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Times are tough today for builders and renovators, so preventing costly damage to carpets, doors, floors, and other interior finishes is critical to lowering construction costs and shortening completion times. Site managers can choose from two types of surface protection products; (a) one-off security features such as film and paper that can only be used once; or (b) reusable protection made of reinforced plastic or cotton fabrics. So what should a contractor choose?
Paper products such as rosin, Kraft papers, and corrugated board can be used for very short periods of time on surfaces such as floors and countertops, but are not recommended for extended use. While these disposable protective products are inexpensive and widely available, they lose their effectiveness with prolonged use. Considering the cost of installation, including gluing the seams and maintaining the product due to water infiltration or rupture during foot traffic, these paper products are not recommended for more than a day or two of use.
For some short-term applications, inexpensive disposable films are the most economical choice. Cheap, easy-to-install carpet film protects carpets most effectively for up to 45 days. The rolls are wound up the other way round for easy installation and protect carpets for up to 45 days. Foils are also the best choice for vertical protection of stainless steel elevator doors and some plumbing fixtures. When films do not provide sufficient protection, thicker disposable adhesive products are needed. Protecta-foam is a thick, disposable, self-adhesive foam that is easy to install and remove, and can save builders thousands of dollars in costly repairs. Protects cabinets, stainless steel appliances, countertops and other sensitive surfaces.
Wooden floors and stairs are the two surfaces where thick, long-term protection makes the greatest financial sense. The high cost of wood materials and installation, coupled with the repair costs, make them worth the extra cost of long-term protection. While site managers may be tempted to opt for cheaper, one-off protection measures, the cost savings may not add up when comparing the top performance of reusable products for the protection of expensive floors. They tend to be thicker and more durable, plus they are convenient when they are on hand when needed for a new job. .
There are several products on the market for the protection of wooden floors with a thickness of 30 to 50 mm. Clean and Safe ™ is a reusable floor protection made of recycled materials. A slip-resistant underlay keeps it in place on wooden floors. For wooden stairs, the multi-purpose runner makes sense as it has a self-adhesive bottom that keeps the protection in place and ensures it won’t leave a sticky residue when removed. Both of these products are available from several US distributors
Several products on the market combine the low cost of disposable protection with the advantages of thicker reusable protection. Compressed cardboard door protectors such as DoorGuard ™, edge protectors and window sill protectors are inexpensive and reusable. These products are made from recycled cardboard and can be recycled themselves, making them an excellent choice for green construction.
Recently launched surface protection products include fireproof, heavy-duty plastic floor protections such as Coverguard®. As much of the commercial construction industry has concentrated on building hospitals, there has been an increased need for fire-resistant products. Bainbridge, manufacturer of Coverguard®, has seen an opportunity for its boat deck manufacturing in the construction industry and is now selling floor protection through local distributors. When converting hospitals, it is also necessary to use fire-resistant plastic films for dust control. While fireproof products are safer on all construction sites, they are much more expensive and therefore unprofitable unless absolutely necessary.
How does the site manager know which products are the most profitable? The best advice is to contact your local surface protection expert to discuss your specific project, including how long protection will be required and how many workers will be on site. Product specialists work closely with site managers and remodelers to help them choose the best value products.
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Source by Patricia Mullen