Which tarp do you need?
Not every tarp does the same job. Some keep rain out, some let air through, and one is see-through. Pick what you're covering below and we'll point you to the right one.
Waterproof heavy-duty vinyl
Shop Heavy-Duty Vinyl →Trailer, equipment, car or boat
Tough vinyl that lasts outdoors
Shop Heavy-Duty Vinyl →Dump truck bed
Mesh that keeps the load in
Shop Dump Truck Mesh →Patio or garden shade
Blocks about 70% of the sun, lets air through
Shop Shade Mesh →Porch or greenhouse enclosure
See-through, keeps weather out
Shop Clear Vinyl →Quick or short-term cover
Light poly for jobs that last weeks
Shop 12 mil Poly →
Still not sure? Tell us what you're covering →
Our most-asked-about tarps
We also sell medium-duty vinyl, canvas, 75% shade mesh, privacy mesh and flatbed truck tarps. See every tarp →
Heavy-Duty Vinyl: the tarp for most jobs
18 oz PVC-coated vinyl. It's waterproof and built to stay outside for years, whether the job lasts a week or a few seasons. Use it on roofs, trailers, equipment and anything you'd hate to see get wet. Comes in Black and Gray, 6x8 up to 20x40.
Clear Vinyl: see-through cover
24 mil clear PVC. It blocks rain and wind but lets light in. Made for closing in a porch or patio, greenhouse walls, or covering something you still want to see.
70% Shade Mesh: shade and airflow
Knitted shade cloth that blocks about 70% of the sun. Air and rain pass through, so it stays cooler underneath. Good for patios, carports, gardens, kennels and livestock. Black.
Mesh Dump Truck Tarp: for truck beds only
PVC-coated mesh that keeps gravel, dirt and mulch in the bed. Wind passes through, so it won't balloon at highway speed. It's not a rain cover and not a shade cloth.
12 mil Poly: short-term cover
12 mil woven poly. Light and waterproof, for quick jobs, emergency patches and covers that come off within weeks. If it'll sit outside for months, go with Heavy-Duty Vinyl.
| Keeps rain out | Lets air through | See-through | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy-Duty Vinyl | ✓ | — | — | Roofs, trailers, equipment, long-term storage |
| Clear Vinyl | ✓ | — | ✓ | Porch, patio and greenhouse enclosures |
| 70% Shade Mesh | — | ✓ | partly | Patio and garden shade |
| Dump Truck Mesh | — | ✓ | partly | Dump truck and trailer beds |
| 12 mil Poly | ✓ | — | — | Quick, short-term covers |
Clear, shade mesh and dump mesh are three different things. Clear is solid vinyl you can see through, and it keeps rain out. Shade mesh is breathable cloth for sun, and rain gets through. Dump mesh is for truck beds and keeps the load in, not the rain out.
Two things most tarp sellers don't tell you
1. "Cut size" vs "finished size"
Most tarps are sold by cut size, the size of the material before the edges are folded and hemmed. The finished tarp usually comes out about 3–5% smaller. On a 16 x 20 that's roughly 6 inches shorter each way. Size up if you need full coverage.
Getting the size right
- Measure what you're covering: length, width, and height if it's 3-D.
- Add 1–2 ft on each side so you can tie it down. Add more on a roof, and go over the ridge if you can.
- Remember the cut-size note above. When in doubt, go one size up.
Questions
Which tarp is waterproof?
Heavy-Duty Vinyl, Clear Vinyl and 12 mil Poly keep rain out. Shade mesh and dump truck mesh let water through. That's by design.
What's the difference between vinyl and poly?
Both keep water out. The difference is how long they last outside. Vinyl is made to stay out for months or years. Poly is lighter and made for jobs that last weeks.
Can I use shade mesh on a dump truck, or the other way around?
No. Shade mesh is soft knitted cloth made for sun. Dump truck mesh is PVC-coated and made to hold a load in a truck bed. Buy the one made for your job.
Will a clear tarp give me shade?
Not much. Clear vinyl lets light through. For shade, use 70% Shade Mesh or a solid vinyl tarp.
What color should I get?
Heavy-duty vinyl comes in black and gray, the same 18 oz vinyl in both. Black is the all-rounder; gray hides dirt and runs a little cooler underneath in full sun.
Why is my tarp a little smaller than the size listed?
Tarps are sold by cut size, and hemming the edges takes about 3–5% off. Size up if you need full coverage.
I'm still not sure. Can you help?
Yes. Tell us what you're covering and its rough size, and we'll tell you which tarp and size to get. Contact us
Found your tarp?
Every order ships from Houston, Texas. Free shipping on orders $249+ to the lower 48.