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Needlepunch Playground Construction in Kilmarnock

Posted on by Elliot

Here at Soft Surfaces, we are expert Needlepunch Playground installers in Kilmarnock. Needlepunch is a durable and long-lasting sports pitch material that is usually installed to ensure the safety of children and sports players when practising/playing on the surface

As specialist sports and play surfacing contractors, we are often approached by schools and public sports facilities to carry out needlepunch playground construction projects. A primary school in Kilmarnock recently asked us to replace their existing playing surface with a brand new synthetic needlepunch facility which could be used for a number of different activities.

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

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Needlepunch Playground Construction In Kilmarnock

The synthetic turf surfacing used in a needlepunch playground construction is made up of a fibre-bonded artificial carpet which has a curly yarn to improve the stability and playing characteristics. Needlepunch synthetic turf can be installed in different coloured designs and is ideal for multi-use game areas and even athletics tracks.

The soft, impact-absorbing turf is ideal for use in primary schools where younger children are using the facility as it reduces the risk of injury from trips and falls. We used the best specification of needlepunch synthetic turf to create excellent playing qualities and a durable surface that will last a long time.

We began the needlepunch playground construction by excavating the existing area to the required depth and then installing a specialist sports sub-base. This dynamic sub-base was made up of porous angular stones which fit together to create a strong foundation but still allow water to drain through the gaps.

After the sub-base layer was compacted and stabilised, the needlepunch surfacing itself was laid out on top. We rolled the carpet out in separate pieces and joined each piece together at the seams and the edges with a specialised sports pitch glue to hold it in place. The school chose to have their playing surface installed in green with red around the perimeter.

Once the surfacing had been installed for the needlepunch playground construction, a layer of silica sand was applied within the woven fibres of the carpet pile. This sand infill helps to improve the performance qualities of the surfacing and gives a more stable playing surface for a variety of activities.

The final product was a multi-purpose needlepunch playground which can now be used by the school for football, hockey, tennis and general multi-sports and play activities. The school’s staff and students are very pleased with their new synthetic sports facility and are looking forward to using it during PE lessons, break times and in extracurricular clubs.

If your school or club is interested in a needlepunch playground construction, please get in touch with us through our contact form to discuss specifications and prices for your project. You can also visit our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ to find out about all of the sports and play surfacing products we installed and the other services we have available.

We have a great deal of experience in the installation and maintenance of playground surfacing and sports facilities so we would be happy to offer you professional advice for any questions you have in regards to these surfaces.

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Why Choose Us?

Our Soft Surfaces team have over 25 years of experience installing Needlepunch playgrounds in Kilmarnock as well as the Scotland area in general.

In our many years of experience, we have tried and tested many materials to get our Needlepunch surfacing to the highest standard and now we can say that we pride ourselves on using the highest quality materials and our hard-working team of professional installers will work around the clock to ensure your Needlepunch playground surfacing needs are met.

Additionally, our team can take of the maintenance of your surface once installed too, making the process of caring for your new Needlepunch playground 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 Scotland Area We Install Needlepunch Playgrounds

At Soft Surfaces, we are also able to branch out and install Needlepunch playgrounds throughout the Scotland area:

  • Needlepunch Playgrounds in Glasgow
  • Needlepunch Playgrounds in Edinburgh
  • Needlepunch Playgrounds in Dundee
  • Needlepunch Playgrounds in Aberdeen

Working all over Scotland gives us the advantage to show off our work and make a name for ourselves. For all of your Needlepunch playground needs don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today!

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Benefits Of Needlepunch Surfacing In Kilmarnock

Installing a Needlepunch playground surface in Kilmarnockcomes with many benefits such as:

Softer Surfacing For Playgrounds

Having NeedlePunch surfacing installed in Kilmarnock provides a soft and safer surface for children,

This is why it is one of the most popular surfacing options for schools and playgrounds.

Long Lasting And Durable

Needlepunch surfacing is known to last a lot longer than your standard Polermeric surface.

