Toadvine Blog

When designing and building your grandstand bleacher project, there are many decisions that go into creating the master plan. We have created a visual comparison of Dant Clayton, the brand Toadvine uses for all bleacher projects, and Brand X, a generic brand of bleacher seating. Here are just a few of the design and performance differences we came across in our comparison.

Interlocking Deck vs. Welded Deck

When choosing the most secure way to construct your bleacher system, would you choose an interlocking deck or a welded deck? Interlocking deck systems frequently pose difficulties with structural separation and seat connection. Welded decking systems provide a structural double lock seat support connection and less potential for debris and trash to accumulate in open spaces and create a visually distressed looking seating system.

Nut Runner vs. Double Lock Deck Pieces

It might not seem like a big deal initially to decide how your seating will be secured underneath, but our comparison shows the distinct difference between the two types of locking systems and the difficulties that can emerge when short cuts are taken and corners are cut on ensuring the safety of your bleachers. Our visual examples show you the distinct advantages of a tight structural connection and how they can effect decking stability.

Open Channels vs. No Open Channels

Having a few open channels in your decking and bleacher seating may seem routine, but our visual examples will show how open channels affect not only the overall stability of your system, but can also completely transform the look of your system when trash is not allowed to accumulate inside those open channels.

For a closer look at how these features can affect your bleacher seating, click here to download our free offer and find out how Toadvine and Dant Clayton can help resolve any difficulties in your bleacher seating before they arise. At Toadvine, our focus is on building and maintaining quality products. Click here if you would like a quote on quality products for your next project.

Bleachers are the most affordable form of mass seating and are used by schools around the country. However, this type of seating can come with a larger price tag if not maintained properly. With schools getting older and budgets sometimes getting smaller, bleachers in gymnasiums and stadiums are oftentimes ignored and do not go through necessary safety and maintenance checks. While the seating in your school remains the same, safety requirements continue to change.

The Problem Exists

Over 15,000 children under the age of 15 are injured each year by bleacher seating. This has prompted many state lawmakers to publish guidelines on retrofitting and updated existing bleachers to help lessen this number and prevent children from injury. These guidelines include a required maintenance inspection every year to ensure that your indoor or outdoor seating is safe and up to current regulations.

Is Your School Liable?

The truth is that if a school has not had its bleachers inspected by a certified service technician or has not done the required maintenance, then that school is likely to be found liable for any injury. The problems that cause these injuries are not always easy to see. Some of the issues that create a liability for schools include:

• Gaps in the floor or sides
• Poorly secured guardrails or handrails
• Lack of required guardrails or handrails
• Lack of required safety signage
• Poorly secured bleachers
• Failure to obtain maintenance inspection
• Slippery areas either dry or wet
• Debris or overhanging trees

If an accident were to occur on your indoor or outdoor bleacher seating, your school could be found liable for negligence. If a public school has events, such as sporting or music events that require school seating to be used, then the premises of the public event could be found liable. In a case where a school is privately owned, the owner of the property could be liable of an accident.

What Can Your School Do

In order to protect your school from liability issues and, more importantly, ensure the safety of your students, you have to make sure your bleachers are regularly maintained. When was your last inspection? Are you due for another one?

Toadvine Enterprises offers a maintenance and inspection program that takes the hassle of maintaining bleachers off of schools. Toadvine also offers yearly contracts to ensure that you never miss a required inspection. Learn more about our Vine & Branch maintenance and inspection program here.

Closure Panels are a finishing element added to a grandstand or bleacher that adds not only safety and maintenance benefits, but also a finishing touch that makes a lasting impression. Closure Panels are often added to stairs, ramps, elevated walkways, handicap areas, mid-cross aisles, and press boxes to complete the look and provide added functionality and safety.

There are several different types of closure systems to choose from including:

Architectural Panels. This system offers a classic, rich masonry texture look to enclose the exposed structure of stadium elements. With the look of real bricks, your facility will receive a classic ballpark aesthetic at a fraction of the cost.

Poly Panels. This non-corrosive, impact-resistant Poly Panel System is made of 100% recycled material and serves to conceal cross braces and framing material with solid, flat panels to give the stadium a more polished look. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, this system also enhances revenue generation by increasing the ability to affix sponsor/donor signage or logos. It also promotes safety by eliminating under-bleacher access, and increases function by lowering time and expense of clean up under bleachers. Choose from 10 standard colors.

