Choosing the right Crowd Control Barrier Cover
We are often asked what type of CCB cover our client’s should use. The answer depends on three variables:
- The impression our client wants to make;
- The environment the covers will be installed in; and
- Their budget.
The Best CCB Cover for Windy Conditions
We always start at point 2 because the weather conditions determine what type of cover can be used in any given installation. The primary determinant is wind. There is no getting around windy environments – it creates havoc, upturning signs and creating rather than solving, a problem. Realistically this only applies to strong winds of 40kmph or more. Once this level of wind is reached then any cover on a CCB will turn into a sail and weighting will be required to keep the barriers from falling over.
Our solution for strong winds is polyester mesh. Polyester mesh is a highly perforated loose weave type of polyester designed specifically for signage in windy areas. The mesh has large perforations that allow wind to easily pass through the banner. Polymesh, or scrim as it is known in the events industry, is also lightweight causing less weight loading on barriers and fences. The smaller the banner or cover, logically the less wind drag it generates. In moderately windy locations it is advisable to use covers for each individual CCB. The space between the CCBs is not covered which significantly reduces wind drag. In extremely windy weather conditions, smaller banners may even be required.
Scrim is thin and has a feature that is both an advantage and a disadvantage. When printed there is a lot of show-through from one side to the other. This means that on a single-sided cover, the logo or message can be seen in reverse on the rear side. On a double-sided cover, this is not advantageous as the design on one side pollutes the design on the other side. In other words, polyester mesh is good for single sided covers but not double sided CCB jackets.
The Best Barrier Covers for Permanent Outdoor Display
The other weather related factor in choosing the right material for your CCB is how long the CCB will be left in the elements. Here in Australia we have extremely high UV levels for much of the year. As we know, this can be very damaging to skin but it is also incredibly hard on polyester fabrics. Imagine leaving a shirt on a clothesline for 6 months. The colour would be washed out and the fabric would be brittle and weak. It is the same with printable polyester.
Stretch polyester or scrim are not suitable to long term outdoor applications. Instead you should use banner mesh for single sided crowdy covers or vinyl for double sided CCB covers.
These two print stocks are both made out of plasticised vinyl. This means that the chemicals are used to keep pvc supple and maintain it in banner form. These chemicals are really not healthy but there is simply no substiture for long term outdoor use. PVC prints fantastically well and the inks fade far less quickly than dye sublimation inks.
These materials are also really tough, so in environments where hard-wear is an issue, for example nightclub queues, then these types should be considered. Our versions of these types of barrier covers are called: The Boxer for the single sided, banner mesh style; and The Swimmer for the double sided solid vinyl version.
The Best Prestige CCB Cover
Jumping back now to point one – the main factor in selecting a material for CCB covers is of course the way it presents. Every marketer or race director wants to have the best look for their brand or their sponsor’s brands.
Our client’s chasing the neatest look with the best graphic display gravitate to the Gymnast – the stretch CCB jacket. It is purpose built for this application and they fit quite literally, like a glove. These double sided barrier covers are our most popular by far. The apart from the superior fit on the barrier, the polyester we use is quite thick and glossy. Some lycra style stretch fabrics look thin and dull but ours benefit from the material only stretching horizontally.
Having said that, advertising on both sides of a CCB is sometimes simply not necessary. This is particularly true for race events. On one side the crowd is pushed up against the barrier so there is no need for advertising on both sides. Here the choice comes down either banner mesh or scrim (polyester banner).
Banner mesh CCB covers are ideal for stretching over numerous crowd control barriers. This material has in-built rigidity meaning that it won’t sag, so stretching over barriers where there are gaps between them is no problem. Banner mesh also prints better and is less transparent, especially with bodies behind it blocking out light coming from behind the CCB banner. Our version of this style is called The Boxer and it can be made to fit one or multiple lined barriers. The downsides of this product is that it much more harmful to the environment and much bulkier to store – it must also be stored on rolls as any creases do not work themselves out.
The Best CCB Cover on a Tight Budget
The third consideration is our client’s budget and here the choice comes down to the factors above as well. Our single sided polyester mesh (The Sprinter) and banner mesh (The Boxer) variations are similar in price. The Sprinter is lightweight, easier to install and much easier to store. The Boxer is durable and long lasting but the message can really only be seen from one side and they are best suited to staying on the CCB permanently.
Of the double sided covers, The Gymnast, stretch polyester cover looks the best by far because it shrinks to the CCB providing an extremely good fit. The vinyl cover is long lasting but also nearly twice the price of the stretch polyester. The vinyl version never looks quite perfectly tight so if perfection is your goal then vinyl is not for you.
In conclusion, there are several factors that will guide your choice of crowd barrier cover. Our two most popular products are The Sprinter, which is the polyester mesh, single sided cover. It is amazing in any conditions, the message can be seen on both sides of the banner, it is relatively inexpensive, it is super light and great for bump in and outs and finally it can be stored in a small box until the next event.
The gold standard however is The Gymnast. It is a double sided bike rack cover made from one-way stretch material. It doesn’t feel or act like lycra and the fabric itself has a gloss finish making it ideal for upmarket brands. The stretch in the polyester means that the message or logo is taut across the barrier so it presents incredibly well. Just like The Sprinter, it is lightweight and installed/removed in seconds. The Gymnast packs down to a small size and can be stored folded until the next event. A few minutes in the sun and the wrinkles will be gone.
Whatever your requirements are, feel free to drop us a line. We are an Australian company but we sell CCB covers all over the World and we know our stuff.
