A quick summary of the types of built floor we can offer you at Bees Marquees Ltd www.beesmarquees.co.uk

Our REGULAR, INTERLOCKING TIMBER FLOOR SYSTEM is a series of 50cm wide treated timber planks which

slot in to an aluminium extrusion system around the perimeter of the floor area to keep them together. The

underside of the planks are fitted with and/or laid on supporting joists (or bearers) and additional timber

offcuts are used as packing under this to “spot level”, for example to fill in, as best as possible using this

technique, any dips in the ground to be covered. This floor runs with the gradient of the underlying land and,

due to bumps/dips, can be a little ‘bouncy’ in places (but extra packing can usually find a nice compromise).

The floor raises the event about 2” from the ground and is absolutely ideal for 99% of most “normally funded”

events. It’s strong (with the right packing, vehicles can go on it – but check with us first!) hardwearing and

gives a great under-foot feel, almost as good as a ‘proper floor’. But it’s not cheap and usually costs as much as

the bare marquee itself… as a general quick-calc guidance, allow for about £6.50 per m2. That’s why many

personal or budget events choose to have no flooring, so just carpet or matting straight down on the ground

(or the ground itself visible).

The floor is usually covered by carpet (or lino etc) and short RAMP(s), usually coinciding with glass doors, are

provided to allow easy access for disabled guests:

In situations where our floor won’t fit, for example the space is small, fiddly or you need a particular bespoke

shape (in the shape of a heart if you insist ☺), we can build a made-to-measure PLY AND BEARER FLOOR which

looks almost exactly the same as above, finished either with ‘planks’ for a similar look or ply sheets:

In reality the “ply and bearer” floor is designed for use inside so generally made with OSB board on bespoke

bearers and is designed to be covered.

A “DECKING” area is similar but designed for outdoor use so more presentable and made with ply wood

(sometimes a slatted finish) and varnished/treated.

Please see the following examples of “decking” floors:

A RAISED FLOOR is appropriate for uneven ground when a nice and level, consistent, event floor is required. A

sub floor/support, usually made from scaffolding or concrete blocks, is constructed to provide a flat & level

surface and then the floor built on that, according to the size required and conditions. Bespoke staircases and

ramps are almost always needed for these floors. This is a significantly more expensive option because it

represents quite a significant construction project and usually at breakneck speed!

A significantly cheaper type of built floor is an INTERLOCKING PLASTIC TILE FLOOR (Rollatrac) which raises

things about 2cm above the ground and is ideal for catering areas or pathways, otherwise should be covered.

Why bother with a built floor at all?!

It’s true, plenty of personal events don’t have a built floor – in fact plenty of marquee companies don’t even

offer that, generally as they’re the smaller companies and they don’t have the stock for this. You could have

carpet (or coco matting) straight down on the ground…. but what if is rains?! Muddy/mucky feet and, if it’s

more than a sprinkle and the ground isn’t fantastically well drained, the rain can easily & quickly get under the

walls and turn your event in to a soggy mess. A built floor can be good idea for other reasons too though….

This slide is part of our “ABC guide to choosing a marquee” which you might like to download from

http://mbf.cc/Lw5iL - it illustrates the main options in choosing a marquee. Other ideas are shown on our

website, www.BeesMarquees.co.uk, our picture portfolio and our CAD showcase www.cadification.com