This is because with the proper care the paint does not fade as quickly as it would with Polermeric after a bit of wear and tear.

Provides A Better Sports Performance

This may sound unbelievable since it is just a rubber surface.

However, compared to Polermeric surfacing it has been proven that Needlepunch surfacing provides more grip and helps the athletes to run faster.

Get In Touch

If you’d like to further discuss Needlepunch Playground surfacing installation in and around the Kilmarnock area, please fill in our contact form and a member of our team will get in touch to give you an idea of the costs and specifications for the Needlepunch Playground surfacing.

Please share this post if you found it interesting, and don’t forget to leave us a comment if you have any questions about Needlepunch playground construction.

3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Hampshire

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At Soft Surfaces, we’re a specialist installer on 3G 5-a-Side Pitch Installations in Hampshire.

Post installation our team can offer 3G sport pitch repairs for existing 5-a-Side pitches within the Hampshire area, so if you currently have a 3G 5-a-Side pitch that needs resurfacing or rejuvenating, be sure to contact us.

For this particular page we show off on of our 3G 5-a-Side installation that we carried out in the Hampshire area.

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

We recently carried out a 3G 5-a-side football pitch construction for a school in Hampshire which wanted a multi use sports facility in synthetic turf surfacing to replace an existing grass surface which was unsuitable for use. The project included the full construction of the sports facility including groundworks, surfacing installation and fencing.

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5-a-Side Football Pitch Construction

The 5-a-side football pitch construction started with excavating the existing area of natural grass which was unstable and could not be used for sports. The preparation works created a smooth foundation so the rest of the work could be carried out onto an even and flat base.

Once the existing ground had been excavated, a drainage system was put in to carry water away from the area when it soaks through the surface of the pitch. All of the layers of a 3G grass sports surface are completely porous to allow for efficient drainage so training and matches can continue through all weather conditions.

Next, the specialist angular stone sub base was installed to give a stable and durable foundation for the synthetic carpet to be laid onto. The porous stone sub base layer is specially designed and selected for use with sports pitches to ensure that you get the best performance qualities for playing football and multi sports. This stone is compacted to leave a flat layer which makes an ideal base for the 3G grass surfacing.

After the stone sub base was put down, the 3G turf carpet for the 5-a-side football pitch construction could be rolled out on top and joined together at the seams with a specialist glue. A sand and rubber infill layer was then installed between the synthetic turf fibres to enhance the performance qualities and help mimic the characteristics of a natural grass surface.

Specialist sports rebound fencing was also installed around the perimeter of the school 3G pitch to keep the area secure and to prevent a loss of any equipment during game play and training.

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Benefits of a 3G Sports Pitch

Having a 3G Sports Pitch installed in the Hampshire area has many benefits, these include the following:

3G Pitches are an all weather surface

No matter the weather 3G sports pitches are a perfect surface to play football on, they can also withstand long period without rainfall and won’t be damaged like real grass does. Gone are the days of matches being cancelled due to waterlogged football pitches, cancelled games are not only a disappointment for the players and the fans, but also leads to a loss of revenue for the football pitch owner themselves.

3G Pitches are Environmentally Friendly

3G Sports Pitches do not require a large amount of water like natural grass,  excessive water consumption is not only bad for the environment, but also financially harmful for schools and football clubs too. Natural gasses used to maintain natural grass can have potentially harmful effects on the environment, these factors make a 3G sports pitch a good choice for the environment.

3G Pitches can be used frequently

3G Sport Pitches are capable of withstanding intensive usage. This allows pitch owners to offer their services throughout the day and throughout the night, it is very common for schools to rent out the 3G Sports Pitches after school hours to generate some extra funding on the side. Compare this to a natural turf that needs a massive amount of recovery time in between games to prevent it from turning into a mud bath during the winter period.

Completed 3G Sports Pitch

Once the 3G 5-a-side football pitch construction project was complete, the final product was a state of the art multi use synthetic turf sports facility which the school can use during PE lessons and for extra curricular sports clubs.

