HB42 CoverLay Review – Floor Protector 

Updated May 18, 2026 | Posted May 8, 2022 | Sundries | 4 comments

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HB42 CoverLay is a floor protector that you can use as an alternative to traditional dust sheets or Roll & Stroll when decorating a room. It is bought online by the roll and consists of a fleece fibre type material on one side, and a plastic liner on the other.

I’m a painter and decorator, and most of my work is in occupied homes. However, I tend to spray parts of almost every job I carry out — usually ceilings and woodwork. I was using Roll & Stroll with dust sheets over the top to protect floors, but it wasn’t ideal. I found it took quite a long time to cover an entire room, and then the dust sheets would slide all over the place while I was working.

Introducing HB42 CoverLay

 

I’ve been using HB42 CoverLay for a while now, and it’s a much better alternative. It’s easy to cut and takes far less time to put down than Roll & Stroll. You simply roll out as many lengths as you need to cover the floor, then tape the joins together. CoverLay also seems to grip the floor slightly, meaning I’m not constantly kicking it around while I’m painting.

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I’ve never had an issue with paint seeping through HB42 CoverLay, even when I’ve had the occasional spill. Another great feature is how quickly the fleece absorbs paint. You really notice it when walking in and out of a room, as you don’t need to worry about transferring wet paint from the CoverLay through the rest of the house.

HB42 CoverLay is a little pricey, but it’s also reusable. I don’t even remove the masking tape — I simply fold the whole lot up at the end of a job, then roll it back out on the next one and adjust the cuts to suit the room.

It’s so much easier than the rigmarole I used to go through with Roll & Stroll! I normally get three or four uses out of each sheet of CoverLay before binning it and opening a new roll.

For more information, visit – www.hb42.co.uk/

Review Summary

HB42 CoverLay Review – Floor Protector  - Decorator's forum UK

Floor protection used when decorating a room or carrying out general construction work.

Product Brand: HB42

Editor's Rating:
4.5

Pros

  • Nice and easy to lay.
  • It doesn’t slip.
  • No chance of paint seeping.
  • Made from recycled material.
  • It also protects against knocks because it is padded.
  • You will get a few uses out of it.

Cons

  • Not widely available (yet).
  • More waste for landfill.
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FAQs

 

What do decorators use to protect the floor?

Decorators tend to use different types of covering to protect the floor while working. Dust sheets, clear plastic, cardboard rolls, HB42 CoverLay etc are all carried in a Decorator’s van. Different types of floor protection suit different jobs and flooring types.

 

What is the best way to protect the floor whilst painting?

Dust sheets are a good way to protect a floor when decorating. Some people use clear plastic film first, and then lay dust sheets on top. HB42 CoverLay is the best of both worlds.

 

What is the alternative to dust sheets?

The Best alternative to dust sheets is HB42 CoverLay. It doesn’t slide, paint won’t seep through it, but it absorbs every drop you spill. It also cushions the floor, so you’re less likely to damage it if you drop tools.

 

How to protect wood floor when painting skirting boards?

Dust sheets can be a nightmare when you’re painting skirting boards. They can flick bits of dust against your wet paint. You can use masking tape between floor and skirting boards, and then use a sheet of cardboard or HB42 CoverLay to scoot along with.

Updated May 18, 2026 | Posted May 8, 2022 | 4 comments

About the Author

About the Author

Mike Cupit has been in the decorating industry since 2002 and has mostly worked as a Trade Decorator in the domestic sector (peoples’ homes). Self-proclaimed “product geek”, Mike has a passion for paint and decorating tools. Mike now spends most of his time testing paint products and tools, comparing them to similar products on the market, and blogging about the industry in general. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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4 Comments

  1. Phil

    Good article Mike, I too have struggled with the roll and stroll. It’s OK for hard floors but not so keen using it on carpets.
    You say the HB42 has a plastic backing, does this not make it slippery on the hard floors? (especially laminate, that stuff’s lethal when covered with plastic backed sheets) Is it the same type of thing the removal firms use? I almost fell over when I found out how much those blankets cost!

    Reply
    • Mike Cupit

      Hi Phil,

      HB42 do a seperate product called CoverStik that would be perfect for that and stairs also. Its a self adhesive hard floor protector with a plastic laminate on top, so unlike coverlay it won’t absorb paint and spills, but it is still waterproof. It’s also reusable

      Reply
    • Mike Cupit

      But CoverLay isn’t slippy either. Not as much as normal dust sheets. It’s quite heavy

      Reply
      • Phil

        Thanks Mike, I’ve ordered a few so let’s see how it goes!

        Reply

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