Choosing the Right Fabric For Your Tarp or Cover

PVC Fabric

PVC is one of the most commonly used materials in industrial textile fabrication because it’s strong, waterproof and versatile.
We use PVC for products such as machinery covers, industrial tarps, trailer covers, liners, outdoor blinds, equipment covers, stage skirts and protective covers of all kinds.

PVC is a solid option where waterproofing, strength and durability are required. It can be welded, reinforced and fabricated into a wide range of shapes and sizes. Depending on the application, we may use different PVC weights and finishes to suit the job. For commercial and industrial applications, PVC is often the preferred choice because it handles tough conditions well.

Ripstop PVC

Ripstop PVC is built with reinforcement in the fabric structure, which reduces the risk of tearing and makes it suitable for demanding applications.
We commonly recommend ripstop PVC for machinery covers, truck and trailer covers, equipment protection, agricultural covers and industrial outdoor covers.

The key benefit of ripstop PVC is its balance of strength, flexibility and durability. It’s especially useful where the cover is handled regularly or exposed to movement, rubbing or outdoor conditions.

Canvas

Canvas is a traditional, reliable fabric option that’s been used for covers and tarps for generations. It offers a strong finish and is often chosen for its appearance, breathability and robust feel. Canvas suits traditional tarps, camping and caravan products, outdoor covers, equipment covers and custom protective covers.

Canvas is often preferred when breathability matters or when a more traditional fabric finish is required. It’s a strong option, but the exact suitability depends on the application, exposure and required finish.

Polyfabric

Polyfabric is a practical and versatile material often used for tarps, covers and general outdoor protection. It’s lighter than some PVC options while still offering good performance for many applications.

We use polyfabric for general tarps, outdoor covers, storm covers, protective covers, agricultural and commercial covers, camper trailer covers, outdoor storage covers and large protective sheets.

Polyfabric can be a smart choice where the cover needs to be strong but manageable to handle. For larger covers, weight becomes an important factor, so choosing the right material makes a real difference to how practical the final product is. At LJ Covers we use Canvacon by Gale Pacific and Tarpee by HVG Fabrics, among other brands.

Mesh Fabric

Mesh is used when airflow, visibility or shade is needed instead of full enclosure. It allows air to pass through while still providing protection, screening or shade depending on the type of mesh used.
Mesh is commonly used for outdoor blinds, shade panels, windbreaks, privacy screens, agricultural curtains, ventilation covers and event or commercial applications.

Mesh is a good option where a solid waterproof fabric isn’t required. It reduces wind impact, provides shade and improves comfort while still allowing airflow.

Shade Cloth

Shade cloth is designed to reduce sun exposure and provide shade in outdoor areas. It’s used across commercial, residential, agricultural and recreational applications. We use shade cloth for shade sails, outdoor shade covers, playground shade, agricultural shade and commercial shade structures.

Shade cloth comes in different strengths and shade ratings, so the right selection depends on the area being covered, the level of sun protection required and the structure it will be fitted to. For exposed outdoor areas, correct fabrication, reinforced edges and quality hardware matter as much as the fabric itself.

Clear PVC

Clear PVC is used when visibility and weather protection are both required. It’s commonly seen in outdoor blinds, enclosures and viewing panels. Clear PVC suits café blinds, outdoor patio blinds, caravan and annexe windows, clear panels in covers, weather screens and industrial viewing panels.

Clear PVC helps protect against wind and rain while still allowing light and visibility. It’s a practical choice for outdoor living areas, commercial spaces and custom enclosures. Because it can mark, scratch or react differently to heat and handling, it needs to be fabricated carefully to get a good result.

Acrylic Outdoor Fabrics

Acrylic fabrics are often used for outdoor blinds, awnings and shade applications where appearance, UV resistance and colour stability matter. They’re commonly used for awnings, outdoor blinds, shade products and decorative outdoor covers.

Acrylic fabric is a good choice where the product needs to look clean and professional. It’s often selected when the finish and appearance matter as much as the function.

Specialist Industrial Textiles

Some projects need more than standard PVC, canvas, mesh or polyfabric. In many industrial, agricultural, mining, transport and containment applications, the material has to be selected for a specific performance requirement, environmental condition or compliance need.

At LJ Covers, we work with a range of specialist industrial textiles built for demanding applications where strength, safety, durability and suitability matter.

