Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If you are covering a roof, a pool, a trailer, or a woodpile, the number that tells you whether you will be re-buying next spring is the thickness in mils (a mil is one-thousandth of an inch). Most 20 x 20 listings hide that number. A 20 x 20 tarp is a big piece of fabric, roughly the footprint of a two-car garage, so the wind grabs it hard and cheap thin material shreds fast. This guide sorts nine genuinely size-correct 20 x 20 tarps by how thick, how heavy, and how well reinforced they really are.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind KitchPrep. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You will see the real mil rating, the grommet spacing (the distance between the metal rings you tie ropes to), and what owners actually say after a winter outside. if you need a cheap one-season cover or a heavy shield you set and forget, this breakdown of the best 20 x 20 tarp options points you to the right one fast.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 20 X 20 Tarp
A tarp this large fails for one of two reasons: it is too thin to survive UV and wind, or it is so heavy and stiff that wrestling it onto a roof is a two-person job. Getting the balance right starts with three numbers — thickness in mils, weave density, and grommet spacing — plus an honest look at what you are actually covering.
Thickness in mils is the real durability dial
A mil is one thousandth of an inch of material, so a 10 mil tarp is measurably thinner than a 16 mil or 20 mil one. For a 20 x 20 sheet catching wind and sun, thicker material resists tears and UV breakdown longer. The trade-off is weight — a 20 mil tarp runs about 30 pounds, so plan how you will haul it up a ladder before you buy the heaviest option.
Weave count and grommet spacing decide how it holds a tie-down
Weave count describes how many threads cross per square inch — a 16 x 16 weave is denser than a 14 x 14 weave, and denser fabric resists ripping at the grommets. Grommets (the metal rings punched through the edge for rope) are spaced anywhere from every 17.7 inches to every 23.6 inches on these models. Closer spacing means more tie-down points across a 20-foot span, which matters most on exposed roofs and open trailers.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Thickness | Weight | Grommet Spacing | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TARPAL 20×20 Black 14mil★ Best Overall | All-round cover | 14 mils | 7.26 kg | 17.7 in | Amazon |
| SpacEver 20×20 12 Mil Silver/BrownBiggest Value | Budget coverage | 12 mils | 6.8 kg | — | Amazon |
| RhymBar 20×20 10 MilReversible Pick | Light seasonal cover | 10 mils | — | 2 ft | Amazon |
| TA*RP YXCN 20×20 16 Mil Silver/Green | Thick reinforced cover | 16 mils | — | 20 in | Amazon |
| Kesfitt 20×20 16 Mil White | Bright heat-reflecting cover | 16 mils | — | 23 in | Amazon |
| CSCRI 20×20 16Mil Silver/Brown | Year-round dual-side cover | 16 mils | 8.5 oz/sq yd | 23.6 in | Amazon |
| HAPPY CHEERS 20×20 16 Mil Blue | Pool and floor lining | 16 mils | 8.53 kg | 19.5 in | Amazon |
| SpacEver 20×20 16 Mil Silver/Brown | Heavy all-purpose cover | 16 mils | 8.99 kg | — | Amazon |
| TARPONIX 20×20 20 Mil Brown/White | Hardest-wearing cover | 20 mils | 30 pounds | 18 in | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. TARPAL tarp Waterproof 20×20 Feet Black 14mil Heavy Duty tarps
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 400+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The black 14 mil workhorse with more tie-down points than the rest
The TARPAL is the pick that balances thickness and handling best for a 20 x 20 footprint. It measures 14 mils of tightly woven high-density polyethylene (HDPE — a tough plastic that resists tearing), and it is quietly 40% thicker than the 10 mil RhymBar further down this list. The black surface also blocks and insulates heat, so it works as a summer sunshade as well as a winter rain cover.
What wins people over is how densely it is secured. Aluminum grommets sit every 17.7 inches — the tightest spacing of any tarp here, and noticeably tighter than the RhymBar’s two-foot spacing — which spreads wind load across dozens of tie points instead of a few. Corners and edges get rubber inverted triangles for extra reinforcement, and the whole edge is heat-sealed, so pulling a rope tight does not start a rip. One owner built it into an awning: “I needed a 4×5 tarp for an awning I built for my 2001 Suburban beach truck.”
The honest trade-off is color — the only real complaint owners raise is wanting a lighter silver option for shade, since black soaks up sun. Coverage over a sandbox, generator, or roof post draws consistent praise for staying flat and dry, and at 7.26 kg it is one of the lighter tarps here despite its thickness. For buyers who want one 20 x 20 tarp for roofs, cars, and camp cover without a two-person lift, this is the one.
