Plastic sheeting

Buy best value plastic sheeting and covers from an extensive range of polythene rolls.

Plastic sheeting is...

• A great solution for protecting floors, large surfaces and furniture from paint, dust or debris created during building or decorating work
• Often referred to as ‘builders’ rolls’, due to the fact that it is popular in the building and construction industry
• A favourite of tradespeople, including painters and decorators, plasterers and carpenters
• Also referred to as wide sheeting, as it comes in wide sheets capable of covering large areas
• Sold on the roll, usually 1m wide, and folds out into a sheet 2m wide (single fold) or 4m wide (multi-fold)
• Available in clear polythene or black polythene as standard
• Available in medium duty (100 micron / 400 gauge) or heavy duty (200 micron / 800 gauge) polythene
• Strong, tough, waterproof, durable and reusable
• Suitable for use as a waterproof membrane
• Suitable for use as temporary roofing
• Also manufactured as damp proof membrane (extra thick 250 micron polythene) or specialist flame-retardant polythene (also 250 micron)

Plastic sheeting - the painter’s friend

Somewhere near the top of a painter’s inventory list - just after paintbrushes and paint - is the builders’ roll. These plastic sheets are so popular with painters and decorators that they could easily be called ‘painters’ rolls’.

Plastic sheeting allows painters to get on with their job with complete peace of mind. All it takes is a bit of preparation time to unfold the plastic sheeting and cover floors, carpets, furniture or other items that need protecting, before they can then concentrate fully on their painting without worrying about excess paint dripping onto the surfaces in question.

At the end of the working day or when the job has been completed, the painter can simply pick up the roll, fold it or roll it back up for use on the next job.

Painters don’t have the monopoly on plastic sheeting, however. Other tradespeople also use the protective covering, including carpenters and plasters, for the very same reasons as painters - to give them a simple and quick solution to protecting surfaces during their work, leaving them to concentrate on the job.

How much plastic sheeting do I need?

The amount of plastic sheeting you require to cover an area in preparation for a job will depend on a number of factors:

1. The overall size of the floor area that needs covering
2. The amount and size of other items that need covering (e.g. furniture)
3. How many times you want to lay your plastic sheeting during the job
4. How contained the mess created will be to the working area

Obviously, the bigger the surface area you have to cover (point 1) and the more furniture items you have to cover (point 2), the more plastic sheeting you will need, unless you are happy to move your plastic sheeting around during the job (point 3).

One other important thing to consider is that dust may easily blow away from the immediate working area so some jobs, such as sanding or drilling, are likely to need a wider area covered around the work zone than others, such as painting (point 4).

Plastic sheeting - measuring up

Once you have decided how big an area you need to cover in one go, you need to work out how many sheets you need. Remember that plastic sheeting is traditionally sold on 1m rolls that fold out to either 2m-wide ‘single-fold’ sheets or 4m-wide ‘multi-fold’ sheets.

So, if you need to cover an area that's 3m x 10m, you’ll either need one 10m long section of a 4m multi-fold sheet, or two 10m long sections of a 2m single-fold sheet, which you’ll then place alongside each other, with some overlap, to cover the required area.

When purchasing your plastic sheeting, don’t forget that 4m-wide multi-fold sheets will, in general, be sold on a roll half the length of a 2m-wide single-fold sheet, as there is twice as much plastic being wrapped around the roll.

Both single-fold rolls and multi-fold rolls will, as standard, contain 200m² of plastic sheeting and will weigh the same (100 micron ‘medium duty’ clear polythene x 200m² = 18kg). The single fold roll will measure 2m x 100m, while the multi-fold roll will measure 4m x 50m.

Heavy or medium duty polythene?

Another important factor to consider when choosing the plastic sheeting you need for a job is the sort of debris you are protecting your floors, surfaces and objects from.

If you are only likely to create a light covering of debris, such as dripping paint or dust from sanding, then the chances are you will only require a medium duty plastic sheet, which comes in 100 micron (400 gauge) clear polythene.

If you’re working in a more ‘heavy duty’ environment, such as on a building site or in the garden, then you may find prefer to use 200 micron (800 gauge) heavy duty plastic sheeting, which will offer more protection to the surfaces from bumps, scratches or scrapes.

Extra thick plastic membrane

Even more durable and robust than standard heavy duty plastic sheeting is damp proof membrane - an extra thick sheet of polythene, weighing in at a minimum of 250 microns (1000 gauge) thick.

Usually made from black or blue recycled polythene, damp proof membrane (DPM) can be used as part of a damp proof course (DPC) to prevent the onset of rising damp in building work, or for other heavy duty waterproofing.

