House wrap footprint

I've read recently in a few places about people using Tyvek for their tent footprint.
My neighbor just re-sided his house and he had some house wrap left over and he offered some to me so I thankfully accepted.
But I realized that it's not true Tyvek, it's this other stuff and I'm a little skeptical that it would hold up. The construction reminds me a little of your every day poly tarp...it's a weave of strands. And probably a little heavier than Tyvek but I don't have a piece of that to compare.
Have any of you used this type of house wrap in the pics for a footprint?






You can see a few strands pulling out already. I can't imagine it would hold up very well for a footprint. My neighbor was so happy to give it to me but now I don't think I want it. Don't want to be an ingrate.

I’ve never seen that type of house wrap. If you can keep it from fraying maybe with duct tape it should work.
Jim

Boatman53 said:

I’ve never seen that type of house wrap. If you can keep it from fraying maybe with duct tape it should work.
Jim

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The more I think about it, I think I'd rather have genuine Tyvek. The stuff is practically indestructible and it won't fray.
That's okay, I'm not desperate for it. I do already have a footprint but I thought I'd take the chance to grab this when it was offered.

I have made them from Typar which is the common alternative to Tyvek. Typar is NOT super slippery like Tyvek, it's also very quiet (no crinkle crinkle). If it's folded when packed it will get some small holes at the folds over time but some of the pieces I have (for under my sleeping pad) I've been using for more than 10 years.

I've actually found that Typar doesn't develop pinholes as quickly as Tyvek. It's also somewhat breathable unlike Tyvek.

Sounds as if it's breathable but not fully waterproof, if that matters.

That stuff will probably not be waterproof.
I use tyvek to make tent footprints, a winter emergency bivy sack and a hammock ground cloth.
A tip to make real tyvek quiet is to wash it in a machine cold without soap then run it through the dryer on tumble with a couple other towels.

I have used cheap poly tarps for footprints and sure they may not hold up long term but they are easily replaced. I actually prefer 6mil plastic sheeting which holds up well and is easily patched with tape when needed. My brother gifted me a large roll of this left over from a construction project so I am set for the rest of my camping days.

All outies? No innies?

If you're looking for the lightest tent ground cloth, try window heat shrink film. I don't know what it's made out of, but it is crazy strong and impervious to water. Somehow it doesn't seem to puncture, at least not easily. There is the standard stuff that works fine, and the slightly heavier stuff, if you can find it, that's better. It dries really fast and folds up to the size of your wallet if sized for a 2p backpacking tent. I get a few years use out of one, and that's probably 150+ nights on the ground in forest, desert and other places with prickly things. I've been using it for years.

Mark

billconner said:

All outies? No innies?

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Both.

billconner said:

All outies? No innies?

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Outies for a new/newish tent I'm trying to save the floor

Innies for the tents I mostly use that have lots of holes in the floor and the coating has already completely worn away.