Minurphy has been cutting, welding, and stitching custom covers for SA farmers, transporters, miners, fleet operators, and 4x4 owners since 1994. If it needs to keep weather, dust, or salt off something, we have probably built a version of it.
Canvas vs PVC: which do you actually need?
| Property | Canvas | PVC | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | Water-resistant (treated) | Fully waterproof | Waterproof on top, breathable underneath |
| Breathability | High (vapour passes through) | None (traps moisture) | Yes, on the canvas underside |
| UV resistance | Good (treated) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Typical weight | 420 to 680 gsm | 600 to 900 gsm | 540 + 680 gsm laminated |
| Best for | Vehicles, boats, anything stored damp | Tarpaulins, tanks, exposed loads | Long-term outdoor under all weather |
| Lifespan in SA conditions | 5 to 8 years | 7 to 10 years | 8 to 12 years |
| Indicative price (per m²) | from R180 | from R220 | from R310 |
Canvas is the right choice for anything that lives outdoors but needs to dry out: bakkies, boats, jacuzzis, canopies. PVC is the right choice for fully exposed loads where breathability does not matter: tarpaulins over hay, load covers, banner finishing, industrial equipment covers. Hybrids are for boats and vehicles that need both.
Tarpaulins and load covers
Cut to size, welded seams, brass eyelets every 500 mm. PVC from 610 to 1050 gsm for everything from general hay tarps to mining-spec equipment covers. SABS spec sheets supplied on request for tender submissions.
For trucking fleets, we build full-truckload covers with corner reinforcement, ratchet-strap loops, and SABS rating. For mining and construction, we add heavier 1050 gsm grades and double-layer wear patches at known stress points.
Vehicle, boat, and asset covers
Bakkies, trucks, trailers, caravans, boats, generators, jacuzzis, canopies, golf carts, swimming pools. Canvas where it needs to breathe, PVC where it needs to be fully waterproof, hybrid where both matter. Every cover is cut and stitched to the specific asset, not a generic "medium" or "large" shape that flaps in the wind.
Most "universal" covers flap in wind and scratch paintwork. Ours are cut to shape, with reinforced corners and elastic hems where they matter. Templates exist for Hilux, Ranger, Amarok, Land Cruiser 70 Series, D-Max, and most common trailers. Anything else, measure it or bring it in.
A kitted 4x4 with a roof rack and aerial needs cutouts, zips, and storm patches. Send photos, we design around them.
Industrial covers and stockpile tarps
Mining-spec PVC at 900 gsm minimum, 1050 gsm on request. Stockpile covers, equipment shrouds, conveyor covers, temporary shelters. SABS documentation, BBBEE paperwork, supplier history all standard for procurement.
Pool, jacuzzi, and HVAC covers
Insulated PVC pool covers and jacuzzi covers, cut to any shape (rectangular, freeform, kidney) with reinforced corners and a drawstring or buckle closure. Insulated covers hold heat in winter and keep debris out year-round. Fan covers and HVAC unit covers in heavy-duty PVC with cutouts and drawstrings to fit your unit.
Bags: carry, laundry, garden refuse
Load-carry bags for vats, ice baths, partitions, and large covers (the products we build), plus general-use commercial bags. Laundry bags for hotels and laundries in heavy-duty 800 gsm PVC with reinforced handles. Garden refuse bags in tear-resistant PVC with closure straps, sized for commercial garden services. All bags have reinforced seams, welded eyelets, and sizing to your need.
Reinforced where it matters
Corners get double-layer patches. Wheel arches get storm skirts. Attachment points get webbing straps, not just rope loops. Where a cover flaps under wind, we reinforce. The result is a cover that holds shape for years, not a season.
