Plastic sheeting

Buy best value plastic sheeting and covers from an extensive range of polythene rolls.

Plastic sheeting is...

• A great solution for protecting floors, large surfaces and furniture from paint, dust or debris created during building or decorating work
• Often referred to as ‘builders’ rolls’, due to the fact that it is popular in the building and construction industry
• A favourite of tradespeople, including painters and decorators, plasterers and carpenters
• Also referred to as wide sheeting, as it comes in wide sheets capable of covering large areas
• Sold on the roll, usually 1m wide, and folds out into a sheet 2m wide (single fold) or 4m wide (multi-fold)
• Available in clear polythene or black polythene as standard
• Available in medium duty (100 micron / 400 gauge) or heavy duty (200 micron / 800 gauge) polythene
• Strong, tough, waterproof, durable and reusable
• Suitable for use as a waterproof membrane
• Suitable for use as temporary roofing
• Also manufactured as damp proof membrane (extra thick 250 micron polythene) or specialist flame-retardant polythene (also 250 micron)

What people are sharing about compactor sacks

BioBag Compostable Dog Waste Bags

Dog waste bags need to balance hygiene, strength and disposal behaviour, because a thin bag that splits in a park or on a bin dash causes far more trouble than a slightly heavier one. A compostable grades, when manufactured to the proper normal, can give enough puncture resistance for routine use while still breaking down below controlled composting conditions. That matters to packers and retailers as much as stop users, since poor gauge control or weak sealing can lead to leaks, returns and complaints. Certification to recognised standards gives a clearer specification for procurement and handling, so the bag can be chosen for performance rather than guesswork.

Medium duty waste sacks need enough strength to survive normal waste handling without becoming a drag on buying, storage, or disposal. A 10kg rating suits mixed light commercial waste, paperwork, and daily shop-floor waste, where sharp corners and damp contents can still test the film. If the gauge is also thin, sacks split amid lifting or snag on bin edges; if it is also heavy, material is wasted and the roll or case acquires bulkier than needed. A case of 200 gives a sensible reserve for busy sites and assists stock rotation because the packs are easy to count and issue. That balance makes the sack practical rather than above-specified.

Black sacks are often chosen because they give low-cost, no-nonsense performance for normal waste where appearance matters less than containment. The dark colour conceals the contents, which can be useful in back-of-house areas, nevertheless the proper issue is gauge and puncture resistance, since a thin sack can split on sharp packaging offcuts, broken glass, or heavy mixed waste. In a warehouse or service yard, that means cleaner handling and less leaks if the bag matches the waste stream properly. A cost-effective sack that fails early ends up costing more in labour and cleanup, so the proper specification normally matters above the headline price.

Bin bags are the gross material for any job that requirements strength, security, or dignity, because thin polythene suppliers can split, slip, and fail below load. In a warehouse or on a shop floor, a sack meant for light waste may cope with loose packaging scraps, nevertheless it is no substitute for proper containment when weight, abrasion, or movement matters. The gross gauge leaves contents exposed, and once a seam gives method the mess spreads fast. Better specification is not only tidier; it prevents avoidable damage and handling problems.

Bio-degradable swing bin liners need to match the bin and the waste, or they fast become a nuisance. A film that is fine for dry kitchen scraps may tear as soon as heavier peelings, cans, or damp tea bags proceed in, so gauge and film blend matter above the label on the pack. A normal swing bin also places strain on the top edge all time the lid transports, which means a superb fit and a tidy cuff assist stop slipping. In practice, a liner that grasps its shape saves both mess and time at emptying.

Buy 20 Black Heavy Duty Compactour Sacks / Refuse / Rubbish Bags 60 micron / 240 gauge Online

Black heavy duty compactour sacks are the proper selection when waste is mixed, heavy, and awkward to handle. A thicker gauge gives the film more tear resistance, so offcuts, dense sweepings, and compressed shop-floor waste are less likely to split the bag as it occupies and settles. That additional strength matters because a sack often fails when the load shifts at the bottom rather than at the top. Black film also retains the contents out of sight, which suits storage areas and assortment points where containment matters above presentation. A tougher sack normally means less leaks and less time spent clearing up after a failure.

Black compactour sacks need to cope with rough, heavy loads without splitting, and that beginnings with the proper film gauge. A jumbo sack manufactured from 300 gauge, around 75 micron, has enough body to handle dense waste, mixed residues, and sharp waste that would defeat a lighter bag. The black colour also assists conceal unsightly contents and retains the load tidier at the point of assortment. In warehouse and janitorial work, that additional strength means less tied-off bursts, less floor damage from spillages, and less time spent double-bagging weak sacks. A tougher sack pays for itself by keeping waste contained and moving cleanly through the handling chain.

