tarp and ensure that the corners of the tarp have well touched the item that you want to cover. Check if there are holes or tears on the tarp, if so, repair or replace it frequently. Read This
Conclusion
Knowledge of tarpaulin sheet weight rating is important in determining an appropriate tarp to use in your situation. Special-purpose or heavy-duty tarpaulins are recommended for application where the fabric is subjected to rigorous use, such as tanker compartments, boat covers, and truck bodies among others, and medium-duty and light-duty tarpaulins for lighter use such as protectors against weather elements for car-boot or luggage among others. What follows are some of the things you need to take into account when choosing a tarp material, size, shape, and weight carrying capacity. Depending on the tarp that you purchase and how you use it, you can prevent your storage items from getting damaged.
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