FAQs on Installation, Assembly & Hardware - Cafe Barriers

Often yes — if barriers sit on pavements or public land you commonly need a local council pavement licence or street trading permit. Check your local council’s pavement licensing rules before ordering or installing, and include permit timing in your project schedule.

Measure clear post-to-post distances, check pavement level and slope, note nearby obstructions (lamps, trees, drains), confirm required clearance for pedestrians and mobility access, and record if traffic management or temporary closures will be needed. Photograph the run and provide plans to the supplier if a permit is required.

Typical tools: spirit level, tape measure, socket set, rubber mallet, screwdriver/drill, allen keys, adjustable spanner, ladder (if required).

Consumables: stainless fixings, silicone or sealant if bases need sealing, cable ties or Velcro for temporary panels, and personal protective equipment (PPE). For concrete-in bases you’ll also need concrete mix and lifting assistance for heavy covers.

Prepare a flat, stable area; if anchoring into pavement you may need sub-base excavation and compacted stone, or to use surface-mounted base plates with chemical anchors — follow local paving rules and consult an installer for structural anchoring guidance.

1. Confirm all components and fittings match the delivery list.
2. Lay out posts and bases along the run using chalk or stringline to ensure alignment.
3. Fit bases and secure posts (fill bases if water/sand-fill or fix concrete covers in place).
4. Install cross-rails/rails into posts and level them at desired height.
5. Slide or attach banners via pole pockets, eyelets, SEG cords or zips, ensuring visible height and alignment.
6. Tension panels evenly, check registration, and secure all fastenings.
7. Inspect and tighten all fixings; add stabilisers if needed.
8. Complete handover checks and remove packing/debris.

Use a taut stringline or chalk line set at the desired post centre height. Position each post so it aligns with the string at both top and bottom; check level front-to-back with a spirit level. Small adjustments can be made before permanently securing bases or anchoring.

Panels should be tensioned so the graphic is flat with minimal waviness but not so tight that seams or hems are stressed. For textiles, tension until wrinkles are removed; for PVC use moderate tension to avoid overstressing welded seams. If using SEG, the silicone cord should seat fully without excessive force. Check supplier recommendations for exact tension specs.

Ensure pocket diameter matches cross-rail, slide the pocket over the rail fully, and secure ends with Velcro ties or stitched reinforcement. For long runs use a continuous pocket and fix cross-rail splice points to prevent bunching at joints.

Install panels left-to-right, align the top rail registration marks or printed registration lines, use temporary clamps to hold seams, then finalise tension. If using overlaps, maintain a consistent overlap (e.g., 20–30 mm) and stitch or weld if required.

Maintain the minimum clear pedestrian width required by local regulations (commonly 1.2–1.5 m for accessible routes, but check your council). Ensure barrier corners and bases don’t create tripping hazards, and provide adequate sightlines for wheelchair users and prams. If in doubt, consult the local highways authority.

Use mesh materials in exposed locations, heavier or concrete-filled bases, reduced post spacing, and additional cable ties or ratchet straps as temporary reinforcements. Remove or lay down banners in extreme weather warnings. For permanent installations, a structural check against local wind-loading guidance is recommended.

Causes: insufficient tension, incorrect pocket depth, or uneven post spacing. Remedy by loosening and re-tensioning evenly, checking pocket fit, and confirming posts are plumb and level. For stretched fabrics, allow a relaxation period then re-tension.

Check manufacturing tolerances and panel registration. Minor misalignment is normal within tolerances; for critical murals consider ordering panels with overlap or ask supplier about heat-welded continuous runs to reduce registration variance.

Hire a pro if you need council permits, traffic management, anchoring into public pavement, heavy concrete bases, complex multi-panel murals, or if wind loading and structural safety need verification. For simple café terraces on private property with portable bases, a competent DIYer can often install correctly.

Supplier installers understand system tolerances, provide warranty-backed fitting, can advise on optimal material and base choices, handle site surveys and permits, and reduce risk of damage to costly printed panels.

Confirm all fastenings are tight, panels are level and wrinkle-free, walkways meet clearance standards, bases are secure and stable, edges are finished and not fraying, and any required documentation (FR certificates, installation certificates) is provided. Photograph the installed run for record-keeping.

Provide cleaning instructions, recommended inspection intervals (e.g., monthly checks for outdoor sites), guidance on when to remove panels in bad weather, and contact info for replacement panels or repair.

Small, simple installs (2–6 posts) can be fitted in 1–3 hours. Larger runs or installations requiring bases, anchoring or permits can take a day or more. Budget depends on labour rates, site complexity, and materials — ask suppliers for an itemised installation estimate.

Typical extras: site surveys, permit fees, traffic management, site prep, additional fixings, concrete works, access equipment hire, and rush or out-of-hours labour. Request an itemised quote to avoid surprises.