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Tarpex Waterproof Fabric and Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
Shop Tarpex waterproof fabric and Torino water-repellent canvas for outdoor covers, trailer covers, boat covers, garden-furniture cushions, banners, landing mats, inflatables and other protective applications.
The range includes two distinctly different materials:
- Reinforced, UV-resistant waterproof Tarpex PVC
- Flexible Torino water-repellent canvas with a PVC topcoat and polyester backing
These practical outdoor materials may also be described as:
- Waterproof PVC fabric
- Reinforced tarpaulin material
- Heavy-duty cover fabric
- Outdoor-cover material
- Water-resistant canvas
- PVC-coated canvas
- Trailer-cover fabric
- Boat-cover material
- Garden-furniture cover fabric
- Inflatable and soft-play fabric
The correct material depends on whether complete waterproof protection or shower-resistant performance is required, together with the intended application, colour, construction and fixing method.
Shop Waterproof and Water-Repellent Fabric by Type
Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
Tarpex is a tough, smooth and reinforced waterproof PVC material with UV-resistant properties.
It is 1.5 metres wide and listed by the linear metre.
Potential applications include:
- Trailer covers
- Outdoor protective covers
- Landing and crash mats
- Banners
- Bouncy castles
- Inflatable equipment
- Soft-play equipment
- Protective screens
- Equipment covers
- Heavy-duty outdoor projects
The reinforced construction helps provide strength across larger covers and other demanding applications.
Choose from:
- Black Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
- Burgundy Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
- Green Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
- Royal Blue Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
- White Reinforced Tarpex Waterproof PVC Fabric
Tarpex for Outdoor Protective Covers
Reinforced Tarpex is suitable where a durable waterproof cover material is required.
Possible projects include:
- Garden-equipment covers
- Machinery covers
- Trailer and load covers
- Protective workshop screens
- Outdoor storage covers
- Temporary weather protection
- Bespoke equipment covers
A completed cover is only as waterproof as its seams, joins, openings and fixing points.
Needle holes, eyelets, zips and other fittings may create possible routes for water penetration unless the finished construction is appropriately sealed and protected.
Tarpex for Landing Mats and Soft Play
The tough, smooth PVC surface can also be used for suitable landing mats, protective pads, inflatable products and soft-play equipment.
The complete product must be designed around its intended use, including:
- Suitable internal foam
- Correct seam construction
- Reinforcement at stress points
- Appropriate closures
- Secure handles and straps
- Safe air release where required
- Suitable fire and safety requirements
Browse Foam Cut to Size for foam made to the dimensions required for suitable protective pads and upholstered projects.
Tarpex fabric alone does not determine the safety, impact performance or suitability of the completed mat or inflatable item.
Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
Torino is a 1.5-metre-wide water-repellent canvas with:
- A 100% PVC topcoat
- A polyester backing
- A flexible fabric construction
- Resistance to showers and light rain
It is popular for suitable:
- Outdoor-furniture cushions
- Garden-seat covers
- Boat covers
- Protective furniture covers
- Patio accessories
- Outdoor storage covers
- Caravan and campervan projects
- General weather-resistant upholstery work
Torino will withstand showers, but persistent rain may eventually penetrate the material.
It should therefore be treated as water-repellent or shower-resistant canvas rather than a completely waterproof substitute for reinforced Tarpex.
Choose from:
- Black Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Burgundy Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Green Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Grey Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Navy Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Orange Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- Red Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
- White Torino Water-Repellent Outdoor Canvas
Torino Canvas for Outdoor-Furniture Cushions
Torino water-repellent canvas may be used for suitable loose garden cushions and outdoor seating covers.
Potential applications include:
- Garden-chair seat cushions
- Bench cushions
- Patio-seat backs
- Outdoor scatter cushions
- Caravan cushions
- Boat cushions
- Removable furniture covers
Where cushions may be exposed to rain, consider:
- Quick-draining foam or suitable cushion interiors
- Vented cover construction
- Covered or protected zips
- Removable covers
- Suitable sewing thread
- Drainage and drying arrangements
- Indoor storage during prolonged wet weather
Water-repellent fabric may slow water penetration, but seams, zips and stitching can still admit moisture.
