Gripsure Named Finalist in Wood Protection Association Awards 2021

Posted on 17 September 2021 in Gripsure News

Gripsure has been named a finalist in the Innovation Award category of the Wood Protection Association (WPA) Awards 2021.

Now in its seventh year, the WPA Awards showcase wood protection technology as a vital part of the timber industry. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 22 September in Coventry.

Sponsored by Impra, the Innovation Award recognises the creation of new ideas, new products and more effective ways of working. The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges made up of leading figures in the industry.

Gripsure was shortlisted for developing innovative production techniques to create two unique new products: Gripsure Graphics and DeckArt. Both are crafted from sustainable FSC and PEFC certified timber and feature the anti-slip features for which Gripsure decking is renowned.

However, for the first time, these new products offer customers decking boards incorporating a selection of attractive graphics and text.

Aimed at the commercial market, Gripsure Graphics has been used by Cambridge University, Bristol Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo. By allowing customers to create unique designs, it provides an innovative way to signpost visitors and communicate stories or information.

DeckArt is just one way in which Gripsure is responding to a significant increase in demand from homeowners. Designed for the residential market, DeckArt is manufactured using the same processes and equipment as Gripsure Graphics. It features a range of slogans, including ‘Life is better on the deck’ and ‘Home sweet home’, and decorative designs, such as paw prints and leaves.

To develop these new products, Gripsure secured funding from Acceleration Through Innovation 2 (ATI2), a project led by the University of Plymouth and funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The ATI2 programme is designed to support business innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and assists small to medium-sized enterprises that are seeking to commercialise new opportunities leading to increased growth, productivity and sustainable change. With ATI2’s support, Gripsure also received advice and guidance from manufacturing specialists at SWMAS.

Gripsure Managing Director Mike Nicholson said: “Although the Covid-19 pandemic has been a worrying and challenging time for us all, we have experienced a surge in demand from both homeowners and commercial customers.

“The pandemic has encouraged many people to focus more on their surroundings and to appreciate the many benefits of enjoying nature and the outdoors. Our non-slip decking is designed to help people create safe and beautiful spaces so they can spend more time outdoors, whatever the weather.

“Both DeckArt and Gripsure Graphics give people the opportunity to inject some individuality and personality into their projects, creating something truly unique.

“I’m delighted that the team’s creative thinking and hard work has been recognised by us being named a finalist in the WPA Awards. I am also very grateful to ATI and SWMAS for their support in creating these new products. We are shortlisted alongside some really impressive firms and look forward to celebrating everyone’s achievements.”

Why Timber Decking is Ideal for Hot Tubs

Posted on 2 September 2021 in Industry News

Over the past decade hot tubs have become increasingly popular. Whether they're in an entertainment space at home or a suite of new holiday lodges, hot tubs are a great way to relax at the end of the day. In this blog we take a look at what you'll need to consider when using deck boards around a hot tub.

Construction

When filled with water, hot tubs can weigh up to several tonnes so you need to be sure that the structure is capable of holding its weight. Decking is often chosen for this as it can be built around the hot tub, meaning it doesn’t need to carry the load.

Whereas a hot tub can be sunken into the deck, allowing people to sit straight into it, there is also the option to install decking steps, guiding people up to reach the water.

Safety

Getting in and out of hot tubs, and walking across a deck or other surface dripping wet after being in the hot tub, is potentially dangerous as the water makes the deck slippery. Whilst hot tubs are able to be enjoyed all year round, there can be greater risks during the winter months when lying surface water turns to ice making access to the tub challenging.

As a solution to this, homeowners and holiday parks alike have chosen our non-slip products to keep their families and guests safe whilst using hot tubs.

Bare feet friendly

We sometimes get asked whether our non-slip decking is bare feet friendly…and it absolutely is! Feeling the non-slip aggregate with your hands can feel course to sensitive fingers, however, when walking across with harder skin on the soles and balls of your feet it is like walking across any other surface.

Need more convincing? Our boards are tried and tested across many homes, holiday lodges, and tourist hotspots in the UK. For example, The Wave, an inland surfing lake located just outside of Bristol, uses our anti-slip decking to keep surfers safe as they transition from the water to the changing rooms. Our boards are also walked over by hundreds of pairs of swimmer’s feet at the external swimming pools at numerous Center Parcs sites across the country!

Treatment classification

The majority of deck boards are treated to Usage Class 3 (UC3) which will give a long-lasting deck around hot tubs in people’s homes. For holiday sites where parks are investing in dozens of lodges and decks, we would recommend increasing the treatment classification to UC4 or SS4 which will treat the timber with a higher percentage of preservative.

As hot tubs are likely to be used pretty much every day, the deck around the hot tub will often be wet for long periods of time as people make the most of it during their stay. If the boards are treated with usage class 3, the expected service life will decrease as timber treated to this classification isn’t meant to be exposed to moisture constantly which can happen around hot tubs.

Treating boards to UC4 or SS4 means that the boards are better protected and will maximise the service life and the investment made into the holiday site.

Get in touch

If you are thinking of getting a hot tub and want a safe and stylish deck or looking at replacing decks around existing hot tubs, feel free to get in touch with the team at Gripsure who would be delighted to discuss your plans and our products further.