Plastic sheeting, also known as poly sheeting, is a durable and versatile product that can be used for a wide range of applications. It is waterproof and resistant to tears and punctures, making it ideal for use in construction and other projects where protection from wind, rain, snow, and other hazards is important. It can also be used in industrial and commercial settings, as well as in agriculture and residential applications. In this users guide, we will explore the many ways that plastic sheeting can be used to protect your jobsite, business, home, or other application.
One common application for plastic plastic sheeting/ poly sheeting is in construction. It can be used to create waterproof barriers, to protect surfaces from paint and other debris, and to cover scaffolding. It can also be used as help cover roofs, walls, flooring, and other structures as well as materials and equipment.
In industrial and commercial settings, poly plastic sheeting can be utilized to shield equipment and inventory from the elements, debris, and other hazards to create temporary walls or partitions, and to cover work areas.
For agriculture purposes, plastic sheeting can be used as a covering for harvested crops, to guard them from the rain, snow, wind, pests, and other issues. It can also be used to create greenhouse walls and roofs as well as for lining tunnels.
Additionally, plastic sheeting can be used in residential applications for a variety of purposes inside and outside. It can be utilized to protect furniture, floors, carpets, and other structures and structures from damage during painting, repair, or renovation projects as well to make a temporary room divider or to cover a pool or hot tub.
What is plastic sheeting and what are its applications?
Plastic sheeting (poly sheeting) is a durable polyethylene manufactured film that is used for a variety of purposes. In construction, plastic sheeting can be used as a vapor barrier, protect machinery and equipment from rain or dust. Clear plastic sheeting can also be used as a temporary window or doorway at jobsites. Reinforced plastic sheeting, which has added strength and tear resistance, can be used as a containment barrier for hazardous materials or lead paint. Plastic sheeting can also have broad uses outside of construction, such as protecting furniture during a move or covering items in storage. Overall, plastic sheeting is a durable, versatile, easy to handle, and an extremely cost-effective solution for many needs.
When it comes to plastic sheeting, it is important to choose the right type for your specific needs. Clear poly sheeting is the most basic option, offering simple protection from dust and debris. Reinforced poly sheeting, on the other hand, is stronger and less prone to tearing or puncturing. For projects where fire safety is a concern, fire retardant poly sheeting is a must-have. Beyond these options, there are also plastic sheets available in a multiple thicknesses and sized rolls. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on the specific application and desired level of protection. It is always better to err on the side of caution and choose a more durable or specialized option if unsure.
To follow are some of the popular Plastic Sheeting / Poly Sheeting products that include the thicknesses of 5 Mil, 6 Mil, and 10 Mil with a variety of options that include reinforced and fire retardant:
Clear Poly Sheeting
clear plastic (poly) sheeting is a 6 Mil thick durable and waterproof fabric that is also rot and chemical resistant offered in 40’ X 100’ rolls. They are typically utilized at construction sites as temporary building enclosures, temporary walls, and building wraps. Clear poly sheeting does not contain hems or grommets.
White Reinforced Poly Sheeting
This white reinforced poly / plastic sheeting, also known as hoarding sheeting, is a 3-ply white reinforced woven and coated polyethylene 6 Mil thick material that has a 1000 denier with 8 X 8 mesh count per square inch. This 2.5 ounce per square inch sheeting with a 1 Mil coating is waterproof along with being UV, acid, rot, and mildew resistant. The sheeting does not contain hems or grommets. This plastic sheeting is available in 20’ X 100’, 40’ X 100’, and 15’ X 300’ roll sizes utilized for most applications in a construction setting.
Clear Reinforced Poly Sheeting
This style of plastic sheeting is ideal for many construction sites and other environments to cover scaffolds, enclosures, buildings, and bridges. It is utilized for paint, dust, and sandblasting containment, building wraps, and temporary walls, It is also great as ice rink liners. The clear 6 Mil thick fabric is 7 X 7 woven reinforced polyethylene is 100 percent waterproof, UV resistant, puncture resistant, mildew resistant, and cold weather flexible. The product is not made with hems or grommets. This sheeting is offered in 20’ X 100’ and 40’ X 100’ rolls.
