Creativity Counts: Artsy Uses for Tarps

Tarps are a grade-A choice for crafting materials thanks to their durability and versatility. Whether you're looking for a great way to recycle old tarps into something fantastic or want to create an easy, convenient place to paint and craft, these suggestions will help you get creative.

Set the stage
Set up a DIY crafting station indoors or out by covering all of your exposed surfaces with a high-quality painter's tarp. Poly and vinyl tarps make great floor coverings for out-of-doors painting projects, while canvas tarps can be used as easy-to-move drop cloths. Finally paint that large-scale, abstract-inspired paint spill by having a paint party that's fully protect by a multipurpose tarp. Use corner grommets to secure your tarp over a dining or picnic table to ensure that every surface is safely guarded.

Crafty coverings
Create beautiful all-weather tablecloths, napkin holders, placemats and more using old and unwanted tarps. The waterproof, weather-resistant build of a high-quality tarpaulin means you can take these country-chic garnishes out of doors - from an upscale garden party to a rugged camping trip in the woods. Patterned and colorful canvas tarps make a fine starting point for sturdy table coverings and accessories.

Baggy chic

Give your tarp a fashion statement

Make yourself a practical, eco-friendly tote bag made out of a tarp for a stylish and unique way to
cart those heavy groceries. Affordable poly tarps make great building blocks for DIY tote bags, giving you the durability and waterproof qualities you need for hauling heavy gallons of milk. Backpacks, wallets, messenger bags and even high-style handbags can be fashioned from old tarps and other materials you can find in your garage or craft drawer. Top each bag off with a set of exquisite hardware or keep it simple with tarp handles that will stand up to the test of time.

Lifehacks that Require Tarps

Tarps are a severely underrated lifehack accessory. These large-scale, versatile materials can be used to help simplify so many aspects of our lives. So go ahead and dust off those old tarps in your shed or garage, because we're about to change the way you think about - and use - tarps.

Speed up fall cleanup
Quickly eliminate leaves in your yard by raking large piles of leaves onto a durable poly tarp. Choose a dull colored tarp to easily differentiate between the surface of the tarp and the brightly colored leaves to ensure that every last fallen leaf is accounted for. Go for an extra-large, heavy-duty tarp, like a 50-foot by 50-foot poly tarp, to knock out your whole yard's worth of leaves in one single trip.

Create an easy camping canopy
Save tons of effort and money by foregoing canopies in the camping aisle at your local sporting goods store and instead opting for a weather-resistant tarp canopy. Easily hoist a vinyl or poly tarp up off the ground using a vertical support pole, some twine or rope and a few stakes to angle the roof towards the ground. Choose one of PTM Tarps' fire retardant tarps for camping to keep things extra safe.

Relax in your hammock year-round
Use a waterproof tarp to create a simple hammock canopy so that you can enjoy your hammock

Relax anytime of day rain or shine

throughout the year. There's nothing quite like relaxing in the out-of-doors with the pitter-patter of rain overhead - all without the need to haul all your camping gear deep into the woods. Simply secure the long ends of the tarp to the tree and surrounding ground using durable rope and the tarp's grommets and you've got an uncomplicated outdoor shelter.

Slow a leaky roof
Temporarily inhibit a leaking roof by installing a waterproof tarp over the openings. This nonpermanent solution could buy you up to three months of extra time before you can get around to repairing the roof, effectively saving your home's structure and interior from unsightly water damage. Nailing the tarp to planks in the roof can redirect water and prohibit it from entering gaps.

The History of the Iconic Blue Tarp

Did you know that the ever-so-common blue tarp that we use every day for hundreds of unique applications has an incredibly rich history? The term tarpaulin dates all the way back to the 1600s, and is actually a portmanteau of the words tar (likely because they were sometimes made from tar-coated canvas) and pall, which means a "heavy cloth covering."

Imagine still using a cloth covering to protect your belongings

Indeed, the tarp we know and love today had many evolutions. We can trace back the history of the tarp to sailors and fishermen in the 15th century, who drenched sheets and other materials in tar or wax in order to create a more substantial, water-resistant surface covering. Before then, coverings were typically made of more porous materials like animal skins and woven fabric, leaving the people who came before without a sturdy way to protect their items from rain and snow.

So, why are tarps so often blue? Actually, tarps come in many colors ranging from Army green to bright orange, but blue tarps remain a mainstay in households across the world. Blue is a fine choice for a tarp because the rich coloring tends to last longer and it also permits just the right blend of shade and light to pass through, allowing it to be used for dozens of unique applications. Many people believe that blue tarps are generally light-duty or economy tarps, but these recognizable canopies actually come in a variety of weights. Some of our blue tarps even feature 900 denier-count, three-ply material and arctic flexibility.

Today, tarps are typically coated with polyethylene and other plastics in order to ensure a leak-free surface. Tarpaulins have grown since the 1600s to incorporate many more modern materials and add-ons, including handy grommets and other accessories that make protecting your best investments simpler than ever.

The Most Unusual Uses for a Tarp

Ever thinking about the craziest, most unusual thing you could do with your stack of old tarps? Us either. But some tarp-loving geniuses out there did, leaving us with this list of pure gold.

Add an Aerobed for even more fun

Tarp slip and slide
If you've got a bunch of tarps, a semi-steep hill and a few bottles of baby soap or dish soap, you can create an amazing homemade slip and slide in just a few minutes. This incredibly fun summertime essential can be taken to new levels with a set of heavy-duty poly tarps that have been safely secured to the ground using corner grommets.

