Replies

1. 
   ckorto | Feb 25, 2007 09:55pm | #1

   Lowe's sell 2'x2' 3/4" thick interlocking foam floor tiles.  Used mostly for children's rooms and home workout areas. A little expensive ($20 for 4) but they work great and when you drop your tape measure on the floor you'll be glad you had 'em. Chuck

2. 
   apiersma | Feb 25, 2007 09:59pm | #2

   One layer of rosin paper, or even thin 1/8" foam., Then a layer of 3/8 MDF or similar product. Each layer should be taped to keep all dust out. Tape the egdes too.

3. 
   VermJr | Feb 25, 2007 10:04pm | #3

   I purchase 4' x 8' sheets of cardboard from a local shipping supply house, lay them on a "clean" floor and tape them together with clear shipping tape. I have also taped them around the perimiter of the rooms after I tape the perimiter with blue masking tape. The cardboard edges get taped to the blue tape. You have to be cautious masking to a finished floor for any length of time though. There could be a reaction by the floor finish with the tapes adheasive. I have also purchased large rolls of shipping foam, just like sill sealer only four feet wide, covered the floors, and then covered the foam with 1/8" hardboard, rough side up. Taping the hardboard sheets together is a bit of a challenge though.

   Good Luck,

   Harry  

4. 
   Geoffrey | Feb 25, 2007 10:17pm | #4

   D' man,

   I use heavy weight canvas drop cloths spread over the floor, (you can tape it down w/blue painters if you like) then I cover the area w/ sheets of 1/4" Luan, you can tape all the seams where the sheets meet each other so you don't have a tripping hazard. The luan is cheap enough to cut if needed to fit into a smaller than 4'x8' area, or I just over-lap and tape the seam.

   This has worked well for me over the years, protects against dropped items, is re-usable, relatively inexpensive, and goes down easy and cleans up quickly.

                                                                                                                               Geoff

   P.S.  if you get a sheet that "curls up" excessively just flip the sheet over

5. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Feb 25, 2007 10:25pm | #5

   Try this - http://www.protectiveproducts.com/durarunner.html

    

   Jeff

6. 
   Stilletto | Feb 25, 2007 10:49pm | #6

   I use the boxes the hardwood came in.   No need to spend any money when you have cardboard already.   

    

    

7. 
   DougU | Feb 25, 2007 10:52pm | #7

   We always put down 4 X 8 sheets of 1/4" masonite, taped together. You can drop a hammer on it and it will not dent the floor underneith.

   Doug

1. 
   demolitionman | Mar 04, 2007 05:44pm | #10

   Thanks DougI think I will go with this option and the dropcloth underneath.Thank you to everyone that responded to my question. I sincerely appreciate it.

8. 
   AllTrade | Feb 26, 2007 12:33am | #8

   Structual cardboard sheets they come on the side of my modular homes not syre where to get them but they are thick and 4x 8 sheets.

1. 
   demolitionman | Mar 04, 2007 05:41pm | #9

   Thanks AllTrade - much appreciated

9. 
   frenchy | Mar 04, 2007 06:16pm | #11

   demolitionman,

    Well if you shellaced the floor then when  you are finished just wipe some denatured alcohol across the scratches and they will disappear.. If you gouged it or need to sand it go ahead and then reshellac it.   In the spots damaged the new shellac will blend in with the old and make an invisable repair..