A black compactour sack in a heavy grade earns its place by coping with waste that normal liners cannot manage. The thicker polythene suppliers film gives better puncture resistance when a load contains broken cartons, food waste, jagged strapping or other sharp offcuts that would fast split a lighter bag. That additional strength also assists when a bin is compacted, because the sack has to stretch, settle and grasp shape without tearing at the base or side gussets. The black stop is not only about appearance either; it conceals mixed waste and retains back-of-house areas looking tidier. Where handling is rough, the stronger sack reduces leaks, clean-up time and avoidable bin failures.

5280 Clear Compactour Sacks 22x33x45"

Clear compactour sacks are chosen when waste requirements to be gathered, compressed, and still identified fast at a glance. A transparent film lets supervisours and operatives check contents without opening the sack, which assists separate recyclable material from normal waste and reduces the chance of pollution. That matters on busy sites where a gross bag can slow down sorting or trigger additional disposal charges. The 22x33x45 inch size gives useful capacity for light fat waste, nevertheless the proper value comes from the material's ability to stretch and grasp shape below pressure. A sack that splits below compaction creates mess, downtime, and handling damage, so film strength and seal quality matter above appearance.

Clear Compactour Sack 20x36x46" 180G

A transparent compactour sack with a 180 gauge film gives more control where heavy, awkward waste has to be kept visible and packed down hard. The thicker material resists splitting when waste is compressed, so the bag is less likely to fail at the seams or around sharp edges. That matters on shop floors, in stockrooms and in back-of-house areas where mixed waste, carton trim and broken packaging can create handling problems. Because the sack is transparent, contents can be checked fast without emptying it, which assists with sorting and avoids wasted time. A proper gauge selection reduces leakage and makes disposal easier.

Plastic sheeting - the painter’s friend

Somewhere near the top of a painter’s inventory list - just after paintbrushes and paint - is the builders’ roll. These plastic sheets are so popular with painters and decorators that they could easily be called ‘painters’ rolls’.

Plastic sheeting allows painters to get on with their job with complete peace of mind. All it takes is a bit of preparation time to unfold the plastic sheeting and cover floors, carpets, furniture or other items that need protecting, before they can then concentrate fully on their painting without worrying about excess paint dripping onto the surfaces in question.

At the end of the working day or when the job has been completed, the painter can simply pick up the roll, fold it or roll it back up for use on the next job.

Painters don’t have the monopoly on plastic sheeting, however. Other tradespeople also use the protective covering, including carpenters and plasters, for the very same reasons as painters - to give them a simple and quick solution to protecting surfaces during their work, leaving them to concentrate on the job.

How much plastic sheeting do I need?

The amount of plastic sheeting you require to cover an area in preparation for a job will depend on a number of factors:

1. The overall size of the floor area that needs covering
2. The amount and size of other items that need covering (e.g. furniture)
3. How many times you want to lay your plastic sheeting during the job
4. How contained the mess created will be to the working area

Obviously, the bigger the surface area you have to cover (point 1) and the more furniture items you have to cover (point 2), the more plastic sheeting you will need, unless you are happy to move your plastic sheeting around during the job (point 3).

One other important thing to consider is that dust may easily blow away from the immediate working area so some jobs, such as sanding or drilling, are likely to need a wider area covered around the work zone than others, such as painting (point 4).

Plastic sheeting - measuring up

Once you have decided how big an area you need to cover in one go, you need to work out how many sheets you need. Remember that plastic sheeting is traditionally sold on 1m rolls that fold out to either 2m-wide ‘single-fold’ sheets or 4m-wide ‘multi-fold’ sheets.

So, if you need to cover an area that's 3m x 10m, you’ll either need one 10m long section of a 4m multi-fold sheet, or two 10m long sections of a 2m single-fold sheet, which you’ll then place alongside each other, with some overlap, to cover the required area.

When purchasing your plastic sheeting, don’t forget that 4m-wide multi-fold sheets will, in general, be sold on a roll half the length of a 2m-wide single-fold sheet, as there is twice as much plastic being wrapped around the roll.

Both single-fold rolls and multi-fold rolls will, as standard, contain 200m² of plastic sheeting and will weigh the same (100 micron ‘medium duty’ clear polythene x 200m² = 18kg). The single fold roll will measure 2m x 100m, while the multi-fold roll will measure 4m x 50m.

Heavy or medium duty polythene?

Another important factor to consider when choosing the plastic sheeting you need for a job is the sort of debris you are protecting your floors, surfaces and objects from.

If you are only likely to create a light covering of debris, such as dripping paint or dust from sanding, then the chances are you will only require a medium duty plastic sheet, which comes in 100 micron (400 gauge) clear polythene.

If you’re working in a more ‘heavy duty’ environment, such as on a building site or in the garden, then you may find prefer to use 200 micron (800 gauge) heavy duty plastic sheeting, which will offer more protection to the surfaces from bumps, scratches or scrapes.

