Comparison Between ARK Tarps & Woven Tarps
ARK Tarps and Woven Tarps Quality comparison
Given below is a summary of the Quality Differences between ARK Tarps and Woven tarps:
Attributes | ARK Tarps | Woven and other Plastic Tarp |
Standards | Manufactured to strict quality standards by a multi billion dollar specialist plastic manufacturer | Different manufacturers with wide variation in quality standards. Some of it is simply imported rubbish. |
Product | U.V. stabilised with superior Tear, Tensile and Impact strength, and is 100% Waterproof over its life. | The quality of waterproofing and UV resistance is a function of the thin top laminated layers. As this layer peels off, or cracks, the product is not waterproof. |
Process | Manufactured under a Swiss patent | None |
UV protection | ARK tarps are made with UV protection as an integral part of the Raw Plastic compound, and lasts the life of the product. | UV protection is only sprayed on / or is a part of the thin top layer, and hence gets degraded much faster upon exposure. |
Climate suitability | Can be used in -50C to +60C. Does not crack or disintegrate | Prone to Cracking in extreme cold and peeling in high temperatures |
Strength | High Tensile Strength, High Tear Strength, Puncture Resistant and High Stretch | Wide variation and not standardised as made by many manufacturers incl small, low quality manufacturers. |
Tarp manufacture | ARK tarps are made by fusion welding using Automatic Sealing machines, and hence guarantee stronger joints. | Woven tarps are normally glued or stitched. Any such sealing is done only on the thin laminated film and not on the entire thickness, thus causing a weak joint and liable to failure. |
After use care | ARK tarps are resistant to rot and mildew. They can be folded wet and stored. The handling is also easy as they are lightweight. | If folded wet, can cause delamination. Canvas tarps are prone to rot and mildew. Heavy weight makes handling difficult. |
Thickness | GSM is clearly indicated and all tarps come with a maximum variation of +/- 10% | The GSM indicated can have a variation of +/- 20%. |
Eyelets | ARK tarps come with Ultrasonically welded plastic eyelets which form an integral part of the Tarp. These withstand much higher stresses in field use, and do not rust. | Comes with Riveted eyelets which break off on pressure. Also prone to rust and corrosion. |
Waterproof | 100% Waterproof for EVER | Waterproof, but for a very short run |
Re-cycling | 100% Recyclable | Not known |
Resistance | Resistant to most Chemicals and Alkalis | Not known |
Safety | Drinking water safe / Safe for fishes | Not known |
Size | Available in Finish sizes – if you buy a 10mtr x 15mtr tarp, you will get a finished tarp of 10mtr x 15mtr. And these DO NOT SHRINK | Sold in CUT sizes….you pay for 10mtr x 15mtr, but actual size can be 9.3mtr x 14mtr or almost 5~7% short. Canvas tarps also shrink after use. |
ARK Tarps are a far superior product compared to Woven Tarps.
Woven Tarps are made of 3 layers. The central layer is the thickest, and is made of loosely woven PE/ PP strands. This central layer is neither Waterproof nor is it UV resistant. The central layers are laminated on both sides by thin layers of waterproof films. The waterproofing and UV resistance of the tarp is only in the coating layers. So if you are buying a 300GSM woven tarp, you are only getting waterproofing in the thin layers of coating, and not through the entire material thickness. Therefore after some time, the coating starts to peel and crack, and the Tarp is no longer usable for purpose.
ARK Tarps are made of Multi-layered, Cross laminated film. Each layer is made of XF film and all layers are completely waterproof and UV-resistant. So if you are buying a 300GSM XF Film Tarp, you are getting a Tarp which is waterproof and UV resistant through the complete material thickness, and not just the top layers.
ARK Tarps also provide significant savings. You can use a 150GSM XF film tarp to achieve the same, if not better, results, as compared to a 300GSM woven tarp. Plus it has excellent Abrasion resistance, and Tear strength, and with its high stretch properties, it performs well in windy conditions. Using a lighter tarp results in easier installation and take downs.
To give you an example a 15mtr x 30mtr ARK tarp of 150 GSM will weigh 67kgs whereas a 15mtr x 30mtr woven tarp of 300GSM will weigh 135kgs. Talk about being lean, mean and efficient, and easier on the arm!
UV Test reports
The performance of XF film Tarps and Woven Tarps were tested in a lab in Nuremberg, Germany, and the Test results are fascinating.
“In a direct test, XF Tarps of 90GSM, and 120GSM were compared to a conventional tarpaulin with Extra strength 140GSM material. It was found that after simulated exposure of 4 to 5 years equivalent of heat and radiation, the XF film tarps practically did not show any change, with the yield strength dropping by only -12% approx and the breaking elongation actually increasing as compared to the original, and it remained completely impermeable to water. Whereas for Woven Tarps, the yield strength falls by 60% and the breaking elongation falls by about 80% of the original. The Woven tarp sheet is torn and practically worn out and is no longer water proof, and the sheet has become completely brittle.”
A full copy of the Test results is available on request.