Aluminum. This is the most cost-effective way to enclose your bleachers and decrease maintenance costs while also increasing traffic control abilities. These powder coated systems visually enhance the overall look of the grandstand while displaying team colors and projecting team colors.

Whatever your needs may be, Toadvine Enterprises can help you secure a closure system that will boost your visual presence. Contact us to learn more.

The main components of the bleacher system are made up of the decking, the flooring of the bleachers and the risers, or the seating portion of the bleachers. When it comes to choosing your decking and rising system, Toadvine provides a variety of choices. Here are the three options:

Basic – When your budget demands that code compliance and lowest price are the best options, basic decking is the solution. This system can be installed as fully closed or semi-closed. The semi-closed option does not allow for effective water control, but does help eliminate trash that falls to the ground underneath your bleacher.

Interlocking – With interlocking decking, stadiums can be configured with maximum flexibility. The interlocking planks can be designed to accommodate any specifications, including angled seating, risers with varying tread depths and riser heights, custom stair structures, and large walkways or platforms.

Premium Welded Decking – A factory-controlled robotic process produces consistent welding that connects individual aluminum extrusions into a one-piece tread panel. Because of its premium design and quality, this decking ensures maximum water control, strength and durability while keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. The premium designed decking system is the only one that addresses rainwater runoff and collection. Constructed with a double lock design, this premium system provides easy maintenance.

Known for its quality and versatile construction, this system is used in the NFL, MLB, MLS and D1 College Football stadiums across the country.

Key features of this system are:

• low cost
• slip resistant
• quick installation
• easy maintenance
• durability
• great for water control

After completing a stadium system, any of the aluminum and steel components including rails, fences, benches, risers, and treads, can be finished with a variety of coatings and technologies, or they can be left unfinished.

There are several finishing options available and Toadvine Enterprises can help you select which type of finish or coating is best for your stadium project and your budget.

Steel Finishing

Steel finishing is often used in stadiums for support structures, fencing, or railings. Galvanizing is also done to enhance the look and durability of the steel when it makes sense. Chain link fencing can also be enhanced through vinyl coating.

Aluminum Finishing

Aluminum coating is a cost-effective way to finish off a walkway. Traction finishes can also be added to make tread extrusions more slip-resistant. Anodized aluminum can help protect other surfaces from temporary stains, while painted aluminum brings a more high-impact colorful addition to risers, backrests, fences, and rails.

For more information on how Toadvine can help meet your facility's needs, fill out our Bleacher Quote form and a member of our team will contact you with a free quote.

There are a lot of reasons to love fall. Leaves falling, temps cooling, the pace of summer calming down. But let's face it, the real reason to love fall is because fall is the best season for sports. Your kids are playing soccer, volleyball and football on the weekends, or finishing up fall baseball. High school golfers are getting ready for regional and state tourneys. Friday night lights are on and the whole world is watching College Football on Saturdays. Now we're even watching the NFL on Thursdays along with Sundays and Mondays.

Fall is also great because of the overlap of sports like baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and football. Before we head into winter we get to see the Ryder Cup (bummer we lost again) the World Series, the kickoff of NCAA and NBA basketball, and which college and pro football teams are poised for a Superbowl or National Championship. That is a lot to like about fall and sports.

The fall sports season keeps us busy at Toadvine Enterprises because we're in the heart of the sports industry. We're located in a sports town, Louisville, and a sports state, Kentucky. We love our sports in this area. We've been at the heart of the sporting good industry for over 30 years. If you follow along with our blog or Facebook page, you know we provide a lot of athletic equipment. Whether it's volleyball equipment, field hockey equipment, or football gear we've got you covered. And if you've attended high school or college games in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana or Ohio you most likely have looked up at a scoreboard from Toadvine or sat in a stadium chair or bleacher sold and installed by Toadvine Enterprises.

Although fall is when most of the action is happening, it's also a time to begin thinking about athletic equipment, scoreboard or stadium needs for the upcoming year. We know most athletic directors have a budgeting and requisition process, but we'd love for you to know that our inside and outside sales team is ready to answer your questions and give you the specifications and budgeting information you need.

It's never too early to start planning ahead for the next year, the next season, or the next sport.

Oh, and we can help with those last minute winter sports needs as well.

So reach out today for a quote. We're here to serve.

Others have come and gone, but we've been here for the long haul. That's the cool thing about a multigenerational business like Toadvine Enterprises.