This illustration demonstrates how moisture can enter through the foundation of a house structure when there isn’t a vapor barrier encapsulating the crawl space.
Dura Skrim® Crawl Space Vapor Barriers Mitigates Moisture Migration
A crawl space might be out of sight, but it shouldn’t be out of mind. Excess moisture from the ground can lead to mold, mildew, and musty odors that affect your home’s air quality and structural integrity.
Dura Skrim® Crawl Space Vapor Barriers create a durable, puncture-resistant layer between the soil and your foundation—blocking water vapor from entering the space and helping you maintain a clean, dry, energy-efficient home.
Applications include:
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Residential crawl space encapsulation
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Commercial foundation moisture control
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Repair and retrofit sealing systems
Why Dura Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier for Crawl Space Encapsulation?
Standard plastic films can rip under stress or tear during installation—but Dura Skrim’s internal scrim reinforcement adds exceptional strength and long-term performance.
Key Benefits:
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ASTM E96-tested for reliable vapor protection
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High puncture and tear resistance for rough surfaces and uneven ground
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The reinforced core prevents small rips from spreading
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Easy to install and compatible with industry vapor tapes
Whether you’re sealing a tight crawl space or a large foundation, Dura Skrim delivers professional-grade protection you can trust. Call us today at (833) 261-6501 to request a free sample pack so you can feel the difference.
How Thick Should A Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Be?
When it comes to crawl space protection, thickness matters—but that doesn’t mean thicker is always better. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
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6 Mil (Minimum): Meets the basic building code requirement, but it’s like bringing a poncho to a thunderstorm—it’ll work in a pinch, but not for long-term use.
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8-12 Mil (Contractor Favorite): The sweet spot for most crawl spaces—strong, flexible, and easy to handle.
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20 Mil (Maximum Protection): Ideal for uneven ground or high-moisture conditions. Built to last for years of peace of mind.
For long-term encapsulation, Dura Skrim 10 Mil or thicker is recommended for durability and performance.
Need detailed guidance? Check out this installation guide with our friends at Fix It Home Improvement.
Is It Easy To Install a Dura Skrim Crawl Space Vapor Barrier?
Installing Dura Skrim in the crawl space is straightforward—and doing it right ensures long-term moisture protection. Be sure to consult a contractor if you are doing it yourself.
Installation Steps:
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Clear and level the crawl space floor.
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Unroll Dura Skrim liner across the surface.
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Overlap seams by at least 6 inches.
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Seal seams with Vapor Barrier Tape.
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Attach Dura Skrim® 6–12 inches up the wall.
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Secure edges with Butyl Tape and Fasteners.
Are You Ready to Buy A Dura Skrim® Crawl Space Vapor Barrier?
Understanding Perm Ratings and Shipping Methods
When selecting a crawl space vapor barrier, perm ratings determine how well a material resists water vapor transmission. The lower the perm rating, the better it blocks moisture — which is critical for maintaining a dry, healthy foundation.
Shipping method also matters. Freight vs. UPS impacts not just cost but product integrity and delivery efficiency. Larger rolls or bulk orders ship via freight to prevent damage and reduce per-unit shipping costs, while smaller orders may qualify for UPS delivery for faster turnaround.
Understanding both helps ensure you get the right material in the right condition — without unnecessary delays or costs.
Other things you might want to review before buying your crawl space vapor barrier:
Trust Americover with your next crawl space vapor barrier purchase.
Americover keeps Dura Skrim® vapor barriers in stock and ready to ship nationwide. No minimum order required—just select your roll size, add to cart, and get fast delivery straight to your jobsite or home.
20 Mil White Dura Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier
Maximum strength and moisture protection. Resists tears, punctures, and high humidity exposure.
Perm Rating: .022 Perms
Shipping Method: Freight Only
12 Mil Dura-Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier
Built to last on uneven terrain. Excellent puncture resistance and longevity under stress or rough surfaces.
Perm Rating: .023 Perms
Shipping Method: Freight Only
10 Mil Dura-Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier
Flexible film with high-strength puncture resistance, the 10 mil is available with UV inhibitors or fire retardant properties.
Perm Rating: .031 Perms
Shipping Method: Freight Only
8 Mil Dura-Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier
Strong and flexible with internal scrim reinforcement. Offers reliable tear resistance and moisture protection.
Perm Rating: .042 Perms
Shipping Method: UPS
6 Mil Dura-Skrim® Reinforced Vapor Barrier
Meets basic building code for vapor protection. Flexible and suitable for light-duty applications.
Perm Rating: .042 Perms
Shipping Method: UPS
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Accessories
Vapor Tape
White Vapor Tape is a heavy duty, weather resistant tape often used to seam large panels of poly sheeting together for vapor retarders, crawl space liners, covers and other liner applications. This tape is sold in individual rolls of 4″ x 180′.
