While looking for tarps in online stores, you might encounter different listings, some specifying "PVC tarp" while others saying "Vinyl tarp". The prices, the descriptions, and the options all look similar, leading you to wonder if there is any difference in the names at all. The short answer: PVC and vinyl are the same material. The longer answer involves understanding what actually matters when choosing a tarp.
Quick comparison: PVC vs vinyl tarps
| Factor | PVC tarp | Vinyl tarp |
| Material | Polyvinyl chloride | Polyvinyl chloride |
| Quality difference | None | None |
| Why the different names | Sounds more technical/industrial | Sounds more familiar to consumers |
| What to compare instead | Weight (oz), thickness (mil), scrim type, UV rating, coating type | Weight (oz), thickness (mil), scrim type, UV rating, coating type |
PVC and vinyl are the same thing
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and vinyl are different names for the same polymer. When one seller lists a tarp as PVC and another lists it as vinyl, they are talking about the same type of material.
There is nothing to indicate that "PVC" means higher quality or "industrial grade" while vinyl means "consumer grade." The terms are interchangeable. A tarp that weighs 18oz of PVC and another tarp that weighs 18oz of vinyl with the same specifications will perform identically. Place them side by side and you would not be able to tell them apart.
The naming variation comes from marketing preferences. Some companies use "PVC" for heavy-duty products because it sounds more technical to contractors. Others prefer "vinyl" because homeowners recognize the word. In trucking, "vinyl" is the standard term for flatbed covers, while "PVC" often appears in listings for industrial curtains. Same material, different audience.
Price differences between "PVC tarp" and "vinyl tarp" listings almost always come down to weight, coating quality, and construction, not the name itself.
Important note: PVC/vinyl tarps vs poly tarps
The cheap blue tarps you find at Home Depot and Lowe's for $10-20 are not PVC or vinyl. Those are polyethylene (poly) tarps, a completely different material. This is a common point of confusion.
Poly tarps are woven from polyethylene strips coated with polyethylene laminate. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and work fine for temporary use. However, they typically last 6-12 months of outdoor exposure before the UV breaks them down and they start cracking.
PVC/vinyl tarps use a polyester mesh (called a scrim) coated with PVC on both sides. This construction makes them heavier, more tear-resistant, and far more durable. A quality 18oz vinyl tarp can last 5-10 years outdoors with proper care.
If you have been buying cheap blue poly tarps and replacing them every year, switching to a vinyl tarp means paying more upfront but spending less over time.
How PVC/vinyl tarps are constructed
Most industrial PVC/vinyl tarps are not solid sheets of plastic. They consist of a polyester mesh (scrim) sandwiched between layers of PVC coating. The scrim provides the tear strength and structural integrity. The PVC provides waterproofing, UV resistance, and protection from the elements.
This construction is why you see "coated vinyl" or "vinyl-coated polyester" in product descriptions. The scrim density affects how resistant the tarp is to ripping under stress. A tarp could be thick but have a loose scrim weave, making it weaker than a thinner tarp with a tight weave.
Clear PVC tarps are the exception. These are typically solid PVC film without a scrim, or they use a visible grid pattern that you can see through the material.
Tarp weight: the specification that matters most
Weight per square yard tells you more about a tarp's durability than any other spec. In the US market, 18oz vinyl is the industry standard for heavy-duty applications, particularly in trucking and construction.
Here is how weights typically break down:
10-13 oz: Light duty. Works for backyard use, covering patio furniture, or temporary projects where you need weather protection but not heavy abuse.
14-16 oz: Medium duty. Good for covering firewood long-term, protecting outdoor equipment under a carport, or residential projects that need more durability than a poly tarp offers.
18 oz: Heavy duty. This is the benchmark for trucking tarps, flatbed covers, construction barriers, and industrial applications. If you are protecting valuable equipment or cargo, 18oz is where most professionals start.
22 oz and above: Extra heavy duty. Used in severe industrial environments, permanent outdoor installations, or anywhere the tarp faces constant abrasion and stress.
Thickness (mils)
A 20 mil tarp is 0.020 inches thick. Generally, thicker tarps handle UV exposure and physical stress better than thin ones.
