Mil Thickness of Plastic Sheeting- How thick should the plastic be for my application?
Plastic Sheeting Thickness Guide
Choosing the right plastic sheeting thickness is easy with our handy guide!
Understanding Mils:
- Mils measure thickness in thousandths of an inch.
- Thicker isn't always better – consider material and application.
- Think of mils as armor thickness, not just overall size.
Additional Factors:
- Application: Consider specific needs like UV resistance, fire retardancy, etc.
- Material: Different plastics offer different properties.
- Budget: Find the balance between affordability and performance.
Common Uses For Different Thickness of Plastic Sheeting
Matching Thickness To The Task
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 |
Return to the Mil Thickness Page
What mil thickness should you use for your crawl space vapor barrier?
