Recycled street furniture is becoming increasingly popular, and there are many reasons for this. But why is recycled plastic such an effective material to use for street furniture? Here are some of the benefits that it can have.
Go to any city centre, and there is a good chance that some of the street furniture that you see is made from recycled plastic. Recycled street furniture is becoming increasingly popular and it has a number of benefits over other traditional types of material. This article looks at a few of the most important benefits.
Durable
Recycled plastic is a very durable material and this means that it can put up with extremes of weather and corrosive salty air when located near the sea. This means that it is a great option for recycled street furniture if you want to create benches and tables which will last many years. In many circumstances this allows the furniture to last up to four times longer than wood.
This also means that it is less likely to crack and splinter, which can be uncomfortable for the users of the furniture and can even cause safety issues.
More Economical
Because it lasts longer, recycled street furniture can be a more economical choice. Perhaps it may be more expensive to buy at first, but if it lasts many more years then you will not have to replace the furniture so soon and one bench can be used for many years before it needs replacing. This makes it a great option for anyone looking for a more economical alternative.
Attractive
Recycled street furniture can be designed to look just like wood. People often prefer timber benches because of how they look, but recycled plastic can look just like timber and still come with all the benefits of plastic. And, unlike stone which looks cold, and metal which rusts, it will be a more attractive feature in any public place.
Better for the Environment
The obvious benefit that recycled street furniture has over other types of materials is that by using recycled materials you are helping the environment in some way. Recycled furniture makes use of materials which would otherwise be wasted and sent to landfill, so you know that by choosing these you are doing your best for the environment at the same time as getting a superior product.
Recycled Street Furniture is the Best Solution
Recycled plastic is a great option for your street furniture. Strong, durable, long lasting, attractive and better for the environment, it has many advantages over other materials. If you want a more economical and environmentally friendly choice, it could well provide you with the solution you are after.
4 Ways Your Company Can Benefit from Covered Walk Ways
Have you ever considered the possibility of erecting a covered walkway outside your office building? Covered walkways are very popular additions to buildings. They are cost effective and come with a number of benefits that you may want to take advantage of. Here are some of the main benefits that you will be able to enjoy.
1. Greater Convenience for Clients
If you have clients or customers who regularly visit your office then covered walkways can be a great way for you to make their experience of arriving more convenient.
If it is raining when they arrive then a covered walkway can allow them to escape the rain quicker so that they do not get wet. Keeping clients happy is all about the small things, and covered walkways can go a long way to help.
2. Pleasant Feature for Staff
Keeping your staff happy is one of the key challenges of any employer. Covered walkways can be used as a feature that your staff can take advantage of. Whether they use it as an area to escape the office while staying protected from the rain at the same time, or even as a meeting area, it can be used by staff and lead to a more content workforce.
3. Attractive Feature
You want to make your building look more attractive, and a stylish walkway is an easy way to do just that. Walkways can come in an almost endless range of styles, and you will be able to choose a design that really complements the building and adds to its appearance positively.
This can help to make a great first impression on clients and customers who arrive at your place of work and it can become a really impressive feature of the building that you can achieve without having to spend a fortune.
4. Keep the Inside of the Building Dry
Covered walkways are ideal for keeping the inside of the building dry when the weather is wet. Wet shoes entering the building can make the entrance messy and even dangerous. If you have a covered walkway then the shoes of people entering the building will be drier by the time they enter, helping to minimise any soiling of the entrance area.
Consider a Covered Walkway Today
If you want to enjoy all of the above benefits then it may be time that you started thinking about covered walkways. These can be surprisingly affordable and can make a real difference to the entrance of your building for many reasons, so start thinking about the possibilities today.
Waiting shelters come in all shapes and sizes, and can be used for a range of purposes. But what are the main types of waiting shelters, and what are the advantages of using them?
School Waiting Shelters
School waiting shelters are very important and are found in many school playgrounds up and down the length of the country. They are often thought of as just waiting areas for the parents so that they do not get wet when they pick their kids up from school, and so that they have somewhere comfortable to socialise. However, school waiting shelters can have a number of other functions.
