Vortex Lifetime Tarps are just what the name implies...tarps that last a lifetime. This is in direct contrast with disposable tarps that you can buy, use for a short period of time, then find disintegrated in pieces in your yard! Our Vortex Lifetime Tarps are made from the same material we make our boat covers from. If it is tough enough for a marine environment, it is tough enough! It is a marine grade polyester canvas. Generally, when you hear the term 'canvas', it implies a cotton based product. These are not cotton based. These are polyester based. The marine grade polyester canvas is a woven material, and has the feel sort of like a heavy duty backpack or duffle bag. Unlike most tarps, It is not slick and plasticy feeling at all. Again, it is a woven material. Now, it is not just marine grade polyester, as that is just the base. Just like with our boat covers, it is coated twice with polyeurethene on the bottom side, then treated with an additional waterproofing agent. It is also UV protected on the top, to cut down on damage from the sun. Our Vortex Lifetime Tarps come with a strap system. Expect one for each loop. The straps are about 6 feet long. They are made to double however, so they will extend and work up to a length of about 3 ft. Use other straps if you need to! Whereas most tarps, especially the ones commercially available at big box stores, etc are expected to last a few months at the most, Vortex Lifetime Tarps are expected, under typical circumstances, to last a lifetime. There is literally no comparison between our Vortex Lifetime Tarps and big box store tarps. If you compare the different 'grades' of tarps at big box stores, even their 'heavy duty' is not comparable to ours. It is hard to explain with words, but there just is no comparison. Vortex Lifetime Tarps come with a 5 year warranty. 1 (Real People, Real Answers)