The success of a job that requires painting or the use of heavy tools and materials starts with the important phase of preparation. No matter what the project is, it is essential to prepare as this can end up saving you from unforeseen damages that could cost you a lot in hours and money.

Surface protection, also known as temporary protection, consists of a layer of materials put in place for the protection of surfaces like hardwood floors, tiles, concrete, countertops, etc. in job sites where they are prone to damage.

Before you decide on the specific surface protector for the job, you need to take into consideration a few factors. These include the project that you are preparing for, the kind of materials and tools you will be using, and what kind of foot traffic you are expecting for the project work area.

Once you have established the need, you can focus on obtaining the right kind of surface protection products.

Plastic Sheeting

Plastic is an ideal solution for protecting walls, furniture, floors, and other loose standing units. It’s flexible and easy to apply. There is also the option of choosing between thinner plastic to cover, say, furniture, or thicker, corrugated plastic that’s better suited for floor covering in areas with heavy foot traffic or where large machinery will be placed.

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of using plastic, there is the option of newer generation plastic that is made from recycled and used materials.

Paper/Card Protection

This type of surface protection is more suited to hard surfaces such as worktops, tiles, stone floors, or wooden floor surfaces. The protection is made up of heavy-duty card or paper that will ensure it lasts throughout.

These types of materials will usually be installed at the beginning of the project and is less flexible and movable than its plastic counterpart. The advantage to using paper or card-based surface protection is that it provides a non-slip surface. Installation does take a bit longer, however, as the medium needs to be cut and shaped to specification and properly secured.

The decision lies with you and what your needs will be on the specific site as well as for the specific product. But the main point to take away is that proper preparation and protection of surfaces saves you time and money in the long run. When on the market for surface protection products, be sure to go with products that will help you save time and money by making clean-up easier and reducing damage done on job sites. These products are usually available from leading manufacturers of surface protection technology.