Balloons On A Pole? The 49 Latest Answer

Wrapping a square concrete column with balloons.

by Ellie

(Whitehouse, Jamaica)

I want to spirally wrap balloons around a square concrete column. The balloons don’t stay down and look messy.

REPLY:

Hello Elly,

Do you use a single row of balloons or clusters of balloons to wrap the concrete column?

When using balloon clusters, try alternating between clusters of 3 balloons and 2 balloons (instead of making the garland with 4 balloon clusters). Once you’ve wrapped the garland around the pillar, you’ll find that it’s easier to slide the balloons into place and squeeze so they neatly “hugg” the pillar.

The balloon professionals at BalloonHQ.com claim that this method gives a tidier result than using clusters of 4 balloons, which often look a bit clunky.

If you want to cover the column with strings of individual balloons, try this tip: use 9-inch balloons (they also work better with the garland method above). Attach a paperclip to the neck of each balloon. The paper clip on balloon number 1 then attaches to balloon number 2. The paper clip from balloon number 2 goes to balloon number 3, and so on until the chain is long enough to wrap around the column once. The paper clip on the last balloon this line will be attached to the first balloon in the same line.

Then produce the second row of balloons in the same way. Place this line on the first chain so that balloon number 1 nestles in the gap between balloons 1 and 2 of the first chain, balloon number 2 nestles in the gap between balloons 2 and 3 and so on. Use the same color sequence for each string of balloons to create a spiral pattern.

I hope it helps. For more tips on covering columns with balloons, check out this article on BalloonHQ.com.

Margit

How long does balloon decoration last? (The short answer)

A balloon arch can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks depending on the temperature, heat, humidity and quality of the balloon decor. Under ideal circumstances, latex balloons can last several days outdoors or even several weeks indoors. Foil balloons have even been used for decoration for a number of years!

Because balloon arches can be made with helium or air, the answers can vary widely. Helium decor can vary due to a variety of factors, which we won’t go into too much detail here. You can learn more about helium in this article. For purposes of this discussion, we will be specifically talking about air-filled arches with a frame. Using a frame eliminates the need for helium and makes answering this question much easier and definitely less complicated.

Want to know how long helium filled decor can last? Read our post on helium balloon longevity.

How long does balloon decoration last? (The longer answer)

The longer answer has more to offer. So we will address some of these points below. If you want the short answer, stick with the answer above. Otherwise, you can find more information here on how to increase the longevity of your balloon decoration. When it comes to arches specifically, this information mostly applies to balloon garlands in general. Enjoy!

What makes decor NOT durable?

The first question one might ask is why balloons don’t last at all. If they don’t get banged, wouldn’t they be okay? That would be great, but that’s just not how things work. Even under ideal conditions, balloons immediately lose tiny bits of air through the invisible pores in the latex. Small air molecules bounce around inside even at room temperature. These bouncing molecules are what causes the balloon to inflate to its apparent size. For the same reason, a balloon immersed in liquid nitrogen shrinks to its almost deflated size, only to “inflate again” when it warms up again. Physics and chemistry can be cool!

All scientific rumors aside, there are things that work against the balloon’s longevity. First, they are a natural and biodegradable latex made from the sap of a rubber tree. Being latex and not plastic, they naturally want to degrade when they come into contact with the environment. Luckily for the party-goers, this is usually a slow process. However, it can be accelerated and leads to the main reasons why they deflate or burst prematurely.

Heat and humidity begin to degrade balloons and are the first obstacle to their longevity. The introduction of heat and moisture can cause balloons to oxidize (that’s a fancy word for rust). Yes, balloons can rust like a piece of iron. There are different elements involved, but it works the same way. When a balloon is exposed to heat and moisture, it loses its bright glossy coating and slowly becomes covered in a velvety sheen or even the appearance of a powder. This is the visual element of this process and is the easiest way for a professional balloon decorator to determine the age of a balloon arch.

There are also other elements that can pop a balloon. Some of the main things we’ve seen are the static pulling of sand or glass particles onto the balloons, the actual melting from the intense heat of the sun, and then there’s the wind. Wind alone doesn’t do much damage, but it can add to any of these other elements to make things go faster. Wind accelerates oxidation, can carry particles up from the ground where static electricity can pull them towards the balloons to pop, and can even pop melted balloons by putting extra stress on them.

What makes balloon decor last longer?

