A Complete Guide to Temporary Barricade Solutions for Contractors

General contractors handle a variety of tasks on every project, including setting up enclosed spaces. Fortunately, temporary barricades can help address many of these challenges by safely closing off construction areas and maintaining a clean and professional appearance. With numerous types of barricade options, contractors can select solutions that suit the space and project timeline.

This comprehensive guide provides contractors with vital information on temporary barricades. We'll provide several details, including why they're more beneficial than drywall, where they excel, and how to take advantage of high-quality graphics on the barricade surface. Once you have an idea of how you can use these temporary barricades, don't forget to partner with trusted names like Boston Retail Solutions.

1. Why Temporary Modular Barricades Beat Drywall

When construction or renovations are underway, the wrong temporary wall can create more problems than it solves. Here’s why temporary modular barricades outperform traditional drywall in busy retail and airport environments:

• Cleaner, Faster Installs With Minimal Disruption. Drywall installations are slow, noisy, and dusty, which property managers don’t like. Prefabricated modular barricades can be installed quickly and cleanly, often overnight. Choose companies like Boston Retail Solutions that handle everything, from fast barricade installations to graphic designs.
• Better Branding & Graphics From Day One. Drywall requires finishing, priming, and painting, and surface imperfections can be visible through graphics. With providers like BRS, you get quality graphics installed on modular barricades. They can even return if the general contractors or the landlord request an update to the graphics.
• Built-In Flexibility as Projects Evolve. Modular barricades are designed to be adjusted and reconfigured throughout the project, compared to drywall. Make sure to work with a provider that offers barricade servicing or modifications as site needs change.
• Far Less Waste, Far More Sustainability. Drywall is built once and then demolished, sending debris straight to landfills after every project. Boston Retail Solutions’ reusable, modular barricades are redeployed from site to site and recycled at the end of their lifespan, helping divert over 17,500 tons of construction waste from landfills.
• Turnkey Services From Modular Barricade Providers. BRS is one company that offers turnkey services with its modular barricade services. This is essential for general contractors, as it removes a few responsibilities from their plates. One of those important responsibilities includes coordinating with the retailer or landlord.

2. Understanding Modular Barricades: Panelized, Temporary Wall Systems

Modular barricades are pre-engineered, panelized wall systems that lock together to enclose a jobsite. They are secure yet temporary, designed for fast installation, removal, and reconfiguration with minimal disruption to nearby shoppers or travelers. Instead of building a wall from scratch, providers give you a system that they can design, custom-fit, and install for you; often overnight.

Providers like Boston Retail Solutions also integrate branded or wayfinding graphics directly onto these walls, turning necessary construction enclosures into polished, on-brand visual experiences.

3. Different Locations Where Temporary Barricades Excel

Temporary modular barricades aren’t just versatile in how they’re built—they’re also highly adaptable to where they’re used. Below are the different environments where temporary barricade rental solutions are commonly used.

Interior Retail Barricades (Malls & Premium Outlets)

In malls and outlets, modular barricades provide clean, branded storefronts overnight so shoppers never see active construction. Their smooth, consistent surfaces are ideal for large-format graphics. These are a great way to inform the public about what's happening to your store and learn whether it's being renovated or even relocated to another section of the mall.

Airport Barricades & Freestanding Applications

Airports require high safety, clean aesthetics, and minimal disruption, which modular barricades deliver better. They can be configured as freestanding systems where fastening is difficult, and are easier to modify as scopes change. Many contractors frequently use these systems to enclose terminal renovations while maintaining passenger flow.

Exterior Retail Construction Barricades for Streetfront Projects

Exterior modular barricades are designed to withstand weather and heavy foot traffic. They safely enclose active construction or renovation projects and double as visible marketing surfaces for retailers. Some barricade providers can turn streetfront projects into branded, durable enclosures that perform well in busy urban corridors.

4. Different Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Barricade Provider

Choosing the right barricade provider can make all the difference in the success and safety of your construction project. Here’s what to look for to ensure you get expert service and quality products with your project:

• Retail and Airport Experience. Look for a provider with deep experience in malls, premium outlets, and airports, where brand standards, safety, and tight timelines are critical. Past work with recognizable retailers and properties is a good sign that they understand these environments.
• Custom-Fit, Modular Systems. The provider should be able to design and install modular barricades that are precisely fitted to each space, including tricky storefronts, corners, and varying heights. This avoids gaps, patchwork fixes, and on-site improvisation.
• Integrated Graphics and Installation. Choose a company that can handle both barricades and large-format graphics within a single, coordinated process. When one team manages field measurements, printing, and installation, you get cleaner results and fewer sizing or alignment issues.
• Ability to Adjust and Modify During the Project. Construction scopes often change. A strong provider will return to adjust, reconfigure, or extend barricades as needed, including updating access points or graphics without having to start from scratch.
• Interior and Exterior Capabilities. Confirm they can provide systems suitable for both interior environments and exterior street-front projects. Exterior barricades should handle weather and heavy foot traffic while still presenting a professional, branded appearance.
• Freestanding and Specialty Solutions. In locations where fastening is limited, such as certain airport or concourse areas, the provider should offer secure freestanding options. Providers like Boston Retail Solutions also bring in-house R&D to solve unique site challenges.
• Sustainability and Reusability. Inquire about how their systems support their sustainability goals. Reusable modular panels that can be redeployed from project to project, then recycled at end-of-life, significantly reduce construction waste compared to single-use drywall.
• Project Management and Property Coordination. Look for a partner that can coordinate with mall or airport management, handle approvals, and schedule overnight work to minimize disruption. This reduces the burden on your team and helps keep projects moving smoothly.
• National Reach and Response Times. If you operate in multiple markets, a provider with a national footprint and regional crews can offer consistent quality from site to site. Companies like Boston Retail Solutions can support rollouts and ongoing needs across many locations.
• Reliable Rental Model and Clear Pricing. Since barricades are typically rented, make sure the provider offers transparent pricing that includes installation, adjustments, and removal. This helps you avoid surprise costs at the end of the project.

Protect and Conceal Your Construction Sites With Our Reliable Temporary Barricade Solutions

When your construction or renovation work needs to stay out of sight, choose Boston Retail Solutions for professional temporary barricade solutions. Our modular systems create clean, solid barriers that conceal active work areas, separate construction from public spaces, and even help contain dust. Our team can custom-fit, install on your schedule, and update graphics or layouts as your project evolves.

Contact us today to discuss your construction project and create a detailed plan to install our temporary barricades.