Tarp truck bed pool
For the record, we don't recommend pulling this stunt. The idea is simple: no pool? No problem. Simply line your truck bed in a heavy-duty, waterproof tarp and then fill it up with the hose. The next step is obvious - hop on in. Again, we don't suggest actually doing this, but it is, indeed, one of the most unusual uses for a tarp we've ever seen.

Tarp prom dress

Will you go to prom with me?

Some crafty young ladies out there have found a new way to make sure they've got the most unique dress at the dance. Crafty types have fashioned high-style dresses, including ball gowns, A-lines and even long, elegant numbers, using the iconic blue tarp. The best part about such attire is that you'll never have to worry about getting caught in a rainstorm.

Signaling techniques
If you're lost in the wilderness or on a desert island, you'd be very lucky to have a tarp and a set of permanent markers. Tarps have actually been used as large-scale SOS signals, allowing people in distress on the ground to alert planes and helicopters from above.

Tarp Care: Making Sure Your Tarp Lasts for Years

A tarp is an investment. When you buy one, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible. If you follow these simple tips and suggestions, you'll find that preserving tarps is an easy process that can help save you time and money in the long run.

Choose the right tarp for the job
Choosing the right tarp for your unique needs can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring that it lasts. Poly tarps are waterproof, making them great for outdoor storage, camping, fixing leaks and other uses. Canvas tarps, on the other hand, are better-suited for indoor uses like covering flooring or protecting surfaces while painting. Vinyl tarps, mesh tarps and other types all have their own unique suggested uses. If you choose the right type of tarp and use it properly, you're sure to see extra years tacked onto your purchase.

Put it away dry
If you're working with canvas tarps, you'll want to make sure that your equipment, like tents,

Dry tarp lasts longer than a wet molded one

firewood, building materials and other items are properly dried before you drape them. While durable canvas tarps are water resistant, they're not 100 percent guarded against mold and mildew accumulation, so you'll want to make sure you properly dry items before covering them with a canvas tarp. Ensuring that your tarp is free of mold and mildew can help guarantee a longer life. If you know you'll want to cover wet or damp items, opt for a waterproof poly tarp.

Preserve the material
Spend a little extra time hand-washing your tarps to make sure that they're put away clean and dry. Removing excess dirt and debris from the surface of your tarpaulin can help it resist mold and mildew accumulation. You can also repair old tarps by sewing up small holes and tears using durable, waterproof thread. Canvas tarps can be treated with a preserving agent at home after its surface has started to see too much wear and tear.

The Many Functions Tarps Have on a Construction Site

Construction sites are constant works in progress, which means there are plenty of applications for tarps from PTM Tarps. That's why so many construction crews consider tarps to be one of their most important assets, after their manpower and tools.

Provides shade and protection

Perhaps most importantly, tarps help make a work site much more pleasant by providing shade, which is an all-day necessity for those in sunnier climates. However, even workers in cooler climates need shade from the midday sun and can benefit from a tarp on site. On the other side of the coin, tarps also shield everyone on the crew from inclement weather, which can make a full day on the job site infinitely more pleasant on a rainy and/or cold winter day. What's more, tarps also protect expensive tools and equipment from weather-related damage. After all, rainstorms sometimes hit out of the blue.

Workers at a job site may already know to expect the unexpected, but tarps can provide an extra layer of protection to shield workers from debris that could potentially do them great harm. Tarps can also help protect the structure itself in case it is at all vulnerable as it is being constructed.

Most sites are full of dirt and debris that can be buffeted around by the wind. And that's not just for

Keeps out dirt and debris

crews in the Windy City. A tarp helps protect the structure and the people within it from said debris. Or, if dirt or sand has been delivered to the job site and needs to be stored until you're ready for it, there's no better cover than a tarp. It will be right there waiting when you're good to go. You can also use tarps to cover dump trucks and lumber trucks while you are loading or unloading. And tarps provide great erosion control and foundation protection.

Tarps also help add an aura of mystery. There's perhaps no better way to drum up intrigue about what's going on away from prying eyes than with a tarp. This has the added bonus of enabling you to do a big reveal when the project is finally finished. Plus, privacy tarps help keep a site insulated, which is another bonus in fall and winter months.

Tarps, The Silent Helper in the Yard

Tarps have seemingly limitless uses around the house, but they're also great outside of the house. If

Keep pests away from your precious plants

you have a green thumb, consider bringing a tarp along the next time you work in the yard. Whether you are raking leaves, pulling weeds or pruning trees, a tarp makes a great place to put all your lawn and garden waste before you actually dispose of it. And when you're finished working in the garden, all you have to do is gather the corners of the tarp up and haul it away to the designated disposal area, which makes cleanup a snap.

Tarps are also great for protecting plants that may need a little extra insulation during colder months. Simply wrap a tarp around said plants and anchor it when the weather starts to cool down to give them the protection they need overnight.

Keep your firewood protected rain or shine

If you enjoy sitting in front of a roaring fire and have a valuable stash of firewood, consider a tarp to protect your firewood from the elements. After all, nothing is worse than discovering all of your wood is wet and useless. Instead, if you cover it with a tarp, your firewood will be dry and ready each time you're ready to use your fireplace.

If you enjoy sitting in the backyard, looking over your yard and feeling proud of all you have accomplished in your own little corner of the world, but find it is too hot to sit in the bright sun in the summer, consider a tarp as sun shade. Tarps make for an incredibly cheap alternative to expensive awnings and provide just as much shade. Plus, tarps couldn't be easier to install and rearrange as the sun moves.

No matter how you decide to use it, an investment in a backyard tarp will pay great dividends.