For example, they can be used as meeting areas for the children where they can socialise. They can also be used for holding classes outside if the teacher wants to take the pupils out of the classroom, leading to a more interesting lesson.
Bus Waiting Shelters
Bus waiting shelters are essential for keeping people sheltered from the wind and rain while they are waiting for the bus. However, it is often forgotten that an effective shelter can also encourage more people to use public transport. If the shelters are not comfortable and people do not like to use them, this could put people off catching the bus.
Bus waiting shelters can also become interesting features in themselves, and something that the community can be proud of, as long as they have an attractive and durable design.
Bike Shelters
Bike shelters do not have to simply be places to store bikes: they can also double up as waiting shelters. Bike shelters can be erected at schools, outside offices and in the street, and they can keep people sheltered from the elements as well as bikes.
Things to Consider When Choosing Waiting Shelters
When it comes to choosing waiting shelters, there are a number of things that you should consider. A good waiting shelter can last for many years, but only if it is durable and able to withstand the weathering effects of the wind and rain. Recycled plastic is a great material for this because it is fully weatherproof, and it is also sturdy and can be used every day. This makes it more economically viable because it often lasts for more years than shelters made from timber.
It is also important that you choose a design that blends into the surroundings. You may want to choose a custom design so that it becomes a really interesting feature, or simply opt for a standard design that is right for your area. Either way, it is very important to consider the design when choosing your shelter.
Price is also going to be an issue, but always make sure you pay for a quality shelter. If you opt for a shelter that is too cheap, you will only have to replace it sooner rather than later. You want one that is long lasting, so pay the price once and save money over time, but of course always remember to look out for a shelter that is good value.
Choose the Perfect Shelter
Waiting shelters can be used for a range of different purposes, and can often double up to be used for other things as well like storing bikes. If you want to erect a waiting shelter for any reason, make sure that you do your research and choose a manufacturer with a lot of experience in waiting shelters so that you choose the best one for your requirements.
Waiting Shelters at School: How Your School Can Benefit
Waiting shelters are often found in school playgrounds, and they can be very useful features. Often they are thought of as having just one function, but actually there are a huge number of benefits that schools can get from erecting high-quality waiting shelters in their playgrounds. Here are a few of the most important.
Encourage Exercise
One of the main benefits of erecting waiting shelters outside school buildings it that it can help to encourage more exercise for both the pupils and their parents. There are two key ways that the shelters accomplish this.
Firstly, parents are more likely to walk with their children to school if they know that they have somewhere when they arrive that is protected from the elements and provides a good area to socialise with the other parents.
Secondly, waiting shelters can also double up as bike shelters. This can encourage more pupils to ride into school knowing that they can store their bikes safely and securely during the day.
Both of these will help to encourage more people to walk and cycle rather than take their cars into school, and this will help to keep both pupils and their parents fit and healthy.
Improve the Ambience
Waiting shelters can be custom designed to fit into the surroundings of the school, and they can become unique and attractive features in their own right. They can be designed using the school’s logo or colours, and they can become a source of pride for the pupils and teachers. They can also help to simply brighten up otherwise dull areas to make them more inspiring for the children.
Encourage Socialising
Due to the bad weather, socialising between parents and children is often difficult. However, with somewhere dry outside, parents can socialise with other parents when they arrive to pick up their children, and the pupils can also socialise when they are waiting outside.
Hold Outside Functions
Some waiting shelters are very large, and this means that they can be used for functions outside. This could include fundraising events or book sales, and it is useful for the schools to know that they will have at least one dry area if the weather is bad. With the average shelter being able to provide shelter for about 30 people, it could provide the perfect area for any outside events.
Provide an Innovative Teaching Area
Another great use of waiting shelters in schools is as outdoor classrooms. Sometimes teachers want to take the pupils out of the building into a more interesting and inspirational environment. If it is raining or the sun is too hot, a waiting shelter can be used as the ideal outside classroom.