The durability of the 3G pitch also means that it can be rented out for use by other schools and clubs to help generate extra revenue for the school. Overall the project was a complete success and the students and staff at the school are very pleased with their new synthetic 3G sports pitch.

We carry out these projects for organisations nationwide in the UK and we are specialist contractors in the sport surfacing industry with a wealth of experience. Our services include the full construction of a range of sports facilities as well as maintenance and extra works to help look after existing sport surfaces.

Other Areas in Hampshire we Install 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitches

At Soft Surfaces, we are able to install 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitches throughout the Hampshire area, including the following areas:

  • 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Aldershot
  • 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Southampton
  • 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Basingstoke
  • 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Winchester
  • 3g 5-a-Side Football Pitch Installation in Portsmouth

Get In Touch

If you’d like to discuss a 5-a-side football pitch construction project, please fill in our contact form and a member of our team will get in touch to give you an idea of costs and specifications for the sports pitch.

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If you though this article was helpful, please share it with your friends and don’t forget to visit our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ to find out more about the sports facility construction and maintenance services we offer.

Costs to Build a Synthetic Clay Tennis Court

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Building a synthetic clay tennis court is a great option for clubs and organisations who want the feel and characteristics of natural clay when playing tennis but without the mess and heavy maintenance.

Lots of professional tennis players choose to train on clay courts over any other tennis surface as it gives the most comfortable playing qualities and makes it easier to develop your skills. Due to the costs and maintenance requirements of natural clay sport surfacing, there are very few of these facilities in the UK however synthetic clay tennis court construction provide a more cost-effective alternative.

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Synthetic Clay Tennis Court Design

The reason that many tennis players enjoy playing on clay courts is that this surface type provides excellent support for the joints and muscles, meaning that game play is more comfortable and the risk of injury is reduced. Clay court surfacing also helps to slow the ball down, meaning that rallies are longer and there is more opportunity to practise and improve different skills. Synthetic clay tennis courts can offer all of these favourable performance qualities but without the time consuming and costly maintenance which comes with natural clay.

The artificial clay court system works with a synthetic sports carpet and a layer of sand, these two components work together to create playing characteristics which are identical to real clay courts.

The coloured terracotta yarn is designed to look just the same as natural clay court surfacing and the sand is put through a baking process to match the bright orange colour of the carpet. This baking process is much more effective than the typical dying of the sand which takes place with other specifications as it is much more UV stable and will not fade over time in the sunlight.

When the sand is coloured using a dye, this can cause the artificial colour to rub off and leave stains on players’ clothes, this does not happen when the terracotta colour is achieved through the alternative baking process.

All Weather Sport Surface

Unlike natural clay, the synthetic clay tennis court surfacing system is completely porous to allow excellent water drainage in wet conditions. This means that the court will not flood or become unusable if it rains, making it a great all weather facility that can be utilised all year round. The durability and versatility of artificial clay makes it a very cost effective surface type and it can even be installed over an existing macadam court which might have been damaged or become unusable.

Once the initial installation is complete, maintaining a synthetic clay tennis court is relatively simple compared to the work which goes into looking after natural clay surfacing. Where the real clay courts require grooming and watering every day, simply drag brushing and redistributing the sand of an artificial court on a regular basis is enough to keep up the top playing qualities.

These artificial clay tennis facilities are ITF approved with a court pace 2 medium/slow classification so you can be sure that members of your club can develop their skills on a top quality sports surface. The performance qualities and low maintenance requirements make synthetic clay court specifications ideal for organisations which want the best facilities but may not have the budget to carry out heavy work in maintaining the surface.

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Your Clay Court Project

The costs of installing an artificial clay tennis court can vary for each project depending on the area size, location and access to site, a personalised quote can be tailored to suit your individual requirements. If you’d like to know more about the specification and installation of a synthetic clay tennis court, please use our contact form to tell us as much information as possible about your enquiry.

