When purchasing a tarpaulin, you may see some labelled as “heavy duty”, and even “super heavy duty”.
These phrases indicate that the tarpaulin is more robust and thus designed for more extensive work.
Why would you need a light duty tarpaulin?
Light tarpaulins are not designed for extremely heavy usage, and are recommended instead for applications such as short term covers. They are also useful for occasions when the user only needs a tarpaulin for a one-off job, and will be throwing it away afterwards.
Why would you need a heavy duty tarpaulin?
Heavy duty tarpaulins are most useful over an extended period, as they are designed to last longer. They are also robust when exposed to the elements. Because of this, they are frequently used by vehicles when transporting goods.
They are also the best type to use in windy weather (including side winds), due to their weight.
Most tarpaulin manufacturers will label their products to indicate whether they are heavy duty. If purchasing a tarpaulin on the internet, this information should be available in the product description.