What Is a Tarpaulin Sheet Made Of in South Africa?

What Is a Tarpaulin Sheet Made Of in South Africa?

Tarpaulin sheets are used across South Africa every day — for covering goods on construction sites, protecting equipment from rain, creating temporary shelters, and dozens of other outdoor and industrial applications. But not all tarpaulin sheets are made from the same material — and the material determines everything about how a tarpaulin performs.

The wrong tarpaulin for a South African outdoor application tears, fades, or fails within months. The right one lasts years. Understanding what tarpaulin sheets are made of is the first step to choosing the right one for your specific project.

At Allrich Trading, we supply premium tarpaulin sheets to businesses, contractors, and buyers across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. This guide explains exactly what tarpaulin sheets are made of — and which material is right for your South African project.

What Is a Tarpaulin Sheet?

What is a tarpaulin sheet and what is it used for?

A tarpaulin sheet — commonly called a tarp — is a large, flexible sheet of waterproof or water-resistant material used to cover, protect, or shelter people, goods, and equipment from rain, sun, wind, and dust. Tarpaulin sheets are used across construction, agriculture, transport, events, and outdoor recreation in South Africa — wherever a durable, waterproof cover is needed quickly and at low cost.

What Are Tarpaulin Sheets Made Of?

1. Polyethylene (PE) — The Most Common Material

What is polyethylene tarpaulin and where is it used in South Africa?

Polyethylene tarpaulin — commonly called PE tarp — is the most widely used tarpaulin material in South Africa. It is made from woven polyethylene fibres laminated between two layers of polyethylene film — creating a lightweight, waterproof sheet that is resistant to tearing, UV radiation, and abrasion.

PE tarpaulin is available in different grades — measured by weight in grams per square metre (GSM). Heavier GSM means thicker, stronger, more durable tarpaulin.

Key properties of polyethylene tarpaulin:

• Fully waterproof — the laminated PE film creates a continuous waterproof barrier
• UV resistant — PE tarpaulin is treated to resist South Africa's intense sun exposure
• Lightweight — easy to handle, fold, and transport
• Tear resistant — the woven PE fibre core resists tearing under load
• Available in a wide range of sizes and colours
• Most cost-effective tarpaulin material for South African general use

Best South African applications: Construction site covering, agricultural produce protection, transport load covering, temporary shelter, camping and outdoor recreation, and general outdoor storage protection across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.

2. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) — The Heavy-Duty Option

What is PVC tarpaulin and when should it be used in South Africa?

PVC tarpaulin is a heavier, more durable tarpaulin material — made from a woven polyester fibre core coated on both sides with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) compound. The PVC coating gives the tarpaulin a smooth, tough surface that is significantly more abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, and chemically resistant than standard PE tarpaulin.

PVC tarpaulin is heavier than PE tarpaulin — but this weight comes with significantly greater durability and a much longer service life in demanding South African outdoor and industrial environments.

Key properties of PVC tarpaulin:

• Very high tear and abrasion resistance — handles rough South African industrial use
• Fully waterproof — PVC coating creates an impenetrable water barrier
• Chemical resistant — resists oil, fuel, and many industrial chemicals
• UV stabilised — maintains performance in South Africa's outdoor conditions
• Fire-retardant grades available for South African safety compliance applications
• Heavier than PE tarpaulin — requires more robust securing and handling

Best South African applications: Heavy industrial covering, mining and construction equipment protection, truck and vehicle load covers, marquee and event shelter structures, and any South African application where long-term durability and heavy-duty performance outweigh the lower cost of PE tarpaulin.

3. Canvas — The Traditional Option

What is canvas tarpaulin and is it still used in South Africa?

Canvas tarpaulin is the traditional tarpaulin material — made from heavy cotton or cotton-polyester blend fabric. Canvas tarpaulins are breathable, which makes them suitable for covering materials that need airflow — but this breathability also means they are not fully waterproof without treatment.

Canvas tarpaulins are still used in South Africa for specific applications where breathability matters — but they have largely been replaced by PE and PVC tarpaulins for most outdoor and industrial uses, because PE and PVC are lighter, more waterproof, and more resistant to South Africa's UV conditions.