One of our experienced team members will get in touch to offer you some professional advice regarding pricing and construction works. To read more about the other sports and play surfaces we install, you can have a look at our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ which explains all of our products and services.

Have you ever played on a synthetic clay tennis court? What did you think of it? Tell us your views on this topic in the comments below and don’t forget to ask any questions you may have!

Managing Behaviour Through Active Outdoor Play

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Managing children’s behaviour can often be difficult for schools and teachers as not all pupils respond to instructions in the same way. The increasing numbers of children being diagnosed with behavioural problems makes this even more of a challenge.

The estimate in the UK is that around 2-5% of school-age children have ADHD. This is the most common behavioural disorder in the country. The provision of active outdoor play in an engaging and stimulating environment at schools has been shown to address these issues. It also helps to reduce symptoms in children with these kinds of disorders.

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Children with behavioural disorders such as ADHD can be misunderstood by teachers and their needs are sometimes not dealt with appropriately. Schools often take a negative approach to these problems by denying a child the opportunity to take part in active play if they have exhibited ‘disruptive’ behaviour or a ‘lack of attention’.

These techniques of behaviour management are typically counter-productive. This is because disruptive children usually become more frustrated when they are unable to release their energy through physical activity or outdoor play. The build-up of adrenaline and testosterone only increases frustration and therefore leads to the child becoming more hyperactive and disruptive.

Benefits of Active Outdoor Play

Schools and nurseries need a more productive way of dealing with children who have difficult behaviour. One option is to provide a positive learning environment. This gives them access to active outdoor play in a fun environment. This has benefits for all children as it enables them to ‘let off steam’ and release built up energy. They will then be able to concentrate and focus their attention more in lessons.

Research shows that allowing children to be active and take part in sports and physical games outdoors helps rebalance hormones. This, in turn, reduces disruptive behaviour and encourages better concentration. You can even incorporate educational activities into the play area including outdoor maths games and more.

A study recently published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being found that children who regularly play outdoors have reduced ADHD symptoms compared with those who play indoors. This supports the need for better external play facilities at schools and nurseries. These then allow children to take part in physical activities. They can do this whilst also learning and developing social skills with others.

Providing Facilities for Activity

Educational organisations have a responsibility to manage children’s behaviour appropriately, and providing opportunities for active outdoor play can benefit all children, not just those with behavioural difficulties. Every child should have the chance let out their physical energy by playing games and socialising with others. Offering this in an outdoor environment is a simple way to help relieve frustration and improve concentration in lessons.

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Below you can see a video of one of our projects which shows our team installing a multi-use play area:

This is just one of many installations which we complete each year all over the UK. Our team regularly work in schools, nurseries, public spaces and even domestic locations.

Outdoor Recreational Areas

There are a number of ways that schools and nurseries can improve their outdoor environment. These all provide a better place for children to learn and play while releasing built up energy. Adventure trails and activity units give kids the chance to develop a number of physical skills. The main ones being balance, coordination and agility as well as social skills in working with others.

Educational playground markings can provide kids with a number of games. Some of the options include maths grids, letter snakes and maps which encourage intellectual development through fun activities. There are also a whole host of other types of play equipment including climbing walls and activity panels, and playground graphic marking designs such as sports lines and traditional games.

Your school can choose from various different options and therefore customise the design. This helps ensure you get the perfect outdoor recreational area which meets the needs of your pupils.

Talk To Us

If you’d like to improve the provision of active outdoor play at your school or nursery and need help with designing a facility or finding the right equipment to suit your students, please get in touch with us through our contact form. We would be happy to offer advice and further information on how creating opportunities for physical activity can increase children’s concentration and benefit your school as a whole.

Refurbishment of Run Down Netball Courts

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Netball is an increasingly popular sport in the UK and we are seeing lots more netball being played in clubs, leisure centres and schools. We often carry out refurbishment of netball courts including cleaning, repairs and repainting. This helps to remove damage and dirt from the area and make it safer to use.