Where it pulls ahead
- 14 mils of HDPE — 40% thicker than the 10 mil RhymBar
- Grommets every 17.7 inches for the most tie-down points on the list
- Heat-sealed edges plus rubber-reinforced corners resist pull-through
What to weigh first
- Black only — no silver shade option for hot-weather setups
- Not as thick as the 16 mil and 20 mil picks if you face extreme UV
Buy it if: you want one balanced 20 x 20 tarp for roofs, cars, and camp cover without the handling weight of a 16 mil sheet.
Think twice if: you specifically need a light-colored shade tarp for a hot patio.
2. Tarp Heavy Duty 20×20 FT, 12 Mil Thick Large Tarps Water-Proof with Grommets, UV & Tear Resistant, Plastic Cover for Pool Roof Tent Outdoor Firewood, Silver & Brown
Twelve mils of weatherproof PE that punches well above its modest price
If you are covering a camper, pool, or firewood stack on a tight budget, this is the value pick. The SpacEver 20×20 runs 12 mils of polyethylene (a plastic that resists water) with a polymer wear-resistant layer added to extend the life of the fabric. It is reversable — silver on one face, brown on the other — so you flip it depending on if you want heat reflection or a quieter look on the yard.
It is thinner than the 14 mil TARPAL above, but that lightness is exactly why it is easy to unfold and drape solo. A tight weave resists water and cold, and rust-proof grommets at every reinforced corner keep the tie-downs from tearing through. Owners repeatedly lean on it as a temporary fix that outlasts its price point — one camper owner stretched it right over a roof to stop leaks until a proper repair, and it “covered my whole trailer and keeping the water out.” Another framed a canopy: “Excellent tarp for top of an 8 x 8 canopy frame.”
The catch worth knowing upfront is simply the mil rating. If you face brutal UV and want a cover that survives several full summers, step up to a 16 mil. For one or two seasons of shelter, or for wrapping furniture and covering a pool, this delivers the same coverage math for far less outlay. It is the smart cheap pick, not the longest-lived one.
Best use of your money: covering boats, campers, grills, and firewood where you want full 20 x 20 coverage without paying for extreme thickness.
The one compromise: at 12 mils it is the second-thinnest tarp here, so it is a several-season cover rather than a decade-long one.
Reach for this if: budget matters and a temporary-to-medium-term cover is all you need.
Choose thicker if: you are protecting a roof or pool year-round against hard sun.
3. 20 x 20 FT Waterproof Heavy Duty Tarp, 10 Mil Thick, Outdoor Furniture Covers, Plastic Insulated Tarpaulin for Camping Tent Roof Boat Patio Pool Cover, Silver/Brown
The light-duty RhymBar that shines covering furniture, kayaks, and one stubborn basement step
The RhymBar bottoms out the thickness range at 10 mils, so it is the tarp to choose when the job is light and the sheet needs to stay easy to move. It is a reversible silver/brown polyethylene cover with hot-sealed rust-proof grommets every two feet. Those grommets are the widest spacing on this list, which is fine for draping over furniture but note if your site takes serious wind. It is also worth flagging something you may not want: one owner noted the same 12×12 listing style was hard to find locally, so grabbing a size-correct 20 x 20 online is the practical route.
Where it earns its place is gentle, repeat coverage. Owners use it to blanket kayaks, wrap furniture for the truck, and seal a basement stairwell that fills with rain and snow. That last use reads almost like a purpose-built job: “The best tarp I’ve ever purchased. I have a basement step down that doesn’t have a drain for snow and rain. Drapping this over the opening is perfect.” At 10 mils, it handles that kind of flat-cover work well and folds down small when not in use.
The obvious limit is durability under hard sun — this is a light-to-medium duty sheet, and the data is candid that it will show wear sooner than the thicker picks. Treat it as a season-to-season cover for furniture, boats, and emergency rain diversion rather than a permanent roof shield.
The case for it: the thinnest, easiest-to-handle tarp here, ideal when you are draping over furniture or a low opening rather than securing a roof.
Where it stops: 10 mils and two-foot grommet spacing mean it is not the pick for high-wind roofs or multi-year sun exposure.
Good fit: furniture covers, kayak wraps, and quick rain diversion where light and foldable beats heavy and stiff.
Wrong tool for: a permanent pool or roof cover that faces constant wind and UV.