Extra thick plastic membrane

Even more durable and robust than standard heavy duty plastic sheeting is damp proof membrane - an extra thick sheet of polythene, weighing in at a minimum of 250 microns (1000 gauge) thick.

Usually made from black or blue recycled polythene, damp proof membrane (DPM) can be used as part of a damp proof course (DPC) to prevent the onset of rising damp in building work, or for other heavy duty waterproofing.

A good damp proof course is fundamental to preventing unwanted moisture from entering the interior space of a building. For this reason, damp proof membrane is quality controlled by the British Board of Agreement (BBA), such keep an eye out for their approval on the product before you buy.

Black plastic sheeting

Black plastic sheeting can be used in the same way as clear plastic sheeting, to protect surfaces during building or renovation work, or as a waterproof membrane. One advantage that black sheeting has over clear sheeting is that it also provides a light-proof cover and so can be useful for both absorbing heat and covering items when security is important.

Where to buy plastic sheeting

Plastic sheeting manufacturers and suppliers include:

Layflat Tubing
The number one layflat tubing website on the internet. Layflat Tubing stock a huge range of poly tubing and heat sealers at fantastic wholesale prices, with simple online ordering and free UK delivery. The only layflat tubing website you'll need.
www.layflat-tubing.co.uk

Polythene Sheeting
Poly Sheets is the website to visit for all of your polythene sheeting needs. Containing loads of useful information on poly sheeting, also known as builders rolls, plus builders bags and damp proof membrane, with details of where to buy them.
www.polysheets.co.uk

Polythene Rolls
If you're looking to buy polythene rolls, layflat tubing, shrink covers, stretch wrap or damp proof sheeting, then this is the website for you. Featuring loads of useful information on polythene sheeting and a list of the best online stockists.
www.polythenerolls.com

Polythene Tubing
A brilliant online resource for anyone interested in buying polythene tubing, also known as layflat tubing. Find out all you need to know about poly tubing, how it is made and what it is used for, with a detailed buying guide for you to get the best discount prices.
www.discountlayflattubing.co.uk

Rubble Bags
The number one website on rubble bags - the super-strong waste sacks that are essential for every building site and ideal for heavy duty work in the garden, DIY projects at home or transporting heavy rubble or rubbish to the tip.
www.rubblebags.org

Builders Rolls
Builders Rolls is the go-to website for the builders, painters and decorators looking to buy wide-fold plastic sheeting, often referred to as builders rolls. With lots of information on what to look for and where to buy builders rolls at the best prices.
www.buildersrolls.com

Latest news and views on compactor sacks

Biodegradable Waste Bags - 6x12 pcs

Dog waste bags need to balance strength, size and convenience if they are going to work properly on a routine walk. A pack manufactured as a small shopping unit has to grasp enough bags to feel useful, yet stay tidy on a shelf and easy to stash in a pocket or lead pouch. The film grade must resist splitting when lifted or tied, because a weak bag creates mess and complaints very fast. Print and pack format also matter, since a tidy multipack assists easy stock rotation and predictable picking in storage. A compact, well-manufactured pack earns its place by handling daily use without fuss.

Refuse Sacks (40pc)

Twenty-part waste sack packs work optimal when the gauge and fold are matched to the job, because a cost-effective-looking bundle can still fail once it reaches a busy bin store or a cleaning trolley. A small count like this suits top-up purchasing and easier handling on site, so the pack requirements to stay tidy, open cleanly, and keep safe the sacks from scuffing or sticking together. If the film is also thin, splitting and leakage become the problem; if it is also stiff, the sack loses its easy pull-off feel. Good secondary packing retains the count proper and the stock easy to rotate.

Black sacks 100lt (x50)

Black sacks in the 100-litre size are optimal judged by how they behave once they are filled, lifted, and tied, not only by the number on the box. A larger sack gives more room for fat waste, nevertheless the film still has to cope with weight, corners, and awkward shapes without splitting in the bin or on the trolley. In shop-floor and warehouse use, the proper gauge assists reduce burst bags, floor mess, and double handling. An efficient pack of fifty also suits stock control because it sits neatly on a shelf and is easy to issue in manageable quantities.

(12 x Liners on a roll, lasts 24 weeks!) Heavy duty wheelie bin bags 200 gauge/50 microns - Large bag size - Very robust!

Heavy duty wheelie bin bags in 200 gauge, or around 50 microns, are chosen when the risk of splitting matters above the small saving of a thinner film. At that thickness, the polythene suppliers copes better with sharp offcuts, food waste, broken packaging and the rough edges that build up in a busy bin. The larger bag size assists the liner sit properly in a wheelie bin without being stretched tight across the corners, which lowers the chance of tears at the rim. That makes waste handling tidier and reduces the mess caused by a failed liner.

