Protecting floors

[Del Griffith]

Hey there, long-time lurker, first-time poster. My spouse and I recently purchased an older home that needs some TLC. The first thing we are doing is demo-ing the plaster walls as they are in pretty bad shape and this will help us get to the mechanicals behind the walls (new electric, HVAC, insulation and so on).

We are planning to take down the plaster and lath over the upcoming holiday weekend and have rented a dumpster and hired some helping hands. My question is: what is the best way to protect the hardwood floors from heavy chunks of plastic, an occasional dropped hammer, or anything else that may bang up the floors? The floors themselves are also not in great shape and will be refinished and stained towards the end of our renovation, so we aren't too concerned with minor scratches. We have researched a lot of different ideas, but most seem to be geared towards protecting floors that are in good shape, not ones that you plan on working on later anyway.

Any suggestions on how to protect the so-so floors would be greatly appreciated. And, I certainly wouldn't knock any pearls of wisdom regarding plaster demo in general. Thanks!

[BudgetSlasher]

My FIL uses a product called Ram Board to cover his soft pine floors when ever he does work that requires him to work on top of the floors. When he's done he rolls it up and stores it in the barn. It appears to be thick non-corrugated cardboard.

In a pitch of used a bunch of cardboard boxes broken down and covering the floor, but the corrugated nature and the somewhat thinner material do make them less than ideal. Still they here free and I got to tell the wife there was a reason that I hadn't taken all the boxes to the recycling center.

[lthenderson]

I just use cardboard boxes and duct tape. I like this method because it is easily configurable to different sized or oddly shaped rooms.

[ketchup]

I just use cardboard boxes and duct tape. I like this method because it is easily configurable to different sized or oddly shaped rooms.

+1 I've done this in the past and it's worked well.

That should protect your floors from any falling plastic, hammers, or shower curtain rings.

[Goldielocks]

Cardboard works for the OP's need,  but.. they will scratch out the top finish layer of "good" floors, (dust trapped under, or cardboard itself).

Another is to put old plywood "hoarding" clean side down over the highest traffic / demo areas,.. over the cardboard.  e.g., at entry ways or immediately below where that hammer is most often used.