Key properties of canvas tarpaulin:

• Breathable — allows airflow through the material
• Not fully waterproof unless treated with wax or oil
• Heavy and bulky compared to PE and PVC
• Biodegradable — more environmentally friendly than plastic alternatives
• UV degrades faster than PE or PVC in South African outdoor conditions

Best South African applications: Covering stored timber, hay, and other materials that need airflow. Artisan and craft applications. Historical or heritage use where canvas is specified.

4. Mesh Tarpaulin — The Shade and Wind Control Option

What is mesh tarpaulin and where is it used in South Africa?

Mesh tarpaulin is a tarpaulin made from woven PE or PVC in an open mesh pattern — allowing air and light to pass through while still providing shade and wind resistance. Unlike solid tarpaulin, mesh tarpaulin is not waterproof — it is designed for applications where shade and wind control matter more than full waterproofing.

Key properties of mesh tarpaulin:

• Allows airflow — prevents wind load buildup on structures
• Provides shade — typically 50% to 90% shade rating depending on mesh density
• Lightweight — easy to handle and install
• Not waterproof — rain passes through
• UV resistant for South African outdoor use

Best South African applications: Shade cloth for agricultural and horticultural use, construction site safety fencing and debris netting, sports facility shade structures, and outdoor event shade installations across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.

How Are Tarpaulin Sheets Made?

How is a tarpaulin sheet manufactured?

Most tarpaulin sheets — particularly PE and PVC grades — are manufactured through a lamination process:

Step 1 — Weaving: The core fabric is woven from polyethylene or polyester yarns on industrial looms. The weave density determines the base strength of the tarpaulin.

Step 2 — Lamination or coating: For PE tarpaulin, polyethylene film is heat-laminated onto both sides of the woven core. For PVC tarpaulin, liquid PVC compound is applied and cured onto both sides of the polyester core.

Step 3 — UV treatment: UV stabilisers are added during manufacturing to protect the tarpaulin from South Africa's intense sun exposure.

Step 4 — Cutting and finishing: The sheet is cut to size, edges are reinforced with binding tape, and metal eyelets are installed at regular intervals for securing the tarpaulin with ropes or bungee cords.

How to Choose the Right Tarpaulin Sheet for Your South African Project

How do I choose the right tarpaulin material for my South African project?

Three questions determine the right choice:

1. How heavy is the use? Light occasional use — PE tarpaulin is sufficient and most cost-effective. Heavy industrial, mining, or construction use — PVC tarpaulin is the right specification.

2. Does it need to be waterproof? Full waterproofing needed — PE or PVC tarpaulin. Airflow and shade needed without full waterproofing — mesh tarpaulin. Breathability needed — canvas tarpaulin.

3. How long does it need to last outdoors in South Africa? Short to medium term — PE tarpaulin. Long term in demanding conditions — PVC tarpaulin. South Africa's UV and heat conditions degrade lightweight tarpaulin materials faster than equivalent use in cooler climates — always specify a heavier GSM for extended outdoor South African use.

Tarpaulin Sheet Supply Across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town

Johannesburg's large construction, mining, and industrial sector makes it South Africa's biggest tarpaulin market — with high demand for both PE and PVC grades across Gauteng's commercial and industrial precincts. Allrich Trading supplies Johannesburg buyers with premium tarpaulin sheets in all major grades with consistent stock and reliable lead times.

Durban's port, logistics, and agricultural sectors create strong tarpaulin demand across KwaZulu-Natal — particularly for heavy-duty PVC grades used in transport and cargo covering applications. Allrich Trading supplies Durban buyers with tarpaulin sheets suited to KwaZulu-Natal's coastal and industrial requirements.

Cape Town's construction, agriculture, and outdoor events market uses tarpaulin sheets across a wide range of applications — from vineyard and farm use in the Winelands to construction site covering across the City Bowl and Northern Suburbs. Allrich Trading supplies Cape Town buyers with tarpaulin sheets in all grades suited to the Western Cape's diverse project requirements.

Supply Your Tarpaulin Sheets From Allrich Trading

The right tarpaulin material for your South African project depends on three things — how hard the use is, whether full waterproofing is needed, and how long it needs to last outdoors. Allrich Trading supplies premium tarpaulin sheets in all major grades across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town — with honest product advice matched to your specific project requirements.

Allrich Trading supplies premium tarpaulin sheets across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Contact our team to discuss your project requirements or get a supply quote.