Alumicloth - Verdict?

[jHands]

Been shopping for aluminet and have stumbled across alumicloth. 80% instead of 70, and it's cheaper (I don't understand this?). Has anyone used it? Is it durable?

[BBadger]

Never heard of it. If you try it, please come back and let us know if it worked.

[Token]

Looks like the same thing. Likely from a knock-off manufacturer in China instead of the true aluminet brand.

If memory serves, aluminet originated in Israel and it is possible patents expired and whatnot.

[jHands]

Contacted seller. Aluminet is a trademarked name. Alumicloth is exactly the same, just made by a different manufacturer.

[trilobyte]

Sure, the knockoff guys will tell you it's exactly the same... did you expect them to tell you otherwise?

[silvergirl70]

JHands:
Did you end up getting the Alumicloth? very curious about properties, etc. If Aluminet's patent has expired, I'm always on the lookout for good shadecloth. Making more shade structures for a regional burn, and would love to hear if you purchased.....

[krly]

...And don't overlook Attic Foil dot com. Request their free samples.....could be interesting stuff....

[silvergirl70]

Ok. I wrote the distributor. They order it in bulk from the overseas shipper but only have small pieces that are grommeted and taped. I asked them if they would be able to sell larger pieces custom cut, grommeted and taped and they said they would NOT be able to do that. (I just don't have the sewing machine capabilities to sew on that much tape on the sides for my 24 by 24 foot pieces.).
Still, the description says it's aluminized high density polyethylene (HDPE) which is basically Aluminet. (Apparently, Aluminnet is made here in Wisconsin... who knew).

oh, and the smaller pieces still are reasonably priced, already grommeted and taped. If anybody finds a distributor that sells Alumacloth with custom sizes who will grommet and tape it, let me know.

[dragonpilot]

I bought a 9' x 12' grommeted 80% Aluminet to toss and secure over the tent. Stuff is amazing. YMMV, but I thought it made a big difference in cooling shade. Now, in 2017 as hot as it was, everything struggled to make things cooler...but this stuff worked pretty well.

[Zubeneschamali]

Picked up a 20x24 Alumicoth to be used along with a swamp cooler for a 20" trailer this year. Will be interesting to compare the overall temperature and gas usage to 2017 when I had no cover and used the RV AC.

[Strata]

I'm shopping for a 20x24 aluminet tarp also. Mind sharing where you ended up getting it at how much? Private message if you think it wouldn't be ok to post.

[motskyroonmatick]

I'm shopping for a 20x24 aluminet tarp also. Mind sharing where you ended up getting it at how much? Private message if you think it wouldn't be ok to post.

I got a 20'x30' 80% aluminet shade cloth with reinforced taped edges, grommets every 2 feet and 2 grommets on each corner 4" from the corner for $370 with shipping and handling to my front door from an often recommended supplier for Burn related shade cloth.

[Strata]

I decided to go with a pair of 14x20 panels (taped, grommeted), $76 each plus tax, free shipping, via a supplier on Amazon. I'll put the two panels together on the 20 foot edges with paracord and presto a 28x20 panel for much less than a single panel that size.

My next best find was AlumiCloth at $160 including shipping for a 20x24 panel.

[torrey.smith]

I'm super excited to see the tyranny of that pricing get challenged. This bodes well for Sextant...

[motskyroonmatick]

Cool!

[motskyroonmatick]

I was aware I was paying a premium but in the home stretch I needed a product with as much a guarantee of fitness I could get and that's why I chose the place with a huge amount of experience making custom shade. In the future I'm going to purchase the raw shade fabric and then have a local shade place cut, add tape and grommets.

[DoctorIknow]

.... (I just don't have the sewing machine capabilities to sew on that much tape on the sides for my 24 by 24 foot pieces.). ....

A lot of discussion on pre-made taped and grommeted aluminet vs. bulk aluminet (huge difference in price) is in an old thread.

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=80975&hilit=raw+shade+cloth

[Zubeneschamali]

Hi Strata

Sent a PM.

Z

[Token]

There is magic in numbers and multipliers with Aluminet.

Standard widths are multiple of 7’

7, 14, 21, 28

Anything between or over either needs cutting or surging.

Labor adds cost.

Good vendors will sell fully trimmed and reinforced edges that are folded in 6.5, 13.5, 20.5 ... basically a 3 inch fold and tape.

