Canvas tarps are water resistant. They are treated with oil & wax to make them water & mildew resistant. Thus, if canvas tarpaulins are pitched or angled properly the water will run or slide off the cover.

The most obvious difference between canvas and vinyl tarps is the look and feel of each material. Canvas is known as a more rugged and natural material, so it has a coarse texture and matte appearance. Vinyl has a rubber-like texture, making it much smoother than canvas.

Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame. It is also used in such fashion objects as handbags and shoes