5 Mil, 16 Mil or 20 Mil? The Best Tarp for Woodpiles, Storm Prep and Roof Leaks

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The best tarp for your garage shelf depends on what it has to cover and for how long. A thin 5-mil poly sheet is fine over a woodpile for a season, while a storm-damaged roof or a boat left out all winter calls for something thicker, with grommets close enough together to keep the edges from flapping.

We compared seven tarps on what their Amazon listings actually state: thickness in mils, material, finished size, grommet spacing, edge reinforcement and UV claims. The range runs from 6 x 8 foot covers from TICONN and TARPAL to a 20 x 30 foot, 20-mil sheet from XTREMECOVERPRO, with CARTMAN, Amazon Basics, RAINDEWAY and Patiobay in between.

Measure the area first and add a foot or two on each side for tie-downs. Then match thickness to the job. And if the job is a roof, read our storm section before anyone climbs a ladder.

Our Top Tarp Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. CARTMAN 10×12 ft Poly Tarp, 8 Mil: Best Overall

CARTMAN’s 10 x 12 foot poly tarp is a green, 8-mil sheet sized for the jobs most homeowners actually have: covering a stack of lumber, a mower in the side yard, a load in a trailer or a pile of mulch waiting to be spread. The brand says the marked size is the exact finished size, so a 10 x 12 tarp should measure 10 x 12 feet rather than a few inches short after hemming.

Construction is simple. CARTMAN says all four sides are heat-sealed and folded, with nylon ropes inside the hem for reinforcement, and that there is no needle hole, so the edges “will not crack easily.” Metal grommets sit every 36 inches, and plastic reinforcements cover the four corners where tie-down loads concentrate.

Day to day, it’s the kind of tarp you fold into a bin and pull out when weather turns. The listing describes it as dustproof and waterproof and recommends it for temporary outdoor protection from the elements, naming construction materials and equipment, ground cover and livestock as uses. CARTMAN also notes that it is a bit heavier than its 5-mil option, and the specs list it at 2.67 pounds.

It suits homeowners who want a single general-purpose tarp in the garage, renters who need a ground cloth or gear cover, and anyone hauling bulky loads that need protection from rain on the drive home.

Why we like it

• Finished size, not cut size
• Rope-reinforced heat-sealed hems
• Top-selling tarp on Amazon

Watch out for

Grommets every 36 inches leave longer gaps for wind to lift the edge, and CARTMAN itself pitches this as temporary protection.

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2. Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp, 9.5 x 11.3 ft: Best Rip-Stop Tarp for Camping and Firewood

Amazon Basics sells this dark green tarp as a waterproof multipurpose camping tarp, and at 9.5 x 11.3 feet it’s large enough to go under a family tent or over a backyard woodpile. The base is a rip-stop fabric laminated with polyethylene on both sides, which Amazon Basics says gives maximum water resistance.

The rip-stop weave is the point. The listing says the reinforced polyethylene construction prevents tears from spreading and that the tightly woven design makes it easier to repair if it does get damaged. Corners and edges are reinforced, and grommets are “strategically placed” for tie-downs, though the listing doesn’t give a spacing or a thickness in mils.

In use, it is light enough to toss in a car trunk; the specs put it at 2.2 pounds. Amazon Basics names placement under camping tents, covering vehicles, protecting firewood piles and creating emergency shelters as uses, and says it keeps gear, tent, firewood and equipment dry in rain, snow or harsh conditions. Those weather claims come from the brand.

It suits campers who want a tent footprint that doubles as a rain fly, homeowners who need a woodpile cover that won’t shred at the first snag, and anyone who prefers buying straight from Amazon.com.

Why we like it

• Rip-stop weave limits tears
• Light and trunk-friendly
• Sold and shipped by Amazon.com

Watch out for

Without a stated mil thickness or grommet spacing, it’s hard to compare head to head with the poly tarps here.

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3. TICONN Heavy Duty Tarp, 6×8 ft, 5.5 Mil: Best Small Budget Tarp

TICONN’s heavy duty tarp comes in a long range of sizes and thicknesses; the variant we picked is the 6 x 8 foot, 5.5-mil version in blue. It is a layered polyethylene sheet with one silver-coated side, which TICONN says reflects UV rays to help protect what’s underneath from sun exposure.

