View Full Version : Tyvek Ground Sheet Question
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
sloopjonboswell
01-07-2008, 18:58
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!
john gault
01-07-2008, 19:02
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.
kayak karl
01-07-2008, 19:08
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.
kayak karl
01-07-2008, 19:34
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
Dances with Mice
01-12-2008, 23:05
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.
Rick Hancock
01-13-2008, 10:00
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
gearfreak
01-13-2008, 10:13
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?
Dances with Mice
01-13-2008, 11:57
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.
Footslogger
02-15-2008, 12:25
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
=================================
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
tgrundAT09
02-15-2008, 22:52
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.
Appalachian Tater
02-15-2008, 23:28
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
Rick Hancock
03-04-2010, 15:16
I'm not trying to be an expert on tyvek, I'm just relaying what I've heard. When you campout overnight under a tarp or single wall tent/tarp tent unless conditions are pretty near perfect your gonna have some condensation. I put the print side down but don't feel it has made a huge difference overall. It's applied to a house with print out to work properly, we as hikers are subjecting it to a lot more abuse than intended. Lucky for me I found 2 brand new rolls 10'X100' on the street waiting for trash pickup! I've used maybe 20' off one roll.
Any B&M stores carry tyverk?
Any B&M stores carry tyverk?
Yes. The Lowes in Lemon Grove carries it, but it's in a huge roll that'll cost about $150. There's someone in Carlsbad selling a 9' wide roll for $2 a foot. I'm just going to buy from ebay from someone that's selling it for $1.50 a foot plus $3 shipping...I want it for two shelters.
Oops, I meant to add that the person in Carlsbad was found on Craigslist.
Oops, I meant to add that the person in Carlsbad was found on Craigslist.
Hi Leaftye,
Since you're in SD, could you pick me up some tyverk and I will pay you back?
I am looking for the tyverk for the msr hubba hubba and mutha hubba.
thanks
btw, how often do you go bp in SD?
Thanks
I could do that. I'll probably order it tonight. How many feet do you want?
I've only started going again recently. I'm not sure how many more times I'll be able to go since I only have a couple more weeks to prepare for my thru-hike, and it's a bit tough for me to coordinate rides to and from the trail.
I could do that. I'll probably order it tonight. How many feet do you want?
I've only started going again recently. I'm not sure how many more times I'll be able to go since I only have a couple more weeks to prepare for my thru-hike, and it's a bit tough for me to coordinate rides to and from the trail.
Good luck with your thru-hike. Are you doing the thru hike PCT or the AT?
I need one 84x50 inches, one 84x68 inches.
You're going to get a couple extra feet of width. So you want 10 feet of length for a 9x10 feet sheet?
You're going to get a couple extra feet of width. So you want 10 feet of length for a 9x10 feet sheet?
That is correct.
Stop by a construction site now that everything is thawing, and ask if they have unused roll ends that you can have.
I managed to get my tyvek for free after my contractor neighbor built a garage and had a good quarter roll left when he was done.