Specialist industrial fabrics may be used for liners, tank liners, potable water liners, fumigation sheets, mining and heavy industry covers, FR and FRAS applications, agricultural and poultry systems, custom containment products, spill bunding and water ballast products, and transport, logistics and machinery covers.

Not every industrial fabric suits every application. Choosing the correct textile from the beginning is critical.

Potable Water-Grade Materials

For applications involving drinking water or water storage, potable-grade materials may be required. These fabrics are built for use where water contact is part of the application.

Potable-grade PVC and liner materials may be used for water tank liners, temporary water storage, potable water containment and agricultural or industrial water storage applications.

Where potable water is involved, the fabric selection has to suit the intended use. This isn’t an area where a standard tarp fabric should simply be substituted. The material needs to be chosen based on water contact, expected service conditions and project requirements.

FR and Flame-Retardant Fabrics

Some environments require flame-retardant fabrics, commonly referred to as FR materials. These are used where fire performance matters, particularly in commercial, industrial, event, mining or public-facing environments.

FR fabrics may be required for event and stage applications, industrial curtains, welding screens and protective barriers, commercial awnings and shade structures, public venue textile products, mining and heavy industry covers, and temporary enclosures.

Flame-retardant fabric doesn’t mean fireproof. It means the material has specific fire-performance properties depending on its construction, treatment and certification. The correct FR material should always be selected based on the environment, risk level and relevant project requirements.

FRAS Materials

FRAS stands for Flame Retardant Anti-Static. These materials are commonly used in industries where both flame resistance and static control matter. FRAS fabrics may be used in mining environments, underground applications, heavy industry, conveyor and machinery protection, industrial covers, dust or containment systems and high-risk work environments.

FRAS materials aren’t interchangeable with standard PVC. They’re selected when the work environment needs a higher level of safety performance, particularly where static build-up or ignition risk is a concern. For mining, energy, processing or heavy industrial projects, it’s important to confirm the performance requirements before selecting the material.

Chemical-Resistant and Containment Fabrics

Some projects need fabrics that can handle exposure to oils, chemicals, fuels, waste products, washdown areas or other harsh substances. In these cases, material compatibility matters a great deal.

Chemical-resistant or containment fabrics may be used for spill bunding, liners, waste containment, washdown areas, industrial curtains, equipment protection and temporary storage or isolation areas.

The correct material depends on what the fabric will be exposed to, how long it will be exposed, whether the product is used indoors or outdoors, and whether it needs to hold, divert, protect or contain.

Waterproof PVC (Heavier Grades)

Heavier PVC grades are often used where strength, waterproofing and durability are required. Different PVC weights and finishes are available depending on the application.

Heavier PVC may be used for industrial tarps, machinery covers, truck and trailer covers, outdoor equipment covers, skip and bin covers, storm covers and agricultural covers.

PVC is a strong and versatile option, but the weight, coating, flexibility and finish all need to suit the job. A lighter PVC may be easier to handle, while a heavier PVC may hold up better in tough environments.

Fumigation Fabrics

Fumigation applications need materials suited to sealing, containment and repeated handling. These fabrics have to be strong, flexible and appropriate for the environment they’re used in.

Fumigation fabrics may be used for log fumigation sheets, export and quarantine applications, agricultural fumigation covers, temporary containment sheets and industrial fumigation systems.

The fabric selection should consider strength, sealing ability, UV exposure, handling, size and the type of use. Large fumigation sheets need to be fabricated carefully so they stay practical to use while still performing their intended function.

UV-Stable Outdoor Fabrics

Australian conditions are harsh, especially in Queensland. UV exposure can quickly break down unsuitable fabric, stitching, webbing and thread.

For outdoor industrial products, we consider UV resistance, heat exposure, weather exposure, rain and storm conditions, wind loading, abrasion and rubbing points, and the expected life of the product.

A fabric that works well indoors may fail quickly outdoors if it isn’t designed for UV and weather exposure. For outdoor covers, tarps and curtains, UV performance is a major part of the material selection process.

Anti-Static and Technical Fabrics

Some industrial environments require anti-static or technical textile properties. These fabrics are used where static build-up, dust, sensitive equipment or workplace safety requirements need to be considered.

Anti-static or technical fabrics may suit mining applications, dust-control systems, industrial equipment covers, processing facilities, specialist machinery protection and controlled work environments.

These materials are selected for specific performance reasons and should be matched to the intended use rather than chosen on price or appearance alone.