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Social Distancing Floor Markings

Floor markings to control social distancing is advisable in all public places.

We have worked endlessly to get our floor marking design approved by the Department for Transport for pedestrian areas.

If you are looking to have social distancing floor stickers installed, please get in touch with our team today for prices and information.

Social Distancing Graphics

Due to the Coronavirus, the Government have enforced social distancing measures. It is likely that we will have to learn to social distance safely for quite some time.

Our team have plenty of social graphics that can be installed onto the floor to create a much safer area for anyone visiting your establishment.

Unlike general social distancing floor stickers, our graphics are heat applied, meaning they are much more durable ensuring a longer life span. Once they are installed, you will not need to worry about peeling or ripping.

We have been installing our graphics on school playgrounds, roadways, pedestrian walkways and a range of other areas for a number of years and have plenty of experience.

To find out more about the COVID 19 social distancing floor graphics that we can install, please speak to one of our experts today.

We will be able to offer you information on the graphics and get back to you with costs and information on the designs available.

Duty Of Care

Facility owners have a duty of care so far as reasonably practicable to upkeep and maintain all surfaces.

Facility owners must protect the health & safety and welfare of anyone using their facility. Providing safe flooring which is well maintained and without any risk of slips, trips or falls. This is why we feel the flush thermoplastic markings is a more suitable product for the social distance markings than the tape installed.

Arrangements for ensuring safety to all surfaces and information logged is necessary to ensure the safety of all people.

This is why the govt has put in place funding available for any expenses additional to the safety of the public because of the covid19 pandemic.

Government Funding

Government funding is currently available to all schools. You can find more information by following this govt funding link.

“schools will be eligible to claim up to the limits set out below. Schools will need to provide assurance that costs are legitimate additional costs incurred due to coronavirus (COVID-19) by taking necessary measures and should consider the following before submitting claims: schools should keep records of all expenditure relating to coronavirus (COVID-19), as is usual with all spend, these records will be necessary for local audit arrangements”

The social makings are additional costs due to the coronavirus COVID-19 and therefore you should log any expenses set out for these works to be carried out.

You can claim back these costs and any additional cleaning costs necessary for the health and safety of the facility.

Nursery Markings

As children return to Nursery, measures need to be put in place for parents dropping off and picking up their children.

Clear floor markings for social distancing need to be installed to demonstrate health and safety measures in the UK.

The 2m distancing thermoplastic graphics can be designed as a decorative floor marking and help the routes of queues.

As a nationwide flooring marking company, we can price to supply and install the nursery social distancing thermoplastics markings anywhere in the UK.

We offer 2m distancing dots, social distancing marked pathway designs and a range of other floor markings. It is important for nurseries to have these markings installed to show parents and guardians the safe distance they should be keeping.

School Floor Graphics

Schools throughout the UK are also in need of h+s floor graphics to visualise the two-metre social distance safety measures.

The Government are advising all to keep 2m distances when queuing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus covid19 outbreak.

The COVID 19 pandemic warning by the Govt notes that all the public schools coming to collect the students should keep a safe 2m distance.

Many UK Schools are enquiring to install the permanent thermoplastic markings.

Enquire today to receive the best prices for the supply and installation of the school floor 2m social distance graphics.

Cycle Routes

Signs and markings for cycle routes provide guidance to designers of cycling facilities on the use of Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.

Clear floor markings are needed to help guide the general public and cyclists.

Having installed a number of cycle route markings over the years, we are fully qualified to install accurate markings for your pathways.

If you require more information on the markings for cycle routes, please make sure to speak to a member of our team today.

Thermoplastic Markings Vs Tape

Some facilities in the UK were chosen to install standard floor stickers or tape for the social distancing floor graphics but these are causing an issue, as they can start to peel.

The thermoplastic markings are the preferred outdoor social distancing floor graphics because they are permanent.

Our thermoplastic 2m social distancing markings are hard wearing and designed for heavy footfall. Therefore, they are a perfect solution to schools, nurseries and public areas.

Enquire today to receive a free no-obligation quote for the premium social distancing floor graphics at your facility.

How Much are Floor Markings?

The costs of social distancing markers can vary depending on a number of different factors.

One thing that can alter the cost of the floor markings is the number of markings you have installed. The size of the floor graphics will also cause the cost to alter. Obviously larger markers will be more expensive than the smaller ones.

The design of the markers can also have an impact on the price. We have a range of different designs for our social distancing markings.

Speak to a member of our team to see the different designs available and how much each design costs.

Contact Us

If you wish to keep your staff and customers safe during the social distancing measures, you may want to think about having social distancing floor markings installed now.

All of our markings are design approved. We will ensure your markers meet social distancing requirements to help prevent the spread of Covid 19 within your grounds.

Call us today on 01625 445 760 or fill in our contact form to speak to one of our experts.