Balloons love cool, dark places. We store our balloons in almost airtight containers, protected from light and in an air-conditioned room. This helps them last as long as possible, and we’ve had absolutely no problem using balloons that are a year old.

There is a lot to consider at an event. Just because an arch of balloons may last the longest in a dark room that isn’t being used doesn’t mean it has the greatest impact on the event. Therefore, balloon professionals are here to work with you to find the absolute best location for your balloon arch based on your specific needs. If you only need a sheet for one day, there are many options to choose from. If it’s going to last a week or more, we need to start getting creative and come up with different ways we can extend the balloon’s lifespan.

In short, there are few ways to extend the life of the balloon. They either slow down oxidation, work to eliminate popping factors, or a combination of both. YTE Events and Balloon Decor has been building balloon decorations for years and has learned almost every trick to help. So let us know what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll do what we can to lessen the bang and ensure you have the best possible event experience.

Balloon arc filled with air inside

The most durable way to build balloon decor is to build an arch that is in an air conditioned environment and has a frame to support it as the balloons slowly begin to deflate. A standard arch of properly inflated latex balloons will last anywhere from 12 hours to 2 days with no significant problems. The lower number represents an arch closer to a door where heat and moisture are regularly introduced from the outside. The longer time frame is representative of an arc not exposed to the same environmental stresses.

A balloon professional can even extend this time! Treating the balloons early can extend the time up to 25 days or more. Balloons can be treated both inside and outside to reduce the rate of oxidation. They can also be treated to eliminate some of the static electricity that can draw possible particles into the balloons that could pop the balloons.

The biggest concern with permanent balloon decorations at a corporate location or venue is the possibility that chemicals and solvents will be used in the cleaning process, which can also corrode the balloons and cause them to disintegrate more quickly.

We are sure that an inside bow can be guaranteed (in most cases) for 2-5 days without any problems. If we feel there is a concern and it is important to last longer we can also offer a ‘refresh’ option which will allow us to come to your venue and touch up any deflated balloons and ensure the balloon arch is good looks brand new and fresh for any event.

Outdoor balloon arches have other concerns

There are many different things to consider when setting up an outdoor balloon arch. The weather often plays a major role. A hot, humid area with no overhead shadows can cause a bow to last a few hours at most. If an arch is set up the night before, or even very early the same morning, a condensation element can be added to the balloons. This can make them slightly sticky and, when heated by the sun, can cause some of the balloons to fuse together. In this case, a light wind can cause a whole bunch of balloons to pop at once.

Color also plays a role in exterior decoration. An arch of dark colored balloons will gather more heat and energy from the sun and may cause them to melt or pop more easily. White is the absolute best color for exterior decoration as it has the longest chance of surviving in the elements.

Outside there are also more things to blow towards the balloons to pop the balloons before the sun gets to it. Things like sand, broken glass, brick dust, and even more direct objects like pins can be blown in the wind toward the arches of the balloon, causing them to burst.

In some areas, even the blades of grass or other plants can secrete oils that can cause the balloons to pop sooner than normal. Because of this, some balloon decorators even put down fabric or ground sheets to prevent the balloons from directly touching the balloons.

Other frequently asked questions about the lifespan of a balloon arch:

Does a balloon arch last overnight?

In our climate (Central Florida) a balloon arch can typically last one night and most of the next day if placed outdoors. It’s usually fine the first day. Then, the next day, dew and condensation collect on it. After that, and in the heat of the second day, the arch is prone to cracking at the introduction of a significant gust of wind or exposure to direct sunlight during the heat of the day. If it hasn’t burst by day two, day three is usually the limit in our hot and humid climate. There are exceptions and it may be extended if there is some shade or if it was a particularly cloudy day. However, we have also seen balloon decorations placed in direct sun during the summer heat that only last a few hours. So it can vary. At the same time, our outdoor decorations last up to a week in optimal conditions. For interior decoration, we prepare in advance and balloons often stay inflated days in advance and last for several days after your party.

How long does a balloon arch last?

We talked about this above, but it depends very much on the type of bow and its position. A helium arc can last a few hours. A balloon arch filled with outside air can last a few days. An indoor latex arch can last a few weeks. An indoor balloon arch filled with air can last up to a few months.

Where should I place my balloon arch?

