String Reinforced Plastic Sheeting, Reinforced Polyethylene Plastic Sheeting, and Scrim Reinforced Poly Sheeting are just a few different terms used for this amazingly durable yet lightweight material. Let’s look at some of its valuable features and what makes it such a versatile solution for a wide range of applications.
What is String-Reinforced Plastic Sheeting?
Reinforced sheeting is made by laminating layers of virgin high-strength polyethylene with a heavy-duty scrim reinforcement between the layers. This process adds strength and tear resistance without added thickness or weight. Due to the extreme puncture resistance of its heavy-duty scrim reinforcement design, it is ideal for both short-term and long-term applications.
Contact our plastic sheeting experts at 760-388-6294 to get an estimate on the right materials for your project.
What is String Reinforced Plastic Sheeting Used For?
String reinforced plastic sheeting has a variety of features that make it suitable for many different uses, especially in the construction and agricultural markets. This chart of product features can help you determine if there is a plastic sheeting option that works best for your application.
What applications can string reinforced plastic sheeting can be used for?
On the Farm or In the Garden
When growing crops in a greenhouse, hoop house, or high tunnel, the last thing you want to worry about is a tear in your poly sheeting. Unlike regular greenhouse plastic sheeting, reinforced greenhouse plastic sheeting uses string reinforcement to add strength, durability, and tear resistance to your greenhouse cover without added thickness or weight.
The signature grid or diamond pattern of string-reinforced sheeting resists puncturing and stops rips from worsening. Because rips remain contained within the grid pattern, tears are easy to repair. This durability feature lengthens the life of your greenhouse cover and keeps your grow operation on track.
As a Method of Light Control
The plastic sheeting you use can determine how much sunlight reaches your crops. Clear sheeting, like 12 Mil Tuff-Scrim™ Clear Reinforced Poly Sheeting or 10 mil SolaScrim™ Clear Reinforced Plastic Sheeting, allows the full light spectrum to reach plants and is best for seed germination and for plants that will need to be hardened.
String reinforced light deprivation sheeting, like BOLD® Black Out Light Deprivation Tarp, is crucial for many types of plants needing a simulated night cycle or to blackout dry rooms after harvesting cannabis.
As an Agricultural Solution
For some agricultural projects, it may be a requirement to use flame-retardant materials. String-reinforced plastic sheeting is available in fire retardant versions that can hang inside a building as a partition, curtains for livestock, or cover the building during fumigation. When fire safety isn’t an issue, UV-resistant string reinforced plastic sheeting is an excellent weather protection cover when installed as a barn roof, temporary rain shed cover or silage tarp.
As a Water Retention Liner
When an application requires water retention, the liner must be durable enough to prevent tearing from nearby roots or rocks and keep out toxins. It must also be able to withstand damage that could occur during installation. Aquaponic troughs, hydroponic systems, and irrigation ponds are the top water-based applications for string reinforced plastic sheeting.
Growers utilizing a deep water culture system to raise fish or media beds choose string reinforced plastic sheeting because it not only provides the support needed to hold water but also won’t leach anything into the water. The virgin resin used to manufacture the sheeting doesn’t contain contaminants and debris like sheeting made from regrind resin.
As a Landscaping Tool
Landscaping projects require a solution that can last a season or two in the sun and provide protection from the elements. String reinforced plastic sheeting is the best solution for weed control, as an overwintering turf blanket, and as an athletic field cover. In the case of solarization, a clear plastic sheeting option will allow the sun to heat the soil beneath it.
As a Fire Safety Compliant Solution
Americover is a leader in fire retardant plastic sheeting solutions used in public areas or buildings that are required to meet fire safety requirements. Fire-retardant string-reinforced plastic sheeting is the best temporary cover for building enclosures, dust contaminants, temporary curtains, and tent structures.
Americover’s fire retardant poly sheeting products pass stringent test standards such as ASTM E-84 and NFPA 701. Fire marshal-approved plastic sheeting is ideal for restoration projects in historical buildings and healthcare settings.
As a Construction Material
Multi-layered string reinforced plastic sheeting is an essential construction material. Contractors install it throughout the structure of a building or home to prevent moisture migration. Indoor air quality heavily depends on a vapor barrier installed in areas such as under the concrete foundation, in the crawl space, in the walls, and over insulation.
The string reinforced products Americover offers have been spec’d into residential and commercial construction projects nationwide. With mil thicknesses ranging between 6 mils and 20 mils, our string reinforced plastic sheeting is an excellent choice to protect a building from the ground up.
Other Uses
There are an infinite number of uses for string reinforced plastic sheeting outside of construction sites and farms. Many others commonly use this material to support shipping and packaging applications like covering pallets and wrapping cargo for long and short-term travel. In more recreational projects, this plastic sheeting is ideal for constructing ice rinks, hockey rinks, and pond skimming events. It’s even used as patterning material to help you cut costs for large-scale patterns for boats and upholstery.
No matter your project, our team at Americover can create custom plastic sheeting solutions for any indoor or outdoor application you need for this season and beyond.
Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.