World Book Day 2020 – Thursday 5th March

Encouraging reading is something we should always be doing! Literacy is a skill which opens up some incredible doors for people – not just children – all over the world. What’s more, books offer people a fantastic way to escape to another world.

Rather than just sitting in front of a screen, a book will encourage readers to use their imaginations. There’s a reason why libraries are still in business – people of all ages, all over the world, still love books!

That’s why World Book Day is always a roaring success. This year, World Book Day 2020 will be taking place on Thursday 5th March. It’s a brilliant opportunity for schools and public bodies to share books with young people.

It’s also a fantastic occasion for children and young people to get together and share their favourite stories. World Book Day allows children to try new stories and to explore new worlds.

2020 World Book Day Theme

The main 2020 World Book Day theme is all about sharing. Brought together by creative and funny new bookmark mascots, children will be encouraged to share their favourite stories and to explore new ideas. Older children and young people who use social media can also use these channels to explore events and get involved with discussions about their favourite authors and tales.

The main theme for World Book Day this year appears to be taking advantage of social platforms and creativity. There’s a fantastic national competition opening up, for example, where kids can design their own book tokens to win a fantastic selection of stories.

Schools and educational bodies across the UK, as well as the world, will be taking advantage of the latest theme and setting up events to help bring young people further into the world of literature. Why watch the movie when you can take your time and read the book instead?

Events for Schools

There are plenty of events for schools opening up surrounding World Book Day 2020. Schools can set up pop-up sales and libraries for children to sample new stories and old favourites. What’s more, there will be workshops and masterclasses opening up.

Some of the nation’s best-loved children’s authors will be coming together to share, through video, their inspirations and their own favourite stories. It’ll be a great way for young people to really connect with their favourite wordsmiths.

School events will likely vary from area to area. This means that they can get really creative when it comes to themes and activities. Ultimately, the idea is to encourage young people to read!

This could mean setting writing activities, creative book reports, storytelling areas and even book swapping clubs. The main World Book Day website is awash with brilliant ideas and concepts which will likely appeal to children and teachers alike. It’s one of the best days of the year to be a voracious reader!

World Book Day Activity Ideas

There are some great World Book Day activity ideas already getting shared online. Schools looking to join in the fun can take a lot of inspiration from what’s appearing on the main World Book Day website, as well as through social media. The #WorldBookDay and #WorldBookDay2020 hashtags are already full of brilliant photos and ideas!

Here are just a few great ideas you could put into practice at your own school or World Book Day 2020 event:

  • Poetry and limerick competitions
  • Creative arts contests – bring your favourite characters to life
  • Acting masterclasses – bring books and stories to life
  • Reading Trees
  • Book swaps
  • Book sales
  • Fancy dress competitions – dress as your favourite characters

Of course, the list goes on! As a festival for celebrating imagination, it’s a great chance for kids and teachers to let their minds run wild. These activities can help enhance a range of skills including speech development, social interaction and more.

What are some of the most creative ways you can celebrate your favourite books, characters and authors? It’s well worth exploring what people are already bringing to life online.

Encouraging Reading in Schools

Encouraging reading in schools has never been more important. While most people are able to read from an early age, there are some who find themselves illiterate in adult life. It is nothing to be ashamed of! However, World Book Day offers a great opportunity to help encourage young people to connect with the written word.

It’s a great chance to explore some of the best-loved titles in our libraries. Iconic stories from the likes of Enid Blyton, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien, Roger Hargreaves, Michael Morpurgo and more have really made an impact on our lives. Who knows? There may be one or more up and coming authors who kids really want to get into.

World Book Day 2020, taking place on March 5ththis year, will allow young people and their teachers to get into some exploratory reading and creative writing like never before.

Rhino Turf

If you’re looking for professional installers of Rhino Turf surfacing within the United Kingdom, then you have come to the right place. Our company are experts at installing these surface types, and have plenty of case studies of jobs we’ve carried out in the past. The flooring we install, is of the highest possible quality. We pride ourselves on using only the best materials in the industry, ensuring that your facility last for the longest possible amount of time.

“Rhino Turf is a new, high-quality synthetic turf range specifically for sports pitches”

What is Rhino Turf?

Rhino turf offers the best yarns and designs perfect for sports surfaces. This surface types are created with the player in mind, yet are also affordable, making it a very popular surface in the UK. It is tested to RFU, IRB, FIFA, FIH and FA accreditations. The artificial grass is ideal for multi sports purposes from football, hockey, rugby, tennis and is being installed throughout the UK in schools, leisure centres, colleges and professional sports clubs. To learn more about artificial grass itself, why not take a look at the artificial grass wiki page.

Best Sports for Rhino Turf

This surface type is available in a huge amount of specifications, so working out the best sports for Rhino Turf initially can be a bit tricky.

