Vinyl is measured by the square yard. When 14 ounce or 16 ounce vinyl is advertised it is saying that the vinyl weighs approximately 14 ounces or 16 ounces per square yard or in a 3’ x 3’ area. One thing consumers mistake when purchasing a vinyl product is they think that heavier is always better and this is not always true. The major difference between 14 oz. vinyl and 16 oz. vinyl is one is translucent and the other is “blockout”. The 14 oz. vinyl is constructed of 3 layers of material which are laminated together. The 16 oz. vinyl is constructed of the same 3 layers of material as the 14oz., except a blockout vinyl film is added to prevent any light from passing through the material, therefore making the vinyl opaque.

Since the 16 oz. blockout vinyl is constructed with the extra layer of blockout film, it has a greater tear and grab strength making it somewhat stronger than the 14 oz vinyl.

Pinholes are tiny holes that puncture through one or more layers of vinyl making light more visible. These small holes develop when the vinyl is scraped across abrasive surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, gravel, etc. All vinyl is susceptible to pinholes. One downfall to any blockout vinyl is pinholes are easily visible verses a translucent vinyl. A tent top constructed with blockout vinyl containing pinholes will look as if it was a “starry night” when setup in the day light. Translucent vinyl will collect just as many pinholes, but since the whole tent top lets a small amount of light through, pinholes are not as noticeable. The only way to prevent pinholes is to use drop cloths every time a tent is setup and torn down.