These lightweight tarps provide excellent temporary protection against water and sun damage under many circumstances and conditions. They are frequently used to protect furniture and flooring when painting is being done. However, there are specific limitations to the ways blue tarps should be used. Understanding the specific applications for which they were and were not designed helps consumers be sure they are selecting the appropriate tarp for their need.

Long Term Cover

Blue tarps were not designed for long term cover. These tarps are intended only for use as temporary covers. They are lightweight enough to be easy to use, but they cannot provide long term protection. If an item must be covered for more than two or three months, a heavy duty tarp would be a better choice. A heavy duty tarp is made with more fabric and is thicker, making it more durable and weather resistant.

Unlike lumber tarps, or a heavy duty tarp, the blue material will begin to break down after a relatively short period of time due to exposure to sunlight and extreme weather. While blue tarps provide excellent short term protection under most circumstances, they should never be counted upon to last for extended periods of time, or to withstand rough treatment or severe weather. Sharp Edges

Blue tarps should also not be used to cover loads or materials with sharp edges, such as steel wire, concrete, rocks, tree branches, or glass. The material used to make these tarps is simply not designed to withstand that sort of treatment. As wind moves the tarp against any sharp edges, the material will rip and tear, exposing your items to sun and rain.

If something with sharp edges needs protection, lumber tarps can provide that protection without requiring you to build a structure. Lumber tarps are specifically designed for use over wood piles and for covering truck loads of lumber. Their heavy gauge material and heat-treated seams are better able to withstand the rough nature of the materials they are covering. A more heavy duty tarp will resist tears from twigs and branches, keeping your wood dry and secure. There are many varieties of lumber tarps and other heavy duty tarp products to choose from, depending upon the application.

Disposal

Most people make the mistake of throwing their damaged or worn out “blues” in the trash. But these tarps are actually made out of polyethylene plastics and can be recycled in the same way as your plastic soda bottles and milk jugs. As handy as these lightweight tarps are, they won’t last forever.

Realistic expectations and an understanding of a material’s capabilities can help ensure that your possessions are kept clean and dry in any condition by using the proper tarp for your application.

Chris Harmen writes for MyTarp.com, where customers can get high quality tarps at affordable prices. Among the many types of tarps to choose from are blue tarps for temporary protection, lumber tarps or a heavy duty tarp for longer term protection and durability.

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Generally speaking, vinyl is stronger than poly, and more expensive. If you need something that won’t be likely to rip or tear, vinyl is a better choice. At the same time, there are plenty of times when inexpensive poly will do the job beautifully and for far less money. Understanding the various types of both poly and vinyl tarps that are available on the market today will help you to select the best product for your needs.

Poly White Tarp

The most common use for a white tarp is to provide long term protection for boats, cars, and RVs. They are also used in landscaping, roofing, to cover wood piles, and even skating rinks. Unlike the lightweight blue tarp, a white tarp is a heavy duty tarp designed to last longer and to withstand the effects of sun, wind, and rain. A white tarp is waterproof, mildew, rot, tear and acid resistant, and can handle below freezing temperatures. They are also UV treated for protection against sunlight and to ensure a longer life. A quality white tarp offers heat sealed edges and the hems are reinforced with rope. Corners are reinforced with a solid plastic bar, adding strength and stability. The material is 11-12 mils thick, making it durable and tear resistant.

Poly Silver Tarp

A silver tarp is another variety of heavy duty poly tarp. At 12 mils thick, they are highly rip resistant. They are also treated to be water, rot, and mildew resistant, and can be used in sub-zero temperatures. Silver tarps are frequently used for roofing, trailer and RV covers, woodpiles, and landscaping. Like the white tarp, a silver tarp offers UV protection and heat sealed seams reinforced with rope in the hems and rust resistant grommets.

Vinyl Clear Tarps

Vinyl clear tarps are an excellent choice for patio and porch enclosures, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without getting wet. They can also turn your RV awning into an instant porch with a view. Unlike many others, clear tarpaulins come in both poly and vinyl material. Vinyl clear tarps are available in both 18 oz – 20 mil size and 27 oz – 30 mil size. This means that they feature 18 or 20 ounces of material per square yard and are 20 to 30 mil thick. This makes them some of the strongest tarps available on the market. Clear vinyl tarps are highly waterproof, tear resistant, as well as acid, oil, grease, and mildew resistant.

Poly Clear Tarps

Clear poly tarps are lighter and less expensive and provide less protection than their vinyl cousins. If you will be painting your home and want to protect the furniture or the shrubs, poly is an excellent choice. In those situations, you can save a lot of money be using poly instead of vinyl. In situations where strength and durability are important, vinyl will give you all the protection you need.

