Quick answer: Temporary floor protection shields floors, carpets and surfaces from damage during building, renovation and decorating work. Indigo Supplies stocks correx sheets and rolls (standard and fire retardant), custom-printed correx, polythene sheeting, Sticky Shield adhesive protection films, Builders Board and Rhino Board — all backed by a price beater guarantee and next-day delivery options. Call 01268 768 768 for expert advice on the right product for your job.
Nobody wants to hand a client back a scratched hardwood floor or a stained carpet after a job well done. It's the sort of thing that turns a five-star review into a strongly worded complaint. Whether you're a flooring contractor, a decorator, a shopfitter, or a homeowner tackling a renovation, protecting the surfaces underfoot (and around you) is just as important as the work itself.
That's where temporary floor protection comes in. It's not glamorous, but it's the unsung hero of any tidy job site. At Indigo Supplies, we've been supplying trade and construction businesses since 1998, and floor protection is one of our biggest categories — so we know a thing or two about which products actually earn their keep.
This guide walks through the main types of floor and surface protection available, when to use each one, and how to choose the right fit for your project.
What is temporary floor protection and why does it matter?
Temporary floor protection is any material laid down to protect an existing floor, carpet or hard surface from dirt, dust, scratches, spills and impact damage during construction, renovation or decorating work. Once the job is finished, the protection is simply lifted away, leaving the original surface untouched underneath.
Skipping this step might save five minutes on-site, but it can cost considerably more in remedial work, client disputes, or a damaged reputation. A roll of correx floor protection costs a fraction of what it takes to sand and refinish a scratched hardwood floor.
What is correx and why is it the go-to choice for floor protection?
Correx is a corrugated plastic board, similar in structure to cardboard but made from polypropylene. It's lightweight, waterproof, and tough enough to withstand foot traffic, trolleys and light equipment — which is why it's become the industry standard for temporary floor covering on building sites, in retail fit-outs, and during house moves.
At Indigo Supplies, our correx roll and sheet range includes:
- Standard correx — ideal for general building work, decorating and everyday floor protection.
- Fire retardant correx — meeting LPS1207 standards, essential for commercial sites and projects with strict fire safety requirements.
- Custom printed correx — add your company logo or branding to the protection sheets themselves. It's a small touch that makes a big impression, turning a practical necessity into a walking advert for your business.
Correx is supplied in both convenient rolls (perfect for covering large, continuous areas quickly) and pre-cut sheets (easier to handle in tighter spaces or when precision matters).
When should you choose polythene sheeting instead of correx?
Correx isn't the right tool for every job, and that's where polythene sheeting steps in. Our polythene roll and polythene sheet stock is available in various thicknesses and, like our correx, comes in fire retardant options for sites where compliance is non-negotiable.
Choose polythene sheeting if you need to:
- Cover large areas quickly and affordably (it's typically cheaper per square metre than correx)
- Protect against dust, paint splatter and moisture rather than heavy foot traffic or impact
- Wrap or drape irregular shapes, such as furniture, fixtures or scaffolding
Choose correx instead if the surface will see heavy foot traffic, trolleys or falling tools — its rigid structure simply holds up better under pressure.
How do you protect carpets and windows during a renovation?
Not every surface needs a rigid board. For carpets, hard floors and windows, our Sticky Shield range of self-adhesive protection films offers a simpler solution. These adhesive protection film products stick directly to the surface, providing a barrier against dust, dirt and spills without the need for tape or fixings.
Sticky Shield is available for:
- Carpet protection — keeping foot traffic from grinding dirt into fibres
- Hard floor protection — tiles, laminate and vinyl included
- Window protection — guarding glass from paint, plaster and accidental scratches during decorating
For securing loose edges or joining sheets together, our protection tape range (including Tempro joining tape and Alligata fire retardant fixing tape) keeps everything firmly in place for the duration of the job.
What are Builders Board, Rhino Board and Antinox — and how are they different?
Alongside correx, we stock a wider family of rigid floor protection boards, each suited to slightly different site conditions:
- Builders Board — a super heavy-duty board designed for the toughest environments, where trolleys, ladders and heavy tools are constantly on the move.
- Rhino Board — another robust option for demanding sites, offering strong impact resistance.
- Antinox — a well-known trade term for corrugated plastic floor protection (essentially another name in the correx family), frequently specified on commercial contracts.
If you're unsure which board suits your project, give our team a call on 01268 768 768. We'll ask a few quick questions about your site and point you towards the right floor covering without the sales patter.
Do you need dust sheets as well as floor protection?
Yes, in most cases. Floor protection guards against scratches and impact, but dust sheets handle the airborne mess — paint splashes, plaster dust and general debris that settles on everything within reach, not just the floor. Combining both is standard practice for decorators and general contractors who want complete coverage of a room rather than just the floor beneath it.
Choosing the right floor protection for your job
|
Site condition |
Recommended product |
|---|---|
|
Heavy foot traffic, trolleys, tools |
Correx sheets/rolls, Builders Board, Rhino Board |
|
Fire safety compliance required |
Fire retardant correx or polythene sheeting (LPS1207) |
|
Large area, dust and moisture protection |
Polythene sheeting |
|
Carpets, hard floors, windows |
Sticky Shield adhesive protection film |
|
Branding opportunity on a commercial site |
Custom printed correx and Polythehe Sheeting |
|
General mess from painting or plastering |
Dust sheets |
Get the right protection for less
We know price matters just as much as quality, which is why Indigo Supplies runs a price beater guarantee: find the same product cheaper elsewhere in the UK, and we'll do our utmost to beat it. Combine that with our top-rated customer service and fast delivery, and there's little reason to leave your floors exposed to risk.
Click here to view our range of temporary floor, carpet and surface protection, or click here to buy now and get your order moving today. Prefer to talk it through first? Call our friendly team on 01268 768 768 — we're happy to help you find exactly what your site needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best temporary floor protection for a construction site?
For sites with heavy foot traffic and equipment, correx sheets or Builders Board offer the best combination of durability and value. Fire retardant correx is recommended for commercial sites with strict safety requirements.
How much does floor protection cost?
Costs vary by material and coverage area. Correx sheets start from a few pounds each, while larger rolls and heavy-duty boards range higher depending on size and specification. Indigo Supplies' price beater guarantee ensures you won't overpay.
Can correx floor protection be reused?
Yes, correx is durable and can often be reused across multiple projects if handled carefully and stored flat, making it a cost-effective long-term investment for regular contractors.
Is polythene sheeting suitable for outdoor use?
Polythene sheeting is primarily designed for indoor protection against dust, paint and moisture. For heavier outdoor or structural applications, correx or Builders Board are more suitable options.
Do I need fire retardant floor protection?
Fire retardant floor protection (meeting LPS1207 standards) is typically required on commercial sites, in shared buildings, or where site-specific fire safety regulations apply. Check your project's compliance requirements before ordering.
Shop correx, polythene sheeting, Sticky Shield film and Builders Board. Price beater guarantee. Call 01268 768 768 for expert floor protection advice.