These courts can be a brilliant option for those looking to have either a specific type of court, or a court suitable for multiple games. These facilities can be fitted in a huge variety of specifications, including different colours, sizes and turf types. Feel free to ask us about any of our specifications that we have available!

Maintaining a Rhino Turf Facility

  • Maintenance of these sports pitch types can involve:
  • Regularly brushing the facility in order to clear debris
  • Treating the surface chemically
  • An infill top-up
  • Rejuvenation of the existing surface
  • Decompaction

Obviously, some of these maintenance types are proactive and reactive, therefore depending on the current condition of your sports pitch. The best way to prevent reactive maintenance is to regularly maintain the surface proactively. That way, the duration of the lifespan of the surface will be drastically increased!

If you wish to learn more regarding looking after these facilities, feel free to check out our sports pitch maintenance page!

Cost of Rhino Turf

Generally speaking, the cost of having a Rhino Turf surface installed can really depend entirely on the type of turf you’re looking to have installed, the size, colour, fencing options etc. Really the best way to go about understanding the costs of this surfacing is to drop us an enquiry! If you would like any specifications for any of our services then please do not hesitate to contact our head office on 01625 445760.

How Is Artificial Grass Installed?

Recently, artificial grass has seen a huge increase in popularity in a wide variety of locations. Whether that be homes, nurseries and schools, sports facilities etc. people are starting to notice the benefits artificial has over organic.

The process of installing these products should be completed carefully by experienced contractors to ensure that the end result is the best possible quality.

Artificial Grass Installation Guide

Artificial grass can seem incredibly complicated and confusing when first looking into it. Once you know everything about it though, it becomes simpler than organic turf! Installing fake lawns offers so many customisable options and some extra benefits in which the natural surface struggles to meet.

With modern synthetic turf being UV stable, this eliminates the chance of the surface losing its colour through exposure to natural sunshine. You can also pick the shade of green that you wish to see your lawn as. Whether it is a bright green or dark green, any shade of green can be applied to the area for you. Check out this post as well to see the benefits of having an artificial grass garden.

Synthetic Turf Lawn Installers

When it comes to installing synthetic turf, it can be a long, tiring and expensive process to do if you try and install it by yourself. In addition, most people who end up trying to install artificial turf without any help from an installer usually damage the area in which they want to install the fake grass. This can make the process even harder especially when you’re trying to achieve the perfect lawn.

That’s why professional synthetic turf lawn installers are usually the best option to go with. Before you pick one though, it’s recommended that you do some background checks and receive some client references about the company, so you can understand a bit more about the installation process and timing.

Soft Surfaces can help with the installation of synthetic turf surfacing. We have completed many projects including school artificial grass for playgrounds and other areas.

With over 20 years of experience and a team made up of professionals, installing synthetic turf couldn’t be any easier. Just tell the team what kind of design you would like (colour of turf, depth of grass, measurements etc.) and we’ll get straight on it. Usually, it takes us around 2-3 days to complete an installation fully, but this really depends on the size and requirements of the project.

These products can be installed to domestic locations along with nursery gardens, visitor attractions and other outdoor spaces.

Laying a Fake Grass Lawn

The process of going from a muddy, dirty lawn to a clean, nice looking synthetic surface is quite long but our team will complete it to the highest standards. The process goes as follows:

  • Remove the existing grass – The top layer of soil is removed to show the bottom layer.
  • Compact the ground – A roller or vibrating plate is then used to flatten the bottom layer of soil.
  • Prevent weeds from growing – We’ll place a weed blocking membrane over the ground. This decreases the chances of weeds from growing through and will allow vital drainage.
  • Lay sand – Sand is then added on top of the membrane, which is compacted and sharp, with a minimum of 40mm.
  • Place grass edging down – This will hold the artificial carpet in place and stop it from moving about. It’s usually made a bit smaller than the turf so that water can run off the edges.
  • Rolling out the turf – When the previous steps are done, our team will then start to roll out the fake grass. This process should be done correctly (slowly and steady) or else the weed-killing membrane can be damaged.
  • Let the carpet settle – For a minimum of three hours (preferably overnight though); the turf is left to settle to stop any wrinkling or creasing occurring.
  • Cut and trim the edges – Excess synthetic turf is then cut off so the artificial grass fits perfectly in the specified area.
  • Joining and pinning – Adhesive is applied underneath the grass to glue it firmly to the floor and together. Once the positioning is good, the turf will then be pinned down to hold it in position.
  • Sand infill – Next we’ll apply a layer of sand throughout the surface which helps to keep the fibres upright and even.
  • Brush up the carpet – Finally, a simple brush of the fibres will get the fake blades to stand up and look more natural, giving it a beautiful finish.

Not only can synthetic turf be installed on existing grassy areas, but it can be installed on concrete and follows a similar procedure to the one above. Enquire today to see for yourself.