2-Sided Butyl Tape
Double sided butyl tape is an insoluble tape with an aggressive adhesive that bonds plastic sheeting to porous surfaces such as concrete in crawl spaces. The waterproof bond adheres best when the application surface is clean and dry.
Ratchet Fasteners
Christmas Tree Ratchet Fasteners are made of heavy duty nylon with a 1/4″ diameter, flat white head and conical tip. Ratchet fasteners are used to attach vapor barriers to the foundation wall & are available in packs of 100 pieces or 500 pieces.
Have more questions about crawl space encapsulation vapor barrier products or projects? Give us a call at 833-261-6501 to speak with one of our representatives. Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm PST.
Why Americover?
Your Master Stocking Distributor for Dura Skrim
For over 25 years, Americover has been a master stocking distributor of Dura Skrim, partnering with contractors and distributors nationwide to ensure products arrive when and where you need them — with no minimum order requirements.
We offer the widest selection of American-made plastic sheeting solutions in the nation, backed by a dedicated team that goes above and beyond to make sure you get exactly what your project demands.
When you choose Americover, you’re not just buying material — you’re partnering with experts who understand the jobsite challenges you face and deliver solutions that keep your projects moving.
Contractors and Builders Talk About Americover
When you partner with Americover, you benefit from our industry and product application knowledge.
But don’t take it from us. Take it from those in the building industry who have relied on our quality and reliability over the years.
Check out our online selection of specialty plastic building solutions. Contractors and distributors are eligible for special pricing and volume-based discounts on select products, call us at 760-237-8786. Our online inventory is just our retail selection, which means we can often source items you may not see here.
Crawl Space Resources
Americover’s Product Catalog
Browse our full inventory of vapor barrier and crawl space encapsulation liner products.
Conversion Calculators for Easy Measurements
We’re doing the math for you! Get started with our easy-to-use conversion calculators.
Crawl Space Product Line Card
Compare the technical specifications of each product to find the perfect crawl space vapor barrier for every job.
Crawl Space Product Accessories Line Card
Find the accessories are essential for crawl space encapsulation.
How to Install a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
Americover’s crawl space vapor barriers and liners are manufactured in America with virgin resins and uv inhibitors, if installed properly it should last up to 20 years or more. Purchasing at your local hardware store may be less expensive and more convenient, but it is likely to be compounded mostly of recycled resins containing a lot of debris and contamination which can cause off gassing, as well as shorten the lifespan of the liner causing it to degrade much faster, and requiring it to be replaced much sooner than anticipated. For more information on Virgin poly vs Regrind visit our Blog.
1. Cut the Vapor Barrier to size. The vapor barrier liner comes folded and rolled on a core. It is easier to cut and size the liner material before you take it into the crawlspace. After the material is cut to size roll it up (white side on the inside) so when you unroll it in your crawlspace it stays clean.
a. To cut the Floor Pieces, measure and cut a piece of vapor barrier liner material wide enough to cover the floor from the wall to the 1st line of piers or support then proceed to measure and cut the remaining floor pieces.
i. IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to measure enough material to seal an overlap of 6-12 inches on the wall pieces and pieces beside it.
b. For the Wall, keep the seams to a minimum by using a 4 ft or 6ft wide vapor barrier, since most crawlspaces are less than 4′ tall.
2. Start with the walls. To attach the liner, apply the 2 sided butyl tape 4 inches – 6 inches down from the top of the wall or sill plate. (This is to leave a space for pest inspection). *Do not remove the release liner on the exposed side of the tape until you are ready to attach the liner. (It may be easier to first apply the butyl tape to the vapor barrier, and remove the release liner as you are applying it to the wall.) otherwise, remove the release paper from the butyl tape in about 4 feet – 6 feet increments.
3. Fasten the Liner with some type of permanent fastener every 24 – 30 inches. The fasteners should go through both the material and the butyl tape. This can be accomplished by one of the following methods:
a. Use a Hilti
b. Use a Ramset Powder Fastener
c. Drill a 5/16″ hole and press in our Christmas Tree Ratchet Fasteners
4. Installing Vapor Barrier on the Floor. Starting at the piers or support posts, cut and notch the vapor barrier on both sides of the support about 6-12 inches above the ground. Wrap the vapor barrier to fit tightly around the support, and use the 4 inch white Vapor Tape to seal the material.
5. Smooth the liner out from the supports to the wall and tape the seams with the 4″ White Vapor Tape.
a. Overlap the Seams 6 inches to 12 inches.
b. You may remove your footwear or use disposable shoe covers to keep the vapor barrier liner clean.
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For Contractors and Distributors, we offer special pricing, volume discounts, short lead times and a dedicated account manager who will work with you to get exactly what you need. If you would like to speak with a representative, contact us at 833-261-6501.