Free Hopscotch Offer

It's a special type of plastic which is both durable and has an anti-slip grit within it. From these sheets of material, we create designs that we use to make playgrounds more fun and engaging. These markings are durable, vibrant, and safe for children. The thermoplastic can be used to create games, learning aids, or just fun patterns on the playground surface. With 27 colours available, the limit is just the imagination.

Choosing the right playground markings can make playtime more fun and active, help with learning, and make it easier for everyone to get along. Plus, they're created in a way that everyone, no matter their hobbies or skills, can enjoy and participate in. This aids in creating an environment in which physical activity levels are increased, learning occurs through fun engagement and promotes inclusive play.

The first step is to sketch out the design with chalk on the tarmac. We then apply a liquid primer to the playground surface which seals it and ensures a long life for the thermoplastic markings. Once the primer is dry, about 20 mins, we then position the thermoplastic markings onto the sketched area. Using a special heating tool we make them hot until they've 'melted'. Once cool they will have firmly attached to the tarmac and won't move for a very long time!

The short answer would be that they can last up to 10 times as long as paint (so about 10 years). However, the longer and arguably more accurate answer would be that it depends on a number of factors. What condition the playground surface was in when they were applied, how they're treated / the amount of footfall on them, what environmental conditions they're exposed to. As a guideline though we would expect thermoplastic markings to last 7 - 8 years when installed onto a good surface.

Some companies burn them off. We don't do this as we believe the noise, the fumes, and the mess it leaves behind are not worth it. This leaves a couple of options. UHP (ultra high pressure) water jet blasting will remove them, but the pressure is so high that it can remove some of the tarmac as well. Which then leaves the best possible way to remove them and that's UHP sand jet blasting. The sand acts as an abrasive and helps remove the markings at much lower pressures. As a result the markings can be removed with the least risk of damage to the playground. UHP sand jet blasting takes more time than UHP water jet blasting, but the minimise intrusion into the surface of the playground is very much worth it.