Posted by Nana Hinsley on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 02:58 PM
Question: Are all string reinforced plastic sheeting products the same? Is "cord reinforced", "scrim Reinforced" and "string reinforced" all the same thing? I want to understand how they perform differently, and what I should look for.
Answer: When people refer to "String Reinforced" they are talking fiber that is placed between two sheets of polyethylene to strengthen the plastic sheeting. This fiber can be made from a variety of materials such as fiberglass, polyester, polypropylene and others. Depending on the string that is used will offer a variety of benefits. Essentially al those terms are referring to the fact that there is more than just polyethylene in the sheeting. The string/ fiber is what keeps tears to a minimum. If the string is laid equally in both directions it follows that the tear will be the same in both directions.
As far as what to look for, the key is the results you want from the application the plastic sheeting will be used in. For example, will this film be used outside and thus need UV protection? Will you want to add hems or grommets to the film to make a cover for outdoors? The two products lines that we utilize the most is our Poly Scrim and Dura-Skrim. The difference between the two is that Poly Scrim is more versitile. You can add hems, grommets and customize it.
Posted by Nana Hinsley on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 @ 01:06 PM
Question: I have water coming up in our sunken living room. I want the longest lasting plastic water barrier you offer. I will need about 120 feet long by 5 foot wide.
Answer: Seems like your description of a sunken room having water is happening a lot more often the last year or so. I think a lot of areas have higher water tables than in many years, because of the amount of rain received over much of the country. We recommend engineered vapor retarders for any slab related applications. These liners are made to withstand the conditions where vapor retarders are used, and do a much better job of retarding water vapor than what most people think of as Visqueen.
Below are several option. All of the products below that begin with the word “Vapor” pass Class A of the ASTM E-1745, which is the standard for under slab water vapor retarders in contact with soil or granular fill.
1st Choice- VaporGuard, 20’ x 100’ This film has a foil layer laminated within its structure, and is considered the best vapor barrier/retarder on the market today.
2nd Choice – Vapor Block Plus 20 – 10’ x 150’ . This is a polyethylene based product with a cell structure so tight that small particle gases are retarded 400 times better than any engineered liner on the market today that does not have a foil lamination layer.
3rd Choice- Vapor Block 15- 12’ x 200’ This is one of the standard vapor retarders used in commercial and residential buildings, specified on such sites as Home Depots, Wal Mart…
4th Choice- Dura Skrim R20WW, 6’ x 100’ . 4 ply string reinforced 20 mil polyethylene, ASTM E1745 Class B. This is one of our most popular products in the basement and crawlspace industry. The size is a little closer to what you requested. 5th Choice, Dura Skrim 12WB, 6.167’ x 100’, 4 ply string reinforced 12 mil polyethylene, ASTM E1745 Class C. Also one of our most popular products in the basement and crawlspace industry. We have many other choices that could be used, but these are the ones that I feel are most appropriate for the application from our arsenal.