Launch Slideshow

Phase II purchases the 5-foot-wide foam, which is usually used under laminate flooring, in 300-foot rolls from a wholesaler.

Floor Protection

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Floor Protection

  • Phase II purchases the 5-foot-wide foam, which is usually used under laminate flooring, in 300-foot rolls from a wholesaler.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp5DAC%2Etmp_tcm17-1726630.jpg

    Phase II purchases the 5-foot-wide foam, which is usually used under laminate flooring, in 300-foot rolls from a wholesaler.

    600

    Phase II purchases the 5-foot-wide foam, which is usually used under laminate flooring, in 300-foot rolls from a wholesaler.

  • The crew tapes the seams of the foam. On hardwood floors, carpenters install a layer of rosin paper under the foam to prevent moisture from seeping through to the floor. If there is a carpet, the carpenters overlap the protective film over the foam.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp64A4%2Etmp_tcm17-1726646.jpg

    The crew tapes the seams of the foam. On hardwood floors, carpenters install a layer of rosin paper under the foam to prevent moisture from seeping through to the floor. If there is a carpet, the carpenters overlap the protective film over the foam.

    600

    The crew tapes the seams of the foam. On hardwood floors, carpenters install a layer of rosin paper under the foam to prevent moisture from seeping through to the floor. If there is a carpet, the carpenters overlap the protective film over the foam.

  • Phase IIs crew places a layer of 1/8-inch-thick Masonite over the foam, but for heavy traffic areas, upgrade that to 1/4-inch-thick Masonite. The company stores about 200 sheets of Masonite at the shop sorted by cut pieces, clean, and dirty.

    http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp6754%2Etmp_tcm17-1726654.jpg

    Phase IIs crew places a layer of 1/8-inch-thick Masonite over the foam, but for heavy traffic areas, upgrade that to 1/4-inch-thick Masonite. The company stores about 200 sheets of Masonite at the shop sorted by cut pieces, clean, and dirty.

    600

    Phase II’s crew places a layer of 1/8-inch-thick Masonite over the foam, but for heavy traffic areas, upgrade that to 1/4-inch-thick Masonite. The company stores about 200 sheets of Masonite at the shop sorted by cut pieces, clean, and dirty.

Phase II, in Lakewood, Wash., covers wood and tile floors with layers of protection to make sure the surface remains undamaged during construction. Depending on the type and length of job, the company’s carpenters put down rosin paper, foam, then Masonite. “A little effort up front for protection basically eliminates any damage to the existing flooring, carpet, and hard surfaces, and makes cleanup easy,” says company president Rick Hjelm.

He says that taking a little extra time to do this creates a worry-free environment for him and the field crew, as they, and various subcontractors, traipse through the home. Hjelm says that since the company has used this method, not a single client has complained about a damaged floor, nor has he had to fix any damage to floors.

The foam usually lasts through several projects, and Masonite lasts even longer. Before devising this method, Phase II used cardboard to cover the floor. However, spills would leak through the cardboard and it wasn’t thick enough to provide adequate cushioning to prevent damage. Also, on long projects, it left ridge marks in the wood floor.

Hjelm says that it’s worth the investment — especially if you consider the cost of fixing a wood floor damaged by a dropped hammer. “If you spend an hour on preparation, then you don’t have to do repairs later. Profits tend to disappear in repairs,” Hjelm says.

—Nina Patel, senior editor, REMODELING.

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