When you’re moving into a new home or out of your current one, your floors are at risk. Heavy furniture, repeated foot traffic, poorly packed boxes, and tools used during the move can all damage flooring. Scratches, dents, and scuff marks are common, especially on hardwood floors. Without proper floor protection, even a short move can undo years of care in just a few hours.
Each flooring material—whether hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpet—has its own vulnerabilities. Knowing how to protect them ahead of time makes a big difference. With the right tools, materials, and some planning, you can avoid damage and save yourself expensive repairs later on.
This guide walks you through the best ways to protect your floors when moving. You’ll learn which materials work for which floor types, how Ram Board compares to Masonite and floor runners, and whether doing it yourself or hiring professionals is the better choice for your situation.
Why Floor Protection Matters
Floors are built to handle daily wear, but moving day isn’t normal use. It involves large, heavy objects moving across the same paths repeatedly. Foot traffic increases. Wet shoes bring dirt and moisture inside. Furniture is lifted, slid, or wheeled. These conditions amplify the likelihood of damage. Even quick moves in dry weather can leave permanent marks.
Hardwood flooring, in particular, doesn’t hide mistakes well. A single deep scratch from a chair leg or dent from dropped furniture becomes a long-term issue or a costly repair. Many warranties won’t cover flooring damage during moving.
Whether you’re renting or have just bought a new home, taking a few basic preventative measures protects more than just floors. It protects your investment and your peace of mind.
Match Your Protection to the Flooring
Not all floor coverings will work on every surface. Before choosing products, take note of what flooring materials are in both your current home and the one you’re moving into.
If you’re working with hardwood floors, you need something that can resist tearing, cushion impacts, and avoid trapping moisture. Laminate flooring needs protection from surface scratches and chips. Tile is durable but can crack if something heavy drops. Carpet can stretch under weight or stain from dirty equipment.
Treat each type of floor with a tailored approach. A one-size-fits-all solution won’t hold up during a move.
Ram Board vs Masonite vs Floor Runners
When it comes to floor protection, three materials come up often: Ram Board, Masonite, and runners. Each serves a different purpose. Choosing the right one depends on the type of flooring, the layout of your space, and how much weight needs to pass over it.
Ram Board
Ram Board is a heavy-duty paperboard. It’s flexible, covers large areas quickly, and is designed to protect floors from job site damage. It’s also breathable, which helps when used over freshly finished hardwood floors.
- Works on wood floors, tile, and stone
- Resists spills, light impacts, and foot traffic
- Tapes down at seams to prevent movement
- Less ideal for stairs or uneven surfaces
Ram Board is best used in hallways, living rooms, or other open spaces where heavy furniture or boxes will pass through. It handles the pressure of normal foot traffic and medium-weight furniture.
Masonite
Masonite sheets are rigid panels made from reinforced wood fiber. Movers often lay them across key pathways because they resist impact and provide a solid base for transporting heavy objects.
- Holds up under serious weight
- Resists dents, pressure, and deep gouging
- Can be reused for future moves
- Not ideal for areas with tight corners or any elevation change
Use Masonite in entryways, hallways, or areas with long, straight paths. If you’re bringing appliances or stacked equipment across hardwood flooring, Masonite gives peace of mind.
Floor Runners
Runners can be fabric or adhesive-backed plastic sheets. They’re easy to roll out and remove, and they work well in tight or irregular spaces.
- Lightweight, flexible, and quick to install
- Safe for stairs and hallways
- Less protective against dropped items or rolling loads
- Not durable enough for high-traffic areas with heavy furniture
Runners are a good choice for secondary routes, staircases, and smaller carpeted areas. They create instant walkways and reduce dust and dirt being tracked across the floors.
Other Materials and Tools That Help
Floor protection isn’t just about large surface coverings. Smaller tools and materials play an essential role in reducing friction, preventing impact, and keeping your flooring intact.
Furniture sliders are designed to go under chair legs or large furniture. They reduce friction and make it easier to move weight without dragging across the surface below. For wood floors, choose soft felt sliders rather than hard plastic. These reduce scratching and distribute weight evenly.
Moving blankets offer protection in two ways: they wrap around furniture to prevent sharp edges and corners from hitting the floor, and they can be used as a soft buffer underneath heavier items. Lay them on key corners or under appliance bases during the move.
Floor protection film is commonly used on carpet. It’s a clear, adhesive-backed material that sticks down to prevent staining or moisture damage but doesn’t shift under foot traffic. Never use it on hardwood flooring, as the adhesive can react with certain finishes or leave behind residue.
