Polyethylene tarps or tarps are lightweight, wear-resistant plastic tarps with excellent wear-resistance, low-moisture, and stain-resistance properties. This makes them a superior choice for many uses over traditional canvas tarps.
man cutting the grass
Many people are familiar with bright blue polythene tarps with aluminum grommets at each corner. Grommets are also placed at intervals along the edge so that the tarps can be tied with string or secured with bungee cords. While blue is the most common color, they also come in other colors such as silver or gray, white, green, clear, and black. Thickness or density also varies, as does size, and some poly tarps are UV-treated to prolong their life in constant sunlight, while silver tarps deflect heat.
Polyethylene tarpaulins can be used for so many applications that the list is practically endless. Homeowner uses range from covering firewood stacks, grills, garden equipment, and boats; for camping, such as a clean ground cover, shade cover, or tent. Pool covers are also made of polyethylene, which is characterized by its ability to float.
Commercially, huge polythene tarps are used to cover tennis courts and baseball fields in the rain to keep the ground from getting too wet to play. They are also used to protect floors in gyms and basketball courts. Truckers use poly tarps to cover trailers, pallets, hay, and other payloads. Special heavy-duty insulated tarps have a polyester fill to keep out heat and cold.
Polyethylene is one of the most popular and versatile plastics in the world. Different types are used for a variety of applications, from low-density or branched polyethylene, called LDPE, to linear polyethylene, or HDPE. The former is much stronger than the latter, but low-density polyethylene is cheaper and easier to manufacture. Grocery bags, squeeze bottles, freezer bags, children’s toys, wire and cable insulation, tank liners, and even bulletproof vests are a few examples of items made from different densities and fabrics of polyethylene.
Mold and rot resistant, strong and durable, whether you need something to stay dry or protected from the elements, whether you need shade or protection, a poly tarp will do the job!