Consider a Waiting Shelter for Your School
If you like the sound of waiting shelters for your school, why not give it some serious consideration? There are lots of excellent benefits to be had by erecting a waiting area in your school grounds, so start giving it some more thought and soon you could have your own shelter for all of the parents, teachers and pupils to enjoy.
5 Ways that High-Quality Cycle Shelters Can Improve an Area
Everyone knows how good cycling is for personal health and the wellbeing of the planet. But simply telling people how good it is will not make a difference if an area is lacking in the appropriate facilities for cyclists.
Cycle shelters are one of the most important facilities that cyclists need, and here are five ways that they can improve an area when they are installed.
1. Reduce Transport Emissions
There is no better way to get around if you want to reduce CO2 emissions than to get on your bike. You can talk all you like about electric vehicles, but nothing is cleaner and greener than cycling.
To encourage more people to cycle to work, effective shelters are needed. That means shelters which provide protection from the weather and also allow people to keep their bikes safely locked away without fear of them being damaged or stolen.
2. Create a More Pleasant Atmosphere
Cities where lots of people cycle have a more pleasant atmosphere because there is simply less noise and fumes from traffic to ruin it for everyone. The more people who cycle, the more pleasant the surroundings become.
But of course if there are no effective shelters for cyclists to use then they may just opt to travel by car instead.
3. Help to Keep People Fit
We all know how important it is to keep fit and healthy, but sometimes it can be a real drag. Often we simply cannot find the time to do so, which is why cycling is so useful.
By cycling to work or school, people can keep fit without using up any extra time during their day. If they have the facilities to store their bikes when they arrive at their destination then they are far more likely to consider cycling as an option.
4. Stylish Features
Some cycle shelters are far more than just structures in which bikes can be left. Instead, they become fashion statements in their own right.
Schools, hospitals and public areas have all improved the look and feel of their outside spaces by erecting bike shelters which look a bit out of the ordinary and add style to previously unexciting spaces.
5. Double Up as Other Types of Shelter
Some bike shelters don’t just look good, but they also perform a number of functions. For example, cycle shelters can be designed to double up as waiting areas for pedestrians, and even outdoor teaching areas in schools, making them even more useful.
Cycle Shelters Improve an Area
Cycle shelters provide a quick and cost-effective way to improve an area. They encourage more cycling and all the benefits which that brings, they look stylish and they can provide a useful function beyond the needs of cyclists. Isn’t it time you started thinking about putting up more shelters in your area?
People have been extending protection from the elements beyond the entrances to their buildings for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks built covered walkways or porches called stoae alongside their public buildings, often surrounding their open agorae and marketplaces and becoming part of those markets.
Covered arcades became a staple of such styles of Mediterranean architecture as Italian, French, Spanish, Moorish, and Arab architecture. Protection from the elements at entrances have included porch-like porticos, such as those at Buckingham Palace and the White House, porte-cochères under which vehicles could pick up and discharge passengers, and the usually sign-covered marquees in front of some theatres and hotels.
Entrance Canopies and Covered Walkways’ Current Uses
Many types of structures and institutions now use entrance canopies and covered walkways. Hotels and motels, of course, provide porte-cochères to enable their guests to check in and out in any weather. Many large buildings, both public and private, employ porticoes to ease the transition between shelter and the weather. Supermarkets provide covered areas where their customers can load their groceries into their cars or other transport out of the rain or snow.
Companies and schools with campuses having multiple structures erect covers over their footpaths. Canopies provide shelter for parent waiting areas and bicycle stands. Public swimming pools install sail canopies over their baby pools to protect delicate young skin from the sun. They’re particularly useful for protecting disabled car parks, as disabled drivers often have to take a long time to get in and out of their vehicles.
Types of Canopies Available
Entrance canopies and covered walkways must be functional, and most are basic in their appearance. They can, however, also be architecturally attractive features that extend the aesthetics of the principal structure. They provide an opportunity for building owners to make a statement as well as to provide shelter. They can have metal, masonry, timber, recycled plastic, or some other type of rigid frame in any shape imaginable.
