Tarpaulin 101

 

Tarpaulins are very common nowadays. Tarpaulin has gained in popularity because it is flexible to use and is virtually weatherproof. Not all tarpaulin materials are weatherproof, though most of them are flexible. For example, canvas is a good cover against the heat but it’s not really water resistant so it might get wet one way or another. Woven Polyethylene is the most common type of Tarpaulin, these are woven and then laminated, the lamination is the thin clear film put over the weave to make sure it is watertight. Some cheaper polyethylene tarps are only laminated on one side so even a scratch can damage their surface and let water through. Polyester reinforced PVC tarpaulins, like the ones we make here at allplas.co.uk are 100% waterproof and can put up with all sorts of wear and tear. These are a closely woven polyester weave that is then homogeneously covered or dipped in PVC to create one single and un-separable sheet. Available in a great range of colours and suitable for almost all environments.

Aside from different materials, tarpaulins can also be classified according to their thickness. A lightweight tarp is said to be between 65 – 100 grammes per square metre. Ours are 100gsm and available in Olive Green or Natural. Natural is a translucent white that lets lots of light through. A heavy duty tarp is 610 grammes per square metre.  Just like with their different thickness, the heavier the gsm, the better the tarp will last.

Probably the best way to work out what tarp you need is to ascertain firstly how long you need it for and whether you want to reuse it. Will it be put over something that could wear through a light one quite easily. Is it in a sheltered environment or on something like a boat and finally do you want one a particular size with eyelets closer than the standard bought sheets.

In an exposed environment over an object with fairly sharp corners, do not buy a cheap or light tarp, it will not last you anytime at all. If you do have a cheap lightweight sheet under these types of conditions, cover any sharp surfaces with a piece of cardboard or another piece of plastic to stop the chafing. Also once tied down, put some additional rope over the sheet as the eyelets are sure to pull loose.

Use one of our 610gsm polyester reinforced PVC Tarpaulins and you can choose from a great range of colours, we will put solid brass eyelets in all the way round at 500mm spacings and of course in the four corners, we will make it to whatever size you want and deliver it in a couple of working days.

Using Tarpaulins for Advertisements and Promotions

Billboards and posters on public roads are eye catching. Aside from the quality of the promotional content, the material used on the billboard or poster is also important to make it effective. The reason why most companies and organisations use tarpaulins in disseminating information or for advertising purposes is because this type of material offers a lot of advantages. The points below outline some of the reasons why tarpaulins are massively relied upon by different businesses and organisations across the globe:

• Tarpaulins can be easily cut. It doesn’t matter whether you want a classic rectangular billboard, poster or advertisement or if you want a circular one because tarpaulins can easily be cut, even without using cutting machines. All you need is a pair of sharp scissors.
• Tarpaulins are very affordable. Although big companies can afford LED and TV advertisements, they still opt for tarpaulin billboards because they are a good deal cheaper. They are also as effective as the two former methods of promotion or advertisement. In fact, the price of an LED billboard or a TV advertisement is sometimes three times as much as the cost of tarpaulin posters or billboards.
• Tarpaulins are durable and weather proof. Since tarpaulins are made of polyester reinforced PVC, they weather incredibly well. They are regularly reported as lasting over ten years.
• Tarpaulins can cater to all sizes. LED billboards are very costly, especially the large ones. Same thing with TV advertisements: if you exceed the specific number of seconds, you will have to pay more. Tarpaulins can be posted for a longer period of time, in advertising spots, at a much cheaper rate. Although you will have to pay more for the advertising space, the overall cost will come in a lot cheaper as tarpaulins are very affordable.
• Tarpaulins can be used for other purposes when the period of promotion is over. Tarpaulins can of course be re-used once the promotional period is over. The tarpaulin can be employed as a dust sheet when decorating or you could use it as ground cover for a picnic. There are numerous ways you can re-use them because tarpaulins are very functional and adaptable.

If you are looking for affordable but very effective promotional materials, visit Allplas.co.uk. now will all your enquiries.

Interesting Facts About Plastic

Camping? Make Good Use of Tarpaulins

Summer is back and camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors and spend great time with your friends and family. When it comes to making a temporary home for your outdoor adventure, tents will surely make it at the top of your list. Sure, there are many types of camping tents you may buy but they may not be a good choice to protect you from natural elements. What if it rains and your tent is made of a less than waterproof material? Instead of getting soaked up, getting muddy, or going grumpy, using a tarpaulin can be a real good move.

Unlike the typical canvas tents, tarpaulins can be useful covers wherever you want to pitch your tent as a sort of protection from the sun and rain. In fact, you can also make use of a tarpaulin as a cover on the ground. Just like tents, there are also different types of tarpaulin depending on the material they are made up of or the purpose that they serve.

For a quick overview, tarpaulins or tarps as they are usually called can be made of woven polyethylene, polyester reinforced pvc, canvas or mesh. Most tarpaulins are flexible enough to use as a groundsheet or an overhead cover due to the fact they are 100% waterproof. When it comes to doing outdoor activities especially camping, the best type of tarpaulins to use are polyethylene tarps or poly tarps because they are able to block sunlight and keep water out of your tents.

On the other hand, you may also go for other types of tarpaulin depending on your needs. If there’s really no chance of rain, UV-protected tarps would be a good choice especially if you are going to camp for days under the sun. Flame retardant tarps are also available especially if you need fire-protection. If you want the very affordable tarpaulins which are suitable for good weather camping and is resistant to water and is lightweight, standard light tarpaulins would be your best choice. But then, if you are camping within heavy weather conditions and you need a tarpaulin that is stronger than standard ones, waterproof and durable heavy duty tarps is the right tarpaulin for you.

To make this easier, determine first where exactly you are going to camp, what the weather will be, how long you’ll be camping, and what general purpose your tarpaulin would serve. This will allow you to choose the best tarpaulin for your camping and make the process of buying the right kind easier to do. Also, put into consideration the right tarpaulin size you should use for your camping. Your tarp size should depend whether you’re going to use it as a groundsheet, a tent, or simply a cover to protect you against the sun’s heat. Last but not the least, always factor in your budget. The cheapest tarpaulin available is the light or regular tarpaulin suitable for a short camping trip in a fairly good weather. But then, if you will be camping out for days under the heat of the sun, rain showers, or a windy day, a heavy duty tarpaulin although costlier is more recommended.