Firewood Cover vs Tarp: Which One Should You Buy?
Firewood covers and tarps compared for a woodpile: fit, fabric and thickness, ventilation, wind tie-down and upkeep, with two examples of each from the listings we reviewed.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Woodhaven 8-Foot Raised Firewood Rack w/Cover9.8/10View on Amazon - 2
4' x 20' Super Heavy Duty 16 Mil Brown Poly Tarp Cover9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Firewood Round Rack Cover9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
RAINDEWAY Tarp 4x10FTView on Amazon - 5
TARPAL 4x4 Feet Small Tarp Waterproof 6milView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a firewood cover if you stack on a standard rack and want a fitted, vented cover that straps down. Choose a tarp if your pile is an odd shape or you want a low-cost way to cover a large area.
Both keep rain off the wood, but they are built for different piles. A firewood cover is cut and strapped for a rack; a tarp is a flat sheet you tie down yourself. This firewood cover vs tarp comparison covers what separates the two, then two examples of each from the listings we reviewed.
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4' x 20' Super Heavy Duty 16 Mil Brown Poly Tarp
A 4x20 ft super heavy duty 16 mil polyethylene tarp, UV resistant, with grommets every 18 inches and reinforced edges.
Pros
- 16 mil thick, 8 oz per sq yd, 16x16 weave
- UV resistant and waterproof polyethylene
- Metal grommets every 18 inches plus each corner
- Reinforced edges; finished size runs true
Cons
- No built-in ventilation
- Flat sheet needs its own tie-down plan
- No weight stated
- No warranty term stated
VIVOHOME 12ft Waterproof Outdoor Firewood Log Rack
A 12 ft waterproof firewood rack cover in 600D Oxford with PU/PVC coating, air vents, zipper and straps; rack not included.
Pros
- 600D Oxford with dual PU/PVC waterproof coatings
- Built-in air vents plus zippered adjustable openings
- Drawstrings, buckle straps and side handles
- Fits a 12 ft rack: 22.8 x 144.9 x 41.7 in
Cons
- Rack not included
- No warranty stated
- 10.4 lb to handle on a windy day
- One cover fits one rack size
VIVOHOME 5ft Waterproof Outdoor Firewood Log Rack
A 5 ft waterproof firewood rack cover in 600D Oxford with PU/PVC coating, air vents, zipper and straps; rack not included.
Pros
- 600D Oxford with dual PU/PVC waterproof coatings
- Built-in air vents plus zippered adjustable openings
- Drawstrings, buckle straps and side handles
- Fits a 5 ft rack: 22.8 x 60 x 42 in
Cons
- Rack not included
- No warranty stated
- No weight stated
- One cover fits one rack size
CARTMAN 8x10Ft Multipurpose Waterproof Poly Tarp
An 8x10 ft waterproof 8 mil polyethylene tarp, UV resistant, with grommets every 36 inches and heat-sealed reinforced edges.
Pros
- Waterproof and UV resistant polyethylene
- Heat-sealed reinforced edges with nylon rope inside
- Metal grommets every 36 inches plus corner reinforcement
- Economical and versatile for temporary cover
Cons
- 8 mil, half the Xpose tarp's thickness
- The listing recommends it for temporary protection
- No built-in ventilation
- No warranty stated
More options to compare
RAINDEWAY Tarp 4x10FTCheck price on Amazon
TARPAL 4x4 Feet Small Tarp Waterproof 6milCheck price on Amazon
Side by side
| Factor | Firewood cover | Tarp | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit | Sized for a rack: 12 ft or 5 ft | Flat sheet: 4×20 ft or 8×10 ft | Both sides’ listings |
| Fabric | 600D Oxford, PU/PVC coating | Polyethylene, 8 to 16 mil | Both sides’ listings |
| Ventilation | Built-in air vents, zippered openings | Not stated | Cover listings |
| Tie-down | Drawstrings, buckle straps, handles | Grommets every 18 or 36 in | Both sides’ listings |
| UV resistance | Shields from sun (stated) | UV resistant (stated) | Both sides’ listings |
| Rack | Not included | Not applicable | Cover listings |
| Example weight | 10.4 lb (12 ft) | Not stated | VIVOHOME 12 ft listing |
| Warranty stated | Not stated | Not stated | Neither listing |
Ranges are typical of the listings we reviewed; example figures are manufacturer rated, collected 19 October 2026.
