What GSM actually measures
GSM stands for grams per square metre. A 160 GSM tarpaulin has approximately 160 grams of material in every square metre of finished sheet. That is the whole definition. It is a mass measurement, and everything people infer from it — strength, waterproofing, lifespan — is inference, not specification.
The inference is not unreasonable. More material in the same area generally does mean a more substantial sheet. But two tarpaulins at identical GSM can differ significantly in weave construction, lamination, edge finishing and eyelet fixing, and those differences decide which one survives a season.
What increasing GSM changes
| Moving to a higher GSM | What reliably changes |
|---|---|
| Material per square metre | Increases in direct proportion to the GSM figure |
| Weight of the finished sheet | Increases proportionally — a 200 GSM sheet weighs about 2.5× an 80 GSM sheet of the same size |
| Folded bulk and storage space | Increases, which matters for fleets and yards storing many covers |
| Cost per square metre | Increases, because material is the main input |
| Ease of single-person handling | Decreases, noticeably so at large dimensions |
| Measured tear and tensile strength | Generally increases, but the amount is a property of the specific product — ask us for Double Kissan figures for the two options you are comparing |
What GSM does not tell you
Whether it is waterproof
Waterproofing comes from the lamination, not from the mass of the fabric. A well-laminated lighter sheet can shed water better than a poorly laminated heavier one.
How long it will last
Service life depends on UV exposure, abrasion, tension, how it is secured and how it is stored. A well-fitted lighter cover routinely outlasts a badly fitted heavier one.
How strong the edges are
Most tarpaulins fail at eyelets and edges, not in the middle of the sheet. Edge reinforcement and eyelet fixing are separate specifications entirely.
Whether the weave is consistent
GSM is an average. It says nothing about whether that material is evenly distributed across the sheet.
The four questions that decide your GSM
How long will the cover stay in place?
A cover fitted for a week and a cover fitted for a season are different purchases. Continuous exposure is what justifies extra material; occasional use rarely does.
How often is it handled?
Every fitting and removal is handling wear, and heavy sheets get handled worse because they are awkward. If someone will fit this alone, weight is a functional constraint, not a preference.
What does it rest against?
Rebar ends, brick stacks, threshing floors and machine protrusions cut sheets from below. Where abrasion is the dominant wear, addressing the contact point helps more than a GSM step.
How will it be secured?
A sheet held at four corners concentrates all load into four points. Anchor spacing changes cover life more dramatically than most buyers expect.
The Double Kissan range
| GSM | Position in the range | Material relative to 80 GSM |
|---|---|---|
| 80 GSM | Lightest standard option | Baseline |
| 100 GSM | First step up | +25% |
| 120 GSM | Mid-range balance point | +50% |
| 160 GSM | First of the heavier options | +100% |
| 180 GSM | Second heaviest | +125% |
| 200 GSM | Heaviest standard option | +150% |
Note the shape of that range. The step from 120 to 160 GSM is the largest single jump; the step from 160 to 180 is one of the smallest. If you are moving up because a lighter sheet fell short, 120 to 160 is a meaningful change. If you are moving from 160 to 180, expect a refinement rather than a transformation.
Common GSM buying mistakes
Buying the heaviest option by default
It costs more, handles worse and often gets used less because it is awkward. A cover that stays folded protects nothing.
Comparing GSM across materials
A 200 GSM HDPE sheet and a 200 GSM PVC-coated sheet are different products with different properties. GSM is only comparable within the same material and construction.
Treating GSM as a waterproof rating
It is not one. Ask about the lamination and the test method instead.
Ignoring size to afford a higher GSM
An undersized heavy cover is worse than a correctly sized lighter one, because the shortfall becomes the failure point.
Where our numbers stop
This guide deliberately does not tell you that a specific GSM is right for a specific application. Tear strength, tensile strength, GSM tolerance and UV specification vary by order and are confirmed directly against your requirement — an application recommendation not backed by real figures would be a guess dressed up as advice.
Written by the Double Kissan team at Ashoka Poly Laminators Pvt. Ltd., Bareilly. Last reviewed November 2026.