Interior Maintenance
The interior planting maintenance contracts are serviced by our well presented staff on a regular visit arrangement. Our staff will always have full ID, full uniform, sign written van, suitable equipment for the works required and most importantly in the office environment - good manners.
We normally visit sites fortnightly, this can be different for some specific sites. We offer rental agreements for whatever period you require with maintenance, You can also purchase the plants and have a on-going maintenance agreement. We are a very flexible customer facing company, please let us know if you have any different requirements and we will do everything we can to help you.
A few services that we offer –
Benefits of Plants Indoors
Plants Are Good For You!!
Indoor plants help reduce 'sick building syndrome'.
Research has been conducted by NASA into the presence of Volitile Organic Compounds (VOC) in offices. Carpets, upholstery, copier machines and cleaning products emit VOCs. NASA's research recommended that the inclusion of indoor plants in the office environment would reduce substantially the amount of VOCs that employees are daily exposed to.
The direct benefits of indoor plants to the air we breath are twofold:
Pollutants are filtered from indoor air; and
Oxygen is released and humidity levels are reduced.
Why use plants in buildings?
Interior landscaping has become increasingly popular during the last 30 years. Most architects now include plants in their design specification for new shopping centres, office complexes and other public areas, and they are something we all expect to see when we walk through the door.
But what is it about plants that makes them such an important building accessory?
The most obvious answer is that they look attractive – who can fail to be charmed by the graceful arch of palm leaves or the exotic beauty of orchids? However, recent research has shown that the value of plants goes far beyond the purely aesthetic. Plants are actually good for the building and its occupants in a number of subtle ways and are an important element in providing a pleasant, tranquil environment where people can work or relax.
The key uses and benefits of plants are summarised below. For more detailed information follow the links in the text and/or select a subject from the menu on the right-hand side of this page.
They help to reduce sickness absence.
Absence from work cost British business £11.8 billion in 2002. Job dissatisfaction and low morale can be prominent factors in short-term absence and could account for as much as 15% of all reported sickness absence. Employers can tackle this most easily by re-examining people management policies and the working environment, to see what can be done to improve staff productivity and well being. If companies with the worst absence rates could meet average levels, the UK economy would be £1.9 billion better off. (Ref: “In sickness and in health”, Business Voice, June 2003, p11.)
The humble plant may be part of the solution. There is now a wealth of evidence to show that putting plants in buildings can significantly reduce absence from work. It isn’t necessary to fill every available space with a plant to achieve this; just a few good-quality specimens located near to where people work and take their rest breaks seem to suffice. The reasons why this has a beneficial effect are probably a subtle but complex mixture of the physiological (improved humidity, reduced noise etc.) and psychological. Being around plants certainly seems to reduce stress and engender a feeling of well-being in most people, a benefit that is even more acute if correct lighting is in place. The fact that the employer has been prepared to spend money on something that has no obvious function other than to make the workplace more attractive may also be a contributing factor, by sending a signal to staff that management cares!
They make buildings look more attractive and welcoming.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for installing plants and one that is backed up by research. A postgraduate study carried out in a London hospital in 1995 provided clear evidence that people do react more favourably to a building when it contains plants than when it does not. Hospital visitors were asked to respond to a descriptive choice test using twenty pairs of bipolar adjectives (quiet v noisy, cheerful v gloomy etc.). The results showed that when plants were present in the reception area of the hospital, users perceived it to be:
17% more ornate
17% more interesting
17% more cheerful
16% more welcoming
15% more relaxing
11% less stressful
11% more expensive
11% tidier
8% quieter
There were no negative findings and all the results were independently verified as being statistically significant. (Ref: “Human Responses to Interior Planting”, J.V. Stiles, PhD, Oxford Brookes University, 1995).
They make a design statement.
Interior landscaping is becoming a fashion-driven business, where as much effort is now put into the design of the containers, accessories and overall “look” as into plant selection. The current trend is for minimal, clean-looking containers and strongly shaped architectural plants.
Tall, tapered containers in galvanised steel or aluminium and the “stone” look are particularly popular. Simplicity is the key – underplanting and the jungle effect are definitely out! They improve the indoor environment.