Dollies and carts make moving easier, but not all wheels are floor-safe. Stick with rubber wheels, especially on hardwood. Metal or hard plastic wheels—found on cheaper equipment—scratch, dent, or mark wood floors with even minor use.
Lifting tools like straps or small ramps reduce the amount of dragging across surfaces. They allow you to move heavier items without grinding them into your flooring material.
How to Approach Each Room Type
Not all rooms will need the same level of effort. Prioritize entryways, long hallways, living rooms, and stairs—areas that endure the most movement.
In rooms with hardwood floors, consider combining Ram Board in open areas with sliders under furniture and extra padding where needed. Avoid taping directly onto the finish. On tile or laminate, make sure all coverings are flat and secured to avoid catching edges, which can cause chips or shifting. For carpet, stick with floor protection film, and limit the amount of moisture or grit being tracked in.
If you’re protecting stairs, fabric runners remain the easiest option. They conform to each step and help prevent slipping without holding moisture.
Complete Floor Protection Product List
| Category | Product | Purpose/Use |
| Surface Protection | Ram Board | Heavy-duty paperboard for protecting wood floors, tile, or concrete |
| Masonite Sheets | Rigid board for high-traffic areas and heavy object paths | |
| Floor Runners | Flexible fabric or adhesive sheets for stairs and hallways | |
| Floor Protection Film | Adhesive plastic film for carpeted areas only | |
| Furniture & Equipment Tools | Furniture Sliders | Allows heavy furniture to slide across wood or tile without scratching |
| Moving Blankets | Wraps around furniture or appliances; adds cushion and impact protection | |
| Rubber-Wheeled Dollies & Carts | Prevents scuffs and gouges from moving equipment on hardwood flooring | |
| Appliance Glides | Designed for sliding large appliances safely over wood or vinyl floors | |
| Installation & Support | Gentle Tape (Painter’s or Low-Tack) | Secures coverings without damaging floor finishes |
| Scissors / Utility Knife | Used to cut Ram Board, runners, or film to size | |
| Lifting Straps | Helps lift heavy furniture without dragging it across the floor | |
| Corner Guards | Prevents furniture from catching walls, trim, or baseboards during the move |
Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
Deciding whether to protect your floors on your own or let the movers handle it depends on your time, skills, and comfort level.
A DIY approach gives you full control over what materials you use, how carefully they’re installed, and what areas receive extra coverage. If you’re handling the move yourself, or working with a small crew of friends, it’s worth taking the time to measure, cut, and prepare your floor coverings. Materials like Ram Board and runners are widely available at hardware stores and are easy enough to lay down.
However, doing it yourself means added responsibility. You’ll need to plan and set up in advance, and you might need to buy extra tools like tape, cutting blades, or sliders.
On the flip side, hiring professional movers usually means the floor protection is included. Most reputable companies arrive with Masonite, moving blankets, corner guards, and other essential gear. Their experience packing and loading the truck also reduces mistakes that lead to damage, like dragging furniture around corners or backing into door frames.
That said, always verify with your moving company what they’re bringing. Not all movers treat floor protection with the same level of detail. If you’re worried about damage, ask clear questions about what they’ll use on hardwood flooring, high-traffic areas, or around tight turns.
If You Decide to Hire, Trust EverSafe Moving Co.
Hiring professional movers in Philadelphia can take the pressure off. At EverSafe Moving Co., we handle every move with care, using materials like Ram Board, Masonite, moving blankets, and sliders to protect your floors from start to finish.
Our PriceLock Guarantee means you’ll know the exact cost before moving day—no hidden fees, no surprises. We also offer full packing services, using the right tools to protect your items and your home.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the state, our trained crews know how to move heavy furniture, manage high-traffic areas, and keep your floors in the same condition we found them.
When it comes to protecting your home, EverSafe moves the right way.
A Solid Move Starts from the Ground Up
Moving is always a challenge, but protecting your floors doesn’t need to add to the stress. No matter the flooring material—hardwood, tile, laminate, or carpet—taking simple precautions prevents permanent damage. The right combination of tools, coverings, and good habits makes a noticeable difference.
Use Ram Board or Masonite in heavier paths. Add runners where coverage is needed but flexibility matters. Use sliders, blankets, and the right wheels. Whether you hire pros or do it yourself, take time to plan your move with floor protection in mind.
Floors make up a large part of your home. Keep them in good shape from day one.
