Plastic Sheeting Blog. Click on Home for all our product categories...

What Thickness of Plastic Sheeting Should You Use For Your Project?

Posted by The Plastic Sheeting Gurus! on Wed, Mar 23, 2022 @ 03:59

Find me on:

What Thickness Of Plastic Sheeting Should You Use For Your Project?

What Thickness of Plastic Sheeting Should You Use For Your Project?

What is thicker? 4 mil or 6 mil plastic sheeting? When measuring plastic sheeting the higher the numerical value the thicker the plastic/poly.  Therefore, 6 mil is thicker than 5 mil, 4 mil and so on. Does thickener mean it’s stronger? If neither thickness of plastic has any additive or string reinforcement, thicker is stronger depending on the application.

Which plastic sheeting is STRONGER? 

A 6 mil virgin polyethylene sheet of plastic, or a 6 mil string reinforced virgin polyethylene sheet of plastic? Both films are relatively the same thickness, but the plastic with the nylon string running through it is stronger. String reinforced plastic sheeting is tear resistant and thus can stand up to wind and the elements better.

What is engineered plastic that is string reinforced?

Depending on the manufacturer, high quality polyethylene plastic is laminated together with  a layer of string reinforcement.

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? Sun, wind, heat, chemicals, etc.
  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. 

Test alt test?

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  Covers

Temporary 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 Land fill 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

30 Mil

40 Mil

Containment Liners • Oilfield Pit Liners • Fish Hatchery Liners • Canal Liners • Interim Landfill Covers • Outdoor Covers

 Root barrier, pit liners, soil remediation, canal liner

We love talking about plastic sheeting and how to use it. Please give us a ring if you have any questions.

Resource page for Plastic Sheeting, Greenhouse Plastic, Fire Retardant Products, HDPE- LLDPE, Tapes  760 597 9298 Global plastic sheeting

Tapes Applications What to use when!

866 597 9298.  Thanks!