Hints & Tips
Essential Considerations For Effective Temporary Surface Protection In High-Rise Construction Projects
July 9, 2025
High-rise construction: high-value, high square footage, and high potential for site damage derailing your project timeline. High-rise projects are often some of the most high-profile to be completed and they can make or break your reputation in the construction industry. From simple dents and scratches to greater damage, project damage doesn’t just cause aesthetic issues – it can delay your project completion, compromise the overall integrity of the finished building, and even cause safety hazards that effect construction workers and clients alike.
That’s where temporary surface protection comes in. The unsung hero of the jobsite, it keeps your project free from damage while maintaining aesthetics throughout the project and improving workflow and safety.
Common Surface Damage In High-Rise Projects
Due to the scale of most high-rise projects, they’re highly susceptible to damage. Some of the most common damage on these projects is scuffs and scratches, which occur on floors, walls and other surfaces thanks to constant site traffic: the constant movement of tools, equipment, and construction materials. The scratches may seem minor but can lead to significant repair costs and project delays if not addressed properly.
Staining and discoloration is another prevalent issue on high-value surfaces. Paint, adhesives, and other construction materials can spill onto these surfaces, causing unsightly stains that are difficult to remove. Not only do these stains mar the aesthetic appeal of the finished project, but they can also compromise material integrity if they penetrate deeply.
More importantly than aesthetic issues, structural damage can be a major concern on high-rise projects. Heavy machinery and equipment when improperly handled can cause dents, cracks, and breaks in surfaces such as concrete, glass, and metal. This type of damage is not only costly to repair but can also pose serious safety risks. Ensuring that surfaces are adequately protected from such heavy-duty impacts is essential to maintaining the project’s integrity and safety.
Benefits Of Temporary Surface Protection
Temporary surface protection offers a myriad of benefits that go beyond merely preventing damage. One of the most significant advantages is the reduction in repair and replacement costs. By safeguarding surfaces from scratches, stains, and structural damage, temporary surface protection minimizes the need for costly repairs of replacements, thereby preserving the project’s budget and ensuring financial resources are allocated efficiently.
Another crucial benefit is the enhancement of site safety. Unprotected surfaces can pose various safety hazards to construction workers, such as slippery floors or sharp edges caused by damage. Temporary surface protection materials can provide a safer working environment by preventing such hazards and ensuring that the construction site remains compliant with safety regulations. This not only protects the workers but also reduces the risk of accidents that could delay the project.
Moreover, temporary surface protection improves workflow efficiency. When surfaces are adequately protected, workers can move freely and perform their tasks without the constant worry of causing damage. This fosters a more productive work environment, as there are fewer interruptions or slowdowns due to concerns about damaging surfaces. Consequently, the overall project timeline can be adhered to more closely, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Temporary Surface Protection
When selecting temporary surface protection for high-rise construction projects, several critical factors must be considered to ensure optimal results. First, the type of material that requires protection is paramount. Different surfaces such as glass, marble, wood, and metal have unique properties and thus require specific types of protection to prevent damage. For instance, glass might need protection that offers UV protection, while wooden surfaces might require breathable yet robust coverings to prevent damage.
Furthermore, the duration of the project plays a crucial role in choosing the right surface protection. Temporary protection materials must withstand the entire project timeline without degrading or losing efficacy. Some materials are designed for short-term use and might not hold up over longer periods, leading to exposed surfaces and potential damage. Therefore, selecting durable materials that can sustain their protective qualities over the entire duration of the project is essential.
Another vital consideration is the ease of installation and removal of the protective materials. In a high-rise construction setting, time is of the essence, and any delays can significantly impact the project timeline. Thus, surface protection solutions that are easy to apply and remove without leaving residues or causing damage are preferable. This not only ensures the protection is effective but also contributes to maintaining a clean and safe work environment.
Our Solutions
Glazing and Curtain Wall Protection
Susceptible to scratches, chips, and abrasion during handling and after installation and expensive to replace and repair, glazing and curtain wall protection is vital.
