Client: Parc Eglos Primary School
Type of works: supplied WalkSure, Metsä Wood's low-slip deck board
When Parc Eglos Primary School in Helston, Cornwall was looking to expand its outdoor space by forming large decking areas on stilts, Metsä Wood’s low-slip deck board, WalkSure, provided the perfect solution with its visually attractive, yet safe characteristics.
Parc Eglos has an excellent reputation throughout Cornwall in offering a happy and well-resourced school where children can develop their potential in a disciplined, secure and stimulating environment. As part of the school’s growth and development, the newly landscaped outdoor area was created to give the children more space in which to play and evolve.
For this design and build project, the school turned to JDS Properties & Developments. JDS used a local landscape architect’s drawings as a basis and then worked with the school to devise a solution, which would maximise what they could have landscaped within their budget. Part of the new landscaping required a decking solution, which was safe for the children to run and play on as well as being aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with the design of the school.
Jonathan Rogers of JDS Properties and Developments commented, “After liaising with our local Build Center, we were shown Metsä Wood’s WalkSure decking product with rubber inlay. The product met the school’s exacting needs. What’s more, when we provided the school with a sample, they were very impressed.”
Child-friendly WalkSure combines EPDM rubber with pressure treated softwood in a single deck board resulting in a safe low slip surface in both wet and dry conditions; the product is independently tested to BS 7976 part 2 to conform to UK slip resistance guidelines and also carries DeckMark Plus certification, providing high quality reassurance under the requirements of the timber decking association. Compared to other low slip products on the market, WalkSure is less abrasive to children if they were to fall, making it the ideal choice in high-traffic areas such as schools, playgrounds and public areas. What’s more, the decking offers an attractive colour alternative to traditional deck boards and is available in a number of different finishes.
The WalkSure deck was installed on two large stilted areas, which boast slides and scramble nets. In addition, the low-slip decking product was also utilised on numerous ramps and steps. In total, 140m2 of the product was installed throughout the school.
Jonathan continued, “In addition to our main requirements of safety with its low-slip and less abrasive qualities, and it visually striking appearance, we were particularly impressed the fact that it was easy to install; it took a total of just three weeks to complete. What’s more, the screw heads disappeared into the rubber, which was not only great for safety but also provided an excellent finish.”
The precision-finished deck board is manufactured using only the highest quality, slow grown joinery grade timber, which is sourced from certified forests. The board is kiln dried and pressure treated, which increases durability. The result is a product that is easy to maintain. What’s more, it also helps to reduce noise levels, which is ideal for an area of high traffic. For that extra piece of mind, WalkSure also comes with a 15-year guarantee.
WalkSure’s versatility makes it the ideal low slip floor covering for a great number of applications across a broad variety of sectors. For example, retail, hospitality, leisure, education and industrial in both public and private projects. Most recently, Metsä Wood’s WalkSure has also been installed at AquaGem, an Essex-based professional swim school, as well as across a number of public areas at Edinburgh Zoo. It is also currently being installed at one of the UK's largest retail shopping centres.