Contact Us

If any of this interest you, then send us your enquiries now! We offer free no obligation quotations and only the best prices are guaranteed for you. Designs can become reality through us as we will try our hardest to make sure every aspect of your design is met.

What Is Self Binding Gravel?

Self Binding gravel is a simple surface which is formed rolling specialist stone aggregate into place which binds itself into a multipurpose pathway. This is often used as a more cost effective alternative to traditional paving such as concrete and macadam.

A lot of interior and exterior products are now available in the market for various reasons. Some homeowners look for durability, affordability and visual aesthetic with self compacting gravel.

The good thing is, innovations are made to suit what consumers need. In light of this matter, we’ll discuss a rising trend in soil or surface topping, self binding gravel.

An Introduction to Self-Binding Gravel

Gravel is typically used for an all-natural aesthetic in gardening, exterior landscaping and other decorative tasks. However, it doesn’t stick in one place. It is kicked around, thrown into several areas because of the rain and does not hold the ground for an extended period.

This undesirable feature is considered a deal-breaker for many. Self binding gravel contains a significant amount of tiny particles. Those that are commonly found in gravel, like pebbles, that increases the cohesiveness of the surface topper. Unlike other commercial gravel that removes fine particles, self-binding gravel needs it for an effective stick. Since it is composed of tiny, numerous and fine particles, cohesion is effortless.

Although it isn’t comparable to the cohesive properties of concrete, resin or bitmac surfaces, it makes a desirable option if you’re looking for an affordable, low-maintenance and reusable choice. This type of surfacing is commonly chosen for paths, golf courses and public walkways. You can also find self binding gravel driveways in domestic areas.

Types and Designs

Since a lot of people discover the beauty of self binding gravel, various designs and patterns are derived to choose from. These are made to complement varied exterior finishes and appeal that a particular environment has. In this section, we’ll list the most common designs for you to pick. As self binding gravel suppliers and installers we can offer a range of designs for this surface type.

1. Breedon Gravel

This Magnesian limestone paves the pathways of the Royals for its Golden Amber accent. Since gold is a colour associated with royalty, it can be utilised for pathways, driveways and patios with a golden emphasis for a highlighting effect. Its often used at stately homes, visitor attractions and other decorative areas. You can also use this gravel for a touch of royal in your home if you’re looking to fancy a royal treatment.

2. Cedec Gravel

This type of self binding gravel is commonly seen on areas where a dash of red looks appealing and stunning, Cedec gravel is made up of both quartz and granite. When compared to Breedon gravel, it’s chemically inert (meaning unreactive to other components) with a neutral pH. Cedec gravel is ideal for designing exteriors that have plants, especially those that are alkali or acid sensitive.

3. Deansett Gravel

Some self-binding gravel works better than other gravel types. In this case, Deansett gravel works best for car parks, driveways, running tracks, and cycle areas. It’s alluring pinkish to red tone makes it a charming option for the mentioned areas.

Self-Binding-Gravel

Advantages and Disadvantages of Self Binding Gravel

A self binding gravel path or driveway is a practical choice for homeowners that are looking for a cheap, low-maintenance and appealing way to beautify their gardens or exterior spaces. However, there is a difference when we say low-maintenance to no maintenance.

From time to time, make sure to eradicate weeds that are growing out of the self-binding aggregates so that it’ll look clean and pristine. You can manually weed out sprouting greens, or use a shovel to scoop out an area and re-level it after.

It is a visually stunning option for homeowners that wants to achieve a minimalistic yet natural look in their surroundings.

With various colours and components, you can mix and match for a wholesome appeal. One downside of self-binding gravel is, its component can be loose that it can be tossed around, carried over and picked up from shoes to other places. As professionals would recommend some grating or matting is needed to reinforce the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about self binding gravel.

How Does Self Binding Gravel Work?

The mixture of gravel particles, gravel dust, sand and clay makes this product bind firmly when it’s compacted.

All of the smaller particles within the mixture make it more cohesive compared with traditional gravel surfaces which have these fine materials removed before installation.

How Do You Lay Self Binding Gravel?

Self binding gravel has to be laid in thin layers to allow the surfacing to compact properly.

We would recommend a finished product depth of no more than 50mm. It will usually need to be laid onto an MOT type 1 sub base. It is always best to have a professional company install these surface to ensure it is completed to the correct standards.

Is Self Binding Gravel Suitable For Driveways?

Yes, self binding gravel is suitable for driveways.

It’s a great alternative to some of the other driveway or garden surfacing options. The gravel binds together when it’s rolled to create a self-compacted surface which stays more firm underfoot compared to traditional loose aggregate surfaces.

resin bound design

Contact Us

For more information on self binding gravel or for some of our other resin bound or resin bonded gravel options, please get in touch today and we will be happy to help.