Close tie-down points are its strongest feature. Rust-resistant aluminum grommets sit approximately 18 inches apart along the edges, and the corners are double-stitched and reinforced with HDPE, which the brand says helps resist premature wear and tear. TICONN describes it as protection against rain, wind, snow and dust and names a stacked woodpile in the yard and patio furniture on an open deck as typical uses.

At 1.23 pounds in the specs, it folds small enough for a truck toolbox or a shelf in the shed. The listing says the line runs from 8 x 10 to 20 x 30 feet in 5.5, 10 and 16 mil, yet the size field for this variant reads 6’x8’, so confirm the exact size and thickness on the product page before you check out.

It suits small jobs: a face cord of firewood, a grill or generator, camping gear in a truck bed, or patio cushions during a storm.

Why we like it

• Grommets roughly every 18 inches
• Reflective silver side
• Packs very small

Watch out for

At 5.5 mil it’s light-duty, and the size range in the bullets doesn’t match this 6 x 8 variant, so double-check the selection.

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4. RAINDEWAY 8×10 ft Poly Tarp, 5.5 Mil: Best Reversible Light-Duty Tarp

RAINDEWAY’s 8 x 10 foot tarp is a 5.5-mil polyethylene sheet in a silver and blue two-tone finish. The brand says the size is the actual usable finished size, so you get a full 8 x 10 rather than a cut size that shrinks after hemming.

The listing keeps the claims short. It calls the polyethylene waterproof, says the edges have reinforced metal grommet holes throughout to secure the tarp to various objects, and describes the sheet as “Rip and Tear Proof,” which we’d treat as the brand’s wording rather than a rating. No grommet spacing is given, and the model field reads only “0001.”

Day to day, it’s a light sheet at 1.32 pounds in the specs, easy to spread as a drop cloth under a painting project or over a backyard pool, then fold away. RAINDEWAY lists a waterproof tent, painting and a pool mat as uses and names house, car, truck, boat, pool and outdoor furniture as things it can protect from rain, sand, dirt and sunlight.

It suits homeowners who want an inexpensive, mid-size tarp for short jobs, painters who need a ground cloth, and anyone stocking a spare cover for a sudden storm. Because it is thin, plan on replacing it rather than patching it once it starts to wear at the grommets.

Why we like it

• Full 8 x 10 finished size
• Very light to handle
• Two-tone silver and blue

Watch out for

Thin 5.5-mil poly and no stated grommet spacing make this a short-term cover, not a long-term roof patch.

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5. Patiobay 12×16 ft Heavy Duty Tarp, 16 Mil: Best for Roof Leaks

Patiobay’s large silver tarp is a 16-mil polyethylene sheet, and the 12 x 16 foot size we picked covers 192 square feet by our math, enough for a section of damaged roof, a small boat or a patio furniture set. Patiobay sells it in several finished sizes.

Grommets are rust-resistant metal spaced every 23.6 inches, roughly two feet, and the edges are reinforced. Patiobay describes the tarp as waterproof and UV resistant in its headings and says it is reusable and built to withstand wind while resisting tearing and fraying. The body of the bullet says it “provides water-resistant coverage,” a softer word than the title’s “Waterproof,” so treat the strongest version as the brand’s claim.

In daily use, a 16-mil sheet is noticeably stiffer than the 5- to 8-mil poly tarps most people keep in the garage. That stiffness helps on a roof or over a boat, where a thin tarp tends to flap and wear at the grommets. Patiobay names roofs, boats, pools and outdoor furniture as uses, along with canopy tents, camping and floor protection while painting. The specs don’t list a weight.

It suits homeowners who want a heavy roof-sized tarp ready before storm season, boat owners and anyone covering furniture or equipment for months at a time.

Why we like it

• Thick 16-mil sheet
• Grommets about every two feet
• Roof-sized at 12 x 16 ft

Watch out for

The listing doesn’t give a weight, and its body text says “water-resistant” rather than waterproof.

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6. TARPAL 6×8 ft Super Heavy Duty Tarp, 20 Mil: Best Thick Small Tarp

TARPAL’s 6 x 8 foot tarp packs a lot of material into a small sheet: the brand says each layer is thickened to 20 mil, using what it calls higher quality PE material. It comes in a grey and brown two-tone and is sold as a finished size.

