Boards vs Films vs Protectapeel – Which Wins?

Temporary surface protection is essential on any construction site — but with so many options available, how do you know which one actually works best?Let’s break down the three most common methods: boards, adhesive films, and Protectapeel, comparing speed, performance, waste, and cost.

Protective Boards

Pros: Rigid, reusable on short jobs, good protection

Cons: Time-consuming to cut and tape, creates trip hazards, does not allow light through, bulky waste for skips

Best for: Heavy-duty floor protection on short-term projects

Adhesive Films

Pros: Lightweight, relatively inexpensive, easy to store

Cons: Can bubble or lose adhesion in wet/dusty conditions, leaves residue, prone to tearing, slow to remove from large areas

Best for: Small, low-traffic areas needing short-term protection

Protectapeel

Pros: Fast application (taking just 49 seconds per m² to apply) and only one person is needed for application, conforms to any shape without cutting or taping, protects for up to 12 months indoors or outdoors with no adhesion loss, protects against scratches, dirt, paint, rust and weather, recyclable after use

Cons: Initially more expensive than film and board, however overall it does work out cheaper (less wastage, less labour, less damage)

Best for: Flat, curved and shaped surfaces needing long-term protection

The Verdict

Protectapeel stands out for its speed, being significantly faster to apply and remove than alternative methods, particularly on large or complex surfaces. While all three options provide surface protection, Protectapeel offers the added benefit of weather resistance, with longer-lasting performance. In terms of waste, boards generate bulky skip loads, and films are non-recyclable, whereas Protectapeel can be returned to us for free, for recycling. When considering reduced labour, fewer replacements, and less waste, Protectapeel ultimately delivers the best long-term value.

📄 View our cost comparison →

Every project is different — but for long-term, efficient protection with minimal waste, Protectapeel comes out on top.