Floor and road markings are easy-to-understand, universally effective forms of signage that are found in every part of our lives – from the playgrounds at school to the motorways that take us around the country. But what are these markings made from, and if you need floor markings for your own workplace, property or project, what is the best way to install them?
There are several kinds of road and line marking materials available, but one of the most convenient and user-friendly is preformed thermoplastic. Created for easy application and long-lasting performance, preformed thermoplastic markings come in a huge range of vibrant designs and colours, helping you to achieve your aims – whether that’s keeping kids entertained on their lunch breaks or making sure a car park is safe and well organised.
Want to find out more? Here’s our guide.
What are Thermoplastic Road Markings?
Thermoplastic road markings are the nation’s most popular marking product, boasting both durability and versatility. A plastic material made of binder, pigments, filler, and glass beads, traditional thermoplastic is applied to the roads using specialist machinery for heating and application, and is ideal for larger-scale projects.
What is Preformed Thermoplastic?
Preformed thermoplastic is a simpler, faster, and more flexible marking solution which can be applied without the need for heavy machinery, and is therefore perfect for repairs and smaller marking projects. Instead of being melted and applied at site, preformed thermoplastic is formed and cut in factories to pre-determined designs and can be stored and transported in sheets.
The development of this technology has meant that people have access to standardised, easy-to-install markings such as disabled and bicycle symbols, directional arrows and lettering. Preformed thermoplastic creates crisp, clean results that are highly visible and resistant to wear and tear, and it can be applied in several kinds of environments for a variety of uses.
Where Can You Use Preformed Thermoplastic?
Preformed thermoplastic can be used on roads, warehouse & industrial flooring, playgrounds, runways, sports courts, sidewalks and more. As an easy-to-install solution, preformed thermoplastic has become a go-to method for contractors and stakeholders to ensure the road network, workspaces, schools and public areas are installed with the specialist markings which form a key part of our infrastructure.
The ideal surface for preformed thermoplastic is freshly laid, fully cured asphalt. That being said, anyone installing markings on older asphalt that has a sound surface and is properly prepared (with any cracks or potholes fixed in advance) should find the process goes smoothly and has great results.
You can apply preformed thermoplastic to concrete, as long as you use a primer. This is because concrete in its unprepared state is not rough or porous enough for the material to properly adhere. In some cases, it’s also possible to put preformed thermoplastic markings on brick and pavement, but the surface has to be extremely flat, with any joins and unevenness likely to cause cracking.
Loose surfaces, such as dirt track or gravel roads, are unsuitable for preformed thermoplastic, while cracked or broken surfaces will cause difficulties in application and vastly reduce the markings’ longevity.
How to Apply Preformed Thermoplastic
If you would like in-depth advice on how to apply preformed thermoplastic markings and the products and equipment you are likely to need, then do feel free to get in touch with a member of our team. In the meantime, here’s a overview guide to get you started:
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Get everything you need.
Alongside the preformed thermoplastic marking itself, you will need:
Essentials
- A gas torch.
- Broom/leaf blower.
Potentially required, depending on the job in hand
- A Stanley knife (for instance, if you are laying line markings, and you need to cut them to size).
- SWARCO HiTack Primer.
- Measuring tape and markers
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Prepare the floor surface.
If you are dealing with fresh asphalt, then make sure it has finished curing (which will take at least a couple of weeks) before attempting to apply markings to the surface. For older asphalt (or any other compatible surface) ensure any damage has been fixed beforehand. Before application, surfaces should be:
- Clean, with any hard-to-shift oil or dirt washed off with a pressure washer if needed.
- Clear, with loose debris and dust swept or blown away.
- Dry. It’s recommended to preheat the area using your gas torch to ensure any moisture has been evaporated and to avoid installing markings on rainy days.
- Sprayed with a primer, which is strongly recommended on any substrate that may prove difficult for thermoplastic to adhere to, such as smooth concrete or polished asphalt. On unfamiliar surfaces, consider installing a test piece.
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Arrange your thermoplastic markings.
Carefully lay out your markings as you would like them to appear on the road or floor surface, using measuring tools where necessary to ensure everything is straight and aligned correctly. On windy days, it can be useful to have a few stones to weigh them down with as you determine where you would like your design to appear.
Depending on the intricacy of your design, it can be a good idea to get a second pair of eyes to check how everything is laid out. Councils have been left red-faced on occasion by misspellings and mistakes, and lettering in particular needs to be thoughtfully spaced out for both aesthetics and clarity.
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Apply heat
Keeping the flame approximately 20-40cm from your thermoplastic markings and maintaining a consistent distance, direct heat to the road surface until the markings start bubbling and flowing into the substrate. Once it’s molten, it should adhere to the floor surface.
It’s important that you don’t concentrate heat in certain areas (as overheating will cause scorching and uneven application) and instead heat the entire marking evenly, so consider in advance how you might achieve this. For example, for line markings, you might use a sweeping motion as you move along the design, while for a disabled logo roundel you might start in the middle and move outwards.
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Allow to cool
Once you’ve been through these steps, the markings should have cooled down and be completely set in around 30 minutes. From here, your performed thermoplastic will be ready for foot and vehicle traffic, and you’re good to go.
Preformed thermoplastic markings are the perfect solution for those who need their spaces to comply with safety regulations, be easy for people to navigate or simply become more fun and engaging. They are straightforward to apply, highly visible and extremely durable, and in the Hi-Way Services Shop, we have a wide range of pre-formed thermoplastic solutions tailored to your needs. Discover our shop here.