Armour Foam Edge Protector – U Profile
The Armour Foam Edge Protector – U Profile are ideal for protecting vulnerable edges and is available in 2 convenient sizes, so you can find the right width for your project.
Armour Multi-Use Protection Tape
Armour Multi-Use Protection Tape is a thick and durable film that is ideal for protecting hard surfaces such as curtainwall glazing. It provides clean removal and offers protection from scuffs, scratches and dirt, leaving finished surfaces clean and damage-free.
Available in both 90- and 365-day durations, Armour Premium Glass Film provides excellent glass protection no matter the length of your project.
Armour Protection Board – Translucent
Armour Protection Board – Translucent is ideal for curtain wall glazing on sites that require higher-impact protection. It’s made of 4mm fluted plastic, so it provides excellent durability while its translucent composition allows light to shine through in cases where required.
Elevators
Elevators, with their costly, high-shine surfaces such as marble, aluminum, and polished wood, can easily be damaged as site traffic navigates around and through them.
Armour Multi-Use Protection Tape
Once again, Armour Multi-Use Protection Tape comes in clutch. Because it protects against scuffs and scratches, it’s ideal for surfaces such as elevator doors that are typically high-shine and costly to repair.
Made with soft, non-woven fibers, as well as a tacky anti-slip coating on the back and waterproof layer on top, Armour Protection Fleece stays in place and provides high-quality protection for high-shine surfaces. It’s not just ideal for elevators; thanks to its breathable composition, it works well for protecting hard floors that need to cure and breathe.
Armour Protection Board – Black
Lightweight and versatile, Armour Protection Board – Black is perfect for elevator protection. It offers high-impact protection for both vertical and horizontal surfaces, ideal for tricky elevator surfaces.
Flooring
From carpet to engineered hardwood to luxury tile and marble, high-rise projects have a wide variety of floor types that require temporary surface protection.
Armour Protection Board – Grey
Armour Protection Board – Grey is an easy to install solution for keeping your floors looking pristine. It’s commonly used to withstand impact from carts, lifts, and other heavy-duty site traffic.
For effective carpet protection against tracked in dirt, paint spills, dust, construction debris, and more, try the Armour Premium Carpet Film. It’s a fully waterproof and durable film that offers clean removal from carpet for up to 45 days.
Armour Premium Hard Surface Film
Further in the Armour line of premium films, the Armour Premium Hard Surface Film is a tear-resistant, waterproof film that effectively protects floors and other hard surfaces from scuffs, scratches, and more.
Stairs
Stairs are some of the most high-traffic areas of jobsites. Sometimes the only access point to areas on jobsites, they see all manner of dirty boots, heavy construction materials, and dropped tools. Stair protection isn’t just for aesthetics, however – it’s a vital aspect of safety, as unprotected stairs can cause tripping hazards and worse.
The Armour Stair Tread Protector could not be more effective for stair protection. It’s pre-folded with a lip on the front and back so the entire stair tread is protected, while the strip of grip tape on each tread effectively mitigates slipping hazards.
Exposed Concrete
Concrete slabs, columns, and more are a crucial structural element to high-rise buildings – and simple impacts can easily compromise them. This both causes aesthetic issues and more importantly brings in the potential for compromised integrity of the entire structure.
Armour Protection Board – Green HD
Armour Protection Board – Green HD is here for sites that require extreme impact protection. With its 5mm thick, high-density composition, it can handle heavy machinery and rigorous jobsite conditions, while being lightweight for easy installation on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Conclusion
In high-rise construction, where timelines are tight, budgets are high, and reputations are on the line, temporary surface protection isn’t optional – it’s essential. From preventing costly surface repairs to improving safety and workflow, the right protection solutions keep your project running smoothly from the ground floor to the penthouse.
Reach out now to learn more about how our solutions can keep your project running smoothly:.
- Phone: 1-866-617-8502
- Email: sales@axiomtsp.com
- Get a Quote: Request a Quote
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