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Netball Court Improvements

The refurbishment of a rundown netball court can come in many forms. Some of the key services we offer include:

  • Installing new sports rebound fencing
  • Applying new anti slip netball court coatings
  • Laying new ball court surfacing
  • Painting new sports line markings

Netball court surfacing can come in a variety of flooring types. One popular example would be a polymeric rubber court. This is an EPDM rubber surface which is coated with an anti slip coating (HG4 or HG5). The paint coating depends on the amount of sporting use and level of sporting competition. Tarmacadam flooring is also a common choice for netball courts in the UK. All of these play surfaces have different performance characteristics and will vary in price and specification.

Repainting Netball Courts

A dirty and mouldy MUGA surface can result in poor slip resistance. When it comes to refurbishment of run-down netball courts, we’ll usually carry out a thorough clean first.

This will restore the anti slip properties and improve the aesthetics of the all-weather pitch. New sports lines can be remarked using appropriate acrylic coatings after a full clean or new ball court surface has been installed. Size, specification and design will all affect the cost of the refurbishment.

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Take a look at the video below which shows our team cleaning and repainting a tarmac court:

Sports Court Accessories

We can provide a range of extra products for these areas including MUGA court floodlighting. The bigger the court, the bigger the floodlights that you may need. Luminaries are to be taken into account as you want the floodlight to shine at the correct level for longer. Life time maintenance cost will all need to be taken into account, along with the LUX recommended levels. These are 200 for Football, 350 for Hockey & 250 for Tennis.

Sports fencing can be replaced or repaired depending on specification and cost issues. A recommended sports fence is a 3m super rebound with access gates. However, existing fence panels can be replaced and repaired if budgets restrict.

Contact Our Team

To get more information on the refurbishment of run down netball courts please contact us today. We’d be happy to give you some more details on the different services we provide. One of our experts can also give you a price for any cleaning or repairs your facility may need.

Professional Tennis Court Painting

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We carry out professional tennis court painting for a range of facilities at schools, clubs and domestic homes. The paint acts as an anti-slip safeguard that fits both recreational and competitive specifications.

You can choose between a number of different colours and playing qualities to suit whatever you need for the court. Covering the area with a slip resistant coating is important even if the facility is just for recreational use.

It is designed to help you avoid injury which is important in both secondary and primary schools in particular.

Be sure to get in touch with our team if you’d like some more details about the professional painting services we can offer.

The costs for this work do vary depending on area sizes, location and existing ground conditions, so don’t hesitate to ask about our prices. We can gladly discuss your budget and send over a quote as soon as possible.

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Anti Slip Coating Specification

The tennis court colour coating isn’t only designed to be beneficial for players, it also acts as a protective layer for the surfacing. By doing this it allows the flooring to withstand more use and wear and tear, meaning you can keep costs for maintenance to a minimum.

We’ll usually use an acrylic paint which has an aggregate mixed into it to create the anti slip qualities. The colourful non-slip paint installed by professional contractors also makes the facility look more aesthetically pleasing, rather than a plain, uninteresting surface.

You can choose from a wide range of colours for the main surfacing as well as the line markings for tennis and other activities.

Tennis Surface Paint Design

Your tennis court might be made from macadam, which is the industry name for tarmac and bitmac. This is a popular specification for school and domestic facilities as it is hard wearing and offers good ball bounce qualities.

If you have ones of these macadam surfaces, you can have it painted in a variety of colours. We can offer a range of options including a two tone court design, as well as contrasting line markings to make them stand out.

If you have an issue with the flooring being slippery, the best way to counter act these issues would be to clean the flooring with a high power washer. You could then have the surfacing re-painted and refurbished with professional tennis court painting. This will not only make your sport surfacing anti-slip, it’ll extend your sport surface’s life dramatically.