TARPAL leans hard on toughness. The listing says the 16×16 fabric density makes the tarp more waterproof and stronger and that it can resist hurricanes, blizzards and heavy rain. Those are the brand’s claims, not ratings. More checkable details: gasket grommets spaced 17.7 inches apart, stronger grommet shims at the corners, and anti-UV material that TARPAL says blocks sun and keeps the tarp from burning in strong sun.

A 20-mil sheet behaves differently from thin poly. It lies flatter, folds less easily and, at 3 pounds in the specs, weighs more than twice what the TICONN of the same size does. TARPAL names RV and station wagon covers, firewood, boats, awnings, outdoor tents, pools and roof covers as uses.

It suits homeowners covering a small woodpile, a generator, a wood splitter or a lawn tractor that lives outside, and anyone who wants a patch tarp thick enough to resist abrasion. Pair it with short bungees or rope through the close-set grommets to keep the edges tight.

Why we like it

• 20 mil in a small footprint
• Grommets every 17.7 inches
• Heavier than it looks

Watch out for

Weather-proof claims like hurricane resistance are the brand’s, and at 6 x 8 feet it won’t cover much roof.

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7. XTREMECOVERPRO 20×30 ft Tarp, 20 Mil: Best Large Heavy-Duty Tarp

XTREMECOVERPRO’s brown 20 x 30 foot tarp is the big, heavy option: a 20-mil polyethylene sheet with a tight 16×16 weave, reinforced corners and a heavy-duty rope sewn around the whole perimeter. The listing calls it “THE TOUGHEST TARPS AVAILABLE,” which is the brand’s phrase rather than a measured result.

Rust-resistant grommets sit every 2 feet along the edges. XTREMECOVERPRO describes the tarp as 100% waterproof, UV-protected and all-season weatherproof, and it says the sizes run true. The rope hem matters on a sheet this size, because the edges take most of the load when wind gets underneath.

Expect to handle it with a helper. The specs list it at 38.8 pounds, so unfolding it on a ladder or roof alone is a bad idea. The brand names vehicles, job sites, RVs, roofs, boats, truck beds, campers, firewood and swimming pools as uses. At 600 square feet by our math, it can cover a large roof section, a stack of building materials or an RV.

It suits homeowners preparing for storm season with a large house, contractors protecting materials on a job site, and RV or boat owners storing outdoors over winter. Plan where you will store it, too: a 20 x 30 foot, 20-mil sheet folds into a bulky bundle that needs real shelf space.

Why we like it

• 600 sq ft of 20-mil coverage
• Rope-reinforced perimeter
• Grommets every two feet

Watch out for

At 38.8 pounds it’s a two-person tarp, and it costs several times what the smaller picks do.

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How We Chose the Best Tarps

We kept picks that were in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store, one per brand, then compared what each listing states:

• Thickness: the mil rating in the title or size field, from 5.5 to 20 mil.
• Size: finished dimensions, from 6 x 8 to 20 x 30 feet.
• Grommets and edges: spacing, grommet material, rope hems and corner reinforcement.
• Material and UV claims: poly sheet, woven poly or rip-stop, quoted and attributed to the brand.
• Rank and listing gaps: Amazon sales rank, listed weight and empty fields such as warranty.

Six of the seven picks fall in our lowest price tier; only the 20 x 30 foot XTREMECOVERPRO sits higher, so the spread here is more about size and thickness than price.

Tarp Buying Guide

Best Heavy Duty Tarp: What the Mil Number Means

A mil is a thousandth of an inch, and it is the clearest number on most tarp listings. Our picks run from 5.5 mil (TICONN and RAINDEWAY) through 8 mil (CARTMAN) and 16 mil (Patiobay) to 20 mil (TARPAL and XTREMECOVERPRO). Thicker sheets resist abrasion and flapping better and are heavier and stiffer to fold. Amazon Basics doesn’t state a thickness; it relies on a rip-stop weave instead.

Best Waterproof Tarp: Poly, Rip-Stop or Woven

Most tarps here are polyethylene (poly). Amazon Basics uses rip-stop fabric laminated with polyethylene on both sides, which the brand says keeps tears from spreading. TARPAL and XTREMECOVERPRO describe a 16×16 weave. Every listing uses the word waterproof somewhere, but wording varies: Patiobay’s bullet says “water-resistant coverage.” Vinyl and canvas tarps exist too, though none made our in-stock shortlist.

