Author: Elliot

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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