Dry Film Thickness (DFT)
The thickness of a coating after it has cured, measured with a gauge across a grid of points.
On an actual building
Coatings are specified by DFT because their properties only exist at that thickness. An elastomeric coating spread thin to cover more area bridges nothing, and the shortfall is invisible without measurement.
What we most often have to correct
That full coverage means correct thickness. A continuous film can be well below specification.
Terms that come up alongside this one
- Wet Film Thickness (WFT)
The thickness of a coating measured immediately after application with a comb gauge, before any solvent or water has evaporated..
- Adhesion Pull-Off Test
A test in which a dolly is bonded to the coating and pulled off under measured force, recording both the load and where the failure occurred..
- Elastomeric Coating
A high-build flexible coating with substantial elongation, able to stretch and bridge hairline cracks as a substrate moves..
Dry Film Thickness (DFT) — questions we get asked
What does dry film thickness (dft) mean in waterproofing?
The thickness of a coating after it has cured, measured with a gauge across a grid of points.
Why does dry film thickness (dft) matter on a real project?
Coatings are specified by DFT because their properties only exist at that thickness. An elastomeric coating spread thin to cover more area bridges nothing, and the shortfall is invisible without measurement.
What do people commonly get wrong about dry film thickness (dft)?
That full coverage means correct thickness. A continuous film can be well below specification.
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