As a builder, you understand the importance of having durable yet flexible plastic sheeting for your projects.
Dura-Skrim® reinforced plastic sheeting offers the durability of thicker materials in a lighter-weight film, but with great products come a lot of questions, especially when someone is trying to determine if Dura-Skrim® reinforced plastic sheeting is the right product for the job. Below are some frequently asked questions about it to help you find out.
Speak with an expert about our Dura-Skrim®. Call us at 760-388-6294.
What is Dura-Skrim® Plastic Sheeting Made of?
Dura-Skrim® is made in the US for quality consistency and fast shipping to your job site. Polyester scrim sandwiched between layers of polyethylene film enhances puncture resistance and prevents the sheeting from ripping.
Some applications require a food-grade or fish-safe product and customers wonder if Dura-Skrim® is FDA-compliant. The short answer is that it doesn’t contain anything that could leach into water or food. It’s not manufactured with any unsafe components and may be suitable to be used as an article or component of an article intended for use in contact with food, without temperature or food-type restrictions, subject to technical suitability.
Does that mean that Dura-Skrim® is made from 100% virgin resin? The clear and white versions of Dura-Skrim® are made from 100% virgin resin. The black and white/black versions are a mix of virgin resin and recycled resin. The polyester scrim grid is also 100% virgin resin.
Other questions regarding how Dura-Skrim® is made pertains to its UV resistance, or outdoor lifespan, which varies by product. Most Dura-Skrim® products contain UV blockers that extend the life of the product anywhere from a year up to five years. It’s important to note that Fire Retardant Dura-Skrim® does not contain any UV inhibitors, so it will not last any longer than about 3 months in outdoor applications exposed to direct sunlight.
Dura-Skrim® also does not have a timed rating and can not be used if the spec calls for a timed rating Ex-30 min or 90-minute barrier.
And while a black Dura-Skrim® product may last longer in the sun, we do not recommend using it as a light deprivation cover due to the possibility of light leaks from pinholes and lack of carbon black.
Related Article: What are the Benefits of Dura Skrim Plastic Sheeting?
What Dura-Skrim® Plastic Sheeting Options Are Available?
Dura-Skrim® comes in a variety of roll sizes and nominal mil thicknesses starting at 6 mils up to 20 mils. If you were wondering what nominal thickness means, it’s the manufacturer’s design thickness with a tolerance of ±5%. Dura-Skrim® is typically measured on the string as opposed to the film.
If you were wondering whether or not Dura-Skrim® could be purchased in other colors, unfortunately, it’s only available in clear, white, black, or white/black. The fire retardant version is white.
Related Article: Do I Need 6 Mil or 20 Mil Plastic Sheeting for My Project?
What is the Best Way to Install Dura-Skrim® Plastic Sheeting?
Working on a crawl space? Dura-Skrim® is the perfect solution for your project. When installing, we suggest you use butyl rubber tape and vapor tape to seam panels together and seal it against the walls. Reinforce the panel to the wall with ratchet fasteners.
If you prefer using caulking, we recommend you use butyl caulking.
When installing Dura-Skrim® as a vapor barrier under a modular or mobile home, or as an insulation cover, you may be wondering if you can staple it. You can, but we recommend covering the staple penetrations with vapor tape and not butyl tape.
When seaming panels of Dura-Skrim® together it’s best to use rubber butyl tape between the panels and vapor tape to finish the seal. However, we do not recommend seaming panels for underwater applications. If you need a larger liner for an application with direct water exposure, it’s safer to order a custom-size liner.
You may weld Dura-Skrim® panels together, but there are a lot of factors that can impact heat welding in the field or on the job site. It’s best practice to order your liner to size.
Related Article: How to Install a Vapor Barrier in Your Crawl Space
First-Hand Knowledge from Your Partners in Plastic Sheeting
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.