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How to decorate
a room with balloons
For balloons
to float, a mix helium and air is used- sometimes called balloon
gas. The balloon gas is stored in a tank and extracted using
specialised filling equipment. Helium storage tanks are
available from BOC, Air Products and Linde Gas in 3 sizes
as a rentable product.
Conwin
electronic equipment is the industry standard to extract helium
from the storage tanks enabling the exact amount of helium to
fill the balloon. This ensures the balloon is expanded to the
correct size and all the balloons look the same size. As the
helium tank becomes low, adjustments to the conwin equipment
have to made as the helium releases at a slower rate.
conwin electronic equipment
For
non-floating balloons, conwin air inflators are used (it makes
the job easier than using a hand pump).Checking the size of
helium and air-filled latex balloons is used using a balloon
sizer - a plastic cube with varying hole sizes punched out each
size. Foil balloons do not need a sizer as the conwin helium
inflator automatically stops supplying helium when the
foil-balloon has reached full capacity. This works by a spring
mechanism within the conwin device which closes the gas supply
to the foil balloon. As the foil balloon inflates, the balloon
tightens, the gas flow reduces from the valve thus tightening
the spring mechanism and curtailing further gas output.
qualatex sizer
Inserting
the balloon into the correct hole size will highlight any sizing
errors. Once the balloon is inflated to the correct size, a
piece of ribbon is place across the neck of the balloon. The
neck of the balloon is tied in a knot with the ribbon going
through the knot. Top Tip : Ribbon is never tied to the
balloon only place through the knotted balloon. This enables any
final adjustments to the height of the balloon be easily made by
sliding the balloon up or down the ribbon. To maintain
consistency throughout all the balloon decorations, the size of
the balloons are periodically checked with the qualatex sizer.
Important
Occasions use sempertex balloons. These balloon differ from
balloons sold in retail shops as they are larger in size and
made from 100% biodegradable latex offering a better quality
balloon. Other manufactures, such as qualatex, offer a similar
quality of balloon.
The
standard balloon size used is 11". An 11" balloon will
stay inflated with helium for 12 to 18 hours. To make the
balloon last longer liquid latex can be applied to the inside of
the balloon. "Hi-Float" claim their product has been
used to keep balloons afloat for 4 weeks. If a helium balloon
needs to be inflated for a smaller amount of time, than a
"60 / 40" tool can be attached to the helium tank.
This fills the balloon with 60% helium and 40% air.
Generally
table decorations appear with 3 or 5 balloons on each bouquet.
Every balloon bouquet should look identical with each balloon
set at equidistant heights. As a guide each balloon should be
7" higher than the previous. If guests are sitting down at
the table, balloons should not block vision. The lowest balloon
on a table decoration should therefore be above the average
persons line of sight. Loose Ribbon ends are curled by
tightly pressing a blunt edge of a pair of scissors against the
ribbon while at the same time moving the scissors across the
ribbon piece. To finish the look, the opposite end of the ribbon
is tied to a weight. Weights are usually "plaster of paris"
wrapped in a sparkly designed shape, coloured to match one of
more of the balloon colours. Star shaped weights are common.
The room
looks presentable when repeated balloon decorations look
identical in shape size and height.
 
Table decorations : Looking identical
For
archways, we tie balloons to a mono-filament line and attach a
weight at each end of the line. Each balloon should be of the
same distance apart from the next same sized balloon.
balloon archways
Cluster
garlands are layers of 4 or 5 air-filed balloons, stacked and
tied together. While helium is not required, the correct size of
each balloon is essential for the tower to stay together.
 
Cluster garlands A few pairs of hands required !
Tips on
choosing the correct balloons.
Make sure
your choice of balloon colours will blend with colours in the
room. The balloon colours look great when they match seating,
curtains and carpet colours.
Table
balloon bouquets usually consist of 3 of 5 balloons. (Maybe more
for the top table). Try using different colour shades for each
balloon within the bouquet.
Get the
table displays working right before adding any other balloon
feature. If you are on a tight budget then just use table
displays.
lilac shades
Archways
add great focal point to the room, typically in front of the
stage or over a disco.
Cluster
garlands (Columns) add impact to a stage. A large shaped helium
at the top of the column completes the column.
If you are
having balloon bouquets displays on every table, add something
extra to the top table such as a foil top (a foil balloon added
to the top of the bouquet) or a double bubble (adding a
large clear balloon around the highest positioned balloon).
When choosing balloon
colours, use combinations that sit well together.
The colour wheel is a model used by many designers and can be
applied to balloon displays.
Safety Concerns:
If the balloon were
accidentally released outside, a group of balloon could easily
become caught within electrical pylons. For this reason foil
balloons are tied individually to a balloon weight and not
within a group. Metallic Ribbon is not recommended for tying
foil balloons as this could also interfere with electrical
pylons. Latex balloons have less risk with electrical equipment
but concerns are raised if remains are eaten by animals as the
latex takes some time to degrade.
Helium Gas causes a
tightening of the wind-pipe. As children have a smaller
wind-pipe and are easily influenced with copy-cat behaviour, it
is recommended adults never inhale helium gas for public
amusement.
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