Fit: sized for the rack or cut for the pile
A firewood cover is sized to a rack: the VIVOHOME 12 ft fits a 12 ft rack at 22.8 by 144.9 by 41.7 inches, and the 5 ft fits a 5 ft rack at 22.8 by 60 by 42 inches. The rack itself is not included with either. A tarp is a flat sheet in stock sizes: 4 by 20 ft for the Xpose Safety and 8 by 10 ft for the CARTMAN. If your wood sits on a standard rack, the fitted cover is the easy choice; if it sits in a heap or on pallets, the tarp is the flexible one.
Firewood cover vs tarp: fabric and thickness
The covers use 600D Oxford fabric with dual PU and PVC waterproof coatings, stated to block rain, dust and moisture and resist cracking in extreme heat and freezing cold. The tarps are polyethylene: 16 mil thick at 8 oz per square yard with a 16×16 weave for the Xpose Safety, and 8 mil with a 10×10 weave for the CARTMAN. The Xpose tarp’s 16 mil says nothing about the CARTMAN’s strength, and the CARTMAN listing recommends itself for temporary protection.
Ventilation and moisture
This is the covers’ real edge. Both VIVOHOME covers have built-in air vents that promote airflow to reduce moisture buildup, plus zippered openings for adjustable ventilation by weather. Neither tarp listing states any ventilation. A tarp laid flat over a pile can trap damp air underneath; a vented cover is built to let the stack breathe while staying dry.
Wind and tie-down
The covers strap down with adjustable side drawstrings and windproof buckle straps for a snug fit, and side handles help with placement and removal. The tarps tie down through metal grommets: every 18 inches and at each corner on the Xpose Safety, every 36 inches with reinforced corners on the CARTMAN. Either way, a cover that is not secured is a cover that leaves in the first storm, so plan the tie-down before the wind does.
Upkeep and lifespan
A fitted cover goes on quickly and the zippered vents adjust with the season; when it wears, you replace the cover, not the rack. A tarp needs rope or bungees and occasional re-tensioning, and the CARTMAN’s own listing frames it as temporary protection. Neither side states a warranty term, so buy on the fabric and the fit, not on promises.
Two examples
How we scored them
Each example is scored out of 10 on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. None of the four listings states a warranty term. The weights are on our How We Pick page.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xpose Safety 4×20 Poly Tarp | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | n/a | 0 |
| VIVOHOME 12ft Firewood Cover | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
| VIVOHOME 5ft Firewood Cover | 9.5 | 27 | 19 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| CARTMAN 8×10 Poly Tarp | 9.5 | 23 | 18 | 22 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
Stack firewood on stable, level ground, no higher than the rack is rated for, and keep large stacks away from the house to limit pests and fire risk. Store only a few days' worth indoors, away from the stove's clearance zone. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a firewood cover better than a tarp?
For a standard rack, usually. A fitted cover straps down and vents moisture; a tarp is usually the lower-cost option and more flexible for odd-shaped piles. Match the cover to how your wood is stacked.
Do firewood covers need ventilation?
The VIVOHOME covers say yes: built-in air vents cut moisture buildup and zippered openings adjust airflow to the weather. Neither tarp listing states any ventilation.
What thickness tarp should I use for firewood?
Of the examples, 16 mil (Xpose Safety) is the heavy-duty pick and 8 mil (CARTMAN) is the light, economical one, which its listing recommends for temporary protection. Thicker tarps resist tearing in wind.
Will a tarp keep firewood dry in winter?
A tarp sheds rain and snow, but a flat tarp can trap damp air under it. The Xpose Safety is UV resistant and waterproof; for a full winter, a vented fitted cover breathes better.
Do firewood covers include the rack?
Not these: both VIVOHOME listings say the rack is not included. Buy the cover to match the rack size you already own.
Related guides
See our firewood storage hub, the best firewood covers, the best firewood covers for winter and the best firewood racks with covers.