We recommend placing an arch where it makes the most sense for your event. If it doesn’t matter, then we would recommend placing it out of direct sun, ideally indoors, with a minimal amount of potential popping factors. You can read the article above for more information on the specifics of what can pop items.

Can I set up a balloon arch the night before?

In most cases, setting up a balloon arch the night before is perfectly fine. However, if it will be filled with helium, it should be set up on the day of the event.

Can I do a balloon arch the day before?

In most cases, you can do the balloon arch the day before and it’s absolutely fine. The biggest exception would be a helium arch, which we recommend setting up on the day of the event.

How far can I make the balloon arch?

Professional balloon artists have tips and tricks so they can inflate and prepare a range of items well in advance. Most professionals blow and build balloon decorations up to a week before your event. This also applies to bows. In the right environment, a balloon arch can easily last for weeks. Professionals typically inflate balloons at least a day in advance so they can identify and fix “slow leaks” before delivering the balloon arch to your event.

How long does a helium arc last?

A helium arc can last a few hours indoors and may or may not last a significant amount of time outdoors. If a helium bow is blown outdoors and hits grass, concrete, or anything sharp or hot, the balloons can burst. Indoors, a helium arc can last up to 8 or 12 hours in most cases. If the balloons are handled properly and the conditions are right, a helium arc can last up to 3 or 5 days.

Will a bow filled with helium or air last longer?

The air-filled balloon arch lasts longer in all scenarios. It is by far the absolute best option for longevity.

Can you treat a balloon arch to make it last longer?

You certainly can! Normally we would only recommend treating a bow this way if it is going to be placed indoors and you plan to keep it for a month or more. The treatments can help slow the escape of air from inside, but they don’t completely stop oxidation. So if you keep it out of the elements, you can get most of the work done. The longer lasting treatments are great for prolonging the life of a balloon arch, but do not prevent balloons from bursting due to other factors.

Would you like to have a balloon arch at your event?

Call us! We’re happy to help answer any questions, give you a quote, or discuss some arch placement suggestions to increase the longevity of your balloon decor.

You can also fill out an event contact form.

How to make a balloon pillar/column?

If you saw our previous tutorial and blog post, we showed you how to create your own mini column. Now let’s move to the next step by enlarging it! With more celebrations and events on the way, we wanted to show you how to build your own balloon column along with the balloon stand to get creative with your decorations.

What do you need for a balloon column/column?

Depending on the height and design of your balloon column, this can certainly be adjusted, but we will first provide you with the list of basic items you will need. Let’s see what’s listed below for this easy tutorial. 😍 👀 🎈

What will you need:

Balloon Stand/Pillar Set (You can easily buy this online from us at Wonder Balloons) 12″ (inch) latex balloons (at least around 30-40 balloons. It doesn’t hurt to have more in case some balloons pop) Hand pump/electric pump (Hand pump is best used to inflate the foil balloons and electric pump helps inflate your latex balloons easily, especially when you have a lot to inflate) Topper for your balloon column (usually a larger balloon above, or as in the tutorial, a foil balloon) Nylon fishing line (this will serve to tie your balloons together to keep them stable/secure) (OPTIONAL) A balloon sizer to evenly enlarge your balloons.

What to do:

Since we are using the balloon stand/pillar set, you can start assembling the stand as shown in the tutorial. Fill the base with water or sand, then take the pipes and connect them to the connectors. Arrange these at the desired height of the column. Next, start inflating the 12 inch latex balloons. Make sure you inflate all the same size, which is where the balloon sizer will come in handy if you’re not sure. Blow up two at a time like in the video, tie two of these balloons together and set them aside. Once all your balloons are inflated and tied in pairs, take two pairs and combine them into a quad/cluster. You would then have about 7 or 8 quads/clusters of balloons. You can mix and match different colors and patterns based on your design/color theme. Since you will be using the balloon stand, place your quad through the stand and start stacking your balloon quads one at a time, but make sure they are fully seated. An alternative to this is to use nylon fishing line and tie your balloons together (also making sure they are snug). Then, when they are all tied together, you can insert the stand to the middle of the balloons. Once you have finished and arranged the look of your balloon column, you can set it up and finish it off with a balloon topper. Since we were using a foil balloon, we used a modeling balloon to tie to the foil balloon’s valve, which we then tied to the top of the balloon column. Make sure everything is snug and tight. Make sure your balloon column/column is stored in a cool and dry place and away from sharp objects.

