| You have several objects outdoors that need | | | | waterproof and UV resistance and offer a basic |
| coverage: a car, a woodpile, equipment like | | | | amount of breathability to prevent mildew and mold |
| lawnmowers, and even a boat. If you don't have a | | | | from forming on the object covered. |
| garage or a carport, how will you cover all of these | | | | Polyethylene tarps are also used on trucks to cover |
| investments? Tarps offer a universal solution to all of | | | | loads that cannot be exposed to water. Vinyl and |
| these objects. When secured in place by bungee | | | | polypropylene are used for the same purpose, |
| cords, these tarps can protect nearly any object. | | | | however. Polyethylene and vinyl cover loads, such as |
| But, however, if you venture to a store or website | | | | wood and asphalt, that cannot be exposed to water, |
| selling tarps, which one should you choose? Most | | | | while polypropylene, essentially a mesh tarp, is better |
| manufacturers and distributors carry a combination of | | | | for gravel and other materials not affected by water |
| polyethylene, canvas, polypropylene, and vinyl. Do | | | | and moisture. |
| each of these have different uses? | | | | Canvas is another common material used for tarps. |
| The answer is yes. Polyethylene tarps, also known as | | | | Although thicker, canvas can tear easily and, thus, |
| simply poly tarps, are the most commonly used | | | | only has limited uses. Canvas tarps can be used |
| material out of all of these. A poly tarp comes in | | | | outdoors to cover objects, such as equipment and |
| medium and heavy-duty varieties. The difference | | | | woodpiles, for a brief period. Additionally, these tarps |
| between these is an eight by eight and 14 by 14 | | | | are ideal as drop cloths. The nature of cotton duck |
| denier count. All poly tarps can spend some time | | | | keeps the canvas from moving when draped over |
| outdoors, with heavy-duty materials being able to | | | | furniture. The canvas, then, prevents furniture and |
| spend several months outside. All are treated to be | | | | other objects from being ruined by paint. |