Tarps and Protective Film for Renovation and Transport
A tarp and a dust sheet aren't the same thing, even though they sit next to each other on the shelf.
Tarpaulin - woven PP or PE with a waterproof coating. Tear-resistant, UV-resistant, waterproof. For outdoor use: covering stored materials, equipment, open work areas. Quality indicator: weight in g/m² (90g for general use, 150+ for tough conditions).
PE protective film - thin unreinforced polyethylene. For indoor use: floors, furniture, belongings during a move. Light, cheap, disposable. Outside for more than a few weeks, it degrades.
Stretch film - stretches and sticks to itself without glue. For wrapping furniture, appliances, pallets. Standard 20 microns for general use, 23-25 microns for heavy loads or sharp corners.
Bubble wrap - for fragile items in transit. The air layer absorbs impact.
Common mistake: 0.04mm film laid over a cement pallet outside for a month. After 2-3 weeks of sun it crumbles. Use a tarp for that, not film.
A tarp is woven coated material, resistant to tearing, UV and water - for outdoor or extended use. Protective film is thin unreinforced polyethylene for indoor short-term protection. Outside, film degrades under UV within a few weeks.
Stretch film is the most practical option: wraps quickly, holds itself, leaves no marks. Add bubble wrap underneath for fragile surfaces. Plain PE film won't stay in place without tape.
A standard roll (500mm x 300m) covers about 10-15 average pieces of furniture. Better to have one roll spare than stop mid-load.
Standard PP/PE tarpaulin handles moderate snow and frost. Heavy snow accumulation can tear a poorly-tensioned tarp under its own weight. Reinforced tarps (with internal mesh) handle loads better. Don't let snow pile up in the centre of the sheet.
Not recommended. Stretch film doesn't resist UV or wind - it tears and unravels outdoors within days. For covering materials outside use tarpaulin or heavy PE film (minimum 0.1mm thick).