Outdoor cushions should be allowed to dry fully before they are stored.
Torino Canvas for Boat and Marine Covers
Torino may be used for suitable boat covers and marine-related projects where shower resistance and flexibility are required.
Potential uses include:
- Small equipment covers
- Removable seat covers
- Cockpit accessories
- Storage covers
- Interior marine cushions
- Temporary protective coverings
The fabric is not intended to guarantee waterproof protection during prolonged exposure or standing water.
Marine projects should account for:
- Wind loading
- Water pooling
- Salt and dirt
- UV exposure
- Reinforced fixing points
- Suitable corrosion-resistant fittings
- Ventilation beneath the cover
- Regular inspection and maintenance
A cover should be shaped and supported so rainwater can run off rather than collecting in low areas.
Tarpex or Torino Canvas?
Choose Tarpex waterproof PVC where:
- A waterproof reinforced material is required
- The project will receive greater outdoor exposure
- A heavy-duty protective cover is being made
- Landing mats or soft-play products are being manufactured
- A smooth PVC surface is preferred
- UV-resistant cover material is required
Choose Torino water-repellent canvas where:
- A softer and more flexible cover fabric is required
- Outdoor cushions are being manufactured
- The project will mainly encounter showers
- A PVC-coated canvas appearance is preferred
- The fabric needs to be sewn into cushion or furniture covers
- Complete waterproofing is not essential
Do not choose solely by colour.
The material construction and level of weather resistance should match the intended use.
Waterproof, Water-Repellent and Water-Resistant Fabric
These descriptions refer to different levels of protection.
Waterproof fabric
Waterproof fabric is designed to resist water passing through the material itself under the intended conditions.
Tarpex is the waterproof material within this category.
Water-repellent fabric
Water-repellent fabric resists and sheds light water exposure but may eventually allow penetration during persistent rain.
Torino belongs within this category.
Completed waterproof covers
Even when the base fabric is waterproof, the finished cover may not be completely waterproof unless its:
- Seams
- Stitching holes
- Zips
- Eyelets
- Fasteners
- Openings
- Edges
- Attachment points
are appropriately designed and sealed.
Measuring Waterproof Fabric and Outdoor Canvas
Both fabric ranges are 1.5 metres wide and listed by the linear metre.
Before ordering:
- Measure the maximum length and width of every panel.
- Include seam allowances.
- Allow for hems and reinforced edges.
- Include material for straps and flaps.
- Allow for zips, closures and overlapping sections.
- Check the direction of the fabric.
- Plan the panel layout across the 1.5-metre width.
- Add material for test seams.
- Include extra fabric for repairs.
- Confirm the total quantity before cutting.
For fitted covers, measure around the complete object rather than relying only on its top dimensions.
Allow for:
- Depth
- Curves
- Corners
- Handles
- Hinges
- Projections
- Fastening points
- Required clearance
Making Outdoor Cushion Covers
A practical cushion-cover process may include:
- Measure the finished cushion interior.
- Prepare an accurate cutting pattern.
- Add the required seam allowances.
- Mark every panel on the reverse.
- Check the fabric direction.
- Cut using sharp shears.
- Prepare a test seam.
- Sew the border and top panels.
- Fit a suitable zip or closure.
- Turn and inspect the completed cover.
Browse:
Use a thread, needle and sewing machine suitable for the fabric thickness and intended environment.
Sewing Tarpex Waterproof PVC
Reinforced Tarpex can place greater demands on a sewing machine than ordinary furniture fabric.
Before sewing the finished item:
- Prepare a test seam
- Check the needle size
- Select suitable strong thread
- Adjust the stitch length
- Reduce excessive presser-foot pressure
- Confirm that the material feeds evenly
- Check that the stitching does not tear through the PVC
- Avoid unnecessary needle holes
- Reinforce load-bearing areas
- Test the completed seam
Stitches placed too closely together can perforate the PVC and weaken the seam line.
Where waterproof performance is important, use an appropriate seam-sealing method suitable for the fabric and construction.
Sewing Torino Water-Repellent Canvas
The polyester-backed Torino canvas is suited to sewn covers and suitable cushion projects.
