Insulated Mason's Tarp

[bm_cricket]

After reading about other people and their dome projects I thought I'd rethink my dome covering approach (It's been a plastic tarp.. which isn't so great)

These people seem to like their insulated mason's tarp on their yurt. I think it's usually used for keeping freshly poured cement warm and dry. Has anyone worked with it before? It seems to come up on craigslist from time to time so I assume it's out there to be had. I'm thinking about making a cap on the top of my dome. Something like a yamaka, and then covering sides with canvas or the old tarp I already have. I would probably combine that with the swamp cooler mentioned a few days ago. Any thoughts on how that would work? I'm looking for simple and cheap.. I should be able to retrofit my existing 16 foot dome into something a lot more comfortable... last year it was a sauna. Thoughts?

[FIGJAM]

Keep checking back to the cooler thread. We are getting more info from people who have made coolers. For a cover, would billboard vinyl work?

[bm_cricket]

Keep checking back to the cooler thread. We are getting more info from people who have made coolers. For a cover, would billboard vinyl work?

I've used billboard for floors but I'm not sure it would work well for the top. I know some camps have success with it, like the golden calf(e). I think I want something insulated. I guess I could just try layered fabric. I like the thought of this insulated stuff because it has some industrial uses so it shows up in used avenues pretty frequently.

[FIGJAM]

If your skin is tight, I would do a test with some big sheets of bubble wrap. If it will stay in place, i think it would make a good insulator, with the skin over it.

[Snow]

I used one on my dog kennel for shade and it shreded into a huge moopy mess after about a year in the NV sun and wind. Shorter exposures may yield better results. I thought about using it as insulation on the playa but I had one big issue: they are very bulky when rolled up.

[ygmir]

I have a couple of M35 insulated troop arctic covers.......those would make a nice shelter/cover. about 7' wide, 14' long, 5' tall. insulated two layer canvas, zip closed windows........I think they were around 200 bucks, but, super heavy duty......

[bm_cricket]

I have a couple of M35 insulated troop arctic covers.......those would make a nice shelter/cover. about 7' wide, 14' long, 5' tall. insulated two layer canvas, zip closed windows........I think they were around 200 bucks, but, super heavy duty......

Hm.. More than I was wanting to spend. I guess I was wanting to get one of these...

I guess those M35s could be an option too. Have you tried them on the playa before?

[ygmir]

yeah, I'm sure it's apples and oranges......the concrete tarps are probably fine.......and, if you look at the size of the M35 covers, laid flat, it'd be 17'X14' (approx), with one 5'x7' flap for one end.......they're already configured and sewn for the shape of a shelter......but, they are quite heavy........but, do have that (to me) wonderful waxed canvas smell.......

Just a thought.

nope, I've not taken one to the playa, but, have slept in the back of my M35 with one on it........

[Snow]

I forgot to mention a concrete blanket will work fine for playa use. Most of the damage to mine was UV from a year in direct sun.

[ygmir]

I don't have a pic of my truck with one on it, but, here's one a little more used........

[Snow]

you have a duece and a half?

[ygmir]

yes, 3

[Snow]

AWESOME!!! I've always wanted one. I have a flatfender jeep.

When do I get to meet you, you comin up to any workdays? I do have quite a few friends in your neighborhood too.

[ygmir]

I'm hoping to get up to some workdays......I'm neck deep in some projects related.......

[bm_cricket]

ygmir! I can see a lot of uses for that on the playa, or when the zombies attack...

[Bob]

A friend of mine 12 years ago quilted mylar coated bubble-wrap water heater insulation between two sheets of cheap vinyl tarp, and draped it over his flea-market type conduit awning. Net result was ten or fifteen degrees cooler than ambient temp.

I've used woven geotextile, ie "road cloth", for awnings since 1998, for DPW shade structures and my own camps. It blocks direct sun, shades the ground underneath so it doesn't heat up during the day, and sheds water if it has a slope. It's practical for DPW because they can buy 300 foot rolls and snip off what they need for the dozens of org structures, but some local concrete & paving suppliers may sell it by the foot off the roll.

You couldn't pay me to use "billboard vinyl", the shit stinks to high heaven and doesn't breath.