Moisture Cure Polyurethane Binders

Moisture Cure Polyurethane Binders are used on polymeric surfaces and impact absorbing playground surfacing areas. The PU binders have been used for years as adhesives for varnishes, sealers and in the domestic market. It is a moisture curing adhesive that pulls liquids from the air with the humidity and hence the reason is has to be used in the correct weather conditions.

What is Polyurethane?

Information from Wikipedia: Polyurethane (PUR and PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. While most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers that do not melt when heated, thermoplastic polyurethanes are also available.

Polyurethane polymers are traditionally and most commonly formed by reacting a di- or poly-isocyanate with a polyol. Both the isocyanates and polyols used to make polyurethanes contain, on average, two or more functional groups per molecule.

How Does Polyurethane Binder Work?

The water molecules from the atmosphere that gives the humidity is what makes the resin set and you on average have one hour playing time during installation to be able to work with the binder adhesive. Once the polyurethane moisture cure binder is let into the open then it quickly starts to cure and for it to be full cured takes approx 24-48 hours before people can walk on the area.

We ensure that we take great care when using this product for any of our services, as we understand that it must be applied properly and with meticulous attention to detail so that the finished product is of the highest standard possible.

Polyurethane Binder for Playgrounds

The mix of the PU binder is done with rubber epdm chippings for the wetpour surface and SBR rubber crumb for the base layer wet pour safety surface. It is mixed in a continuous rectangle mixer on site and installed insitu which gives the benefit of being able to be laid to any depth, shape and size.

The Polyurethane binder for playgrounds does an excellent job at ensuring the rubber crumb stays bound together for the entirely of the facilities lifespan. This substance therefore is brilliant for us when we install our play facilities, as we can be confident that our products really will stand the test of time.

Feel free to contact us!

For further details on our playground facilities and surfaces, please free free to call us on 01625 445760 or simply contact us via our online form! Our team has years of experience in the industry and are more than happy to assist you with whatever query you may have.

We have a wealth of experience that spreads across decades of work, and consider our company to be the most knowledgable in the industry.

Anti Bullying Week 2019 – Change Starts With Us

Anti-Bullying Week is set to take place between 11th – 15th November 2019. You can make all the difference, by reading on, and joining many others looking to make a difference.

Bullying is a traumatic experience that 64% of children experience every day. It discourages little ones from revealing certain differences about themselves and ultimately shapes their personality as they grow older.

With the unforgiving act of bullying affecting over half of the population aged between 8-years and 16-years old, it’s time we joined together and made a stand.

Every year there’s a week where adults and children unite and participate in various activities and awareness projects. It is also World Kindness Day on the 17th of November. The two events go hand in hand.

This Year’s Theme

This year, the campaign hopes to attract adults and children alike. By making small changes, you could contribute to a big difference.

By coming together to make small, simple changes we can break the cycle. By starting a conversation, checking in and working together, we can start cracking down on bullying. In this day and age, there are attacks via verbal, physical and online actions.

Here are some of the activities that have been created for Anti-Bullying Week 2019:

  • School packs for all schools (primary and secondary)- they will include lesson plans, activity ideas and cross-curricular activities.
  • Odd Socks Day- This is on Tuesday 12th November, to celebrate being unique.
  • Anti-Bullying School Staff Reward- Each school can nominate their school staff for this reward.
  • Sign up as an official supporter of this week.
  • Films for schools.
  • Interact and get involved with the social media campaign.
  • Read more and check for announcements on their official social media.

If you are hoping to join the movement, then don’t forget to use the hashtags- #AntiBullyingWeek, #OddSocks and #ChangeStartsWithUs.

Why It’s Important

The nationwide event is one that’s been organised and created by the Anti Bullying Alliance. It enables adults and children to come together and address a common issue. By participating in the week, you’ll be helping shine a light on the problem.

Not only will it identify the issue at hand, but it will also look at ways to resolve bullying. Some of the fun and exciting activities bring bullying into the awareness, offer resolutions and most importantly, create a safe environment for children. This gives them a space to talk openly and join together to help one another.

Teachers, parents and children can all do their part. Here are the reasons we believe the week to be imperative.

  • Identifies the problem of bullying
  • Allows children and adults alike to empathise with victims
  • By doing so, we get the chance to rectify issues
  • Create a safe place for kids
  • Allows parents, teachers and children to communicate on the matter

How to Tackle Bullying on the Playground

Before delving into games and activities that can reduce bullying and improve behaviour on the playground, we also talk about other factors that should be considered. Tackling bullying can be done via teachers too.

Monitoring and running activities that involve all makes a huge difference. Other useful tools include having a buddy stop, where children don’t need to feel alone when walking out to play. Playground monitors can also encourage kids to join in different games with one another.