Now it’s not too difficult to create your own balloon column. But if you’re still unsure, you can always refer to our tutorial video and practice it yourself. The next time you pass shops with special decorations or another event, you can look at the balloon column and think “I can do that too!” 😉

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

Buy your own balloon column stand by clicking the links below:

Shopping

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How far in advance of a birthday party should a balloon arch be made?

by Byanca

(Inglewood, California)

How long before the party can you make your balloon arch? | Share or pin for later!

I am asking how far in advance as I am wondering if it can be done the night before or should it be done on the day of the party? I do it myself and try to figure out how much time I need.

REPLY

Hello Byanka,

This depends on what type of balloon arch you want to make.

If it’s a helium-filled bow, like a pearl necklace bow, it’s best to make the bow on the day of the birthday party.

Latex balloons filled with helium only float well for about 10 to 12 hours. If you plan to do your helium-filled arch the night before the event, I highly recommend treating your balloons with Hi-Float.

If you plan to make an air-filled bow, it’s fine to make the bow the day before.

I hope it helps! Good luck in decorating the birthday party.

Preferably,

Margit

Related questions and answers on balloon arches

How long do balloons stay inflated?

Can balloons be inflated the day before the event?

Can I do a balloon arch the night before?

How does a balloon arch last longer?

If possible, place your balloon arch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture and air movement.

Choose quality balloon brands as listed on my Best Balloons for Arches page.

Use bigger balloons. The bigger the balloon, the longer they stay inflated.

Treat the balloon surface with a silicone compound like Balloon Shine. You can also try hairspray. This seals the surface of the balloon and keeps the air in the balloon longer. As a bonus, the balloon stays shiny longer.

Replace deflated balloons with new ones. With organic balloon arches, it’s easy to replace a deflated or burst balloon. Just remove the old one and use a 160q balloon to tie the new balloon to the arch.

For a classic balloon arch with clusters, you would have to remove the cluster from the frame, replace the deflated balloon’s duplet with a new duplet, and put the quad back in place.

How do you prevent air-filled balloons from deflating?

How long does a balloon arch last outdoors?

direct sunlight

Heat, cold and temperature changes

humidity and condensation

wind

Blades of grass, sand or other small particles that can be blown against the balloons

How long does it take to make a balloon arch?

Latex balloons inflated with air will remain fully inflated for several days to several weeks, depending on the environment. They will last the longest in a cool, dark, air-conditioned room. Their lifespan is much shorter when exposed to sunlight, heat and humidity. Foil balloons inflated with air or helium can last for years. Check out the reviews on my “How Long Do Mylar Balloons Stay Firmly Inflated” page. The longest period was 30 years! Yes, you can inflate both latex and mylar balloons the day before the event. Be sure to protect your balloons from direct sunlight and heat. It is best to store the latex balloons in large, tightly sealed plastic bags to prevent them from oxidizing. As soon as a latex balloon comes into contact with air, it begins to lose its shiny surface. Whether or not you can do a balloon arch the night before the event depends on the type of balloon arch you want to do. Is it a helium-filled levitating bow, like a pearl necklace bow? Then you should create the sheet on the day of the event. Latex balloons filled with helium will only float well for 10 to 12 hours unless you treat them with a product called “Hi-Float”. Such as a floating arch made of foil balloons, you can create your arch the night before the party. Follow these tips to make your balloon arch last longer: To prevent air-filled balloons from deflating, keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid temperature fluctuations. If you need to store them before the event, put them in large, tight-fitting plastic bags, like these 55-gallon garbage bags. or hairspray. Finally, always tie the balloon knot tightly so that no air can escape through the neck. In general, an outdoor balloon arch doesn’t last very long. At best, the arch will last overnight and for most of the following day. In the worst case, balloons begin to burst after just a few hours. Outdoors there are many factors that shorten the life of an arch balloon or other balloon decoration: also check out my page on the best outdoor balloon brands. How long How long it takes to make a balloon arch depends on many things such as: B. the type and size of arch you want to make, whether you use an electric balloon pump or a manual pump and whether you do it alone or have some helpers. First and foremost it depends on your experience! Is it your first balloon arch? Allow a whole afternoon. Have you already made balloon decorations? Allow approximately two hours to create an arch of 100 balloons. This estimate assumes you are using an electric inflator and either a pre-made frame or balloon decorating strip