Surface Protection and Packaging

They are used to cover floors, furniture, windows and doors, and equipment during masonry, painting or refurbishment work, so that dust, paint and knocks do not damage surfaces. They are also used to pack and handle fragile objects. The type of protection varies according to the surface to be covered and the work being carried out.

The polyethylene sheet, LDPE or HDPE, is lightweight, waterproof and covers large surfaces; it folds well around furniture and equipment. Protective board, in rolls or pressed, withstands the passage of people and tools better and is laid directly on the floor. The first covers and shelters, the second protects the walking surface during the work.

To protect floors, non-slip felts, closed-cell mats or boards are used, because they cushion and protect from scratches. Heat-bonded non-slip felt, such as the 270 grams per square metre versions, grips the floor better. The closed-cell polyethylene mat is designed as a protective layer and also for packing.

For felts the useful figure is weight in grams per square metre, like the 270 grams of heat-bonded felts. For films you compare thickness in microns, for example the 40 microns of LDPE sheets. More weight or more thickness does not always mean more protection: what counts is the intended use and the surface to be protected.

Some sheets already have an adhesive flap or applied tape, such as films with an adhesive flap or HDPE sheets with tape. They are practical for covering quickly. The tape must be applied to clean, dry surfaces and removed without leaving residue, especially on fresh paint or treated wood.

They are used by house painters, plasterboard fitters, decorators, refurbishment contractors and technicians working in homes or offices. They are also used by people moving furniture or packing fragile goods, such as shipping and storage companies. In workshops they protect benches and machines from swarf, dust and paint splashes.

For freshly painted surfaces, a sheet or film that leaves no glue residue is advisable, such as papers with an adhesive flap, to be tested first on a hidden spot. Absorbent felt picks up small amounts of liquid and can be useful near a sink or a wet worktop. Bubble film, on the other hand, protects fragile objects during transport.

Roll or fold them neatly and keep them in a dry place away from the sun, because polyethylene and paper can deteriorate with prolonged exposure. A well-stored roll is easier to reuse for the next job. Before putting the material away, remove traces of dust and rubble.