Before cutting and sewing:
- Check the face and backing
- Keep panels aligned
- Use sharp cutting tools
- Prepare test seams
- Use compatible upholstery thread
- Avoid excessive stitch density
- Reinforce corners and fastening points
- Protect the PVC surface from scratching
Needle holes reduce the water resistance of any sewn cover.
Covered seams, suitable binding or another compatible sealing method may improve the completed construction.
Zips, Fasteners and Openings
Outdoor cushions and covers may use:
- Zips
- Hook-and-loop tape
- Press studs
- Draw cords
- Buckles
- Eyelets
- Straps
- Elasticated edges
The fastening method should suit:
- Expected wind
- Cover size
- Frequency of removal
- Water exposure
- Required ventilation
- Fabric weight
- The item being protected
Browse Upholstery Zips and Components and Hook-and-Loop Tape for suitable workroom products.
Position openings away from areas where water is likely to collect.
Reinforcing Outdoor Covers
Stress points may require additional layers or patches of fabric.
Areas that may need reinforcement include:
- Corners
- Handles
- Strap attachments
- Eyelet positions
- Zip ends
- Trailer-cover fixing points
- Tensioned edges
- Areas rubbing against frames
- Frequently folded sections
Round the corners of reinforcement patches where practical, as sharp corners may concentrate stress.
Check covers regularly for:
- Cuts
- Abrasion
- Loose stitching
- Damaged fixings
- Stretched seams
- Water pooling
- Surface cracking
Early repairs can help prevent small areas of damage becoming larger failures.
Cutting Waterproof PVC and Outdoor Canvas
Use sharp shears or a suitable rotary cutter on a protected cutting surface.
Before cutting:
- Unroll the material fully
- Allow it to relax
- Check the colour and face
- Inspect the usable width
- Mark on the reverse where practical
- Keep cutting lines square
- Label each panel
- Avoid creasing finished sections
- Keep the material clean
- Protect the surface from sharp objects
Store unused fabric rolled rather than tightly folded wherever possible.
Using Adhesives with PVC Fabric
Some cover and reinforcement projects may require adhesive as well as stitching.
Only use an adhesive confirmed as compatible with:
- PVC
- Polyester backing
- Reinforced Tarpex
- The intended outdoor conditions
- The selected construction method
Browse Upholstery Adhesives and Aerosols.
Test the adhesive on an offcut before treating the finished item.
An unsuitable adhesive may:
- Soften the PVC
- Mark the visible surface
- Fail in warm weather
- Remain permanently sticky
- Damage the backing
- Cause colour changes
Cleaning Tarpex and Torino Fabric
Remove loose dirt before washing the material.
A suitable routine may include:
- Brush or wipe away dry debris.
- Use a mild compatible cleaning solution.
- Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Avoid abrasive brushes.
- Rinse away cleaning residue where appropriate.
- Allow the fabric to dry fully.
- Inspect the seams and fixings.
- Store only when clean and dry.
Do not use strong solvents or aggressive cleaning chemicals unless their compatibility has been confirmed.
Solvents may affect:
- PVC coating
- Colour
- Flexibility
- Adhesives
- Waterproof performance
- Printed or finished surfaces
Storing Outdoor Covers and Cushions
Before storage:
- Clean away dirt and debris
- Allow the material to dry completely
- Remove standing water
- Check for damage
- Repair loose seams
- Release unnecessary tension
- Fold or roll carefully
- Store away from sharp objects
- Avoid excessive heat
- Keep away from rodents and pests
Storing damp covers or cushions may encourage staining, odour and mildew on surrounding materials.
Trade Tarpex and Waterproof Fabrics
Livedale supplies waterproof Tarpex PVC and Torino water-repellent canvas to upholsterers, outdoor-furniture manufacturers, trailer-cover makers, marine trimmers, inflatable manufacturers, soft-play companies and general fabrication workshops throughout the UK.
Choose from:
- Five Tarpex waterproof colours
- Eight Torino water-repellent colours
- Reinforced UV-resistant PVC
- PVC-coated polyester canvas
- 1.5-metre-wide material
- Fabric listed by the linear metre
Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.
Choose Tarpex or Torino according to the required weather resistance, flexibility, construction and finished application.