Best Tarp and Drop Cloths for Your Project

What is a Tarp?

A tarp is another type of protective covering. Most feature heavier man-made materials like plastic. As a result, they often offer a higher degree of protection.

Often, people use tarps outdoors. However, they can work indoors as well, depending on the project.

The biggest difference between tarps is their special features. This guide will explain some of the most popular ones and tell you when you might want to use them.

Tip: Whether you opt for a tarp or a drop cloth, size is important. Measure the item or area that you want to cover before you shop, so you get the right fit.

This article was co-authored by Patrick Coye . Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020. This article has been viewed 57,344 times.

Article Summary

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To protect your floors when painting, plastic drop cloths are probably the cheapest, easiest way to go. However, they can be a little slippery to walk on, so if you're willing to invest a little more, consider rosin paper for hard floors or canvas drop cloths for carpet. Whatever you decide to use, apply a 2-inch wide strip of masking tape all around the perimeter of the floor. Then, lay out the covering over the floor and fold any excess under so you don't trip on it. Finally, apply another 2-inch wide layer of masking tape over the edges of the covering to tape it to the floor. For more painting tips, check out the full article below!

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