4. Extra Heavy Duty Tarp 20×20 Ft, 16 Mil Thick (Silver/Green)
A 16 mil sheet with an 18×18 weave built for storm season
The TA*RP YXCN steps up to 16 mils with an 18×18 weave count — the densest crossing pattern on this list, which is what lets it resist tearing at the grommets. It is rated 7.5 oz per square yard, ships with anti-rust grommets every 20 inches, and adds UV protectant to the fabric. The listing states a two-year guarantee under normal conditions, so treat that lifespan as the maker’s claim, not a tested fact. Plastic reinforcement triangles on the corners and thickened side cords along every edge add where tears usually start.
Owners buying this one tend to be done upgrading thin tarps that shredded. It lays under paddleboards, over outdoor gear, and around boats, and buyers report that “seems very durable. Much thicker than last one I bought.” Another noted it held up through a winter of high UV without ripping. The silver/green reversible face lets you keep the light side up to reflect heat in summer — though one buyer, wanting shade, would have preferred straight green everywhere.
Two honest notes. The 7.5 oz weight means this is a heavier, stiffer sheet than the 14 mil TARPAL, so a bigger person still needs a hand mounting it high. And the fabric arrives with a noticeable factory smell that one owner flagged — it fades after the tarp airs out once unwrapped.
What sets it above the thin picks
- 16 mils with the densest 18×18 weave count here
- Grommets every 20 inches plus corner triangles and side cords
- UV protectant added; maker guarantees two years under normal use
Honest considerations
- Heavier and stiffer to mount than the 14 mil options
- A factory smell lingers until the tarp airs out
Pick this for: storm-exposed roofs, woodpiles, and boat storage where a dense weave and thick stock matter most.
Not for you if: you want the lightest possible sheet to drape solo or hate a slight new-fabric odor.
5. Kesfitt 16 Mil Heavy Duty Waterproof Tarp, 20×20 FT, White
A white 16 mil sheet that reflects light and cuts heat buildup
If your job is keeping sun heat off a carport, patio, or tent rather than blocking winter rain, the color does real work here. The Kesfitt is built from 100% virgin polyethylene (PE — new plastic rather than recycled mix) at 16 mils, with a dense 15×17 woven fabric. Its white surface reflects light instead of absorbing it, which the listing ties to reduced heat buildup under a carport, patio, or tent.
The extra-thick 16 mil body is what most owners notice, and grommets every 23 inches plus reinforced edges give plenty of tie-down points for a sheet this size. One buyer stretched it over a carport and called the 16 mil thickness ideal for the job; another kept rain out of a tent in a notoriously wet rainforest. It is a genuinely heavy-duty sheet, and the white face makes it feel less like an industrial tarp.
The trade-off a few owners raise is fixed hardware: the grommets and the reversible coloring get mixed reviews, with some preferring an all-green side over the blue-and-green two-tone. None of that affects coverage. Where it wins is any setup that runs hot in summer — a shade cover for a party, a bright temporary shelter, or a carport roof that bakes in the sun.
Why it earns the mention: 16 mils of virgin PE in a heat-reflecting white, with 23-inch grommet spacing for flexible tie-downs.
The catch: the two-tone edge finish and grommet detail draw mixed opinions, so the all-white look is not perfectly uniform.
Best suited to: summer shade, carports, and bright outdoor shelters where reflecting heat is the whole point.
Look elsewhere if: you want a pure single-color finish or a darker tarp for winter absorption.
6. 16Mil Finished Size 20×20 Tarp Heavy Duty Waterproof, Large Outdoor Multipurpose Protective Cover (Silver/Brown)
A 16 mil dual-side cover that flips between reflecting and trapping heat
The CSCRI is the thinking buyer’s 16 mil. It is made from 100% HDPE fibers at 16 mils with a tight 15×16 weave, rated 240 grams per square meter (a fabric weight measure — heavier means more material per area). Its party piece is the dual-sided design: the silver face reflects light and blocks heat, while the black side absorbs and insulates. That lets one tarp behave like two across a year — silver up in summer, black up in winter.
Owners find it sturdy enough for real jobs, and the weight earns its own praise. It covers an 18-foot canoe and keeps sun off the fiberglass, or drapes over a camper to cut interior heat. Rust-proof grommets sit every 23.6 inches, paired with double-layered heat-sealed edges and built-in rope reinforcement along the hem. As one buyer put it: “The tarp is exactly as advertised, sturdy and with grommets to attach ropes.”
