Set Up Protection Zones for Demolition
Kitchen demolition creates an astonishing amount of dust and debris that will infiltrate every corner of your home without proper containment. Setting up protection zones before you swing the first hammer saves you days of cleanup and protects your furniture, flooring, and sanity.
Quick Summary
Time needed
2-3 hours
Cost
$150-300
Difficulty
Easy
Why Containment Is Critical
Demolition dust is not like regular household dust. It contains fine particles from drywall, old adhesives, wood, and possibly even lead paint or asbestos in older homes. This dust is so fine it becomes airborne easily and can travel through your entire house via the HVAC system.
Real Cost of Skipping This Step: Homeowners who skip proper containment report spending 20-30 hours cleaning dust from every room in their house, including washing curtains, bedding, and wiping down every surface. Many end up hiring professional cleaners at $200-500.
Three hours of setup now prevents weeks of regret and saves hundreds in cleaning costs. This step pays for itself immediately.
Materials You Will Need
Plastic Sheeting (6 mil or thicker)
Get at least 100 ft for an average kitchen. Thicker is better - 2 mil tears too easily.
Zippered Plastic Door Kit
Creates a walk-through entry for doorways you need to use frequently ($15-25).
Painter's Tape and Duct Tape
Blue tape for walls/trim, duct tape for heavy-duty sealing.
Floor Protection (Ram Board or Cardboard)
Protect floors in hallways and adjacent rooms. Ram board is better but cardboard works.
Box Fan with Furnace Filter
Creates negative air pressure to pull dust out. Attach a furnace filter to the intake side.
Zip Poles or Tension Rods
Optional but helpful for creating floor-to-ceiling barriers in large openings.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
1. Clear the Kitchen Completely
Remove everything from cabinets, drawers, and countertops. Take down curtains, remove small appliances, clear out under the sink. The kitchen should be completely empty before you start sealing.
Pro Tip: Use this as an opportunity to purge. If you have not used something in a year, donate or toss it. Less stuff to pack means less stuff to unpack later.
2. Seal All HVAC Vents and Returns
This is your most important step. Cover every air vent and return in the kitchen with plastic or cardboard taped securely. Even a small gap will allow dust to circulate through your entire HVAC system.
How to Seal Vents:
- •Cut plastic slightly larger than the vent cover
- •Remove vent cover if possible and tape plastic directly to the wall
- •If you cannot remove the cover, tape plastic over the entire cover
- •Use duct tape for a complete seal
3. Seal Doorways and Openings
Hang plastic sheeting over all doorways leading out of the kitchen. For doorways you will need to pass through frequently, install a zippered door kit. For doorways you will rarely use, seal completely with plastic and tape.
Main Entry (Use Frequently):
Install a zippered plastic door kit. These stick to the door frame and create a plastic door you can zip open and closed. Way better than fighting with tape every time you need to enter.
Secondary Openings (Rarely Use):
Tape plastic sheeting completely across the opening. Overlap by at least 6 inches on all sides and use duct tape for a tight seal.
4. Protect Adjacent Floors
Even with perfect containment, some dust will escape on your shoes and tools. Lay down floor protection in hallways and rooms adjacent to the kitchen.
Protection by Floor Type:
Hardwood or Tile:
Layer 1: Rosin paper taped down. Layer 2: Ram board or thick cardboard. Never use plastic directly on hardwood.
Carpet:
Heavy-duty plastic sheeting or drop cloths taped at edges. Consider additional cardboard in high-traffic paths.
5. Set Up Negative Air Pressure
Place a box fan in a window, blowing outward. This creates negative air pressure in the kitchen, pulling air (and dust) toward the window and out of the house instead of letting it drift into other rooms.
Upgrade Tip: Tape a furnace filter (20x20 inch) to the intake side of the box fan. This creates a DIY air scrubber that captures fine dust particles. Change the filter daily during heavy demo.
6. Create a Clean Entry Zone
Set up a clean staging area just outside the kitchen where you can remove dusty gear before walking into the rest of the house. Keep a brush, shop vac, and clean shoes there.
Entry Zone Essentials:
- •Sticky mat or damp towel to wipe shoes
- •Brush for dusting off clothes
- •Shop vac for quick cleanup
- •Clean shoes to change into
Common Containment Mistakes to Avoid
Using Thin Plastic Sheeting
Those cheap 2 mil drop cloths tear constantly. Spend the extra $20 on 6 mil plastic sheeting. It will last the entire project without ripping.
Forgetting About HVAC Returns
People remember to cover vents but forget about returns (the grilles that pull air back into the system). Returns are even more important to seal because they actively pull dust into your HVAC.
Not Sealing Top and Bottom of Doorways
Dust will find any gap. Make sure your plastic sheeting extends past the door frame on all sides and is taped securely to the wall, not just the trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up demolition protection zones?
Expect to spend $150-300 on protection materials for an average kitchen renovation. This includes plastic sheeting (6 mil), floor protection, tape, and zip poles. Heavy-duty ram board costs more than cardboard but provides better protection for high-traffic areas.
Do I really need to seal off the kitchen during demolition?
Absolutely. Kitchen demolition creates an enormous amount of fine dust that will spread throughout your entire home without proper containment. Drywall dust, sawdust, and old adhesive particles can travel through HVAC systems and settle on furniture, bedding, and clothing. Proper sealing saves hours of cleanup later.
What is the best material for sealing doorways during demo?
Use 6 mil or thicker plastic sheeting for doorways. Regular 2 mil drop cloths tear too easily. For doorways you will use frequently, install a zippered door kit (available at home improvement stores for $15-25) that creates a temporary entry you can zip open and closed.
How do I protect hardwood floors in adjacent rooms?
Layer your protection. First, tape down rosin paper or red rosin paper directly on the hardwood. Then add ram board or thick cardboard on top. This two-layer system prevents scratches from tracked debris. Avoid plastic directly on hardwood as it can trap moisture and damage the finish.
Should I turn off the HVAC system during demolition?
Yes, turn off your HVAC system during active demolition work to prevent dust from circulating. Cover all vents and returns with plastic. You can run it when not actively demoing, but expect to change your air filter much more frequently during the renovation period.
Protection Zones Set. Time to Demo.
Your home is now protected from demolition dust and debris. Next up: safely removing those old cabinets.