Polythene sheeting is a plastic film made from petroleum. It’s an incredibly versatile product used in a wide range of applications.
Polythene is almost completely waterproof, though it will allow oxygen, carbon dioxide and flavourings to pass through it. It can be clear (transparent), translucent or opaque which makes it useful for a variety of functions. Polythene sheeting is usually sold in rolls and different additives can be added to vary its functionality, for example making it fire retardant, UV inhibiting, anti-static, high strength and high or low slip. It can also be made from virgin grade, BRC approved food grade or recycled polythene, or can even contain a volatile corrosive inhibitor to minimise the formation of rust on the item it is covering.
It comes in various thicknesses, measured in gauge (the traditional imperial measurement) or microns (the European metric standard). The higher the gauge or microns, the thicker the film is. The different thicknesses are more suited to different applications.
Light duty polythene sheeting is very thin, around 86 microns, and is often used as a dust cover or for protection when painting or spraying.
Medium duty polythene sheeting is around 125 microns and is useful for general protection and to cover large items such as furniture. It’s also good as a floor protector when painting and decorating, and for general wrapping when storing or moving items. Gardeners often use it for cloches or ground warming.
Heavy duty sheeting is around 250 microns and used when more robust protection is needed, usually in construction or industrial applications. It’s ideal for use as a damp proof membrane, temporary roof covering or window repair, for sealing off rooms or protecting countertops, and for protection against the weather, as well as for heavy duty wrapping during storage or transit.
Typical rolls are shown below
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Light duty polythene sheeting
25m x 4m Clear Polythene 60mu
- 4m x 25m Roll Clear TPS ( Temporary Protective Sheeting)
- Thicker and Stronger 60mu, Providing the perfect sheeting for all your building and Decorating Uses
- All Rolls are 4m x 25m and folded on the roll for convenience and storage purposes to 1m
- Manufactured in the UK from both Virgin and Recycled Materials
Medium duty polythene sheeting
Elixir Clear Polythene Sheeting | 2M Wide | Various Lengths | 1000 Gauge / 250mu x 10m
- 2m wide sheeting x various lengths
- Manufactured by Elixie Polythene Ltd in the UK
- Ideal for gardening and building applications
- 1000g (250mu) thick Heavy Duty Polythene
- Contains some recycled content
Heavy duty sheeting
Extra Heavy Duty 2m x 10 Clear Polythene Sheeting – 1200g
- 2m wide sheeting x various lengths
- Manufactured by Lynx Polythene Ltd in the UK
- Ideal for gardening and building applications
- 1200g thick Heavy Duty Polythene
- Contains some recycled content