Best Tarp for a Roof Leak

For a roof, size and thickness both matter. You want enough sheet to run past the damaged area and up over the ridge, with grommets close enough to anchor the edges. The 16-mil Patiobay (12 x 16 feet) and the 20-mil XTREMECOVERPRO (20 x 30 feet) are the picks built for it. Before anyone tarps a roof, read the safety section below.

Best Tarp for Firewood

Firewood needs a lid, not a wrap. Cover the top of the stack and leave the sides open so air can move through. A 6 x 8 foot tarp from TICONN or TARPAL covers a short rack; a 9.5 x 11.3 foot Amazon Basics or 10 x 12 foot CARTMAN handles longer rows. Our guide to the best firewood rack covers racks that keep wood off the ground.

Best Poly Tarp: Grommets, Edges and Finished Size

Grommet spacing is where poly tarps differ most. TARPAL lists 17.7 inches, TICONN about 18, Patiobay 23.6, XTREMECOVERPRO 2 feet and CARTMAN 36 inches. Closer grommets give wind fewer places to lift the edge. Also check for “finished size”: CARTMAN, RAINDEWAY and TARPAL say their marked size is the finished size. To hold a tarp down on a truck or trailer, our best ratchet straps guide covers tie-downs.

Storm Damage and Emergency Roof Tarping

A tarp is a temporary patch, not a repair. Don’t climb a wet, icy or steep roof, and don’t go up during or right after a storm. For most homeowners, the safer choice is to hire a roofer or a professional emergency tarping service and keep the tarp for covering items on the ground.

Ready.gov’s recovering from disaster guide advises you to document your damages before you clean up by taking photos and making a list, and to keep receipts for repair and clean-up. It also says to check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage, and to have the home inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer if you have any doubts about safety. Taking photos before any temporary repair is a sensible habit.

Before the next storm, the National Weather Service’s high wind preparation page suggests trimming branches away from the house, securing loose gutters and shutters, and listing outdoor items to tie down or put away. Our guides to the best gutter guard and the best roof snow rake cover other ways to keep water and snow off the roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best heavy duty tarp?

For thickness, the TARPAL (6 x 8 ft) and XTREMECOVERPRO (20 x 30 ft) both list 20 mil, the thickest here. The 16-mil Patiobay is a middle option in a roof-sized 12 x 16 ft sheet with grommets every 23.6 inches.

What is the best tarp for a roof leak?

A thick tarp large enough to extend well past the damage, such as the 16-mil Patiobay or the 20-mil XTREMECOVERPRO. Don’t climb a wet or steep roof yourself; hiring a roofer or emergency tarping service is the safer route.

What is the best tarp for firewood?

Any tarp that covers the top of the stack and leaves the sides open for airflow. The 6 x 8 ft TICONN and TARPAL suit short racks, while the Amazon Basics (9.5 x 11.3 ft) and CARTMAN (10 x 12 ft) cover longer rows.

Is a poly tarp waterproof?

Polyethylene sheet itself sheds water, and every listing here uses the word waterproof. Leaks usually happen at seams, grommets and edges, so spacing and edge reinforcement matter. Patiobay’s bullet uses the softer “water-resistant.”

How thick should a tarp be?

For short-term covers, 5 to 8 mil is common (TICONN, RAINDEWAY, CARTMAN). For roofs, boats or covers left outside for months, look at 16 to 20 mil (Patiobay, TARPAL, XTREMECOVERPRO), keeping in mind the extra weight.

The Bottom Line

For most homes, the CARTMAN 10 x 12 ft, 8-mil tarp is the best tarp to keep in the garage: the top seller in Tarps, a finished size and rope-reinforced hems. The Amazon Basics rip-stop tarp suits camping and woodpiles, the TICONN and RAINDEWAY handle small, short jobs, and the TARPAL packs 20 mil into a 6 x 8 foot cover. For storm prep, the 16-mil Patiobay and the 20 x 30 ft XTREMECOVERPRO are the roof-sized options. Whatever you buy, leave steep or wet roofs to a pro.

Dealing with storm damage? Photograph it, then ask your agent how your policy handles it; our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains the basics. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or request a free coverage review.