Two details to plan around. Owners mention the finished size runs slightly short — the listing describes a 10-foot dimension actually measuring around 9’8″ — so budget a hair of overlap or size up if you need an exact fit. And a few note bent eyelets on arrival, so inspect the grommets before you rely on every single one in a storm.
Standout feature: the reversible silver-black build lets a single tarp reflect summer heat or trap winter warmth, backed by 23.6-inch grommet spacing.
Plan around: finished size runs slightly smaller than advertised, and grommets can arrive bent — check them before mounting.
A smart match for: buyers who want one tarp to work across hot and cold seasons over a canoe, camper, or furniture.
Think again if: you need a guaranteed exact 20-foot measurement or cannot tolerate a slightly bent eyelet.
7. Large 20×20 Tarp, Tarps Heavy Duty Waterproof 20×20, Waterproof Plastic Poly 16 Mil Thick Tarpaulin with Metal Grommets Every 19.5 Inches
A full-size 16 mil tarp that doubles as a pool and hot-tub liner
What stands out on the HAPPY CHEERS is a promise the thin tarps cannot make: it is sold at its finished size, so a 20 x 20 order measures a true 20 x 20 with no shrunken corners. It is 16 mils of pure, unrecycled polyethylene with a 14×14 weave and 8 oz per square yard, and the blue face is silver-coated on the back so the sun-facing side reflects light.
Where this one earns its keep is water-holding jobs. Owners line old hot tubs with it to make a pool, drape it over chicken runs, and lay it under a pool, and they keep coming back — “This is the second time I’ve purchased this tarp.” The grommets sit every 19.5 inches and the corners carry a PP protective layer (polypropylene, a tough plastic) so a taut rope does not rip them, which matters when you are stretching it drum-tight across a pool or run. One owner reported that after tarping a chicken run all winter it “remained waterproof, leakproof and has not ripped or torn.”
The honest caveat is UV life: some customers note this 16 mil sheet lasting only about a year in hard sun, so treat it as a full-size working tarp rather than a permanent roof. Its weight, 8.53 kg, also makes solo roof mounting a little more effort. If your job is water containment or a true-to-size cover, though, it is tough to top.
Why owners keep rebuying
- Sold at finished 20 x 20 size, so no shortchanged corners
- 16 mils of pure unrecycled PE with a sun-reflecting silver back
- Grommets every 19.5 inches with PP-reinforced corners for tight tie-downs
Keep in mind
- Some owners see it last around a year under hard, constant sun
- At 8.53 kg it is heavier to mount overhead on your own
Made for: pool and hot-tub lining, chicken runs, and any job that needs a genuine full 20 x 20 sheet with a reflective back.
Rather not, if: you need a permanent UV-proof roof cover or want the lightest sheet to haul up alone.
8. 20×20 FT Tarp Waterproof, 16 Mil Tarps Heavy Duty Waterproof Multipurpose Protective Cover UV Resistant Rip & Tear Resistant with Grommets Reversible
A 16 mil, 16×16 weave cover built to shrug off rocks and sticks
The SpacEver 16 mil is the densest-weave sibling of the twelve-mil value pick above, and it is meant for the jobs where hardware gets stressed. It uses tightly woven polyethylene in a 16×16 weave — denser than the pool tarp’s 14×14 — with a polymer wear-resistant layer added to stretch its service life. Corners are reinforced with internal ropes, and rust-proof grommets help stop the fabric tearing when you pull it tight.
Owners push this one hard and it mostly holds. It covers hot rods, firewood piles, and ground for snow removal, and the thickness is thick enough that rocks and sticks do not punch through. One long-time tarp buyer who had never used a 16 mil sheet called it “nice and sturdy for its job” and suggested using ball bungees at every grommet to keep the rings from pulling out. The reversible silver/brown face gives you a heat-reflecting side for summer.
Two things a careful buyer should know. First, the grommets are the recurring weak spot — one owner wished for heavier-duty rings because “the grommets bend out of shape too easily” under load, so reinforce your tie-down points. Second, durability feedback is mixed: most owners call this 16 mil sheet heavy-duty, but a few report shredding within three months in harsh conditions. Used as a stout ground or flat cover it shines; exposed to constant wind on a roof, manage your expectations.
The draw: a 16×16 weave of 16 mil PE — the most tightly woven 16 mil here — with polymer wear-resistance for gritty ground use.
Watch the grommets: owners recommend added protection at each ring, and a few report faster wear in punishing conditions.
