Temporary Floor Protection: A Product Guide

Your floors need special protection when undergoing renovations, during new construction, when moving furniture or heavy equipment, and for other events beyond everyday use. Protecting the soil makes sense and saves money. A paint spill, a hammer drop, a heavy furniture scratch can cost thousands of dollars in replacement and repair costs. This article describes surface protection products for floors so that you can make informed decisions about the best product to use for your needs.

Types of protective packaging:

Floor protection products are commonly packaged as:

(1) Products per roll: These include common adhesive films, rolled paper products, and rolled textile protection. Protective materials purchased by the roll are commonly measured in thickness in thousandths of an inch (eg, 2.5 thousandths of an inch thick to 48 thousandths of an inch thick).

(2) Products per sheet: These include corrugated plastic, masonite, and other rigid protections. Sheet-bought shielding materials are commonly measured in thickness per inch (for example, 1/4 inch thick) and are typically 4 feet by 8 feet.

Type of soil protection:

Paper

Paper protection is suitable for all hard and sturdy surfaces, but it does not work well to protect carpets as it can tear when bent under steps. Paper products are breathable so glue and cement curing vapors can escape. A downside to paper products as they require tapes to secure them to the floor and tapes can often leave adhesive residue when removed. Common paper protection products include:

· Ramboard ™ A 38 mil thick coated compressed paper carton that is breathable, water resistant and made from recycled paper.

Kraft paper is a lightweight brown paper that is inexpensive but offers no impact protection and can tear easily.

· Mesh paper can incorporate coatings or reinforcements to make it water resistant, as well as mesh yarns to reinforce the paper and prevent it from tearing. These improved papers last longer than regular Kraft paper or rosin paper, however they are also too thin to offer much impact protection.

Rosin paper is thicker than Kraft paper and is very inexpensive. Rosin paper is recycled felt paper that is 9.0 to 11.5 mils thick. The big downside to using Rosin paper is that it can cause a permanent stain if the paper gets wet. Rosin paper can also tear easily, so its use is not normally recommended.

Corrugated cardboard rolls or sheets can also be used to protect the floor. Corrugated provides impact protection, however it is not coated with a water resistant finish and must be kept dry at all times so it does not disintegrate. Cardboard products are also available as single, double and triple wall corrugated sheets or as a fan-folded stack.

Polyethylene film

Polyethylene (PE) films are sold as self-adhesive laminated films ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 mils in thickness. They trap escaping moisture, so they should not be used on any flooring that is curing. Two of the great benefits of polyethylene films are that the films flex and contour, so they can be used on both carpets and hard surfaces. These films do not offer any impact protection and are typically rated for short term use of 30 to 90 days only. Polyethylene films are designed for single use only and do not use recycled materials, making them a poor choice for sustainable protection. Protection films are available in a variety of “sticky” adhesives. Hard surface protection films will have lower tack and color than carpet protection, which needs a more aggressive glue to successfully hold carpet fibers.

Wood products

Plywood and Masonite are commonly used as protection in commercial projects with heavy foot traffic. Masonite is a wood product made from wood fibers, unlike plywood, which is a real sheet of thin wood. Both plywood and masonite are sold in the standard 4-foot by 8-foot size and are more expensive per square foot than paper or polyethylene products. Masonite is usually 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick. Plywood is typically 1/4 to 3/4 inch thick. Both products provide impact protection on a variety of floor types and provide adequate protection against the use of heavy equipment or the movement of furniture. Both plywood and masonite are breathable and reusable, yet they are bulky to transport and store. These sheets of wood should be used over softer protection, such as rolled fabric, as they easily scratch the floor. These sheets work well to protect the carpet, as they prevent wrinkles when rolling heavy loads on the carpet. Plywood and masonite offer no protection against moisture and can be more difficult to cut than other types of protection.

Textile products

Textile products are commonly made from recycled fabrics. Plus, these rolled-up protective products often have added benefits, like slip-resistant backs or breathable plastic liners. For hardwood floors, these specialty textile rolls are highly recommended as they are breathable, slip resistant, reusable, often leak proof, and easy to cut to size.

• Clean & Safe ™ is a textile product made from recycled fabric scraps that has a leak-proof lining on the back. It is used only on existing floors as it does not breathe. This rolled product is reusable and can be used under plywood and masonite to avoid scratches.

• Surface Pro ™ is made from the same manufacturer as Clean and Safe, but it is the breathable version. It is a 40 mil thick textile product that also has slip resistance. White in color, it is often used as wood floor protection in model homes.

• Surface Liner Vapor ™ is the newest textile product on the market and is breathable and leak proof. Microscopic pores in the plastic liner allow steam to escape, but they are too small for ordinary liquids to penetrate. This rolled up product is also easy to keep clean as the plastic lid can be swept daily to keep it looking good.

• EZ Cover ™ is manufactured to protect cement slabs or decorative cement during curing. It has a soft felt bottom and a compressed paper backing that allows the floor to breathe. EZ Cover is commonly used in commercial and residential applications and is easy to cut to size as needed.

Application of surface protection

To reap the full benefits of using surface protection, proper application is a must. Floors must be clean (vacuumed or swept) before covering with protective products. Proper protection must be chosen so that moisture is not trapped on floors that are still curing. Trapping moisture can cause total product failure and will void a wood floor manufacturer’s warranty. For heavy traffic or loads, multiple layers of protection may be required.

In summary, there are many temporary floor protection options available today. When choosing a protective product, it is advisable to consider the cost, the necessary duration, the breathability and the possibility of reusing the product. Successful floor protection also includes proper floor installation and preparation. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use to avoid the possibility of adhesive transfer. Protecting valuable soil is a wise investment of time and money. Surface protection experts are also available to help you choose the best floor protection for your needs.