Sizing Heavy Duty Tarps

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DUTY TARPS
It is important to understand the difference between cut
size and finished size when purchasing the right heavy duty
tarps for a specific job.
hen a job calls for the use of
In order to better understand how to
heavy duty tarps of a very
purchase the right sized tarpaulin for a
Wspecific size, it is important to specific job, it is important to know the
understand how they are sized. Having
difference between cut size and finished
one that is too small can expose stored
size, how size can change with use, and
materials and equipment to the elements,
which materials are best suited for certain
and can lead to damage or loss.
jobs.
Oversized covers can present a problem
How Tarps Are Sized And
if the excess material gets caught or
Sold
pinched. For a truck tarp, if the excess
material is left loose and flapping, this
Heavy duty tarps have two specifications
can also expose the materials
when it comes to sizing. First, cut size is
underneath to the elements.
the size of the fabric when it is first cut

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but before it is hemmed and manufactured into
Materials that do not change size are known as
a finished product. The finished size, then, is
size-stable; this is another important term to
the actual size of the finished product after the
know when ordering a custom product.
hems of fabric are folded and stitched and the
seams are sewn. The finished size will always
be smaller than the cut size. These two terms
Material Selection
are important when ordering custom solutions.
When placing an order, it is vital to make sure
Since tarpaulins can vary in size during use, it
the product will be the correct size after it has
is important to pick the right material and not
been made and delivered.
just the most economical option. As mentioned
above, canvas is not size stable and should be
They Can Change Size?
avoided if shrinkage will be a problem.
Some materials are actually known to change
Thankfully, there are many options for size
size. For example, canvas tarps are susceptible stable materials. Poly, vinyl, neoprene and blue
to shrinkage over time. Since they are made
tarps are all size stable choices. Blue polys
from a natural fiber, they tend to contract as
tend to be a popular choice due to their low
they get wet and dry in cycles. It is difficult to
cost, light weight, and flexibility in a wide
precisely predict how much the size will vary,
number of uses. Vinyl makes for a stronger
but a safe estimate would be 6 inches or 5% of
material than poly, which is why it is used for
the longest dimension, whichever is greater. For truck tarp products, allowing these covers to be
specific job applications where an accurate size
used in trucking and trailering. Neoprene is a
is especially important, canvas is typically not a
high strength, high cost material that is resistant
good choice.
to chemicals and works well for high-end use.
arp.com,
om
Chris Harmen writes for MyT

where customers can choose fr
truck tarp
affordable, high quality ge selection of
to
products, including a lar
and canvas tarps
heavy duty tarps
suit their everyday needs.

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