I don’t like taped and grommets. They fail and never give me the stretch I’m looking for. I like the clip-on grommets with a loop that takes a ball-bungee. Can custom tension that way and adjust.

Ymmv.

[Ratty]

Token, So do you just leave it unfinished and use clip on grommets? that way the edges would keep their stretch. I've never used or sewn Aluminet. I may have some this year. I picture sewing a stretchy fabric on the edges. I have plenty of fancy clips for tarps.

[Token]

Yep. Aluminet is knit not woven so it doesn’t fray and moop.

The clips work great for my less than square structures.

[DoctorIknow]

I've never used or sewn Aluminet. I may have some this year. I picture sewing a stretchy fabric on the edges.

Finding the right combo of fabric edging and aluminet to be sewn together is a TRIP....I had two sewing machines break, and a sailmaker I had to use as all other options were gone, insisted on using a fabric for the edging that had no integrity at all.

Make tests before you invest, as your machine may be at risk...Don't ask me how they break, but two people experienced with their own machines haven't spoken to me since....

[Ratty]

That doesn't faze me. I repaired a huge trampoline. I made sewed the edges on several plastic tarps. With the right presser foot and needle you can do a lot. Maybe I'll make a tutorial. (Hope it's not one on how to burn out your sewing machine.)

[MyDearFriend]

Ratty, you don't need to finish the edges of aluminet, in fact that will reduce its effectiveness. When untrimmed it will stretch and rebound without MOOPing at all. I have untrimmed aluminet that's been to 7 Burns and is still intact. Shark-Bite clip-on grommets work really well with aluminet and can be repositioned as needed. I LOVE MY ALUMINET. Yes it's a bit pricey but it works great, weighs nothing, packs tight and lasts for-fucking-ever.

[DoctorIknow]

Shark-Bite clip-on grommets work really well with aluminet and can be repositioned as needed.

The Shark Clips brand grippers are great, but there is a cheaper version I've used on aluminet for years.

These below have been discussed a lot in similar threads to this one, and they are 1/3 the price of Shark Clips.
I use very close spacing probably because they are so cheap.

"Clip-Its Plastic Grommets" 25 for $5.75 vs. Shark Clips 10 for $5.

http://www.shadeclothstore.com/products ... 0&dept=172

clips.JPG

[Token]

That doesn't faze me. I repaired a huge trampoline. I made sewed the edges on several plastic tarps. With the right presser foot and needle you can do a lot. Maybe I'll make a tutorial. (Hope it's not one on how to burn out your sewing machine.)

You can’t use a sewing machine. Must use a serger.

Sewing machine - straight line strength, no stretch.

Serger - area strength, lots of stretch.

Think knit sweater.

[Ratty]

Token, All fine machines have a stretch stitch. My old Viking has a choice of 40 stitches and 40 embroidery patterns. Plus any ziz-zag stitch stretches. I have a serger that takes up to 4 threads at a time that baffles and mocks me from the corner of the room. I'll be ok.

[Token]

I have a serger that takes up to 4 threads at a time that baffles and mocks me from the corner of the room. I'll be ok.

If you do try the zig-zag or other fancy pattern on Aluminet, please do report back on the results.

There is an application I’m curious on for a fitted 4V geodesic dome cover that relies on the stretch for fit and hold.

[silverfish]

In my limited experience aluminet or alumicloth dosen't block any more heat than normal shade mesh fabric. I am still using the aluminet I bought a few years ago (yay durability), but I wouldn't spend the extra cash on it again.

If you want to stay cooler underneath shade you need solid sun blocking, and preferably sun reflecting, fabric. The temperature difference standing under a normal piece of polyester/nylon and a sun blocking & reflective coated piece is night and day. My camp mates didn't believe me until I bought the fabric and proved it. Then they went out and bought sun reflective tarps to go over their shade structures. If you add a top vent it works even better by letting trapped heat escape.

[Dsm253]

Yep. Aluminet is knit not woven so it doesn’t fray and moop.

The clips work great for my less than square structures.

Do you cut it down to less than square shapes for said structures? I'm trying to wrap my brain around how it would hold up to cut into triangles (then shark clip grommets and fit the triangle pieces into a dome) but am unsure if the edges on knit aluminet would hold that way. Likely sticking with the camo netting for this year, but starting to think on a winter project.