6 Mil String-Reinforced Plastic Sheeting is the most commonly used material for dust control, with 6 mil thickness being the most cost-effective choice.

How thick should plastic be for a dust barrier?

Codes for residential applications often cite a 6 mil (0.006-inch thick) minimum reinforced poly vapor barrier. However, Americover recommends 10 mil or higher, for crawl space applications.

What is 6 mil plastic used for?





6 mil plastic sheeting is usually an excellent sheeting thickness for tasks such as covering items during a remodel, construction enclosures, remediation covers, and even greenhouse covers.

How do you hang dust control plastic?

Seal Off the Room
A loose curtain of plastic hung over a doorway with a few strips of tape won’t do the job. Instead, completely seal the top and sides with tape and lay a board over the plastic at the bottom. Use heavier 4- or 6- mil plastic and add an adhesive-backed zipper for easy entry.

How do you make a plastic dust barrier?

Seal Off With Plastic
A loose curtain of plastic hung with a few strips of tape won’t do the job. Instead, make your dust barrier as airtight as possible. Completely seal the top and sides with tape to create a dust barrier.

Can you use 4 mil plastic for vapor barrier?

4 Mil Clear Plastic Sheeting – . 004 inches thick plastic sheeting engineered from low-density polyethylene. Our rolls of clear plastic sheeting are strong and durable – they will not tear or rip easily. Useful as a painter’s tarp, vapor barrier, or for general use.

Which is thicker 4 mil or 6 mil plastic?





Four (4) mil plastic sheeting is about as thick as a piece of paper. Six (6) mil plastic sheeting is what your trashbags are made from in your kitchen. Ten (10) mil plastic sheeting is what your business card is often made from. Fifty (50) mil is the thickness of a dime.

Which is thicker 6 mil or 8 mil plastic?

The bigger the number the thicker the plastic. Plastic sheeting comes in ranges from 1 mil to 100 mils! A “mil” A mil is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. Most human hair is one-thousandth of inch, or 0.001 inch.

How strong is 4 mil plastic?

4 MIL – Heavy duty protection when packaging nails, screws & heavy metal parts. 6 MIL – Extra heavy duty protection against punctures and tears on bulky items or items with sharp corners.

How long will 6 mil plastic last?

6 mil plastic could survive the sun for up to 3 years. Fifty eight years later 6 mil poly is still used by the budget conscious grower. This film will get you by. The downside to 6 mil is bad weather (wind, snow load, hail), and strong sun.

What mil do you need for a vapor barrier?



6 mil

Vapor barriers should be at least 6 mil in thickness to effectively cover the area and create a moisture barrier. Triangle Crawl Space Solutions uses both a 6 mil material for simple vapor barrier installation and a thicker more durable 12 mil vapor barrier material depending on the budget and needs of the home.

Should you put plastic between insulation and drywall?

Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.

What plastic should I use for a vapor barrier?



Plastic, specifically 6-mil polyethylene plastic, is the most commonly used vapor barrier. Plastic has a very low permeability rating, which means water, in its gaseous or liquid state, does not travel through it.

Can I use plastic instead of Tyvek?

You can use plastic if you put polyethylene between your drywall and the wall studs. This way, you should get a tighter wall without trapping moisture inside the exterior walls. If you are framing out a below-grade basement, however, do not use plastic as a vapor barrier.

Is 6 mil plastic sheeting waterproof?

Some common applications for this product include using it as a vapor barrier for concrete or between drywall and insulation. They also can be used to cover a crawl space or under wood floors. Plastic sheeting is waterproof.

Is Tyvek a vapor barrier?

Is DuPont Tyvek® a vapor barrier? No, DuPont Tyvek® is not a vapor barrier. It is made with unique material science to keep air and bulk water out while allowing moisture vapor inside walls to escape.

Can a vapor barrier cause mold?



Vapor barriers are supposed to stop vapor diffusion through roofs, walls, and floors. But they can also can trap moisture, causing rot and mold.

Is tar paper considered a vapor barrier?

Fortunately a number of materials, including traditional asphalt felt (tar paper) have this ability to stop liquid water while remaining “permeable” to water vapor.