Polyrope Guides • Tarpaulins
Tarpaulins are sold by weight, and the number on the label, 140, 210 or 260 gsm, tells you more about the cover than its colour or its price. Pick one that is too light and it will not stand up to the job; pick one that is heavier than you need and you are carrying and folding more material than the job calls for. This guide explains what the numbers mean and which of our three weights suits which job.
Quick answer
- 140 gsm medium duty (green/silver): the lighter, easier-to-handle cover for garden furniture, log stores, landscaping materials, trailers and camping.
- 210 gsm heavy duty (silver/brown): a triple-layer cover for farms, boatyards, garages and building materials, and for temporarily covering a damaged roof.
- 260 gsm extra heavy duty (silver/black): our strongest tarp, for construction sites, heavy agriculture and marine use; the black side blocks light completely.
- All three are 100% waterproof, UV-stabilised and have eyelets about every metre and in all four corners.
What does gsm mean on a tarpaulin?
gsm stands for grams per square metre: the weight of one square metre of the material. You will also see it written as g/m². It is the simplest way to compare tarps, because a heavier sheet has more material in every square metre. In our range that means:
- 140 gsm is our medium duty weight: durable, but without excessive weight, so it is easier to handle, fold and move around than a heavy-duty tarp.
- 210 gsm and 260 gsm are woven from high-density polyethylene (a 14×14 weave) in three layers, for jobs where the cover stays out for long periods or takes a beating from the weather.
Weight is not the only thing that matters. How the edges are finished and how often the eyelets are spaced decide how well the tarp can be tied down, and on all three of our weights the hems are reinforced with rope and there are eyelets about every metre as well as in every corner.
| 140 gsm | 210 gsm | 260 gsm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Medium duty | Heavy duty | Extra heavy duty |
| Colours | Green / silver, reversible | Silver / brown, reversible | Silver / black, reversible |
| Material | Laminated polyethylene | Triple-layer, high-density 14×14 polyethylene weave | Triple-layer, high-density 14×14 polyethylene weave |
| Protection | 100% waterproof, UV-stabilised, resists mould and mildew | ||
| Edges and eyelets | Rope-reinforced hems, 12 mm aluminium eyelets every metre and in each corner | Rope-reinforced hems, rustproof aluminium eyelets every metre and in each corner | Rope-reinforced hems, rustproof aluminium eyelets about every 90 cm to 1 m and in each corner |
| Sizes | 2 m × 3 m to 12 m × 18 m | 2 m × 3 m to 10 m × 15 m | 2 m × 3 m to 10 m × 12 m |
| Typical jobs | Garden furniture, log stores, landscaping materials, trailers, camping | Farm machinery, building materials, boats, temporary roof covers | Construction sites, heavy agriculture, marine use, keeping materials out of sight |
| Shop | 140 gsm tarpaulins | 210 gsm tarpaulins | 260 gsm tarpaulins |
140 gsm medium duty: for the garden and everyday jobs
Our 140 gsm medium duty tarpaulins are made from laminated polyethylene, with a green side and a silver side. The green blends into a garden, which is why this is the tarp people choose for covering garden furniture, a log store, bags of landscaping materials or a trailer. It is lighter than our heavy-duty tarps, so it is easier to throw over a load and fold away afterwards, and it is still 100% waterproof, UV-stabilised and resistant to mould and mildew.
The range runs from 2 m × 3 m up to 12 m × 18 m. A popular size is the 3 m × 4 m 140 gsm tarpaulin (roughly 10 ft × 13 ft).
210 gsm heavy duty: for the farm, the yard and the roof
Our 210 gsm heavy duty tarpaulins step up to a triple-layer, high-density woven polyethylene. They are built to withstand continual exposure to sun and harsh weather over long periods, and they suit farms, boatyards, garages and gardens alike: covering machinery, protecting building materials, or going over a damaged roof until it can be repaired.
One side is silver, which reflects the sun and helps keep what is underneath cool; the other is brown, which blends into rural surroundings and hides dirt and mud. The eyelets are rustproof aluminium. Sizes run from 2 m × 3 m to 10 m × 15 m, for example the 3 m × 4 m 210 gsm tarpaulin.
260 gsm extra heavy duty: for building sites and the harshest weather
Our 260 gsm extra heavy duty tarpaulins are the strongest in the range. They use the same triple-layer 14×14 weave as the 210 gsm tarps, in a heavier material, and they are typically used in construction and heavy industry, on farms and boatyards, and for demanding outdoor use.
The silver side reflects the sun. The black side blocks out light completely, which is useful when you want to keep materials out of sight or stop weeds growing under the sheet. Sizes run from 2 m × 3 m to 10 m × 12 m, for example the 3 m × 4 m 260 gsm tarpaulin.
Which weight should you choose?
Start with where the tarp will be and for how long:
- Garden, patio or a quick cover for a trailer or a camping trip: 140 gsm is usually enough, and it is the easiest to handle.
- A cover that stays out for months, on a farm, in a yard or in an exposed spot: 210 gsm.
- A temporary roof cover: 210 or 260 gsm, and tie it down at every eyelet.
- Building sites, machinery and heavy materials, or anywhere the cover will be dragged, walked on or battered by the wind: 260 gsm.
If you are torn between two weights for a cover that will sit out through an Irish winter, the heavier one is the safer choice.
Getting the size right: tarps are sold by cut size
All tarpaulin sizes are quoted as cut sizes, the industry standard for the size of the material before the hems and eyelets are made. The finished tarp can be up to 30 cm shorter than the size on the label. So if you need a sheet that fully covers something 3 m × 4 m, with enough spare to tie it down, choose the next size up rather than the exact size.
Tying it down and keeping it in good shape
A tarp that can flap will wear much faster than one that is tied down tight. Use every eyelet, not just the corners. For quick jobs, our bungee cords with spiral hooks (54 cm long, pack of 6, 30 kg load capacity) are made for securing tarpaulins and covers, and our elastic bungee cord (4 mm to 12 mm) is also suited to securing tarpaulins. If a tarp picks up a small tear, our heavy duty repair tape is suitable for tarpaulin repairs as well as polytunnel covers.
Getting ready for the winter? Our guide Getting Your Polytunnel Ready for Winter Storms covers the other outdoor checks worth making before the storms arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Are all three weights waterproof?
Yes. The 140, 210 and 260 gsm tarps are all 100% waterproof. The heavier weights are stronger and built for longer, harder use.
Is a 260 gsm tarp always better?
Not for every job. It is the strongest, but it is also the heaviest to handle. For garden furniture or a quick cover on a trailer, a 140 gsm tarp is easier to use.
Which side should face up?
All three are reversible. On the 210 and 260 gsm tarps the silver side reflects the sun and helps keep what is underneath cool. On the 260 gsm tarp the black side blocks out light completely.
Why is my tarp smaller than the size on the label?
Tarps are sold by cut size, and the hems and eyelets can make the finished tarp up to 30 cm shorter. Choose the next size up if you need full coverage.
Do you deliver?
Yes, with free nationwide delivery in Ireland.
Ready to choose?
Browse all our tarpaulins by weight and size. Not sure which one fits your job? Get in touch and we will help.