Ideal for: heavy ground cover, firewood, and gear piles where rocks and sticks are part of daily life.
Pick a thicker or wider-grommet tarp if: you need it to survive years of sustained high-wind roof exposure.
9. 20′ x 20′ Ultra Heavy Duty Tarp – 20 Mil Brown/White Waterproof Outdoor Cover, UV Protection, Reinforced Corners
The 20 mil tank of the group — thickest, heaviest, and made to outlast
If you want the absolute most material per square foot, this is it. The TARPONIX runs 20 mils thick — the thickest tarp on this list, a full 10 mils over the RhymBar and 4 mils over any other 16 mil pick — backed by a 370 GSM 16×16 weave (a measure of fabric weight and thread count) for tear resistance. Brass grommets sit every 18 inches, and the corners are reinforced for extra strength at the stress points. At 30 pounds, though, this is a genuinely heavy sheet, so plan a second set of hands or a pulley before you try to mount it on a high roof.
Owners treat this like a long-term purchase and they are not gentle with it. It covers pools, tents, and vehicles, and the response is consistently about how much more substantial it feels than a typical tarp — “This tarp is built incredibly well. The thickness is above and beyond of what I thought it would be.” Others note the grommets are securely attached and well-spaced, making a taut hang easy. The heavy perimeter rope sewn into the hem gives you something solid to grab and tie.
The list itself has one honesty note to flag: the spec table lists the material as polypropylene even though the listing text describes premium polyethylene, so if the exact polymer grade matters to you, confirm it before relying on that line. What is not in doubt is the build. For roofs, RV covers, and construction-site jobs where one tough tarp should last, this is the one that behaves like a permanent fixture.
Where the extra weight goes
- Thickest 20 mil body here with a denser 370 GSM 16×16 weave
- Brass grommets every 18 inches plus reinforced corners
- A sewn-in 4 mm rope around the perimeter for a strong, grabbable edge
Know before you buy
- At 30 pounds it needs help to get overhead
- Spec table and listing text disagree on the exact polymer, so verify if it matters
Buy this when: you want the thickest, longest-wearing 20 x 20 cover for roofs, RVs, and site work and can handle the weight.
Look lighter if: you mount tarps solo or need to carry one any real distance.
Understanding the Specs
Thickness in mils
A mil is one thousandth of an inch, so a 10 mil tarp has less material than a 14 mil or 20 mil one. Thicker material usually means more tear and UV resistance, but also more weight — a 20 mil 20 x 20 tarp can run around 30 pounds. Match the mil rating to your exposure: light duty for furniture and furniture wraps, 14 to 16 mils for general roofs and boats, and 20 mils for permanent, hard-wearing installs.
Grommet spacing and weave count
Grommets are the metal rings that rope passes through, and their spacing decides how many tie-down points you get across a large tarp. These models range from every 17.7 inches to every two feet. Closer spacing spreads wind load better on big, exposed sheets. Weave count — like 14×14 or 16×16 — describes how many threads cross per square inch, and denser weaves tend to resist ripping at the grommets longer than looser ones.
FAQ
Will a 20 x 20 tarp actually measure 20 feet by 20 feet when it arrives?
What is the difference between a 10 mil and a 16 mil tarp?
How many grommets does a 20 x 20 tarp have and how far apart are they?
Can a 20 x 20 tarp be used to cover a swimming pool or line a hot tub?
Is a thicker 20 mil tarp worth it over a 16 mil one?
Do these 20 x 20 tarps protect against UV and heat as well as rain?
How heavy is a 20 x 20 tarp and can one person handle it?
Can I leave a 20 x 20 tarp outside all year in strong sun and wind?
Which color 20 x 20 tarp is best for a roof or a patio setup?
Will the grommets on a 20 x 20 tarp hold up when I tie it down tight?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the 20 x 20 tarp winner is the TARPAL 20×20 Black 14mil: 14 mils of tear-resistant HDPE (high-density polyethylene, a tough plastic) plus the tightest 17.7-inch grommet spacing here, so you get more tie-down points than any other pick at 7.26 kg instead of a 16 mil sheet’s heft. If you face hard sun and want a cover you mount once and forget, step up to the TARPONIX 20 Mil, the thickest and toughest option at 20 mils. And if budget is driving the decision, the reversible SpacEver 12 Mil covers boats, campers, and firewood for a fraction of the outlay — the crowd favorite with the highest owner count of the group, and one of the highest-rated picks here.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, KitchPrep earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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