Take a look at this video which outlines the full process of specialist tennis surface painting. First the area is thoroughly cleaned to ensure there are no loose stones or debris:

Residential Tennis Court Colouring

Although there are many different companies who can do these works, Soft Surfaces Ltd are turnkey contractors as we contract, specify, design, budget and maintain these sports surfaces.

These surfaces are perfect for football, netball, tennis and basketball to name a few and the re application of the game lines and colour coatings is an essential part of these works.

Anti slip acrylic colour coating is also an essential part of the tennis court painting process, this ensures that the surface is safe for playing on in all weather conditions which helps to prevent injury.

For more information, please contact us today.

Sport Surface Painting Specialists

Our team of experts have completed many projects for schools, community clubs and homeowners. We can provide a number of design options to suit your budget and the standards of play you need.

You can choose from many different colour choices, and select slip resistance ratings for either competitive or recreational use. If you are interested in playing lots of different sports on the same space, you might even want to create a multi use facility.

This can be done by simply adding more line markings in different colours for other sports. Netball and basketball are popular activities which can also be played on a hard sports court surface.

Multi use games areas like this are very common in schools as it means you only have to have one area but it can be used for lots of sports and games.

Find Out More

We offer professional tennis court painting services at a fair and cheap price, however best value is our main goal so we don’t cut corners in our work. The paint as well as the surface is designed to withstand all weathers.

We’re also a specialist tennis court construction company too, so be sure to check out that page for more info on our construction work.

To get a quote for your own courts please complete our enquiry so we can outline all the installation techniques, sport surfacing specifications and costs to hopefully fit within your budget.

Playground Surface HIC Safety Flooring

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Playground surfacing is installed throughout the UK to protect children on play equipment. Playground surfacing has progressed year on year and there are several different types of safety surfaces available to be installed all of which are designed for the children’s safety. The most common type of safety surfacing within the UK is wetpour surfaces. This is a two layered system of SBR base course rubber crumb which is basically recycled truck tyres, and then EPDM wearing course rubber crumb.

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Children’s Safe Play Areas

The safety of the children using our play areas is our top priority. This is why we always aim to use the best quality products and offer the best standards of installation. The two tiered wet pour system offers impact absorbing properties to help reduce injuries if children fall on it. These properties make it much safer than other playground surfaces like tarmac and concrete.

This is particularly important if you have any outdoor play equipment like climbing frames or trim trails. Children playing on these could fall from a height, and impact absorbing surfacing is crucial in helping to keep them safe.

What is Head Injury Criterion (HIC)?

The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is a measure of the likelihood of head injury arising from an impact. The HIC can be used to assess safety-related to vehicles, personal protective gear, and sport equipment. Normally the variable is derived from the measurements of an accelerometer mounted at the centre of gravity of a crash test dummy’s head when the dummy is exposed to crash forces. – Sourced from Wikipedia

When it comes to children’s play areas, avoiding head injuries is obviously a big concern. All pieces of outdoor play equipment will have a Critical Fall Height (CFH) which determines the depth of surface required. The greater the CFH the thicker the rubber surfacing we will need to install.

Design of Rubber Play Flooring

The wetpour safety surface is available in a range of colours but the most common are red, blue, green and yellow. Check out our range of wet pour colours to see which options we have available. Many people will choose to have graphics inserts added to the flooring to make it much more vibrant and exciting. These can include a range of shapes such as:

  • Numbers
  • Letters
  • Words
  • Animals
  • Maps
  • Compasses
  • Roadways

The different coloured wet pour graphics come pre-formed in the desired shape. Our team simply place them onto the area and install the EPDM rubber wearing course around them. We can create a bespoke design for each playground based on a number of themes. In addition, these graphics are made from the same shock-absorbing surface as the rest of the flooring to ensure safety.

Talk To Us

Our experienced team have completed work like this in various locations around the UK. We regularly work with schools, nurseries and local councils to install safe and exciting play spaces. A variety of products and designs are available and we can make the surfacing bespoke to suit what you need.

