How can I tell the thickness of clear plastic?

At my local JoAnn Craft store, they sell this kind of vinyl/ plastic covering on the floor. It comes in several different gauges and you can feel them. I bet they sell it at other fabric shops, too, if you don't have a JoAnn's near you. You can also look online since they show the weights...or maybe you could call a JoAnn's store and ask about it. Hope that helps.

Hi Paula, Clear vinyl is a durable material that comes in many thicknesses. With clear vinyl, the higher the gauge, the thicker it is. 60 gauge is thick at 0.06 inches and 4 gauge is only 0.004 inches. You'll also see vinyl thickness referred to in mms. This is similar to but NOT the same as the gauge measurement, mm's are just the metric version, and the higher the mm the thicker is it.

You could also check out some clear vinyl shower curtain liners. Some are clear and fairly thick and some are clear and thinner. You can at least feel the difference because normally the packages are only sealed with a plastic snap or there is a hanging display. Make sure you are looking at the CLEAR ones--some are not clear. Depending on the size you need you may be able to cut to fit.

Visit a Joann'e fabric store and you can the get the feel of the thickness of their clear vinyl, be sure to take your tablecloth measurements with you. They quite often run sales if you are a subscriber to their email.

Go to amazon.com and check out their shower curtains and shower curtain liners.

I would not recommend doing this. You never see a tablecloth in a decorating magazine with plastic over it. I have a large collection of tablecloths, some embroidered and some just exquisite linen lace. Pictured here is a tablecloth we used for an anniversary party where there were about 60 guests. We had two tables with beautiful cloths on them. It is not a problem to get a thick piece of plastic. It is a problem to use it. If you are so concerned, fold the cloth carefully and hang it somewhere out of harms way so it can be seen but not touched. I always use a tablecloth on my table and while we usually don't have little kids around, I would still use one if there were. Here is a tablecloth for thanksgiving for 13 people inc. 3 children. White lace.

Take this embroidered piece to a fabric store and place all of the samples over it to find the best thickness. Once it's cut to order you will have problems returning it. You also want to test for color...some plastics are not really clear.

Hi Paula. I recommend taking your Dad's tablecloth with you to a local fabric store. They will be able to explain everything to you as far as using, and not using, a vinyl covering. Also, Paula, be careful putting a vinyl covering on your tablecloth if it gets a lot of sunlight. Sun can damage a tablecloth too.

You can purchase these plastic sheets from stores like Joann's where you can actually feel the thickness before you purchase it.

Thank you for your kind reply and I indeed bought a plastic sheet at Joann's but haven't had time to put it on the table yet... Thanks again.

Get something that’s heavy viral or go to Home Depot they sell vinyl by the yard and use that it’s realy thick and clear

Go to your local craft store or Walmart. They sell clear plastic on a roll.

Why not use a clear plexiglass over it when in use.