I have a 3' x 9' piece of Homewrap in the washer right now with plans to use it as a ground sheet. Question is, can it be used to sleep on directly when used under a tarp shelter? I've read in a couple places that, because it's breatable, it's best used as a ground sheet under a waterproof material such as the bottom of a tent.

Thanks

i used the home wrap stuff as my groundcloth from damascus,va to gorham nh. came right off the side of wizard titty city and it worked for me!

I don't use the stuff anymore, no ground cloths at all, but when I did use tyvek, I found that moisture would penetrate when pressure was applied, i.e. my tent floor was usually wet in the morning (w/o rain) directly where my sleeping pad was.

I have a 3' x 9' piece of Homewrap in the washer right now with plans to use it as a ground sheet. Question is, can it be used to sleep on directly when used under a tarp shelter? I've read in a couple places that, because it's breatable, it's best used as a ground sheet under a waterproof material such as the bottom of a tent.

Thanks
test it in your yard . set up tarp(any cheap tarp will do). put down tyvek with news paper on top. put weight on paper. old tires, weight set, any thing. check paper in morning.

just a thought.

I use Tyvek as my ground cloth and sleep directly on top it in my sleeping bag. No issues over the last 3 years.

I use Tyvek as my ground cloth and sleep directly on top it in my sleeping bag. No issues over the last 3 years.
same here. can't hurt to test. i didnt wash mine. dont know if that makes a different. does it? t takes a stain well after washing.

same here. can't hurt to test. i didnt wash mine. dont know if that makes a different. does it? t takes a stain well after washing.
It makes it much softer and quieter. I washed it three times in cold water, no soap, on gentle cycle and now it's almost like a fabric with almost no noise.

It makes it much softer and quieter. I washed it three times in cold water, no soap, on gentle cycle and now it's almost like a fabric with almost no noise.
That is good to know,we just bought our 1st piece of Tyvek and cannot wait to test it out as a ground cloth

I've been using the same piece for years (...which means it just has a few months of field use...) and the only advice I have is to not fold it the exact same way each time you pack it away. The folds will become thin and wear through. The Tyvek brand tape repaired it. Now I'm careful to fold it a little differently each time.

Don't worry too much about washing it. You'll have to wash it sooner or later.

It has Magic Marker marks on it from scoring a domino game with some boys on a Scout campout. That's from when my son was 13 or 14, he's 23 now.

Proper method is to place Tyvek with print side down. When installed on a house with print side out it keeps dampness from entering but allows it to escape from interior. So if used as a ground cloth it should be reversed to prevent ground moisture from traveling up. It should be washed several times to soften but I've never done that.
Rick

Proper method is to place Tyvek with print side down. When installed on a house with print side out it keeps dampness from entering but allows it to escape from interior. So if used as a ground cloth it should be reversed to prevent ground moisture from traveling up. It should be washed several times to soften but I've never done that.
Rick

I remember seeing this same comment at one time. Print side down. Makes perfect sense. I think the "breathability" is even mentioned on the DuPont website. Washing will soften the material. :cool:

Don't worry too much about washing it. You'll have to wash it sooner or later.



Does it clean up well with garden hose?

Does it clean up well with garden hose?Yes, with a brush to get off mud. A problem I've had is that on really dry winter days it will develop a static charge and dry leaves and small debris will stick to it. You can shake most off but not all of it. Maybe all plastic ground sheets have the same problem. A quick hosing will clean it off before storage.

Yes, but you will still need to use some kind of mattress on top of tyvek.

Panzer

Yes, but you will still need to use some kind of mattress on top of tyvek.

Panzer


i would, mainly for insulation from the ground, as well as comfort

Proper method is to place Tyvek with print side down. When installed on a house with print side out it keeps dampness from entering but allows it to escape from interior. So if used as a ground cloth it should be reversed to prevent ground moisture from traveling up. It should be washed several times to soften but I've never done that.
Rick
I have done several tests on this during construction. It does not apear to me to matter which side is up. When I make a cup out of tyvec it holds water either way (for a while). I still go print down for aesthetics.

I have a 3' x 9' piece of Homewrap in the washer right now with plans to use it as a ground sheet. Question is, can it be used to sleep on directly when used under a tarp shelter? I've read in a couple places that, because it's breatable, it's best used as a ground sheet under a waterproof material such as the bottom of a tent.

Thanks

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That's how I use mine now. Bought the Wild Oasis tent from Six Moon Designs last year. It is a floorless single walled tent with a mesh skirt at the bottom for ventillation that folds in under the tent body. After the tent is set up I lay out the tyvek and place my sleeping mat and sleeping bag directly on top of it. Have never had a problem.

'Slogger

Tyvek is designed to be waterproof, but not water vapor proof. Pouring water on Tyvek will not tell you which side to face down, if any. However, I'm not sure if it only lets vapors through one way or both ways though, so I would have to agree on the field testing.

It doesn't matter which side is out on Tyvek products except for the grooved products for stucco and drains. It is difficult to make a material that is permeable to vapor in one direction only. See #14 here: http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Construction/en_US/uses_apps/installers/FAQ_installers.html

I have heard of using Tyvex and was thinking of using it as a ground cloth for my thru that i am planning to do in about 5-8 years, have any of you looked at the commercial wrap, which is thicker and stronger, or any other ones other than homewrap, finally can anyone give me a price for it
thinks