I’ll never forget the time a determined house cat clawed his way through the sheet of plastic that separated our work area from the occupied part of the house. Before any of us noticed his presence, the intruder had leaped onto the painter’s stepladder and sent a gallon of dusty rose alkyd semi-gloss cascading onto the floor. I learned the hard way that protecting a customer’s home during a remodeling project takes more than plastic sheeting and canvas drop cloths.

Whether by hard knocks or common sense, most remodelers have learned these lessons as well. At this year’s Remodelers’ Show (www.remodelersShow.com), I saw more dust control and protection products than I’d ever seen before. On the trade show floor, companies such as Protective Products International (www.protectiveproducts.com) and Dust Door and Wall System (www.dustdoor1.com) demonstrated a wide variety of stuff that’s designed to protect people and property without slowing down production.

In addition to various devices that make it quick and easy to erect plastic dust barriers, some of the products on display included plastic door-jamb protectors, adhesive-backed, bubble-wrap countertop covers, tacky floor mats that remove dirt from boots, and shoe-cover booties that enable workers to walk through occupied areas of the house without fear of tracking in dirt or spilled paint.

For me, the two most impressive products were the Dust Door and the Clean & Safe Drop Cloth. The signature product from Dust Door and Wall System is a heavy-duty, reusable vinyl barrier that securely fastens to any door frame using a system of soft clamps and Velcro. Entry is gained by means of a sturdy nylon zipper. Unlike plastic sheeting, workers can go in and out of this doorway without having to repair or replace it on a daily basis. Although its main purpose is dust control, the Dust Door should also serve as an effective barrier against casual intruders such as small children and household pets.

If I’d had the Dust Door in place a few years ago, the cat would have remained safely outside. But even if he had found a way to sneak in, the Clean & Safe Drop Cloth (www.dropcloth.com) should have been able to control the paint spill. Unlike canvas, the Clean & Safe Drop Cloth is made of a highly absorbent felt that’s applied over a leak-proof backing. As an added benefit, the backing has a skid-resistant base so the drop cloth stays where you put it.

The Clean & Safe Drop Cloth retails for 22 cents per sq. ft. Prices for the Dust Door start at $89 (for a no’frills model) and range upwards of $300. Both products are available directly from the manufacturers.

Former remodeler Tom O’Brien is an associate editor at Fine Homebuilding.

Photos: Tom O’Brien

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