However, thickness alone does not tell the whole story. A tarp can be thick but have a loose scrim weave, which makes it weaker than a thinner tarp with tight construction. Check the weight alongside thickness to get the full picture.
Coating and treatment
Protective coatings affect how long PVC/vinyl tarps last and what conditions they can handle:
- UV inhibitors slow down degradation from sunlight. Any tarp used outdoors needs this treatment.
- Mildew resistant coatings matter in humid climates or when covering items that trap moisture.
- Flame retardant treatments: Required for many commercial and construction applications. Check local codes if this applies to your situation.
Two tarps with identical weights can have very different lifespans based on coating quality. Cheap tarps often skimp on UV protection and start cracking within a year or two of outdoor use. A tarp rated for 3-5 years of UV exposure costs more upfront but outlasts multiple cheap replacements.
Color
Tarp color affects heat absorption and durability in sunlight. Black and dark blue absorb more heat, which can accelerate wear in hot climates. White and silver tarps reflect sunlight and stay cooler, making them better choices for high-heat environments or covering temperature-sensitive items.
Matching tarps to specific uses
Covering firewood or lumber
A 14-16 oz tarp handles firewood and lumber well. It needs to be heavy enough to stay put in wind but not so heavy that removing it becomes a chore. Make sure it has UV treatment since it will sit outside for months.
Leave the bottom edges open for air circulation. Trapped moisture leads to mold and rot. Also, buy a size larger than you think you need. Tarps are measured flat, so a "10x12" covers less area once it drapes over a three-dimensional pile.
Protecting outdoor equipment
Lawnmowers, ATVs, and similar equipment need 14-18 oz tarps depending on exposure. Equipment under a carport can use lighter material. Fully exposed equipment in harsh weather needs heavier coverage.
Check grommet placement before buying. Tarps with grommets only at corners tend to flap in wind, which wears them out faster. Grommets every 18-24 inches along the edges allow for secure tie-downs.
Truck bed and cargo covers
Personal truck beds do fine with 14-16 oz vinyl. Professional flatbed trucking requires 18-22 oz material because those tarps endure constant wind stress, repeated folding, and rough handling.
Grommet spacing matters more for cargo covers than most other applications. Closer spacing (18-24 inches apart) allows for tighter tie-downs that resist highway winds.
Temporary construction barriers
Job sites need tarps that handle wind, debris, and rough treatment. 18 oz is the minimum for construction use. Depending on local codes and nearby work like welding, you may need flame retardant certification.
Camping and recreational use
PVC/vinyl tarps work but are not ideal for camping. They are heavy and bulky compared to purpose-built camping tarps. If weight and packability matter, look at lighter poly tarps or silnylon options designed for backpacking.
When to consider other tarp materials
PVC/vinyl tarps excel at waterproofing, durability, and UV resistance. But they are not the right choice for every situation.
Breathability: PVC tarps do not breathe. Covering items that hold moisture, like green firewood or a wet vehicle, can trap condensation and cause problems. Canvas tarps breathe better for these applications.
Weight: Large vinyl tarps get heavy fast. A 16 oz tarp in a large size becomes difficult for one person to handle. When you need to move or reposition the tarp frequently, or when pack weight matters, lighter poly tarps offer similar waterproofing at a fraction of the weight.
Temperature extremes: Cold weather makes PVC stiff and difficult to fold. Repeated folding in freezing temperatures can cause cracking. Some cheap PVC tarps get tacky in extreme heat or transfer color to whatever they touch. If you expect wide temperature swings, verify the tarp is rated for your conditions.
Cost for short-term use: PVC tarps cost more than poly tarps. For one-time or short-term jobs, the durability advantage does not justify the price difference. Save the vinyl tarp money for applications where longevity matters.
What to focus on when buying
Stop worrying about whether a listing says "PVC" or "vinyl." Focus on the specifications that actually affect performance: weight (18 oz is the standard for heavy-duty use), thickness, UV rating, and coating quality. Make sure the construction matches your needs, whether that means closer grommet spacing for cargo covers or flame retardant treatment for construction sites.
For most residential coverage, 14-16 oz vinyl works well. For commercial, trucking, or industrial applications, start at 18 oz. And remember that spending more on quality coatings usually saves money over time compared to replacing cheap tarps repeatedly.