What commercial inflatables are made of — and why it matters
Material choice decides how an inflatable survives rental duty: abrasion, UV, cleaning and hundreds of set-ups a season.
Reinforced PVC tarpaulin: the commercial baseline
Commercial-grade inflatables are made from reinforced PVC tarpaulin — a woven textile core coated with PVC. The weave carries the structural load while the coating seals the air and takes the wear: shoes, drag marks, cleaning agents and weather.
This is the material class VIV uses for its commercial range; it is what separates rental-duty equipment from toy-grade garden units made of thin stitched fabrics.
When lighter material versions make sense
Some models are offered in more than one material version — a lighter build reduces transport weight and set-up effort, which matters for one-person operations and frequent deliveries. The trade-off is a different balance of weight versus long-term wear resistance.
Where a model has material options, they appear as the Material Version entry in the product specification table. If you are unsure which version fits your operation, describe your booking pattern in the enquiry and VIV will advise.
What to check before you buy
Ask what the unit is made of, how seams are constructed, and what the net weight is — weight is listed for VIV models in the specifications. A unit that is very cheap and very light is usually a toy-grade product that will not survive commercial duty or pass EN 14960 expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Can PVC tarpaulin inflatables be repaired?
Yes. Reinforced PVC is repairable with certified materials — VIV runs a repair service for commercial inflatables, including units by other manufacturers. See the services section for how to send a repair enquiry.
How long does a commercial inflatable last outdoors?
Service life depends on usage intensity, cleaning and storage. Commercial PVC tarpaulin is designed for intensive seasonal use; correct drying before storage is the single biggest factor operators control.
Plan your range.
Tell us the venue, audience and operating season. We'll get back to you within two business days.