Flooring and surfaces often bear the brunt of debris and potential damage in construction and renovation projects. Leaving them exposed shouldn’t be an option. Two solutions are commonly used: impact protection and surface protection.
They may seem similar, but each uses different materials and techniques to achieve the required coverage. The choice between them depends on the specific level of protection needed for each application. This guide will explore their differences to help you understand when and how each approach is best applied.
What is Impact Protection?
Impact protection, in the context of flooring, is a measure aimed at minimising or preventing damage caused by physical impacts. It absorbs, disperses, or redirects impact forces to the floor underneath. Most products in this category are designed to act as a cushion capable of withstanding heavy loads and high foot traffic, on top of impact damage.
What Is Surface Protection?
Surface protection is a measure taken to preserve the visible surfaces of walls, windows, including floors, and other exposed areas that require light coverage. Common materials include temporary protective films, which are applied directly to the surface being protected. This method creates a barrier against paint splatters, scratches, and other substances that could cause damage.
Maximum vs Minimal Protection Requirements
Impact protection prioritises providing maximum defence that is achieved through the careful design of the product’s structure. Its versatility can extend beyond floors to various surfaces like countertops, sinks, cabinets, walls, and flat appliances such as refrigerators.
Take Floorgard Corry Board, for instance. When placed over bare flooring or surfaces, it provides impact protection through its corrugated twin-walled structure. This design features two layers of polypropylene plastic separated by ribbed patterns, creating a ‘buffer’ between the bare floor and the objects above. This setup reduces the impact of dropped tools, materials, or equipment.
In contrast, surface protection focuses on minimal shielding with simple construction using adhesive films. A multi-surface protector, for instance, can be applied to various surfaces made from wood, metal, plastic, and glass. It can remain in place for up to 90 days, unlike standard options that typically offer only 30 days of protection. However, it can’t guarantee the same level of protection as its impact counterpart.
Note: Some impact protection products are designed for minimal coverage. Tuffcard makes an excellent example — a hard-wearing card roll good for all floor types and other surfaces, furnishings and worktops. Instead of adhesives, these alternatives are installed using low tack tape or reinforced tape.
Which Type of Protection Suits Your Needs Best?
Consider the demand of your project to determine the right type of protection needed. Impact protection, such as Floorgard Corry Board, excels in shock absorption and can endure frequent foot traffic. Surface protection is ideal for light-duty applications, including preventing scratches and stains.
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of impact and surface protection. If you’re looking for quality and trusted temporary floor protection, SP Group is your one-stop shop.
Contact us via hello@s-pgroup.como r call us at +44 (028) 9442 8611. Our 5-star rated customer service is ready to assist you with your order or offer a FREE consultation.