Tarpaulins

A tarpaulin is a sheet of polyethylene with eyelets along its edges, used to cover gear, firewood, a vehicle or a patch of ground, or to rig up shade or shelter. This page lists the Shoppers Home silver and black tarps and the Instahut tarps. The listings describe them as waterproof, mildew resistant and UV resistant. Check the size, the thickness and the eyelet spacing before you order.

Silver and black, not plain black

Each tarp here is silver on one side and black on the other. The listings say the silver side reflects heat and the black side absorbs it, so you can choose which face points up. If you searched for a black tarp, this is the dual-sided type. The title of the Instahut 5 x 6m listing says Clear, so check its photos for the finish.

How to choose a tarpaulin

Size. Measure the area or load first, then allow extra for the edges you will tie down. The Shoppers Home sizes are 2.4 x 3m, 4.9 x 6.1m, 4.9 x 7.3m, 5.5 x 7.3m and 6.1 x 9.1m. The Instahut sizes are 3.6 x 6m, 3.6 x 7.3m and 5 x 6m.

Material. The Shoppers Home listings describe 14 x 14 woven polyethylene with moulded plastic corners, welded seams and rope-reinforced hems. The Instahut 3.6 x 6m and 3.6 x 7.3m listings describe 180gsm polyethylene with a double PE coating, and the 5 x 6m listing describes 135gsm polyethylene with the same double coating. Weight is listed for the Instahut range: 5.07kg for the 3.6 x 7.3m and 4.44kg for the 5 x 6m.

Eyelets. The Shoppers Home listings give rust-free eyelets every 45cm that take rope up to 12mm in diameter. The Instahut listings give aluminium reinforced eyelets at 0.9m intervals. Closer eyelets give you more tie-down points along an edge.

Temperature. The Instahut listings give a range of -20°C to 70°C. The Shoppers Home listings do not state one.

Tarpaulins compared

What the listings suggest using them for

One Shoppers Home listing mentions construction, camping and covering equipment. The Instahut 3.6 x 7.3m and 5 x 6m listings mention keeping rain off firewood, covering a vehicle or a craft, keeping the bottom of a tent dry and making shade.

Frequently asked questions

What sizes of tarp do you have?

The Shoppers Home tarps are 2.4 x 3m, 4.9 x 6.1m, 4.9 x 7.3m, 5.5 x 7.3m and 6.1 x 9.1m, and the Instahut tarps are 3.6 x 6m, 3.6 x 7.3m and 5 x 6m.

Is a silver and black tarp the same as a black tarp?

No. Each tarp here has a silver side and a black side, and the listings say the silver side reflects heat while the black side absorbs it. None of the listings describes a plain black tarp.

Are the tarps waterproof?

The listings describe both ranges as waterproof and mildew resistant. The Shoppers Home listings add welded seams, and the Instahut listings describe a double PE coating.

How do I secure a tarp?

Use the eyelets. The Shoppers Home eyelets are spaced every 45cm and take rope up to 12mm in diameter, and the Instahut eyelets are 0.9m apart.

What temperatures can a tarp handle?

The Instahut listings give -20°C to 70°C. The Shoppers Home listings do not give a temperature range, so check with us if you need one.

Camping chairs, a folding stool and hammock chairs are on the camping equipment page.

Delivered Australia-wide in 3 to 5 business days. Orders with a total value of $100 or more qualify for free shipping.