A good damp proof course is fundamental to preventing unwanted moisture from entering the interior space of a building. For this reason, damp proof membrane is quality controlled by the British Board of Agreement (BBA), such keep an eye out for their approval on the product before you buy.

Black plastic sheeting

Black plastic sheeting can be used in the same way as clear plastic sheeting, to protect surfaces during building or renovation work, or as a waterproof membrane. One advantage that black sheeting has over clear sheeting is that it also provides a light-proof cover and so can be useful for both absorbing heat and covering items when security is important.

Where to buy plastic sheeting

Plastic sheeting manufacturers and suppliers include:

Layflat Tubing
The number one layflat tubing website on the internet. Layflat Tubing stock a huge range of poly tubing and heat sealers at fantastic wholesale prices, with simple online ordering and free UK delivery. The only layflat tubing website you'll need.
www.layflat-tubing.co.uk

Polythene Sheeting
Poly Sheets is the website to visit for all of your polythene sheeting needs. Containing loads of useful information on poly sheeting, also known as builders rolls, plus builders bags and damp proof membrane, with details of where to buy them.
www.polysheets.co.uk

Polythene Rolls
If you're looking to buy polythene rolls, layflat tubing, shrink covers, stretch wrap or damp proof sheeting, then this is the website for you. Featuring loads of useful information on polythene sheeting and a list of the best online stockists.
www.polythenerolls.com

Polythene Tubing
A brilliant online resource for anyone interested in buying polythene tubing, also known as layflat tubing. Find out all you need to know about poly tubing, how it is made and what it is used for, with a detailed buying guide for you to get the best discount prices.
www.discountlayflattubing.co.uk

Rubble Bags
The number one website on rubble bags - the super-strong waste sacks that are essential for every building site and ideal for heavy duty work in the garden, DIY projects at home or transporting heavy rubble or rubbish to the tip.
www.rubblebags.org

Builders Rolls
Builders Rolls is the go-to website for the builders, painters and decorators looking to buy wide-fold plastic sheeting, often referred to as builders rolls. With lots of information on what to look for and where to buy builders rolls at the best prices.
www.buildersrolls.com

Research & Resources

For more information on plastic sheeting or builders rolls, including details of how it is manufactured and the range of protective polythene sheeting available, please visit:

PlasticBags.uk.com: The UK's premier polythene packaging online directory. Retailers can submit items for listing and customers can browse a selection of plastic sheeting websites.

PackagingKnowledge: The online polythene packaging encyclopedia, featuring a wide range of articles and a huge amount of information on plastic sheeting.

Goldstork: Free online directory listing the best of the web, featuring carefully selected information and specialist plastic sheeting websites.

Plastic rolls or polythene rolls?

What is the difference between plastic rolls and polythene rolls? These terms and others like them - including plastic sheeting, builders rolls, poly rolls or polythene film - are often mixed and matched to describe a variety of polythene products. The one thing all of the terms have in common is that they refer to a sheet of plastic - or polythene - that is wound around a central roll and dispensed by unwinding the roll until you have as large a sheet as you need.

Whilst the terms may be interchanged by some people, by and large, in the building trade the term 'plastic rolls' is used to describe plastic sheeting, also known as builders rolls, which is widely used by builders, painters and decorators to protect large areas or objects such as furniture from dust, dirt, stray paint and so on. Damp proof membrane, used to provide a damp proof layer for buildings, is also included in the 'plastic rolls' family.

The term 'polythene rolls' on the other hand, is most often used to describe rolls of polythene film that are used for packaging or wrapping items. These include single layers of film, such as shrink wrap pallet covers, PVC clear wrapping and glossy clear polypropylene wrapping, as well as polythene tubing - also known as layflat tubing - which is used to wrap objects of awkwards shapes and sizes and comes in regular or anti-static polythene.

Interesting information about plastic sheeting

Clear sheeting performs optimal when the specification matches the job, and a PETG UV2 grade gives a stronger, cleaner result than basic transparent plastic for exposed shelters and covers. UV protection on both sides assists the sheet retain its clarity and surface stop for longer, which matters once it is fitted where sunlight can reach it from above one angle. That sort of protection also reduces early yellowing and brittleness, so the finished item grasps its appearance and stays serviceable for longer in storage or outside use. Choosing the proper transparent sheet at the supply stage saves later complaints about ageing, distortion and premature replacement.

APPARATUS, WORK STATION AND METHOD FOR APPLYING PROTECTIVE SHEETING OF POLYMER MATERIAL TO A PIPELINE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD

Protective sheeting has to cover the cutback properly if a welded pipe is to stay sound in storage and handling. The weld bead leaves an exposed band where the coating stops short, and that bare metal will take on moisture, dirt and surface corrosion fast if it is left open. In practical terms, the wrap or sheet requirements to sit across the uncoated part and bridge the welded area without lifting at the edges, otherwise water creeps in and the protection fails. A tidy, well-held covering reduces rework, retains the pipe in better condition through transit, and avoids trouble when the consignment reaches the next stage.

