Importance of Tarpaulin - Types and Usage

“Long, strong, flexible, waterproof sheets - in layman’s language". The importance of tarpaulin is unquestionable because of the multiple uses that it can be put to, both at home and also in many industries. Tarpaulins are very helpful in sheltering people in case of disasters and other calamities as well. Tarpaulin is a heavy-duty, waterproof fabric, originally made of tarred cotton canvas and used by sailors. Today, tarps are commonly made of plastics such as polyethylene.

Tarpaulin is a highly versatile fabric and can be put to various uses like:-

• Protecting construction from roof leaks - After severe storms, homeowners are often left with large holes in their roofs and claims filed with insurance companies can take a long time to be processed. To avoid leaks and the water damage that accompanies it tarpaulin can be placed on roofs to provide temporary relief.
• Protecting transportation from sunlight and rainfall - Tarpaulins are used to shelter, food and other humanitarian goods when in transport from direct sunshine and rainfall. Different vehicles require different sizes and colours of tarpaulin covers and they will be made according to your needs. Tarpaulins can be folded and stored comfortably without occupying big spaces, unlike other materials used to make shades.
• Boosting agriculture production in farming- Tarpaulins are used in farming in several ways. Small-scale and large-scale farmers are using the greenhouse to boost production in farming businesses because in a greenhouse the growth of plants and production is regulated.
• Providing temporary shelters, comfort and safety- Tarpaulin material will provide easy, dry, area to shelter an individual or family until more temporary shelter can be found or created.
• Sheltering refugees in cases of disasters- Tarpaulins are easy to make a shelter with and they are also easy to transport. In tourism, tarpaulins are also widely used to make tents for people on hikes and camping sites. They are easy to use and transport from one place to the other because they are affordable and water resistant.
• Protecting animals from hot & cold climate- Tarpaulin structures can be constructed for temporary shelter of livestock during the hotter or colder months. They are stapled around the farm and house particularly if you live in an area prone to rain, or extreme weather. Ingesting the coated portions of a tarpaulin can prove to be extremely harmful to most animals.
• Using Tarps on Sports Grounds - A tarp which is used to protect a sports ground is known in commercial terms as a “field tarp”. These tarps are very large and designed to be used in specific kinds of sports ground due to the difference in the shape and the quality of the ground such as general material make-up.

Tarpaulins are a very strong and flexible product available in a wide range of colours and thickness. With advancement in technology, manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers all over India are offering a wide variety of tarpaulins for customers to choose from according to their requirements, such as

• Canvas Tarps are closely woven and manufactured using the natural or synthetic fibers. This is one of the oldest varieties of tarpaulins used for various purposes from hundreds of years. Its strength allows it to fight the wind and this has made canvas tarps the ideal choice for painters and people from the trucking industry.
• Truck Tarps are a very strong heavy duty poly coating that is used to manufacture truck tarpaulin. They are the ideal product for trucks that require traveling long distances by acting as a secured fitting coverage. Waterproof Tripal is used for truck covers and is moreover available in the market in a huge range.
• Mesh Tarps are manufactured using nylon and ideal for situations when you want the tarp to go through water or the wind. They are used when a shade screen tent is being constructed as it covers and weakens wind hitting the canopy tent. No wonder, securing a tent or canopy becomes easy by using those mesh tarps. The green coloured tarps are used in golf courses, tennis courts, and enhance the beauty of a garden setting.
• Poly Tarps is generally used while manufacturing packaging, containers or electrical insulation. Though being crafted from plastic, they are extremely tough, chemical-resistant, and flexible. Since polyethylene is considered to be a feasible plastic with many applications, the poly tarp is one of the tarpaulin products having the highest utility and is quite affordable.

Each type of plastic has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right material for your tarpaulins means choosing the type of plastic that has the strengths that align with your specific needs. For example:-

• HDPE and PP Tarpaulin has gained wide popularity with total protection from rain and is the most wanted in India for domestic, commercial as well as industrial use. Polypropylene or HDPE are used to make shade nets (green shade nets and agro shade nets).

The shade nets are generally in knitted or woven form. The shade nets provide protection to the plants from wind, extreme weather conditions and reduce water evaporation Shade nets have widespread applications in Floriculture (roses, orchids, etc), Horticulture (cabbage, pepper, grapes etc), Vanilla Cultivation, Tea Plantations, Drying of agro-products, Cattle-sheds, Parking lots, Swimming pools, etc.

• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene Bags) sheets and polybags usually manufactured with excellent yard bags do not run (tear) when punctured. They have a glossy appearance and generally, a higher cost as more material is used when compared to high-density polyethylene (HDPE). As such, low-density polyethylene bags tend to possess higher freight and storage costs when compared to HDPE.
• LLPE (Linear Low-Density Bags) are strong poly bags that are resistant to punctures or tears. These poly bags require less freight and storage costs when compared to LDPE bags. But LLPE bags tend to have a sticky texture making them more difficult to open and use. LLPE bags also have too much stretch when compared to other types of polyethylene.

Hence concluding that from saving lives and sheltering people in disaster zones, to waterproof covering or groundsheets around the home, the tarpaulin truly is the accessory for all seasons and can be found anywhere and everywhere but yet must be chosen very carefully according to its use and purpose.