Best/Cheapest Ground Coverings for Hut

[MacGlenver]

We'll have a 20x30 monkey hut for our theme camp and want to put down a ground cover. I've used tarp staked to the ground before, but that will be semi-expensive, not that attractive and not that comfortable for our lounge area.

Any other suggestions? Carpet would be ideal if I could find some cheap throw away stuff in big enough sections, though transportation is a concern if we have a massive roll. If we have to go this route, does anyone know a good source for large sections of cheap carpet in San Fran? We're in Atlanta, but we can coordinate with a couple local people that are helping.

Suppose there's no easy answer on this one, but maybe someone knows some magic.

[Drawingablank]

We use canvas painters tarps - a lot more comfy than plastic, and the color blends right in with the playa. Carpet is way too heavy and bulky in a size that big - especially once it is full of dust.

[MacGlenver]

Great idea -- thanks! I'll look into prices.

[theCryptofishist]

Iceplant.

[some seeing eye]

Craigslist free carpet is cheap. Most people just pay to deposit it at the Fernley dump outbound. The trend is to make carpets recyclable, but few are yet. Be sure the edges don't moop - duct tape the edge.
Billboard vinyl is very inexpensive, like $.08 a square foot.
I like the canvas painter's tarps and they can be found at any home big box or paint store. Theoretically washable after, but will loose its sizing.

[Homiesinheaven]

depending on what you drive out there a good way to transport carpet is to fold it flat on the roof of your vehicle as opposed to rolling it.

[MacGlenver]

Thanks, guys. Great suggestions. I think since we'll need 20x30 feet of carpet, it will be too big and heavy to transport in our pickup truck. The canvas tarps look like a great idea, though they are ~$135 from the places I've looked for a 20x30, whereas a blue economy tarp is $23... Hopefully my camp mates will opt for canvas despite the price...

Is this a crazy price for 20x30 of untreated (nonwater-proofed) canvas tarp? Any cheaper sources?

[BBadger]

If you're planning on returning, maybe invest in something a little more durable/light so you can use it next year or beyond? Each additional year is like another discount.

[Drawingablank]

a quick google search just turned up about 80.00 for that coverage, although you may need to use two 12 x 15's for that

[MacGlenver]

Yeah though the two 12x15's dont exactly cover a 20x30 foot space. I"d need 3 to cover the length, and i'd have 2.5 feet on each side if I used the 15' side for the width. Looks like $135 isnt too bad a price for the full thing, though buying two smaller tarps to cover the full area would probably be more versatile for other uses.

This will be my second burning man and I'm certainly coming back again next year, so I'm happy to make an investment in the right stuff. Just wish I lived in San Fran so I would have a reliable way to haul all this stuff out each year .

[melodiousdirge]

Last year I found ebay to be far and away the cheapest source of tarps. Might be worth a look. I think I got my 24x24 heavy duty silver floor tarp for around $40. Canvas will be pricier but it may be less than $135.

[garyt]

I got my free carpet dumpster diving. Knock the dust off before leaving or there's a lot of added weight. I trash it coming home. Going dumpster diving again in a week or two.

[FIGJAM]

There's always free carpet on craigs list.

[dragonpilot]

I use heavy painter's plastic (opaque) which is not too expensive, and then scatter carpet remnant around. You don't need to cover every sq inch with heavy carpet, just the traffic area.

[International Incident]

. Just wish I lived in San Fran so I would have a reliable way to haul all this stuff out each year .

Have you thought about hiring a storage unit in ferney - we just invested in one.

These guys http://www.fernleyministorage.com claim to be burner friendly and we have had good interactions with them with setting up our space.

The price, if shared amoungst a few people, is quite reasonable and is heaps easier than lugging/buying stuff for each year.

As an aside I got a painters tarp through http://www.tarpsupply.com - I have not seen it yet as it is waiting for me to pick up when i hit the USA next week but my camp mates have used their gear before - and it held up well.

[MacGlenver]

. Just wish I lived in San Fran so I would have a reliable way to haul all this stuff out each year .

Have you thought about hiring a storage unit in ferney - we just invested in one.

These guys http://www.fernleyministorage.com claim to be burner friendly and we have had good interactions with them with setting up our space.

The price, if shared amoungst a few people, is quite reasonable and is heaps easier than lugging/buying stuff for each year.

As an aside I got a painters tarp through http://www.tarpsupply.com - I have not seen it yet as it is waiting for me to pick up when i hit the USA next week but my camp mates have used their gear before - and it held up well.

I've considered the storage option but until I get into some really serious stuff, I'm going to try to make do with leaving at my family's houses in the bay area . Hope they dont get too fed up with holding onto 50 pieces of 10' PVC pipe for us until next year!

I also am planning to order a from tarpsupply.com. I already ordered and received a 30x30 Silver super heavy duty tarp ($122 with shipping). Quality seems good, but we will give it a test this weekend. The gromets are aluminum unfortunatley, so I have some reservations about their strength. Hopefully we can spread the stress evenly enough. I'll be ordering a 20x30 natural untreated canvas tarp for our ground cover (~$134 with shipping). Craigslist in Atlanta and ebay didnt prove too fruitful. Craigslist in San Fran has TONS of stuff (saw an enormous blue tarp that someone was giving away), but it would be too complicated to coordinate from across the country.

[MacGlenver]

FYI in case anyone is interested, I changed my plan for the ground cover. I am going with 9'x12' canvas drop cloths from home depot. I got 5 for $80 with a $20 off coupon (they are $2 off each if you order 5 or more). I also bought a grommet kit and will be installing grommets in the drop cloths and staking them down.. The 20x30 canvas tarp was actually going to be $134 + $40 shipping, so eff that. I did it for 50% of that.