Games to Reduce Bullying

Getting children to interact with one another and enjoy games together allows them to create a friendship. Feeling safe and having fun together is something that can help cut out bullying.

Aside from sports and the classic playground games such as tag, we have found games that are more inclusive and can act as a great morale-boosting activity.

Here’s a compilation of activities that all play together for a captain and crew member game. It’s called shipwreck and involves various inclusive activities, all in one game.

  • Roll call – Players act as the crew and put their feet together. Salute and say “aye-aye captain!”
  • Swab the deck – The kids are the crew that act like they’re mopping the deck.
  • Lighthouse – The crew get into pairs. They then put their hands together over their heads. The turnaround making “beep beep” noises.
  • Sailor overboard – One for a group of three. Two players join their hands together, the third person gets in the middle with hands over their eyes. Acting as though they’re seeing if somebody is overboard.
  • Row to shore – One of the most fun parts. Get the crew in lines of four; everybody rows to safety- “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”.
  • Chow time – It’s time to eat, everybody in lines of four, if you have 30 players, everybody acts as though they are eating a bowl of food- “Nom. nom. nom. nom.”

This particular game is one that has inclusive elements throughout. It is aimed at younger children but there are numerous games of this nature for all schools. Find one that matches the age group and ensure that everybody gets included. These activities can help promote kindness and stop children from being left out.

Another way to keep them engaged and interacting is to make predetermined areas. Such as hop-scotch, chessboard and snakes and ladders. It’s also possible to separate areas of the playground with a quiet area, zoning areas for sport and more.

Creating a More Friendly Playground

In addition to the all-encompassing play, there are other procedures and protocols that can create a more friendly playground.

Staggered Play

Staggered play can give more pupils the opportunity to shine. Having an overcrowded playground can sometimes cause more issues. Plus, younger children may shy away from playing sports or games.

Incident Records

Staying on top of incidents means being meticulous. Have all incidents noted down enables you to rectify any potential problems.

Monitoring

A playground monitor can spot any bullying or children that may feel lonely. It’s also a duty to encourage everybody to play together.

Discussion Groups

Discussions between pupils can help teachers and parents understand what’s needed. This will help create a more friendly environment.

The Week

With lots of activities and ways to join the Anti-Bullying Week in 2019, everybody can collaborate in kicking out bullying. This is for children of all ages and will help everyone come together and address a serious issue around the country.

Benefits of Outdoor Gym Equipment

There has been an increase in the use of outdoor gym equipment in school playgrounds and public parks throughout the UK. These facilities can be used by school pupils during lessons and break times. They can even be available to members of the local community who are looking to be more active.

It has been proven that taking part in outdoor activities improves health and happiness. This goes for both children and adults, so these facilities have lots of different benefits.

Gym Equipment Outdoors

Schools often choose to have different types of play equipment in outdoor areas so that the pupils can be active and get fresh air during break time. This helps to increase energy levels and makes it easier for the kids to learn and concentrate during lessons.

Overall happiness and well-being is also improved by outdoor activity. This is therefore why the external gym equipment is popular in community parks. People who are looking to improve their lifestyle and become healthier can get access to fitness equipment in an outdoor space. They can use this without having to sign up for an expensive gym membership.

Participating in any type of exercise has been shown to improve mental health and relaxation. Doing these activities outside boosts the benefits even more. With dedicated outdoor gym equipment for use by the public or for school students, more people can enjoy feeling healthier and increasing their activity.

If you are looking to improve physical fitness and activity at your school or local park, please contact us. We’ll respond and offer you some more information on the products available.

playground-equipment

External Fitness Machines

A range of different exercise machines can be installed to create an outdoor gym facility that suits whoever will be using it. Popular features include treadmills, stationary bikes and cross trainers for core fitness, as well as resistance machines and weights for strength.

Things like gym bars are also installed as these can be used for Calisthenics workouts. This is an activity that focuses on using your own bodyweight with minimal equipment. You can have other features like activity trails and obstacle courses. These help to develop a range of skills like balance, agility, climbing and strength.

Designs for Outdoor Spaces

Depending on the type of design you want and the amount of outdoor space you have, there are plenty of different options available. You could decide just to have a range of standard gym machines, or you could choose a number of different features to set up a large outdoor fitness area. We offer several other types of outdoor play area equipment for different activities.

Military training facilities can even use this equipment to set up an assault course with things like:

  • Traversing walls
  • Crawl nets
  • Balance beams
  • Tyre hops

Alternatively, other products are perfect for children’s play areas to allow them to develop fundamental physical skills through fun activities. These can even help children with physical learning difficulties to become more confident. See our post on playground games for children with dyspraxia to learn more about these.

We can install specialist rubber mulch surfacing for the gym area to create a more comfortable flooring surface.