Their actual canopies can be fabric, transparent or tinted plastic, or some other material. The clever use of unusual materials and striking colours can greatly enhance their visual appeal.
Choosing a Canopy Design
For small entrance canopies and covered walkways it might be best to choose from the manufacturer’s standard range in order to keep the cost down. For larger canopies and shelters you should seek out a custom, individualised bespoke design, either by your own architect or one of the manufacturer’s design consultants.
Work closely with the architect or designer to ensure that you get both a design that pleases you and one that is a suitable extension of your existing structure. You’ll need to decide if you want to use complementary or contrasting materials, as contrasting materials can be both aesthetically striking and cost-effective, especially with older buildings.
Remember, in particularly windy areas you may need to have the design include side screens. Also consider whether you want your canopy to provide shade as well as shelter, as this will have a bearing on the type of cover you choose.
Cycle shelters are constructions where bicycles can be parked and stored in an orderly fashion. The bicycles can also be secured to the bike racks supplied, or the cycle shelter may have a locked gate and users may require to have a key for access. Cycle shelters can be found in many places, typically at schools. They can also be adapted as covered waiting areas for parents, for example.
The most secure type of cycle shelters are obviously the kind that have a secured gate. This makes the shelter a compound, in effect, that can only be accessed by using an appropriate key. Often, the shelter can be used with or without a gate, giving a high degree of flexibility about how the shelter can be used. Manufacturers can usually supply a standard range of shelters, or they can supply a bespoke shelter, according to individual specifications.
Cycle shelters are generally made from robust galvanised steel piping frames and can be covered in polyester PETG transparent sheeting, made from thermoplastic copolyester, to provide shelter while still allowing reasonably unobstructed all round vision. Polyester PETG is an excellent choice for the cladding of a shelter. It is greatly superior to the likes of Perspex, or even some of the more modern plastic sheeting. It offers strength and durability with good light transmission, and it’s easy to work with and erect.
It is common for cycle shelters to be available in a range of colours, and bespoke versions can of course have any colour shade possible. Shelters can also be purchased in various sizes. They usually come as standard with cycle capacities in multiples of 10. For example, they may be able to accommodate 10, 20, 30 or 40 bicycles, or even more. It is also common for manufacturers to supply cycle shelters at a price that includes carriage and delivery, as well as installation and construction on site.
Cycle shelters are commonly found in schools, but can also be found in places of work, leisure centres and community centres, as well as other places where people are likely to need a parking facility for a bicycle. Modern shelters are bright and airy with good all round visibility. They usually offer racks where a bicycle can be securely fastened to avoid theft.
When it comes to purchasing cycle shelters and school bike sheds, it’s very important to carefully consider all of your options before you order a model from a company. This article looks at the most important properties of quality cycle shelters to help you choose the right one for your outside space.
When it comes to purchasing cycle shelters and school bike sheds, it’s very important to carefully consider all of your options before you order a model from a company. This article looks at the most important properties of quality cycle shelters to help you choose the right one for your outside space.
Whether in a school playground or in the street, quality cycle shelters always have a number of things in common. This article takes a look at what these properties are, helping you to make the right choice when it comes to choosing your own shelter.
Sturdy
A well-built, sturdy frame is the most important feature of any good shelter. If it has been constructed well and is built to last then it will be safe to use which has to be the most important feature of any shelter.
At the same time, a more durable shelter will last a lot longer. If it has been built using good techniques and is weatherproof then it will last many more years, saving you having to invest in a new shelter too soon.
Bespoke
A company offering bespoke services is the best option most of the time because they can design and build cycle shelters that are perfect for the area where they will be erected. If you have a designated space for the shelter to go then you will need a company who can construct it to the right length and height specifications. It is also a good way to make your shelter stand out so that it can become a feature of the surroundings and something interesting rather than just a shelter with a functional use.
