20 Mil Dura Skrim® White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting (DS20WW)
Heavy-duty reinforced plastic sheeting built for crawl spaces, ground covers, liners, and outdoor protection.
20 Mil Dura Skrim® White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting is a multi-layer polyethylene film with high-strength scrim reinforcement, engineered for jobs where standard poly fails. Contractors choose DS20WW when puncture resistance, tear strength, and long-term moisture control are non-negotiable. The bright white surface reduces heat buildup, controls condensation, and improves visibility in dark work areas like crawl spaces.
💡 Best fit: Crews who need a reinforced vapor retarder that lasts longer, reduces callbacks, and holds up under real jobsite conditions — not a thin poly that tears on the first install.
Features and Benefits
Reinforced Scrim Construction
DS20WW uses a high-strength scrim grid spaced 3/8″ apart sandwiched between layers of polyethylene. The reinforcement stops tears from spreading across the sheet, which means fewer failures, less patching, and longer material life on site.
Puncture and Tear Resistance
The diamond-pattern reinforcement improves dimensional stability and resists punctures in high-traffic environments. This is the difference between a barrier that survives foot traffic and equipment movement and one that needs replacing mid-project.
Certified Vapor Retarder Performance
DS20WW is positioned as a certified vapor retarder that helps reduce moisture transmission from the ground. It’s a strong fit for crawl space encapsulation, under-slab applications, and sites with poor soil conditions where moisture control drives the spec.
UV Inhibitors for Extended Outdoor Life
UV inhibitors, carbon black, and thermal stabilizers support extended outdoor exposure. Crews running outdoor covers or temporary containment can leave it in place longer without the rapid breakdown common to standard poly.
White Reflective Surface
The white outer layers reflect available light, making inspections and installation easier in crawl spaces and enclosed work areas. They also reduce heat buildup and condensation compared to darker materials, which lowers material stress and improves long-term performance.
Stock and Custom Fabrication
Available in standard widths and lengths for same-day or next-day shipping, with custom fabrication up to 80,000 square feet for larger projects — one-piece coverage means fewer seams and faster installation.
🌱 Ideal for: general contractors, crawl space encapsulation specialists, remediation pros, agricultural growers, and environmental contractors working in high-wear conditions.
Why Reinforced Plastic Sheeting Matters
Standard polyethylene sheeting tears the moment it catches on a fastener, a pipe, or a worker’s boot. Once a tear starts, it runs — and the barrier fails. Reinforced plastic sheeting solves that problem by laminating a scrim grid between poly layers. When the surface gets nicked, the scrim stops the tear from propagating. That’s the difference between a one-season cover and a multi-year vapor retarder.
For crawl spaces, under-slab installations, and outdoor containment, a reinforced sheet like DS20WW lowers total project cost even at a higher upfront price — because it doesn’t need replacement after the first puncture.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 20 Mil Multi-Layer Polyethylene | Extreme-duty thickness handles foot traffic, equipment, and rough jobsite conditions. |
| High-Strength Scrim Reinforcement | Stops tears from spreading and extends material life on site. |
| Certified Vapor Retarder | Reduces ground moisture migration in crawl spaces and underlayment applications. |
| UV and Thermal Stabilizers | Supports extended outdoor exposure and lowers replacement frequency. |
| White Reflective Surface | Improves visibility in dark work areas and reduces heat buildup and condensation. |
| Custom Fabrication to 80,000 sq ft | One-piece coverage reduces seams, speeds installation, and lowers labor cost. |
💰 Lower total project cost. A higher upfront price on 20 mil reinforced sheeting typically pays back through reduced callbacks, fewer replacements, and longer service life compared to non-reinforced poly.
Common Applications
- Crawl space vapor barrier — durable white reinforced sheeting for moisture control and improved visibility during encapsulation.
- Ground covers — protects surfaces and reduces moisture migration in high-traffic areas.
- Agricultural applications — farm ground cover, containment, and moisture control in growing environments.
- Outdoor covers — equipment, material, and stockpile protection with UV resistance for extended exposure.
- Containment and liners — heavy-duty liner applications where puncture resistance is required.
- Construction protection — jobsite coverage where standard plastic sheeting would fail under traffic or weather.
🌑 Need a lighter-duty option? If your project doesn’t require 20 mil performance, use 6 Mil Dura Skrim® White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting. It delivers reinforced strength with easier handling at a lower upfront cost.
Reinforced plastic sheeting options:
- 12 Mil Dura Skrim® Black/White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting
- 8 Mil Dura Skrim® Black/White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting
- 6 Mil Dura Skrim® White Reinforced Plastic Sheeting
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 20 mil |
| Construction | Multi-layer polyethylene with high-strength scrim reinforcement (3/8″ grid) |
| Color | White / White |
| Stock Widths | 6′, 12′, 18′ |
| Stock Lengths | 50′, 100′ |
| Custom Fabrication | Up to 80,000 square feet |
| Compliance Reference | ASTM E96 (water vapor transmission); verify current data sheet for ASTM E1745 project submittals |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 20 Mil Dura Skrim® White used for?
DS20WW is commonly used for crawl space encapsulation, ground covers, liners, agricultural applications, construction protection, and outdoor covers where durability and moisture control matter. It’s built for jobs where standard poly would tear or wear out too fast.
Is DS20WW a vapor barrier?
DS20WW is positioned as a certified vapor retarder designed to help reduce moisture migration from the ground in crawl spaces and similar environments. For specific perm-rating requirements, verify the current product data sheet against your project spec.
How does 20 mil compare to 10 mil or 6 mil reinforced plastic sheeting?
20 mil is the best choice when durability is non-negotiable. It offers better puncture resistance, better traffic tolerance, and longer service life than 10 mil or 6 mil. The higher upfront cost typically pays back through fewer replacements and reduced callbacks over the life of the project.
Can this reinforced plastic sheeting be used outdoors?
Yes. UV inhibitors, carbon black, and thermal stabilizers help support extended outdoor performance in exposed conditions. Actual outdoor lifespan depends on weather, fastening method, and site conditions.
💡 Pro tip: For outdoor installations, secure the sheeting with battens or weighted edges rather than staples alone. Reinforced poly resists tears from fastener pull-through far better than standard film, but proper fastening still extends service life.
Does DS20WW meet ASTM E1745?
For projects that require ASTM E1745 classification or submittal language, the best practice is to verify the current technical data sheet and project-specific requirements before quoting DS20WW to that standard. Contact our team for current spec documentation.
Are custom sizes available?
Yes. In addition to stock widths of 6′, 12′, and 18′ and stock lengths of 50′ and 100′, custom fabrication is available up to 80,000 square feet for larger projects. Call 833-261-6501 or email sales@americover.com for custom orders.
How is DS20WW different from non-reinforced poly?
The scrim grid laminated between polyethylene layers stops tears from spreading. Non-reinforced poly fails as soon as a puncture or nick occurs because there’s nothing to arrest the tear. Reinforced sheeting like DS20WW keeps performing after the first hit, which is why contractors specify it for high-wear environments.
For more reinforced sheeting options and technical guidance, visit our reinforced plastic sheeting resource page or contact our team at 833-261-6501 for product guidance.