Keeping Fit Through Life

The external gym machines are great for schools and colleges. They allow children to have an introduction to fitness equipment in a familiar environment. This could then encourage them to join a gym and stay active in their adult life if they enjoyed doing the different workouts.

Studies of UK schools have found that many children have low levels of activity and this is contributing to poor health and obesity. With an improvement in school sports equipment and community facilities, it’s easier for children and other members of the community to increase their exercise levels.

Health Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

Taking part in regular exercise in an outdoor environment has many advantages to overall health and quality of life. Sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D which promotes healthy bones and teeth. The fresh air also contributes to relaxation and happiness. People will often be more likely to continue outdoor sports over an extended period of time. More than they would continue working out in an indoor gym.

This is because outdoor activities like team games are generally more enjoyable and this encourages people to continue them regularly. Any form of exercise is beneficial for anyone looking to manage their weight, or simply improve their own personal fitness. So an activity that’s enjoyable and easier to stick to will always have more health benefits.

Several people can use the outdoor gym machines at the same time. This means you can enjoy being active with your friends and family, or even make new friends with other people. If you have children and you’re trying to involve them in sports and exercise, a fitness facility at a local park is a great way to do this as a family. Through spending time with others and meeting new people, there is a range of mental health benefits. These are often both short and long term.

Play Equipment Budgets

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a gym membership, these outdoor facilities allow you to get the same benefits for free. This along with the fresh air, social interaction and overall health advantage makes it easy to understand why external fitness facilities are becoming more popular. By having different types of equipment in school play areas, the kids can make the most of their outdoor environment by enjoying different games and being active.

Please complete the contact form on this page to get in touch with us. We’ll answer any questions you have any questions about the benefits of outdoor fitness equipment in schools and public spaces. If you would like to install one of these facilities, we would be happy to supply you more information. We can discuss everything including the costs of different machines that are available.

Thermoplastic Installation in Aston, Birmingham

Here at Soft Surfaces, we’re a specialist installer on thermoplastic installation in Aston, Birmingham, and are also able to install this surface across the entire Birmingham area.

Post installation our team can offer thermoplastic repair services for existing thermoplastic surfacing within this location, so if you currently have a thermoplastic surface that needs either resurfacing or rejuvenation, be sure to contact us.

For this particular post, we show off one of our thermoplastic installations that we carried out in Aston, Birmingham.

Below you can see the specific information for this install, as well as the video transcript describing the job in detail.

Thermoplastic Surfacing in Aston, Birmingham

What was the specification? : High durability paint and thermoplastic line markings
What colours were used? : Red and blue with white and yellow line markings
What was the size of the job? : 612m²
How long did the job take?: 1 day on site
What sub base was used? : Open textured macadam

We install thermoplastic playground markings on existing surfaces to create a fun and educational area for children to enjoy. We can also install thermoplastics to create running tracks and other activities for children at a more cost effective price.

Playground Marking Installation Birmingham

Thermoplastic Markings

The video below shows the transformation of a playground in Birmingham.

Please see video transcript below:

00:02 Hey, you guys. It’s Dan from Soft Surfaces again here, and on this video we’re going to be showing you a thermoplastic markings and high durability paint installation at a school.

00:10 So beforehand as you can see it’s a very worn-out surface in need of a bit of a rejuvenation and a bit of a lift. You can see from the closeup there that it’s actually very worn out on the colors too.

00:18 So then once we actually applied the thermoplastic markings and high durability paint you can see it looks really, really great. We’ve got a running track kind of going around there, new games available for them to be playing, obviously with the running track again there and a hopscotch.

Thermoplastic Marking Install Birmingham

00:30 They’re really, really pleased with this install. It really transformed their school surface for them.

00:34 Here at Soft Surfaces we actually work nationwide applying these thermoplastic markings across the United Kingdom, and as a result of this we actually rank in Google for these keywords: “thermoplastic markings installer UK,” “school surface painting company,” “UK bright playground surfaces,” “nationwide floor painting specialists,” “thermoplastic surface spray UK,” and even more than that.

00:57 So if you are interested in finding more about the price and specifications of this surface type, please just find our website under the description of this video and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with an inquiry.

01:05 Thanks a lot, guys, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Thermoplastic Markings Birmingham

Thermoplastic Flooring Applications in Birmingham

Many of our clients are often interested in what types of flooring thermoplastic can actually be used for.

To give some examples, here are some applications that thermoplastic flooring can be used for in this area:

  • Thermoplastic Line Markings Birmingham
  • Thermoplastic Road Markings Birmingham
  • Thermoplastic Playground Graphics Birmingham

Why Choose Us?

Our team here at Soft Surfaces Ltd have over 25 years of experience installing thermoplastic flooring in Birmingham, as well as the West Midlands in general.

Our  pride themselves on using the highest quality materials for our works, and our professional, hard working installers will work around the clock to ensure your Birmingham thermoplastic surface meets your desired needs.