Translucent String Reinforced Poly Sheeting
The translucent 6 Mil thick string reinforced plastic sheeting is a 3-ply product with scrim reinforcement that is waterproof and cold weather flexible that is also UV, tear, mold, and mildew resistant. It contains no hems or grommets. This sheeting that does not have grommets or hems, is commonly utilized as construction sheeting wraps, building enclosures, ground covers, containment covers, abatement covers, and temporary walls. This translucent plastic sheeting is available in rolls of 20’ X 100’ and 40’ X 100’ sizes.
Translucent Woven Reinforced Poly Sheeting
Woven reinforced poly sheeting is provided in both 5 Mil and 6 Mil thick high strength translucent polyethylene, which is coated with a weather resistant and UV ray treatment for a durable and long-standing product. The 7 X 7 square in pattern waterproof plastic sheeting along with being mold, mildew, and UV ray resistant. This sheeting does not contain hems or grommets. This item is great for scaffold wrapping, temporary building enclosures, building wraps, equipment covers, containments covers, and ground covers. The 5 Mil sheeting is offered in 20’ X 100’ and 40’ X 100’ rolls and a 6 Mil thick sheeting in a 20’ X 100’ size roll.
White Fire Retardant Poly Sheeting
This 6 Mil thick plastic sheeting is fire retardant with a material weight of 2.4 ounces per square yard. The white poly fabric is available in 20’ X 100’ size rolls and have no hems or grommets. The fire retardant protection is typically utilized on construction sites as building wraps, temporary walls, scaffold wraps, and ground covers.
White Fire Retardant String Reinforced Poly Sheeting
A white fire retardant string reinforced poly sheeting product is available in both 6 Mil and 10 Mil thicknesses in 20’ X 100’ and 40’ X 100’ size rolls. This 2.4 ounces per square yard fire protectant material is ideal for many construction applications including building enclosures, scaffolding wraps, ground covers, and temporary walls. This item does not include hems nor grommets.
White Reinforced Fire Retardant Poly Sheeting
The white 6 Mil thick reinforced fire retardant plastic sheeting is a 7 X 7 woven reinforced fabric is waterproof and cold weather flexible as well as being tear, puncture, UV ray, chemical, and mildew resistant. This sheeting is ideal and industrial and construction sites for applications for temporary walls, equipment covers, building wraps, scaffold wraps, dust and sandblast containment, and paint overspray. The product is offered in a 20’ X 100’ roll. The item does not contain hems or grommets.
Translucent Woven Reinforced Flame Retardant Poly Sheeting
The translucent 5 Mil thick woven reinforced flame retardant plastic sheeting is made with high strength polyethylene. It is coated with a weather and UV ray resistant treatment for a long lasting product. The 7 X 7 square inch pattern sheeting is waterproof, cold weather flexible, and helps reduce airborne silica exposure. This poly sheeting is popular as equipment covers, temporary enclosures, ground covers, scaffold wraps, heat enclosures, and containment covers. This does not include hems or grommets. It is provided in 20’ X 100’ and 40’ X 100’ roll sizes.
White Woven Reinforced Anti-Static and Flame Retardant Poly Sheeting
This white anti-static and flame retardant 6 Mil thick reinforced polyethylene helps protect items from electrostatic and mechanical damage and hazards. It is popular for covering electric equipment and surfaces as well as temporary walls, abatement dust collection along with enclosing film inside buildings, residences, hospitals, schools, and offices. This product is available in 20’ X 100’ size rolls. The sheeting is easily identified with FR (fire retardant) Anti-Static printed throughout the material.
Translucent Greenhouse Poly Sheeting
Greenhouse sheeting is available is a 10 Mil thick heavy duty material that is 100 percent waterproof and UV ray resistant. The 5.7 ounce per square yard material weight fabric is translucent, naturally allowing great light penetration and helps diffuse shadows allowing good plant growth. This material is ideal for greenhouse sides and roofing helping protect against rain, snow, wind, and other hazards while transmitting the important sunlight. Containing no hems or grommets, this product is offered in 40’ X 60’ and 40’ X 100’ sizes.
The benefits of using plastic sheeting in construction and renovation projects
When it comes to construction and renovation projects, plastic sheeting is often overlooked as a useful tool. It is excellent in providing waterproof poly sheeting protection for both indoor and outdoor work areas, as well as providing a shield against wind and debris. The material can also serve as an effective enclosure for containing dust, paint spray and fumes, and other contaminants during the construction or renovation phases. In fact, many building codes require the use of plastic sheeting to ensure safety for workers and occupants. So next time you decide to tackle a construction or renovation project, consider the benefits of using plastic sheeting to protect your work area while helping maintain a safe environment.
