Fabric Tarpaulins

What is a fabric tarpaulin?

A fabric tarpaulin is a waterproof fabric coated on one or both sides (ribbon fabric), usually made of polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These cover tarpaulins usually have reinforced edges and metal eyelets all round. The eyelets are used to fasten the tarpaulin.

What fabric thickness do I need for my purpose?

PE, 75 to 100 grams

This fabric tarpaulin version is the simplest and the cheapest on the market (the typical DIY store fabric tarpaulin). These tarpaulins are usually only coated on one side. Do not expect miracles from these tarpaulins. They are neither very tear-resistant nor UV-stable. This greatly limits their variety and intended use. Only buy this fabric for very short-term outdoor applications, for example, for one-time use and for short-term covering of sand, gravel, very short-term covering of vehicle trailers (only when parked, not for travelling), as a one-time underlay for your tent, pool, ...

As a rule, we only recommend purchasing this version if the price factor is crucial. As a precaution, we would like to point out that this fabric is not UV-resistant and can only be used outdoors for a few weeks.

Period of use in outdoor areas: a few weeks, not UV-resistant
Tear resistance: very low, inferior quality

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PE, 150 grams

This tarpaulin is logically more robust than the tarpaulin mentioned above. However, please note that these tarpaulins are also not suitable for long-term outdoor use. These tarpaulins do not contain any UV stabilisers. In the worst case scenario, this tarpaulin will also become brittle and fragile after 3 - 6 months in the sun. However, 150 gram fabric tarpaulins offer you a relatively high tear resistance. This makes them much more versatile than thinner fabrics. These tarpaulins can be recommended for the following applications: covering gravel, sand, trailers, scaffolding, for tent underlay in the camping areas, for all outdoor coverings for a period of approx. 3 - 6 months.

Period of use in outdoor areas: 3-6 months, not UV-resistant
Tear resistance: tear-resistant and stable design

PE, 250 grams

This is the most stable and best tarpaulin version made of polyethylene. It is extremely tear-resistant and also guaranteed to be weatherproof and UV-resistant for 3 years. For the aforementioned reasons, this tarpaulin quality is very versatile, even for long-term covering and harsh weather conditions in outdoor use.

Very sturdy and tear-resistant eyelets underline the high quality and workmanship of our 250 gram fabric tarpaulins. These tarpaulins are used, for example, for roof coverings in the professional sector, carpentry, transport of moisture-sensitive goods, such as concrete parts, long-term covering of goods and other objects, pool covers, fences, privacy screens, wooden covers, camping, awnings, canopies, carports, and so on.

Period of use in outdoor areas: 3 years or longer, 36-month UV guarantee
Tear resistance: very tear-resistant and extremely stable design

PVC, 650 grams

This tarpaulin offers you another huge improvement in quality, durability and tear resistance. Here we are almost on a par with so-called lorry tarpaulins. You won't find anything better in terms of tear resistance, pull-out strength of the eyelets and UV resistance. This quality is ideal for very long outdoor use. Even under the highest UV radiation and adverse weather conditions, this tarpaulin keeps its promises. Possible applications: covering wood and firewood, products and goods, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, carports, roofing, wind protection and much more.

Period of use outdoors: 10 years and longer, UV-stable for 120 months
Tear resistance: extremely tear-resistant and extremely stable design

View our PVC tarpaulins here.

PVC, 900 grams

Are you only satisfied with the maximum? Then you've come to the right place, because we've reached the top end of the quality scale. The company dm-folien mainly supplies this ultimate quality to professional firewood dealers, because this is where durability and an excellent price-performance ratio are crucial. However, this tarpaulin quality can of course be used universally. It should only be noted that the weight of the tarpaulins, depending on the size, can be a problem when laying the tarpaulin, as we are talking about a weight of almost one kilogramme per square metre.

Period of use outdoors: 20 years and longer, UV-stable for 240 months
Tear resistance: ultimate quality

View our PVC tarpaulins here.

We will also be happy to provide you with a customised quote for your tarpaulins: request a quote!

Summary: Quality features of fabric tarpaulins

Beware of traps!