[Zhust]

One other material to consider is Aluminet. It's a woven aluminized plastic that can be purchased at reflective levels up to 70%, it's light as heck, and durable (stretchy). It doesn't stop dust at all, though. the Alternative Energy Zone website has some detailed information.

I made a moveable canopy to follow the sun and keep shade on my cabin-style tent all day. It works pretty well but it's got a lot of parts and webbing anchors, and setting it up requires guessing some measurements accurately.

[ygmir]

A friend of mine 12 years ago quilted mylar coated bubble-wrap water heater insulation between two sheets of cheap vinyl tarp, and draped it over his flea-market type conduit awning. Net result was ten or fifteen degrees cooler than ambient temp.

I've used woven geotextile, ie "road cloth", for awnings since 1998, for DPW shade structures and my own camps. It blocks direct sun, shades the ground underneath so it doesn't heat up during the day, and sheds water if it has a slope. It's practical for DPW because they can buy 300 foot rolls and snip off what they need for the dozens of org structures, but some local concrete & paving suppliers may sell it by the foot off the roll.

You couldn't pay me to use "billboard vinyl", the shit stinks to high heaven and doesn't breath.

hey Bob, can you see through that "geocloth"?.........

[bm_cricket]

A friend of mine 12 years ago quilted mylar coated bubble-wrap water heater insulation between two sheets of cheap vinyl tarp, and draped it over his flea-market type conduit awning. Net result was ten or fifteen degrees cooler than ambient temp.

I've used woven geotextile, ie "road cloth", for awnings since 1998, for DPW shade structures and my own camps. It blocks direct sun, shades the ground underneath so it doesn't heat up during the day, and sheds water if it has a slope. It's practical for DPW because they can buy 300 foot rolls and snip off what they need for the dozens of org structures, but some local concrete & paving suppliers may sell it by the foot off the roll.

You couldn't pay me to use "billboard vinyl", the shit stinks to high heaven and doesn't breath.

I like the billboard vinyl for flooring. It feels good on my aching feet at the end of the day. It does stink at first but once it's covered in playa it smells like playa. I think that if I make some sort of custom sewn structure it will have drop cloth on at least the inside surface to keep the noise down but custom sewing sounds really complicated...

And to jaycerochester. I've heard mixed review on the Aluminet stuff, especially when it comes to dust on the playa. What do you think? Have you just used it as a secondary shade above your tent? In my case I'm trying to build a one piece shade/sleep structure out of my dome.

[Bob]

hey Bob, can you see through that "geocloth"?.........

Nope.

[Zhust]

And to jaycerochester. I've heard mixed review on the Aluminet stuff, especially when it comes to dust on the playa.

On the plus side, it provides shade that is actually cool (as opposed to a dark roaster one can get with a solid tarp), it's fantastically light, I've never had an issue with it shredding (even though it's loose-woven plastic), it stretches, it's not necessary to have the edges sealed (the edging doesn't stretch and is more useful in its farming function), and the wind goes right through it so it doesn't make for a good parachute.

On the minus side, most dust goes right through it too, and the dust that doesn't seems to readily static-cling to it. The good news is that it rinses right off in water, but it's kind of a dusty mess to get back home first.

Although I haven't tried this, I've seen structures with the Aluminet paired with a solid material: the Aluminet will reflect the heat and the solid material will block the dust. Because it also blocks some UV (and seems to survive it pretty well), your under-material will last longer.

[bm_cricket]

Although I haven't tried this, I've seen structures with the Aluminet paired with a solid material: the Aluminet will reflect the heat and the solid material will block the dust. Because it also blocks some UV (and seems to survive it pretty well), your under-material will last longer.

That's a good idea! I may consider that..

[Boijoy]

I use aluminet & double it for extra uv protection & keeps the dust off a "little" better. ( but really? the dust WILL get all over your stuff no matter what.) You have to knock the dust off once a day to keep it shiny & reflective. It DEFF. cuts down on the radiant heat.

[bm_cricket]

I use aluminet & double it for extra uv protection & keeps the dust off a "little" better. ( but really? the dust WILL get all over your stuff no matter what.) You have to knock the dust off once a day to keep it shiny & reflective. It DEFF. cuts down on the radiant heat.

I guess that's one nice thing about my (nearly) sealed tarp dome. It was practically dust free inside! But it was HOT! Maybe I'll combine these things and see how it goes.