Medium Duty Wear Sleeve

A medium duty wear sleeve gives cargo straps a useful layer of protection where rubbing and edge contact are a problem. On heavy duty loads, the strap itself may be robust enough, nevertheless repeated movement against corners, pallet edges, or rough load surfaces can still weaken it above time. A sleeve spreads that pressure and assists maintain the strap amid transit, which reduces the chance of damaged webbing and rejected kit on return. At 300mm by 70mm, the size suits practical loading work without adding awkward bulk. Used sensibly, it extends service life and retains tie-down gear in better condition for longer.

Wide sheeting is a practical selection when a float, display or trailer bed requirements fast coverage without lots of connects. At 36 inches wide on a 10-yard roll, it gives enough area to work fast, yet it still cuts and handles cleanly on the shop floor. That matters when a crew is trying to dress big surfaces before a deadline, because less parts mean less tape, less weak points and less chance of the lining shifting in transit. It also retains the stop tidier around edges and awkward corners. For temporary decoration or concealment work, big sheeting normally saves time and reduces handling damage.

What are the main uses for a damp proof membrane?

A damp proof membrane is often the safest method to separate packaging areas from a wall that is already holding moisture or salts. Without that barrier, trapped damp can creep into cartons, fibreboard cases, wooden pallets, and stored wraps, leading to soft board, weak corners, and staining that ruins presentation before products even leave the building. In warehousing and production spaces, a membrane assists limit that migration and retains the problem from spreading across stock or into new finishes. It does not cure the wall itself, nevertheless it gives a practical line of defence. That makes it a sensible selection where dry storage matters and repairs to the structure will take time.

Poly Sheeting

Poly sheeting in a woven strengthened roll gives a practical mix of surface cover and tear resistance, which is why it is often chosen for wrapping, temporary weather protection, and rough handling on site or in the warehouse. The 6 mil gauge is thick enough to resist scraping and puncture better than lighter film, while the woven reinforcement assists it grasp together if it is dragged, folded, or pulled tight around awkward loads. Width and roll format matter also, because they affect how fast operatives can cover stock or keep safe products without wasting material. That sort of sheet is optimal seen as a handling assist rather than a tidy stop, and it pays to match the gauge to the conditions the load will face.

polythene suppliers Sheeting can be uniform for your garden greenhouse!

polythene suppliers sheeting is often chosen for a specific job because its performance can be adjusted in methods plain film cannot. A low-slip stop assists layers stay put, which is useful where loads need better pallet stability, while a high-slip surface lets sacks, packs, or enclosed products slide more easily amid filling and dispatch. Strength can also be built in for rough handling, and additives can reduce static build-up or add fire retardancy where the risk requirements it. The proper mix relies on how the sheet will be used on the shop floor and in storage, because the gross specification can cause handling trouble long before the load reaches its destination.

Shade Cloth Custom design & builders rolls

Builders rolls need to be chosen as a versatile site product, not only as printed material. On temporary fencing, the proper job is to transport branding, identify contractours and assist with containment, while still standing up to dust, wind and handling on a live job. Print style matters, nevertheless so do the practical details: hemmed edges can improve strength, eyelet spacing affects how evenly the roll sits on fencing, and normal edges can suit lower-cost or shorter-term use. A mesh build gives air movement, which reduces sail effect and assists with dust control on exposed sites. The proper specification saves trouble at fitting time and avoids damage that fast makes the fence line see untidy.

Plastic Sheeting

Plastic sheeting has to be specified and packed with the stop journey in mind, because the sheet may leave the factory in perfect condition and still arrive damaged if the gauge, roll build, or wrapping is not suited to the load. Standard export packing normally works for straightforward consignments, nevertheless battered edges, crushed cores, and slipped rolls often come from poor restraint rather than poor film quality. Delivery timing also relies on order size, so stock planning matters as much as production. A complimentary sample assists check clarity, width, and handling before a larger order is committed, and that saves trouble later when reels reach dispatch or the warehouse.

Black polythene suppliers sheeting is chosen for the job it does, not for any view that colour makes it better or worse. A dark pigment can assist conceal the contents, cut light transport and see tidier on site, which is why it often turns up in industrial wrapping, dust screens and temporary covers. The proper decision is still about gauge, toughness and how the film behaves when folded, cut and sealed. If the sheet is also thin, colour will not save it from tearing at stress points or splitting in handling. A sensible specification matches the task, so black sheeting is selected for practical reasons rather than as a sign of higher quality.