Chris Harmen writes for MyTarp.com, where customers can choose from affordable, high quality white tarp and silver tarp poly products, or heavy duty vinyl clear tarps, depending upon their needs.

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Tie Me Down

The number one protection you can give tarps of all kinds is to properly secure them when in use. They are not meant for gale force winds or hurricanes. To be effective and long lasting, blue tarps, white tarps, and other heavy duty tarps must be securely fastened to a stable structure. Flapping erratically in powerful wind will destroy even the best made product. In windy areas, it’s a good idea to allow the air a path of least resistance to minimize the wear and tear on your tarps.

Treat Me Right

When you are not using your tarp, you can greatly extend its useful life by cleaning it properly. Both poly and vinyl tarpaulins can be cleaned simply with soapy water and a sponge. Canvas can also be cleaned with soapy water or detergents specifically designed to clean them. Canvas should never be placed in your washing machine or dryer as the waxes and dyes used can stain your machine. You can retreat your canvas with Canvac or similar chemicals to refresh their water and mold resistant qualities.

Stow Me Below Decks

When your tarp is not in use, it should be stored out of the sun and rain to help protect the integrity of the material. Leaving even a heavy duty tarp outside on a job site or in your yard will expose it needlessly to the elements, reducing its effective life span. In addition, being blown around and rubbing against abrasive materials or sharp edges and corners can damage the tarpaulin, causing it to require replacement much faster.

The material will determine how much rough treatment it can withstand. A lightweight blue tarp is the most fragile and inexpensive. They are not designed for use on sharp or rough edges such as wood piles, concrete, or in shipping. White tarps, on the other hand, are more durable and can withstand rougher conditions. A heavy duty tarp made from vinyl is thicker and more durable than poly tarps.

You can protect your tarpaulins by keeping them clean, tying them down properly, and putting them away when not in use. Cheap or expensive, all tarps will last far longer and perform better if they are kept clean and put away when not in use. Tying them down properly will also ensure their longevity and effectiveness.

Chris Harmen is a writer for MyTarp.com, where customers can find protection from the elements with blue tarp, white tarps or other heavy duty tarp products, along with instructions on the proper care for tarps of all kinds.

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Treatments

Many tarpaulins are waterproof, mold, mildew, and rip resistant, and they offer UV protection. High quality covers are generally made with double-stitched and heat treated seams and feature rust resistant grommets. A lumber tarp will often feature rope sewn into the hems to provide extra strength and durability.

Poly

The most popular tarps are blue and made from polyethylene mesh and treated with a polyethylene coating. These are your least expensive and least durable products. They work well when protecting floors and furniture from paint splatters, and they provide short term protection for lawn furniture and vehicles. When a lightweight poly tarp isn’t enough, heavy duty poly tarps are a good option as they are stronger and lighter than canvas, making them especially useful when you need something more durable.

Canvas

Canvas is made from cotton and then treated with chemicals that make it water, mold, and mildew resistant. Unlike the blue or clear varieties, canvas is designed for outdoor use only. While canvas is breathable, the wax and dye in the fabric can rub off, making it an ideal cover for construction equipment, but a poor choice for the family boat or RV. Also, due to the potential for tearing, canvas is not recommended to secure vehicle loads.

Vinyl Vinyl tarpaulins are made from vinyl or PVC material, making them stronger, and more expensive, than canvas or poly. Vinyl tarps are commonly used by truck drivers to secure loads and to cover materials that may be susceptible to rain or sun damage during shipping. Vinyl is far more tear resistant than canvas or poly, making it the ideal choice for a lumber tarp. Lumber tarps made from vinyl coated polyester fabrics are widely used by professional truckers to cover their cargo loads.

Vinyl is also used to create clear tarps that provide excellent cover and protection from the elements when camping or traveling by RV. A clear tarp can turn a miserable weekend into a cozy family get together simply by creating a see-through porch from your RV awning. A clear tarpaulin is also an excellent choice when you need to keep an eye on whatever it is that you are protecting.

Mesh

Mesh tarps are loosely or tightly woven or vinyl coated, which makes them perfect for tennis courts, wind screens, privacy fences, and to secure truck loads. Mesh can also be used to protect fruit trees and bushes from being destroyed by birds.

Using the right high quality tarps can protect your investment in many household and work related situations. A lumber tarp can secure your cargo load for trucking companies and professional truck drivers. A clear tarp can rescue a rainy weekend, and canvas makes excellent cover for heavy equipment. The range of uses is practically limitless, especially when you know enough to order the right tarp for your needs.

Chris Harmen is a writer for MyTarp.com, where customers can get temporary or long term protection from a variety of durable lumber tarp or clear tarp products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_A._Harmen