Additionally, our team can take of the maintenance of your surface once installed too, making the process of caring for your new thermoplastic surface clean and smooth. Be sure to get in touch with us if this is something you would be interested in, and a member of our team will be in touch with your right away.

Other areas in the West Midlands we Install Thermoplastic Flooring

Here at Soft Surfaces, we are able to install thermoplastic flooring throughout the West Midlands areas:

  • Thermoplastic Flooring in Birmingham
  • Thermoplastic Flooring in Coventry
  • Thermoplastic Flooring in Hereford
  • Thermoplastic Flooring in Shrewsbury
  • Thermoplastic Flooring in Stafford

Contact Us

If you would like your playground covered with thermoplastics activity floor graphics, please complete our contact form today.

Ulticolour Porous Asphalt Surfacing

UltiColour premium asphalt surfacing offers an exciting range of colours to create a beautiful space that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

The premium quality asphalt surface offers high performance with top grade, coloured aggregate whilst also remaining completely porous. The permeable nature of the surface ensures natural drainage of water making it SuDS compliant.

What is UltiColour Tarmac?

Ulticolour tarmac is a solid surface made up of the highest quality materials. The finest coloured aggregates are blended with hot tar on site and laid flat to create a striking, long lasting surface.

Tarmac Ulti Colour is found in many different areas including schools, nursery play areas, colleges, universities, sports clubs, commercial buildings and residential properties throughout the UK.

If you are looking to brighten an old, tired area with a surface that can be used for countless different purposes, the Ulti Colour is the perfect alternative to traditional asphalt, concrete or block paving.

Benefits of UltiColour

Ulticolour surfacing offers a wide range of benefits. The 5 main advantages are as follows:

  • Define space – having different colours for areas is perfect in schools, commercial buildings and roadways where it is important to differentiate between uses.
  • Safety – including coloured roadways in nurseries so they can learn road safety.
  • Low maintenance – Long lasting, durable surfacing.
  • Visibility & Navigation – clearly mark entrance and exit pathways.
  • Aesthetics – upgrade from regular, boring asphalt surfacing.

Ulti-colour is perfect for any area that needs a unique, hard-wearing, the all-weather surface that can be used for various different purposes.

6mm Aggregate Porous Tarmac Specification

This specialist tarmac specification is fully porous meaning that it is suitable for Driveways, footpaths, pedestrian zones, playgrounds and much more.

The coloured tarmac specification isn’t often considered the perfect solution for sports surfacing as it doesn’t meet the slip resistance for certain sports. Netball courts require a slip resistance of 75 TRRL and generally require a more extensive coating of slip resistance.

This being said, Ulticolour tarmac perfect alternative to block paving which requires extensive upkeep to remove weeds, moss & algae.

“The Ulti Colour coloured surface has absolutely transformed the look of my driveway and side entrance and has made it so much easier to maintain, year round!”

John- Fleetwood

UltiColour Applications

UltiColour decorative surfacing can often be found within parking areas across the UK.

This includes residential parking, commercial parking, retail car parks, estate roads, outdoor path surfacing and driveways. Ulticolour can be installed wherever a solid but attractive surface application is required.

Ulti colour tarmac specification -10mm is specifically designed for larger porous parking areas which need to remain SuDS compliant.

Ulti colour tarmac specification – 6mm is mixed with a porous binder making it the perfect solution for driveways in commercial and residential areas.

With the technical knowledge and vast experience, you can rest assured that your surfacing will be installed to the highest standard.

Ulti Colour Options

Ulticolour asphalt surfacing is available in a number of different colours. There is something for everyone to match the colour themes of any schools, colleges, sports clubs etc. and ensure that the surface finishes off the surroundings nicely.

Please see examples of the colour range below:

  • White
  • Light Buff
  • Buff Quartzite
  • Buff Gravel
  • Natural Gravel
  • Natural Quartzite
  • Orange
  • Classic red
  • Terracotta
  • Light Grey
  • Mid grey
  • Dark grey
  • Leaf Green
  • Classic Green
  • Mid Blue

This includes many neutral colours available for areas that need to blend in with the environment. These work really well in natural landscapes such as parks, country lodges and cottages.

UltiColour Specification Review

It is clear to see that Ulticolour macadam provides a high-performance finish which instantly transforms the environment.

Not only does it look fantastic but it also serves a major purpose in a wide range of different locations.

Ulti colour hard surfacing is the preferred alternative to regular macadam which can often be described as boring and uninspiring. Obviously, there are occasions that regular black macadam is opted for however it is always good to have the option to brighten an area and make it more personalised.

Ulti Colour serves a fantastic purpose in the surfacing industry however it is always important that you carry out checks on all potential installation companies before placing orders. This includes how long the company has been trading, references, case studies etc.