Mil Thickness of Plastic Sheeting- How thick should the plastic be for my application?
Not Sure What Thickness you Need For Your Project?
1. What is the plastic sheeting protecting?
2. For what period of time and under what conditions must the plastic hold up?
3. See the chart below or just ask. We are here for you. Call 760 597 9298 or press the button below from your cell phone.
Common Uses For Different Thickness of Plastic Sheeting
Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting:
Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting- what is it? It first boils down to what job will the plastic sheeting be required to perform? A six mil reinforced film can be considered "heavy duty" when it is used to cover a desk to keep it clear of dust. That same "heavy duty sheet" would not be strong enough to line a landfill. Understanding the strength and thickness of the film, its composition and additives and chemical make-up as well as the job it has to perform will help determine if a film is fit for the job at hand. It is critical that the film not only be assessed on its mil thickness. For example, if the film is in the sun, it needs UV protection additives to maintain its strength.
Thickness |
Plastic Sheeting Mil Thickness Uses |
1-2 mil |
Economical/ light duty protection for indoor painting • Covering equipment • pallets • furniture during painting |
3 mil |
Self-Adhesive plastics for: Counters, Carpeting, Floors, Hardwood, Tile, Bath Tubs C&A Films: Painting, Covers (thickness equivalent is a plastic shopping bag) |
6 Mil |
Barge Liners/ Liners • Construction Enclosures • Temporary Erosion Control • Construction Enclosures • Remediation CoversTemporary liners or Covers • Shipping and Packaging•Insulation Membranes • Curtains•Job Site Covers • Vapor Retarders • Lumber Covers • Cargo Wraps·Silage Covers • Greenhouse Plastic • Heat Shrink Wrap • Anti-Static Equipment Covers |
10 Mil |
Pond/Canal Linings • Outdoor Coverings • Remediation Liners • Cargo Oil Field Pit Liners • Silage Covers• Unexposed lining applications Construction Enclosures • Vapor Retarders • Asbestos Abatements • Fumigation Covers•Insulation Membranes • Temporary Walls-Curtains • Job Site Coverings • Temporary Wall Remediation Covers• Temporary Erosion Control -Thickness equivalent would be 10 sheets of paper. |
12 Mil |
Daily Landfill Covers • Cargo Covering • Interim Landfill Covers• Remediation Covers or Liners • Outdoor Covers •Temporary Rainshed Covers |
14 Mil |
Protective Coverings for decks on Navy ships, Coast Guard Fleet, Mega yachts, Commercial Flooring, Hospitals, Laboratories, Government Facilities, and Power plants. |
15 Mil |
Under-slab Vapor Barrier • Foundation Wall Vapor Barrier |
20 Mil |
Aquaponics liners • Vapor Retarders • Daily Landfill Covers • Interim Landfill Caps • Erosion Control Cover • Under-slab Vapor Retarders • Earthen Liners • Grain Storage |
24 Mil |
Hay Covers, Canal-Retension Pond Liner |
30 Mil |
Containment Liners • Oilfield Pit Liners • Fish Hatchery Liners • Canal Liners • Interim Landfill Covers • Outdoor CoversRoot barrier, pit liners, soil remediation, canal liner |
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What mil thickness should you use for your crawl space vapor barrier?