There are no traps for you at dm-folien. However, we would like to warn you against succinct and generalised statements such as high UV resistance, weather resistance and so on. UV resistance without specifying a time period is worth nothing. Even 2 months can be considered UV-resistant, depending on how you look at it. Even a tarpaulin that "feels" stable without any UV stabilisers is absolutely unsuitable for outdoor use. A reputable supplier should at least provide you with a few facts and figures, as we do here.

Colours of our fabric tarpaulins

The most common colours for protective tarpaulins are white or plain, green, blue and orange. But we are also happy to fulfil your wishes here. For example, black, transparent, grey, etc. are also possible to realise in most cases.

What material are fabric tarpaulins made of?

Fabric tarpaulins are made from two types of material. One is made from the PE (polyethylene) and the other from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PE tarpaulins are made from HDPE ribbon fabric and an additional LDPE coating. PVC tarpaulins are made from polyester grid fabric and an additional PVC coating. The standard fabric tarpaulins, which are also familiar to us from DIY stores, are mainly made of PE.

What does the weight specification for fabric tarpaulins mean?

The quality of fabric tarpaulins is specified in grams per square metre. A higher fabric weight means more material per square metre, resulting in higher quality. The higher the weight per square metre, the higher the tear resistance, durability and weather resistance. The weight per square metre is made up of the fabric weight and the coating.

What are the available gram weights per square metre for fabric tarpaulins?

Fabric tarpaulins are available from approx. 70 g/m². These are usually only suitable for hobby use and are not very tear-resistant or weatherproof. dm-folien offers 100 g, 150 g and 250 g PE tarpaulins in a standard range. 100 g fabric tarpaulins are only suitable for short-term outdoor coverings. 150 g PE tarpaulins are weather-resistant for 1 to 2 years and are also suitable for longer-term outdoor use. 250 g PE tarpaulins are often used by roofers, they are very tear-resistant and can be used outdoors for up to 3 years. Higher grammages are supplied as PVC tarpaulins. These start at approx. 450 g/m² and, as lorry tarpaulins, range up to a fabric weight of 1200 g/m². Due to the high weight per square metre, they are weather-resistant for up to 10 years.

What sizes are fabric tarpaulins available in?

We offer fabric tarpaulins in a large number of different standard sizes. These start at 2 x 3 m and go up to 10 x 20 m. If your required size is not included, dm-folien gmbh can customise almost any size for you. You are free to choose the material, grammage, eyelet spacing and, of course, the dimensions for your customised tarpaulin. Get in touch with us now. We will provide you with a customised quote for your special design.

How do I repair my fabric tarpaulin?

Depending on whether it is a PE or PVC tarpaulin, a fabric tarpaulin can either be glued or only thermally welded. PVC tarpaulins can be easily repaired with so-called solvent welding agents or tarpaulin patches.

PE tarpaulins are not quite so easy to repair as they cannot be bonded with liquid adhesives. Here you can either work with professional welding equipment, sew or use a weather-resistant adhesive tape for short-term use.

Are you still unsure?

We will be happy to help you. Please send us a small sample of your fabric tarpaulin so that we can be sure which material it is.
dm-folien gmbh
Fabric tarpaulin department
Markwiesenstr. 33
72770 Reutlingen

Why should you use fabric-reinforced tarpaulins?

A fabric-reinforced tarpaulin usually offers you an advantage when it comes to tear resistance and stability. In addition, ready-made fabric tarpaulins are already equipped with a reinforced edge (hem) and eyelets, which makes them easier to use and fasten. As these protective tarpaulins are produced in very large quantities, the price is often very favourable. However, there is also a raison d'être for films and tarpaulins without reinforcement, for example, if you require a high level of light transmission.

If you are in any doubt, please always ask us for advice. We will give you fair and solution-orientated advice. Below you will also find our recommendations on which product is best suited for which purpose.

Accessories for fabric tarpaulins

We offer a wide range of useful accessories. Whether you need eyelets, tarpaulin tensioners, PP ropes, expander ropes, hooks for ropes, repair plasters, repair tapes, and more, we have you covered.

You can find all these useful accessories in our store.

Which tarpaulin is suitable for which application?

Customs tariff number

39 269092