Canvas tarps are used for a wide variety of purposes. The heavy-duty canvas tarps available from Northern Tool are available in sizes from 10'x12' up to 16'x24'
Canvas tarps are a time-honored way to protect your valuables from sun
and water. The word canvas derives from the word cannabis, because the cloth
was made from hemp before cotton was a commercially viable product. The word
tarpaulin was formed from a combination of "tar" and "palling" and referred
to canvas that had been coated with tar to make it waterproof for use
aboard ships. Hemp is no longer widely used in the textile industry, and we
now have better (and less messy) products than tar for waterproofing canvas
fabrics, which are now commonly made from cotton.
Measuring Canvas By Weight
Canvas that is measured by weight is sold based on the weight of one square
yard of the cloth. Very lightweight canvas cloth can weigh as little as 7 oz. per
square yard, while canvas cloth for everyday light use starts at around 12
oz. per square yard.
Finished canvas tarps can weigh more after they are
treated with waterproofing material and/or UV light resistant coatings. The
coatings can add several ounces per square yard to the weight of the cotton
canvas tarp material.
Canvas Duck Tarp
Canvas duck tarp material may also be sold under a numbering system, in
which the lower numbers indicate heavier, more dense cloth. Number one
canvas duck cloth is very heavy duty canvas, while number ten canvas cloth
is fairly light. It may also be single fill or double fill canvas, another
measure of the thread density of the canvas cloth.
Lower Numbers Mean Heavier Canvas Tarp
Canvas tarps can be purchased with grommets for support or secure tie-down.
Why is it that a lower number means a heavier canvas tarp cloth? The
explanation has to do with the weight of a square yard of cloth and the
number 19. If a yard of cloth weighs 11 ounces, it is #8 canvas cloth (19
minus 11 equals 8). If a yard of cloth weighs 18 ounces, it is #1 canvas
cloth. #8 is a fairly lightweight canvas, and #1 is heavy canvas.
Why 19? Your guess is as good as mine.
What happens if a square yard weighs 19 ounces or more? There's an
extended system for measuring the extra heavy duty canvas tarp material,
called "naught duck" measurement. At 19 ounces per yard, it is 1/0 naught
duck cloth, at 20 ounces, it is 2/0 naught duck, etc.
I have also seen reference to measuring the weight of a 36" by 22" square of
cloth when calculating numbered duck or naught duck canvas cloth weight. It
seems that duck canvas is more densely woven than ordinary canvas, or maybe
the information was incomplete.
And then there is army duck canvas, which is measured in ounces with numbers
like 10.10 army duck or 12.29 army duck canvas.
Are you sorry you asked about canvas cloth weight measurement yet? Canvas cloth may or may not be canvas duck cloth. It might be single fill or double fill canvas duck, and it might be measured by the weight of
a square yard, or the weight of almost a square yard. That weight might
be used directly as the unit of measurement, or it might be subtracted from
the number 19, or it might go into a whole different measurement system if
the weight of a square yard (or almost a square yard) is greater than or
equal to 19 ounces.
Tarpaulin, Canvas, Tarp Material Canvasaulin, Cut Size 6 x 8 Ft, Finished Size 5 Ft 6 In x 7 Ft 6 In, Thickness 20 Mil, Color Tan, Resists Water and Mildew, Double Lock Stitch Seam, Brass Grommets
6' x 8', 10 OZ, Canvas Tarp, Hunter Green, Water & Mildew Resistant, Flat Hem Construction, Heavy Duty Metal Grommets, Reinforced Throughout With Double Stitching.
List Price:$89.99 Lowest New Price: $63.38 You save: $26.61 (29.57%)
3 New from $63.38
The DIZE ORIGINAL WEATHERMASTER CANVAS TARP is made from single filled cotton duck. 10 OUNCE - Triple stitched seams, double stitched hems. Rot resistant thread for stitching. Designed with double grommets at each corner for maximum restraint. Rust resistant grommets, placed on a reinforced patch to resist tearing, are spaced on approximately 3 feet centers and anchored against a reinforcing rope bound in hem. The selection of weight depends on the intended end use. Canvas tarps are one of the best protective coverings which are breathable and allows moisture to evaporate. Tough, processed treated to ensure water resistance.
Uses: Machinery, Farm Equipment, Tractor Covers, Building Material, Lumber, Steel, and Other Metal Covers, Contractor Covers, Windbreaker, Tool Covers, Boat Covers and Other Items, Stored Outdoors, Winter Storage Covers, Weather Covers for Anything That Condensation Build-up Would be a Problem.