Well Finished
The finish is very important when it comes to cycle shelters. You should try to find a manufacturer offering a range of finishes as this will allow you to personalise the shelter so that it can match in better with the surroundings.
The finish is also important for weather proofing the shelter, and you should try to find a company offering hot dipped galvanised finishes and polyester powder coated finishes to protect the steel and make it last longer.
Choose Your Shelter Carefully
When you are considering buying cycle shelters for your school playground or other space, make sure that you carefully consider all the features that a shelter should come with. You don’t want to spend money on a shelter that is not perfect, so make sure that you find a company offering all of the above properties for cycle shelters to get the best product you can.
Covered walkways come in many different shapes and sizes, and can be used for a number of purposes. But how do you start the process of choosing and purchasing one for yourself? This quick guide provides you with the basics that you need to know.
Covered walkways can be used in a variety of settings, and can make a very useful and attractive feature to many areas. However, what is the process when it comes to buying one yourself? Here is a quick guide to the basics of choosing and purchasing a covered walkway for your own outside area.
Firstly, you need to decide what exactly you are going to use the covered walkway for. There are many different uses, including entrance door canopies which provide shelter outside the main door of the building and also make an attractive feature. But there are also large canopies that can be used for whatever purpose you need, such as a smoking area for staff or a parking area to prevent people getting wet when they step outside of their vehicles.
Once you know the exact purpose of the walkway, you need to find a good company specialising in covered walkways. If you just want a standard walkway then this will be easier, but if you are looking for a bespoke solution to fit in with the style of your building and the surrounding area then it is important that you find a company which can provide this.
Bespoke solutions include features such as side screens to provide further protection from the weather and curved tops to make the canopy more attractive. You might also have specific dimensions that you need to fit, and a good company will be able to make your walkway to order
When you look for a company specialising in covered walkways, it’s important that you find one with experience and high-quality standards. One of the most important features of covered walkways is that they are durable, and it is, therefore, a good idea to invest in one which is built of durable materials and is manufactured to last as long as possible, as well as one which looks good. This will save you money in the future from having to purchase another one.
The best thing to do when buying covered walkways is to find a company which can provide one to your exact specifications. Follow the steps outlined above and you will simplify the process of getting your walkway set up, improving the chances of finding the right one which will last for many years.
Cycle shelters come in all different shapes, sizes and budgets, meaning it can sometimes be hard to choose a company to design and manufacture one for you. This article looks at the main things to look out for when choosing a manufacturer of cycle shelters.
Cycle shelters for schools, playgrounds and public places come in a wide variety of styles for every budget. But how do you choose a company to design and make your cycle shelters? Here are a few things to look out for next time you buy a cycle shelter.
Variety of Models
One of the most important things to look out for when you are searching for a company which makes cycle shelters is the variety of models on offer. Cycle shelters can vary enormously, whether they are large, small, include secure storage, are fitted with bike racks or double up as waiting shelters. A company which has a full portfolio of designs is more likely to provide you with the exact shelter that you are looking for.
Variety of Colours & Finishes
As well as the design, you will also want to choose a company which offers a number of different colours and finishes. Some companies are limited in the colours they can offer, whereas some build them to your specific requirements. So if you need cycle shelters which fit into the surroundings then you will want the widest range of colours possible.
A wide range of finishes is also desirable, so whether you are looking for polyester powder coated or hot dipped galvanised finishes, you want a company which can meet all your requirements.
Complete with Installation
You should always look for a company which will include the installation when you purchase cycle shelters. Not only will this make your life a lot easier, but they will ensure that the shelter is completely secure and therefore safe to use.
Responsible for Both Design and Manufacture
Companies that both design and manufacture cycle shelters provide you with more options when it comes to choosing your model. It means they have control over the whole process, so whatever you are looking for they will be able to arrange it for you.
Look Out for these Key Qualities when Choosing Cycle Shelters
Cycle shelters, when designed and manufactured properly, are a great investment and will last you many years. When it comes to buying yours, check whether your company can offer you the above qualities to ensure you get the exact shelter you are after.