Tips for using plastic sheeting in a variety of different applications
Plastic sheeting is a durable, versatile, and quite affordable construction material that can be utilized for a variety of applications. Here are some tips for using plastic sheeting in both residential and commercial construction: -To waterproof a foundation or basement wall, apply a layer of plastic sheeting before applying the waterproofing membrane. -To protect flooring from paint, construction debris, or other materials, cover the floor with plastic sheeting before starting any work. -To create a temporary door or window, cut a piece of plastic sheeting to size and fasten it in place with proper polyethylene receptive tape. -To insulate a room, cover the walls and ceiling with plastic sheeting before adding insulation. With these tips, you can take advantage of the many uses of plastic sheeting to complete your construction project quickly and efficiently.
How to install plastic sheeting properly for best results
Installing plastic sheeting is a simple and effective way to temporarily protect a work area from weather damage and do enclose dust, sandblasting, paint fumes, and other contaminants during construction, demolition, and abatement operations. When installing plastic sheeting, be sure to use fasteners that include zip ties, scaffold bungees, or tarp clips to secure the product. Poly tape may work well for some installation applications. If not tied down and fastened properly, the wind can catch the edges and possibly cause damage to the sheeting while also leaving the area or structure unprotected. For the best results, overlap the panels of sheeting by at least six inches and use at least two-inch wide tape to seal the connection. By following these simple tips, you can be sure that your plastic sheeting will provide effective protection against the elements, debris, and other hazards.
Shipping recommendations and reminders
Please keep in mind that since most of the poly / plastic sheeting is offered in 20’ and 40’ wide rolls, the product is too long and heavy to ship on small parcel carriers. They will typically be shipped on a third party common carrier box truck. Because of this mode of transportation your location must be able to handle this form of freight with proper dock access that is at least 10 feet wide with an overhead clearance of 14 feet or a large enough area to unload usually with a forklift. Other arrangements are sometimes made with the trucking company for the rolls to be picked up at the delivery terminal or the use of an alternate shipping address. All of this will be addressed when ordering and then the trucking company will work with you directly for the specific delivery instructions and additional requirements.
It is also required for you to inspect the poly sheeting or other products at the time of delivery prior to signing off on the trucking carrier’s delivery receipt. It is your responsibility to make sure the count is correct and that there is no apparent damage to the ordered products. Any issues or discrepancies are to be described and noted on the carrier’s Bill of Lading and signed by the driver. Credits cannot be issued or replacements provided for damage or missing items if it is not documented at the time of delivery.
Tarps Now has everything that you need for your Poly / Plastic Sheeting needs
Whether you are a construction, industrial, or commercial company as well as a homeowner or property owner that requires plastic sheeting for your worksite, project, or structure, Tarps Now has a wide range of effective products for the protection and production that you require. From clear poly sheeting to woven reinforced anti-static and flame retardant poly sheeting to greenhouse poly sheeting, we have the plastic protection that you need in a number of options. If you have questions, are not sure what you specifically require, or need some help ordering, please do not hesitate to contact Tarps Now toll free at (888) 800-1383 or by email sales@tarpsnow.com where one of the experienced, helpful, and pleasant team members located at our Michigan headquarters will be pleased to speak with you.
Tarps Now was founded and continues to operate in St. Joseph, Michigan. With our centrally and strategically located position within the United States and North America, we focus on the manufacturing, distribution, consultation, and sales of a wide selection of plastic / poly sheeting, general tarps, and industrial curtains along with accessories to help operate, maintain, and repair poly sheeting and tarps. For the tarp products, Tarps Now also has the capability to make custom tarps and industrial curtains. We are extremely proud to offer one of the largest selections of poly membrane sheet, tarps, and the assorted accessories along with our convenient, effective, and popular stock sizes that are used by homeowners, construction companies, industrial organizations, and municipalities throughout the United States and North America.
Please do not give it a second thought to contact our dedicated and professional Michigan based customer service staff. Each and every one always looks forward to working with you to find the best plastic sheeting, tarp, industrial, and accessory solution for your needs. Feel free to visit the Tarps Now website to review our varied and large product lines and the protection these items provide.
We would like to thank you for taking the time to read this article along with considering Tarps Now for your poly sheeting and tarp needs.
Happy Veterans Day! Tarps Now proudly honors all who are serving and have served.
