Polythene Sheeting – a versatile product

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

Medium duty polythene sheeting

3M X 10M Clear Polythene Sheeting 125Mu

Heavy duty sheeting

Clear Polythene Sheeting 125Mu / 500G