PU Coated Fabric vs PVC vs TPU: How to Choose

You've probably been handed two ‘waterproof’ quotes at very different prices and found the only difference is the coating on the back. That coating — PU, PVC or TPU — changes cost, weight, hand and how the fabric ages.

This page covers PU coated fabric and how it compares to PVC and TPU, so you specify the right back for the job.

What PU Coating Does

Polyurethane is applied as a liquid to the back of a woven fabric — Oxford, taffeta, ripstop — and cured into a flexible film. It seals the weave against water while keeping a soft, quiet, foldable hand. It's the most common waterproof coating in bags and apparel-adjacent goods for exactly that reason.

PU vs PVC vs TPU

Coating	Waterproofing	Hand	Best for
PU	Good, 300-1000mm+	Soft, flexible	Bags, light covers, apparel lining
PVC	Excellent, fully sealed	Stiff, heavy	Tarpaulins, banners, heavy covers
TPU	Excellent, weldable	Soft, tough	Technical shells, dry bags, medical

We recommend PU as the default for most coated-bag work — it balances cost, weight and waterproofing. Step up to TPU when the job needs welded seams or a recyclable, plasticiser-free film; use PVC only where full rigidity and wipe-clean durability matter more than weight.

Coating Weight and Water Column

PU is specified by coating weight and hydrostatic head (water column, in mm). More PU means more waterproofing but a stiffer hand:

• Single PU coating — light repellency, for linings and low-exposure goods
• Double PU coating — 300-1000mm+, for bags and covers that see real rain
• PU milky / matte — adds opacity, common on tent floors and awnings

The TPU route has its own page — see our TPU Laminated Fabric. For where PU coated Oxford fits, see the Oxford fabric guide, and for rated outdoor shells, waterproof fabric for outdoor.

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