Check out the video below showing the installation of a wetpour surface. This show the full process of installing the different coloured shapes as well:

Feel free to get in touch with our team if you would like some more details on what we can do. We can offer quotes and pricing details for a variety of projects. Simply fill in the contact form to speak with us as soon as possible.

Long Jump Run Up Construction Specialists

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As long jump run up construction specialists, the supply & installation of a run up and sand pit athletics facility is one of our core services. We have carried out these projects all over the UK at a variety of organisations.

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Long Jump Run Up Specification

We carry out the full construction of these athletics surfaces which includes excavation of the existing ground, installing a geotextile membrane, mot stone, pcc edges, engineered sub base (open textured porous macadam). Then EPDM rubber surfacing is installed which is also commonly known as polymeric surfacing or tartan surfaces. Long-jump run up tracks and sand pits are used in a lot of schools, nurseries and leisure centres at all locations throughout the UK. The maintenance for these long-jump run up systems is relatively low but you need to try and keep the long jump landing pit sand clean so it is advised to purchase a landing pit cover which most sports equipment companies sell off the shelf. You can also carry out regular maintenance with specialist equipment such as sand pit rakes which help to remove debris from the sand pit and prevent contamination of the sand.

Long jump runway surfaces may be fitted by professionals to ensure the very best end result. To construct a long-jump, the first thing you must do will be the preparation groundworks. The foundation tasks are crucial simply because they aid the rest of the surfacing so they may be carried out appropriately. The previous surface should be excavated to the required level to make a solid sub-base. To help make the substrata secure and effective, the ground surface area will be rolled making it more compact. Specialized PPC edges shall be put around the outside the run-way and also sand pit, and then a geotextile membrane should be put down. Getting a geotextile membrane within the sub base stops weeds developing. A stone sub base will get fitted to create a solid along with porous layer. Macadam will then be added to give the long-jump run-up a smooth and level base. Sand pits are recommended at the end of long jumps, we are able to put in this sort of facility in a choice of models and specifications.

Needlepunch Long Jump Surfacing

There are two unique surface requirements which can be used for athletic runways. Long-jump run-ups may have artificial needlepunch or maybe polymeric rubberized surfacing. Both of these surface area types are permeable therefore fluids will be able to drain through and then to the ground. The needlepunch flooring will be rolled out onto the sub-base and properly secured utilizing glue. The needlepunch materials are woven with each other to develop a strong floor designed for long jumps. Fine sand infill should get spread all through the carpeting to offer good playing qualities. Many schools and leisure facilities get the needlepunch turf put in for long-jump run-ways. As it is a gentle surfacing alternative for young people to utilize. Polymeric rubberized surface types would be the recommended choice for sports clubs. As it’s made use of by a lot of pros and experts. It is a hard surfacing which can be installed in various specs to accommodate every facility.

How to Maintain a Long Jump

If you want your long-jump track to maintain looking its best, regular servicing ought to be performed. To be proactive with the maintenance, a long-jump track cleaning plan ought to be developed. This can prevent significant and costly maintenance becoming needed. It’s important to conduct upkeep depending on the kind of surfacing, it may incorporate brushing and power washing. Carrying this out type of maintenance can get rid of any debris and dirt blocking the water flow system. Appropriate footwear ought to be worn for the surfaces to prevent any kind of damages and also problems happening. House hold detergent and hot water can eliminate surface stains. If any unwanted weeds appear, consequently treatment ought to be put on. If oil products are being used, it can cause surfacing issues so you must ensure these aren’t utilized. If any ice or compacted snow is over the long-jump surfaces, then rubber edge scrappers and then a brush really should be utilized to remove it. Salt and grit must not be utilized as they can create more surface problems. There’s professional de-icers designed for surface types available if you’d like to use them.

We have completed many long-jump pit constructions across the United Kingdom. Once the long-jump run up installation was complete, the final result was a state of the art athletics facility which enables kids to develop their skills and get involved in a different sport. Above is a photo showing the construction of a runway with the sand being installed to the landing pit. To see more of how this project was carried out, take a look at this video here for the construction of a long jump runway.