Pedal Bin Liners

Pedal bin liners need to fit cleanly and open properly, otherwise the all bin becomes awkward to use. A pack of 100 suits normal domestic or light commercial waste streams because it reduces the need for constant reordering while still keeping stock easy to handle on a shelf or trolley. The bag has to match the bin size and rim shape, since a liner that is also small can slip down and one that is also big may bunch up and grasp on the lid or pedal mechanism. Good gauge and enough film tension assist the liner stay in position without tearing at the rim. That makes daily waste handling quicker and tidier.

Black heavy duty compactour sacks need a tougher film if mixed waste, sharp offcuts and dense waste are going to be contained without constant split bags and spillages. A 200 gauge building gives the sack enough body to cope with awkward contents and the rough treatment that comes with busy production floors, stockrooms and back-of-house handling, where bags are dragged, lifted and overfilled. The black stop also assists retain waste discreet when it is being moved through public or shared areas. That combination of strength and concealment makes the sack a practical selection where waste control has to stay tidy.

Black compactour sacks are chosen because they grasp heavy, wet, and awkward waste without splitting when the load is tightened down. The thicker film and better gauge matter when bins are full of mixed packaging, damp paper, or food waste that would fast burst a thinner waste sack. Their dark colour also conceals the contents, which is useful where waste is unsightly or where tidy presentation matters amid assortment and storage. In practice, the sack has to fit the compactour cycle, survive rough handling, and still close properly at lift-out. That makes them a sensible selection for sites that need less breakages and cleaner waste movement.

A black compactour sack is judged by how it survives hard waste, not by how tidy it sees on the pallet. Dense waste, sharp offcuts and mixed kitchen or building waste put proper strain on the film, so the gauge has to stay even and the extrusion quality has to be proper enough to avoid weak spots. A sack that sees fine in storage can split at the collar or along the gusset once the compactour beginnings to press down, and that means spillage, cleanup and lost time. Good puncture resistance and tear strength normally matter above a clever closure, because the bag has to cope with rough handling from occupy to assortment.

Clear Compactour Sacks Heavy Duty (100 Case)

Clear compactour sacks are a sound selection for heavier normal waste because the thicker film stands up better when bins are packed hard and the load is compressed. The transparent stop assists waste teams see what is inside, which cuts mistakes when separating mixed waste from recyclables or checking for banned items. That matters in warehouses, shops and production areas where a closed black sack can conceal sharp offcuts, food waste or packaging that should be sorted differently. A superb sack also requirements enough gauge and seal strength to survive rough handling on the method to the skip. When the sack grasps together below pressure, the all waste route runs with less spills and less wasted time.

A transparent compactour sack is a clever selection where waste requirements to be packed down and checked fast, because the transparent film lets staff see what has gone straight into the bin. That matters on busy sites where mixed waste can conceal mistakes, like recyclable material going into normal disposal or sharp offcuts being left inside a sack. Made from recycled LDPE, the sack has enough give to cope with being filled in a larger dustbin, while still handling above light housekeeping waste. The transparent stop also assists with stock control and waste audits, since the contents can be checked without opening all bag. That saves time and reduces handling around the bin area.

Research & Resources

For more information on plastic sheeting or builders rolls, including details of how it is manufactured and the range of protective polythene sheeting available, please visit:

PlasticBags.uk.com: The UK's premier polythene packaging online directory. Retailers can submit items for listing and customers can browse a selection of plastic sheeting websites.

PackagingKnowledge: The online polythene packaging encyclopedia, featuring a wide range of articles and a huge amount of information on plastic sheeting.

Goldstork: Free online directory listing the best of the web, featuring carefully selected information and specialist plastic sheeting websites.

Plastic rolls or polythene rolls?

What is the difference between plastic rolls and polythene rolls? These terms and others like them - including plastic sheeting, builders rolls, poly rolls or polythene film - are often mixed and matched to describe a variety of polythene products. The one thing all of the terms have in common is that they refer to a sheet of plastic - or polythene - that is wound around a central roll and dispensed by unwinding the roll until you have as large a sheet as you need.

Whilst the terms may be interchanged by some people, by and large, in the building trade the term 'plastic rolls' is used to describe plastic sheeting, also known as builders rolls, which is widely used by builders, painters and decorators to protect large areas or objects such as furniture from dust, dirt, stray paint and so on. Damp proof membrane, used to provide a damp proof layer for buildings, is also included in the 'plastic rolls' family.

The term 'polythene rolls' on the other hand, is most often used to describe rolls of polythene film that are used for packaging or wrapping items. These include single layers of film, such as shrink wrap pallet covers, PVC clear wrapping and glossy clear polypropylene wrapping, as well as polythene tubing - also known as layflat tubing - which is used to wrap objects of awkwards shapes and sizes and comes in regular or anti-static polythene.