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

Medium Duty Cable Tray

Medium duty cable trays sit in the middle of the spectrum for a reason, giving enough strength for normal service without the weight and cost of a heavy system. A 100mm width is a useful size on site because it carries a sensible spread of cables while staying compact enough for tighter routes and busy plant areas. The tray must still be checked for gauge, stop and edge quality, since poor forming can lead to snagging or bending amid installation. When the specification matches the load and the route, fitting is quicker and the finished dash sees cleaner.

Wide sheeting gives converters more room to work than narrow strap stock, because the material can be slit later to suit the job rather than being locked into one format also early. That matters when a packaging line requirements alternative widths for bundling, surface protection, or labelling, as the same parent web can feed several uses with less waste at trim and changeover. The wider format also spreads handling stresses more evenly, which can assist with stock stability and reduce crease damage in storage. If the upstream sheet is well manufactured, conversion stays flexible and the warehouse grasps less separate grades.

Damp Proof Membrane Installation Guide

A damp proof membrane is a practical method to isolate a troubled internal wall when damp, salts, or other contaminants would otherwise spoil the stop. The membrane acts as a barrier between the wall and the new lining, which is why it is often used after a damp proof course has been installed or injected and the origin of rising damp has been dealt with as far as potential. Choice matters here, because the level of pollution and the stop required will determine whether a lighter lining system is enough or whether a tougher barrier is needed. When specified properly, the wall is easier to bring back into service and less likely to cause repeat failures.

Poly Sheeting

Poly sheeting from an SDS point of view requirements careful handling because the sheet itself may see simple, yet the material behind it can behave differently below heat, pressure and contact with other items. In the warehouse and on the line, that means checking whether the grade is meant for covering, wrapping or lining, and whether the gauge will cope with the job without tearing or stretching out of shape. Slippery film can also shift on pallets if the wrapping method is poor, which leads to handling damage and poor stack stability. A sensible specification retains the sheet performing as expected and reduces waste from rework.

polythene suppliers Sheeting is cost effective and diverse

polythene suppliers sheeting earns its place because it protects stock without adding much weight, nevertheless the proper gauge and film type have to match the job. Thin film is fine for simple dust covers and light internal protection, yet it tears easily if pallet edges are sharp or loads rub amid transit. Thicker sheeting gives better resistance to puncture and can grasp big or awkward items together more securely, though it brings additional cost and bulk. Good converting and sensible roll specification matter as much as the raw material, since poor film tension can make handling awkward on the packing line. A well-chosen sheet reduces damage and retains product presentable when it reaches the next stage.

Builders rolls stand or drop on film consistency, because a roll that appears sound in the pack can still tear once it is pulled across timber, brickwork or a rough floor. Broad polythene suppliers for weather protection, dust suppression and temporary covering requirements even gauge and clean converting, or the edges split, the sheet folds awkwardly and labour is wasted trying to patch gaps. Good control of melt flow and thickness gives a flatter lay and cleaner cuts, which means less stoppage on site and less damaged lengths being binned. That sort of control makes the roll easier to store, easier to transport and far less likely to let a job down when the weather turns.

10 X 100 Plastic Sheeting

Plastic sheeting in a 10 x 100 roll format suits jobs where big coverage is needed fast, because the larger sheet size cuts down the number of connects and overlaps on site. That matters when protecting products, floors or machinery from dust, overspray and moisture amid storage or refurbishment. The proper gauge also affects handling: thinner film is easier to pull and drape, while heavier material resists tearing when it is snagged on corners or pallet edges. Roll width and length should match the method the material will be issued from the store and carried to the work area. A sensible specification saves time and reduces waste from torn offcuts.

Black sheeting on a demolition site is rarely there for decoration; it is normally a simple sign that the job is being tidied, protected, or readied for the next trade. Once a structure comes down, exposed edges need covering to retain dust, weather, and loose material below control, particularly where part of the old building is being retained for later work. The sheeting also assists separate live areas from the cleared space and gives contractours a cleaner backdrop while brickwork or new building acquires underway. If it is fixed badly, it tears and flaps, so it has to be handled with a few care. Good temporary covering retains the site safer and the next phase easier to manage.

Poly our telephone Husky 6 Mil Poly Clear Sheeting 10'x100

Clear sheeting is optimal judged by gauge, clarity and handling rather than by the headline description alone. In shop-floor and warehouse use, a 6 mil film carries more resistance to puncture than lighter polythene suppliers, so it stands up better when wrapping mixed loads, protecting furniture parts or shielding finished products from dust. The proper earn comes when the film retains its strength without going cloudy or sticky, because operatours can still see labels, counts and faults through the wrap. Good film tension also matters, since above-stretching can weaken the sheet and cause split corners amid transit. A clean, even wrap normally pays for itself in less claims and less rework.

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 be applied fast and evenly if a cutback on a pipeline is to stay clean and prepared for the next stage. A well-set work station assists because the material can be positioned without dragging it across rough surfaces, which cuts the risk of tears, wrinkles, and poor stickiness. Film tension matters here, as a sheet that is also loose will flap and trap dirt, while one that is also tight can lift at the edges. When the set-up is efficient, operatours spend less time correcting faults and more time keeping the line moving. That retains the cutback protected and avoids avoidable rework later.