Replies

1. 
   calvin | May 13, 2005 03:52pm | #1

   Usually after laying a wood floor I'll sheet the entire thing with cardboard for walking protection.  Taped and sealed complete to the basebd as anything abrasive that gets under will scratch the wood.  However, there's no protection for dropped sharp objects like screwdrivers and chisels.  If there's money for it, a lauan cover over the softer cardbd would be good.  Have heard of covering with homasote, but not sure of the possibility of tape sticking to that.  It would be one application tho..........think of a use for it afterwards.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   PaulBinCT | May 13, 2005 03:55pm | #2

   Maybe I'll cover the whole place with cardboard and the room I'll be storing and cutting in with lauan as well.  Thanks...

2. 
   JohnSprung | May 13, 2005 10:28pm | #3

   What I do is clean the floor very well so there's nothing abrasive on it.  Then I use a thick layer of newspaper -- a dozen sheets or more -- completely overlapping, followed by crappy luan paneling that I saved from a demo.  It's cheap, and hammer drop proof.

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   DThompson | May 13, 2005 11:50pm | #7

   Funny you should mention that John when I was about 16 years old my family left me home (I was working for the summer) and took off cross country on a holiday. My mom's last words were, "don't mess up the house." They had barely left the drive way when I covered the tile and hardwood floors with newspaper to save having to clean them. The papers sat all summer and days before they were to return I took them up. To my horror the ink from the paper had transferred to the floors perfectly, it looked like the house had been run through the printer. Luckily, with some effort, it came off. Maybe newspapers short term will protect but not long term.

1. 
   arrowpov | May 14, 2005 12:07am | #8

   Had something like that happen a long time ago. I used to manage a drive-in theatre. Executives from the home office would come to inspect the operations.

   I decided to spray paint the toilet seats in the womens room as they were looking shabby. White glossy spray enamel on a hot humid summer day, all sixteen of them. They looked great.

   The next morning my cleaner called and said something was wrong with the toilet seats. There was toilet paper and footprints stuck to all of the seats, the paint had not fully dried. What a mess ! We replaced the seats, had the plumber do it because drive-in toilets are not a fixture I want to put my head near.

3. 
   dustinf | May 13, 2005 10:41pm | #4

   I usually start with a layer of craft paper(similar to rosin paper, but not red), followed by 1/2 homosote, or 1/4 luan.  wichever is cheaper at the time.  At the end of everyday or after any messy demo, I always make sure to pull up both layers, and sweep underneath.  Any dirt or sawdust that gets trapped underneath makes it a big sheet of sandpaper.

4. 
   FastEddie1 | May 13, 2005 11:33pm | #5

   I went to Lowes and bought a large piece of reject cushioned-back sheet vinyl for almost nothing.  It was a special order that the customer gave back, so they didn't want to put it on the shelf.  I also picked up a large piece off a damaged roll.

    

   I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

5. 
   GaryW | May 13, 2005 11:43pm | #6

   Eighth-inch masonite, smooth side down (textured side leaves marked pattern), taped edge-to-edge with 2-inch, real sticky masking tape and blue, long-mask to the floor.

6. 
   Sbds | May 14, 2005 12:47am | #9

   Paul,

   I have worked in the film and TV business for 20 years and have filmed in every kind of place, many, many landmark buildings (I just shot in Trumps building by the UN). We always use Upson board to product floors and walls. Upson board is compressed cardboard, 1/4 inch thick, 4 x 8 sheets, and smooth on both sides. I have seen many muddy boots walk on it, miles of 3-phase cable run across it and many coffee, soda and blood spills (some blood real, most fake). After shooting any where from one day to 6 months the Upson is pulled up and the floors have looked great. The edges are taped with blue masking tape and it holds great. Upson board can stand up to a crew of 100 people, all the film equipment and a tantrum or two from an A list star, it should work for you. The only major problem is I have only seen it sold in NY. & LA. I noticed you are in New Haven, I filmed at Yale and they have a big theatre department. There may be a lumberyard or a theatrical supplier up in your area. You can also contact Le Noble Lumber in NYC. 212-246-0150.

7. 
   buildboy | May 14, 2005 12:49am | #10

   My local yard has a product called "Thermaply" which is essentially a very thick dense cardboard with waxy faces. It comes in 4x8 and 4x10 sheets. It's a cheap investment for the level of protection offered. You can drop a chisel or hammer on it with no fear of going through. Tape sheets together (underlay with brown craft paper so ink and wax on the face doesn't transfer to prized floor below). The stuff works great and is highly water resistant too ('cept for taped seams...).

1. 
   SonnyLykos | May 14, 2005 12:54am | #11

   Tape down either 1/4" luan, 1/8" masonite or some cheap paneling. They are all standard here in south FL. Thick cardboard wil lnot stop a chisel or screwdriver from penetrating it.

1. 
   buildboy | May 14, 2005 01:12am | #12

   clearly then you have not seen nor have any experience with thermaply. I have personally thrown knives at it like a circus act and they will not penetrate. it does not absorb moisture from splilled drywall mud, paint, water, beer, oil, etc. etc.. Last I remember it was about 8 bucks a sheet. You can reuse the stuff project to project many times. I'm telling ya it's the bomb. I'm not knocking luan. Iv'e used both and I just think this product is better.

1. 
   SonnyLykos | May 14, 2005 01:21am | #13

   Thanks for jogging my mind. I love Thermo Ply. Used it on a kitchen with ceramic tile, maybe 6 months ago. Cheap too, considering the protection it offers.Also good for protecting vanity tops and kitchen countertops. We just cut out a notch for the faucet. Then spray paint where the bowl is to remind us all not to step on that area if we have to get onto the actual top.

   Edited 5/13/2005 6:30 pm ET by Sonny Lykos

8. 
   alwaysoverbudget | May 14, 2005 06:30am | #14

   i've bought damaged sheetrock from lowes at a 1.00 a sheet and then throw them away when done,a little heavy to carry but stay in place . larry

   hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

1. 
   Hooker | May 14, 2005 07:54am | #15

   When I did a lot of cabinet installs, I used some really thick, heavy laminate floor foam padding.  This stuff was almostlike that heavy rubber carpet pad, only about 1/8 to 3/16 thick.  Came in rolls with a laminate floor job I did.  I could see rolling that out in rows and taping all the seams.  Maybe the higher traffic areas add some 1/8 luan for harder protection.Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail

9. 
   SamT | May 14, 2005 02:21pm | #16

   Boost the bid to include fixing one chisel gouge and the contract to protect you from the floor.

   SamT

1. 
   PaulBinCT | May 14, 2005 04:08pm | #17

   A lot of great ideas, thank you everyone!