We are experienced sport surfacing installers and we have carried out many jobs like this at various schools and clubs in the UK. If you would like to send us an enquiry or discuss an installation project, please fill in our contact form with as much detail as possible so we can reply back to you with some helpful advice. To find out more about the products and services we have available, visit us at http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ where you can see case study examples of our previous work.

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Have you ever considered having a long jump run up installed at your school or club?

Let us know your views on this topic in the comments and please share this article if you liked it!

Pole Vault Runway Construction

Posted on by Elliot

Pole Vault is now becoming more popular with sports clubs and schools as an athletics event. This is likely due to the Olympics and other major athletics events. We can install these facilities at many areas across the UK for both recreational and professional use. The designs can vary but we’ll always try to keep the costs affordable for each client. Pole vault runway construction is ideal for adding an engaging new activity to your sports area.

The run up track is made from an EPDM recycled rubber Polymeric surfacing and is a minimum of 40m in length. This material is durable and long lasting, we often use it when installing full size running tracks as well. You may also see it on long jump runways which are popular in school athletic facilities.

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Pole Vault Runway Dimensions

The pole vault runway dimensions can be different for each facility and we can tailor the design. It has a standard width of 1.2m and has a landing cushion of 5 m x 5m (25m2). Depending on budget and available space this can change. Our team will be able to devise a quote which suits your price range.

The Pole Vault runway construction also has an overall inclination in the running direction of 1:1000 and an overall lateral inclination of 1:1000. The Pole Vault box is 1.084m long, 600mm wide at the front and tapers off to 150mm at the bottom. These areas always built to specification and design but can be adjusted to meet IAAF, NCAA and NFHS. These requirements can affect the overall budgets and costs. Our team often install outdoor athletics tracks so we have plenty of experience with these products.

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You can speak with our team and find out more about the costs for installing one of these facilities. Just let us know what your budget is and where you are located so we can put together a quote. Soft Surfaces Ltd are prime sports surface contractors and specialise in the construction of Pole Vault and other athletic tracks.

Tests for Playground Safety Flooring

Posted on by Elliot

You would usually carry out tests for playground safety flooring after the installation of a play facility. It will often be when the area has been used a lot over time and you need to check the quality. Whether it’s a grass mat, rhino mulch rubber bark, wet pour insitu synthetic surface or artificial grass with shockpad flooring. Completing the tests should help to identify and hazards or maintenance which the area may need.

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Playground Testing Standards

The testing of the play areas is under the British Standards BS 7188, BSEN 1177 and BS EN 1176. These are the accreditations which you need to make sure the playing performance and safety requirements are to the standards set out. See more about each of these standards below:

  • The BS 7188 is a performance test that proves the surfaces meets the correct slip resistance and general playing characteristics. It’s important to check this so you can ensure the facility is safe for children running around, especially in wet weather.
  • The BSEN 1177 is the safety test that needs to be met for the CFH and HIC. This determines the Critical Fall Height and Head Injury Criteria set out from the playground equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The BS EN 1176 is also regarding the safe surfaces but is about the free fall space between the surface and the platform on the play area equipment.

When installing a safety surface for your playground you always want to make sure it meets these standards. This will help to ensure you have a safe and fun environment for kids to play.

Independent Play Area Tests

I would always suggest getting an independent report test certificate on this. Many schools, nurseries and local councils complete these tests for their play areas. At Soft Surfaces, we are able to provide you with an independent testing body. This could be on site tests or in an independent testing body laboratory.

It’s vital to keep children’s play facilities safe and secure. Over time the flooring can wear out and become slippery, knowing when to apply maintenance can help prevent accidents. If you do notice damage to the surface, we can supply a wetpour repair kit to fix it before it gets worse.

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Find Out More

Please contact us today for details on the tests or visit http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ for information on the surfacing types. We can supply and install a range of safety surfaces in various designs so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to give you a price for any work you need.