When it comes to getting ready for camping or planning to cover something outdoors, one of the first questions is what size tarpaulin should I buy? The size you choose is especially important. A tarp that is too small will not provide full protection, and a Black Tarpaulin that is too big can sometimes be difficult to set up and flap around in the wind. The key to getting the right size tarpaulin is to measure before you buy.
Why Size Matters
The size of your tarp determines how effective it is at protecting your gear, tent, or space outdoors. A properly sized tarp will intercept rain before it runs inside, block sunlight by providing enough coverage, and give you room to tie it down securely. If you get the size wrong, you could end up with water pooling on top, gaps at the sides, and wasted tarp, reducing efficiency and causing difficulty setting it up. For those camping and enjoying the outdoors, the right size tarp can mean the difference between comfort and unnecessary struggles.
Begin with the Purpose- Before you touch any measuring tape, stop and think about what you want to accomplish with a tarp. If you’re going to place the tarp under a tent, the tarp should be slightly larger than the tent floor – this is to keep ground moisture from coming in, while not having excess tarp hanging out from the edges. If the tarp is for a rain cover above the tent, extend the tarp well passed the roof of the tent so the walls will stay dry if it rains. If the tarp is to cover and protect equipment from the elements, like firewood, bicycles, or garden furniture, it needs to wrap around the entire object with some extra margin. Once you set your purpose, determining the correct size becomes significantly easier.
Measure the Area or Object
The next step is to take some careful measurements. Get a tape measure and measure the length and width of the area or object you want to cover. If the object is tall, like a stack of firewood, measure the height as well. Be sure to write down the numbers so you do not forget them at a later time. It is helpful to visualize where the tarp will hang over the sides once it is tied down. For example, if your woodpile measures six feet long, four feet wide, and three feet high, then you would need a tarp that measures larger than those dimensions so it would hang over the sides and completely protect the woodpile from moisture.
Leave extra Coverage
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is using a Large Tarpaulin that is exactly the measurements that they took. This is a common mistake people make, and while it might seem correct, when you do not allow for overlap, there is no way to stop rain or wind from getting in. It is always better to have a little extra coverage. For a ground cover, an extra six inches to a foot on each side is plenty; and for overhead shelters, an extra foot or two will allow for a good tie-down and help the water run off the sides. Having extra coverage means you can.
Cut Size vs. Finished Size
When purchasing tarps, lots of people neglect to realize that there is a difference between the cut and finished sizes. The cut size is the measurement of the tarp material while it is in its raw stages, unhemmed and unreinforced. Once the edges are finished, the actual tarp will be smaller, usually a little less than the cut size, often between three and five percent smaller. So if you buy a tarp that is ten feet, the finished size may only be nine feet six inches. So, always buy slightly more tarp than your exact measurement to avoid disappointments that might be caused by finished sizes.
Think About Shape and Set Up
Another thing to think about is how you will be setting up the tarp. Not all tarps are just rectangles. Some tarps are square, and some are folded or shaped for use as a camping shelter. If you are planning on constructing an A-frame tarp shelter in a tree, you may want to consider a tarp that has extra length for the sloping sides. If you are going to be using it flat as a roof, it should be wide enough to accommodate tying down after considering tying down the edges. The tarp usage usually determines not only the size but the shape as well.
A Simple Example
Suppose your tent is 7 feet by 5 feet. If you want a tarp for the ground, an eight-by-six tarp will suffice. If you want a tarp as a rain cover, you’d want something closer to ten by eight, so that the edges drape over and the tent can be completely dry underneath, too. This seemingly small difference in size can really make a difference in your camping experience, from being damp and stressful to being dry and enjoyable.
Conclusion
Getting the right waterproof tarpaulin size is not hard. It does require some thought and planning ahead of time. First, you need a definite idea of what you want to cover or protect, then plan on getting a measurement, add a little extra to that measurement to be safe, and keep in mind the difference between cut size and finished size. Next, you need to think about how the tarp will be set up and what shape is necessary to fit the needs desired. If you keep these simple actions in mind, you will always choose a tarp that fits just right and retains full outdoor confidence and protection.
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