In my youth, we used canvas for tarps and drop cloths when dealing with the weather and dripping paint. We used a 12 oz tarp to make a 8x12' dining fly to cover picnic tables when camping. Our drop cloths were light weight canvas full of paint splatters. The introduction of cheaper plastic tarps and drop cloths was an instant conversion to waterproof protection.
Plastic products were thicker when they were competing with canvas items so could be used multiple times. Sadly, they have transition to a disposal thin product to bring the price down and reduced durability in the process. It sees like I am always having to replace them. It was time to return to a more durable product I used out of the past.
In 2009, I was able to obtain some large pieces of 10 oz canvas salvaged from a building restoration project. I added a finished edge to the cut sides and canvas handles to the corners. The drop cloths are used when painting and for moving raked leaves to compost. The handles are a useful aid for spreading and gathering the tarp. They give you something to grab on to when moving the tarp.
For 40 years I used a plastic tarp to cover the beds of my pickup trucks. Every year I would replace the tarp because rain was getting into the bed or the trap had frayed enough I could not tie it down to the sideboards. In September 2023, I ordered 21 oz waterproof canvas tarp made by the Chicago Canvas & Supply. The Chicago Canvas & Supply has crafted canvas solutions since 1948. It started marketing tarps 20 years ago. The cost was $44 and about 4X the cost of a cheap plastic tarp
The olive-drab trap was treated with wax/oil mixture to provide extra waterproofing. It was made in India. The cut size was 6x8 feet, but the finish size is 5.5 x 7.6 feet. The tarp comes with rustproof brass grommets every 21 inches and double-stitched seams. Additional brass grommets were attached to reduce the grommet spacing to 10.5 inches for better tie down in the truck.
A second tarp was purchased in November 2025 for covering items in the trailer. It was setup the same way as the 2023 purchased tarp.
Canvas drop cloths have lasted longer than the plastic ones.
Hang the canvas drop cloths up to dry before storing.
Canvas is prone to rotting and becoming rodent bedding and molding so store in a well ventilated area that is rodent proof.
Plastic tarps are easier to pull when filled with leaves.
The Chicago Canvas & Supply tarp comes with a strong smell of oil/wax. The mixture is black to olive drab color and loves to stain other objects. I wonder if their light brown canvas tarps would stain.
Canvas is never totally leak proof because it is a woven cloth.
The 21 oz canvas is stiff and flaps less in the wind so appears to be lasting longer than the plastic tarps.
The canvas is easy to patch on the sewing machine
A big YES, so far I am happy with the canvas tarps. They need more after use care than plastic tarps and storage space. Their durability outweighs any disadvantages. Like every tool there is a place where it works best so yes I still but both plastic and canvas items.