When sourcing PVC-coated fabric for your project, one number stands above all else: Grams per Square Metre (GSM). This single specification tells you the fabric’s weight, strength, and overall durability, influencing everything from how it handles during fabrication to how it holds up against the Highveld sun or a Cape winter storm.
As a leading PVC fabric supplier for tents and tarps, we know that choosing correctly is key to a project’s success.
This guide is here to make GSM simple within our tarpSMART PVC fabric range. From 400gsm through to 800gsm, we’ll show you how each option fits real-world applications – from bags to heavy-duty industrial tarps. So, whether you’re comparing fabric suppliers in Midrand or sourcing wholesale coated textiles across South Africa, this guide will give you the clarity to make the Smart choice with Smart Ikhaya.
First, What is PVC Fabric?
PVC fabric is a composite coated material. It starts with a strong, woven polyester base cloth for tear strength, which is then coated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This makes the fabric waterproof, UV-resistant, and highly durable.
Understanding GSM: The Key to Fabric Performance
GSM is the material’s density, measured in grams per square metre (1m×1m). It’s a direct indicator of its properties:
Lower GSM = Lighter, thinner, more flexible, easier to handle.
Higher GSM = Heavier, thicker, stronger, and more durable.
Our tarpSMART PVC range
400gsm: Best for light-duty jobs where flexibility is the priority, such as: dust covers, equipment bags, and temporary linings and more.
550gsm: Our most popular choice, perfect for a huge range of applications such as trailer covers, tents and general-purpose tarpaulins.
600 gsm: Mid-weight PVC fabric designed as residential/commercial pool covers protecting against debris and water evaporation.
700gsm: For commercial and industrial use. Best For: truck side-curtains (tautliners), heavy-duty cargo tarps, permanent outdoor canopies, marquee and other tents, tent-roofs and more. Smart Ikhaya can also supply Ice Blue grain cover in 700gsm.
800gsm: Engineered for the most demanding jobs where maximum strength and a long service life are non-negotiable. Ideal for heavy duty tarps, flat-deck truck tarps and more. We can also supply Black Dam cover in 800 gsm.
Explore our ripSMART Ripstop PVC Range ›
Why Does PVC Fabric Perform So Well in South Africa?
Quite simply – it’s made in Africa to handle Africa. From Johannesburg’s blazing summer sun to the Cape’s winter rains, PVC-coated fabric performs where other materials fail. It is waterproof, UV resistant, weldable and customisable. Whether you’re covering cargo or manufacturing a tent, PVC fabric offers unmatched protection.
Buy PVC Fabric from Smart Ikhaya
We have multiple colours and weights in stock, request a sample book to see the colours and feel the different weights. Give us a call/ e-mail us/ WhatsApp us to order your PVC in the length you want. No minimum order lengths required, with discount given on bulk orders of five full rolls or more. Courier dispatch/collection from our Midrand warehouse.
Whatever it becomes, wherever it is used, it starts with Smart Ikhaya.
Frequently Asked Questions about PVC Fabric
I’ve seen 1000gsm PVC advertised. Why isn’t it a main option here? 1,000gsm+ fabrics are highly specialised for massive industrial projects (like stadium roofs) and are extremely difficult and expensive to work with. For 99% of all practical applications, the 400-800gsm range provides the ideal options.
Is PVC fabric fully waterproof? Yes, it’s 100% waterproof and ideal for pool covers, tent floors, and rain protection.
Can I weld PVC fabric? Yes! PVC can be joined using hot-air welders for strong, leak-proof seams – perfect for large tarps and truck curtains.
Let us know what other questions you have about PVC.
Blog Posts
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