There is now general agreement within the scientific community that plants improve the indoor environment, and are useful weapons in the fight against the modern phenomenon known as sick building syndrome (SBS). No specific cause of SBS has been identified, but poor air quality, excessive background noise and inadequate temperature and light control are thought to be important factors. Because plants have a large surface area and exchange water and gases with their surroundings, they have a unique ability to tackle many environmental problems. In particular, plants can:
They can be used to break up large open areas.
The vast expanses of open space found in airports, stations, shopping malls and open plan offices look soul-less and intimidating unless “broken up” by familiar objects. Plants are the most common solution, providing natural divides and reference points that make the space look more friendly and inviting.
They are educational.
Bringing a little of nature indoors, especially in urban areas where people may not have had much exposure to plant life can be both stimulating and educational. Where else, other than the tropical plant houses of botanical gardens, will you see the variety of exotic and unusual plant species usually on display in shopping centres and large office atria? The increasing use by many establishments of plant labelling, with information on species, origins and history, is increasing this benefit even further and encouraging people to take more interest in their surroundings.
In conclusion
Research clearly tells us that people do respond positively to the presence of plants in buildings. Healthy, well-maintained plants in well-designed displays enhance the character and appearance of a building and improve the psychological and physical well-being of its occupants. Above all, interior landscaping has been shown to be a sound investment by reducing sickness absence, improving mental agility, increasing use of communal facilities and positively changing a persons perception of a building.
We normally visit sites fortnightly, this can be different for some specific sites. We offer rental agreements for whatever period you require with maintenance, You can also purchase the plants and have a on-going maintenance agreement. We are a very flexible customer facing company, please let us know if you have any different requirements and we will do everything we can to help you.
A few services that we offer –
- office plants & plants maintenance with full plant care
- floral displays
- corporate flowers
- rental plants
- plant at work
- container plants
- pot plants
- full interior plant care
- fake indoor plant
- artificial plants
Benefits of Plants Indoors
Plants Are Good For You!!
Indoor plants help reduce 'sick building syndrome'.
Research has been conducted by NASA into the presence of Volitile Organic Compounds (VOC) in offices. Carpets, upholstery, copier machines and cleaning products emit VOCs. NASA's research recommended that the inclusion of indoor plants in the office environment would reduce substantially the amount of VOCs that employees are daily exposed to.
The direct benefits of indoor plants to the air we breath are twofold:
Pollutants are filtered from indoor air; and
Oxygen is released and humidity levels are reduced.
Why use plants in buildings?
Interior landscaping has become increasingly popular during the last 30 years. Most architects now include plants in their design specification for new shopping centres, office complexes and other public areas, and they are something we all expect to see when we walk through the door.
But what is it about plants that makes them such an important building accessory?
The most obvious answer is that they look attractive – who can fail to be charmed by the graceful arch of palm leaves or the exotic beauty of orchids? However, recent research has shown that the value of plants goes far beyond the purely aesthetic. Plants are actually good for the building and its occupants in a number of subtle ways and are an important element in providing a pleasant, tranquil environment where people can work or relax.
The key uses and benefits of plants are summarised below. For more detailed information follow the links in the text and/or select a subject from the menu on the right-hand side of this page.
They help to reduce sickness absence.
Absence from work cost British business £11.8 billion in 2002. Job dissatisfaction and low morale can be prominent factors in short-term absence and could account for as much as 15% of all reported sickness absence. Employers can tackle this most easily by re-examining people management policies and the working environment, to see what can be done to improve staff productivity and well being. If companies with the worst absence rates could meet average levels, the UK economy would be £1.9 billion better off. (Ref: “In sickness and in health”, Business Voice, June 2003, p11.)
The humble plant may be part of the solution. There is now a wealth of evidence to show that putting plants in buildings can significantly reduce absence from work. It isn’t necessary to fill every available space with a plant to achieve this; just a few good-quality specimens located near to where people work and take their rest breaks seem to suffice. The reasons why this has a beneficial effect are probably a subtle but complex mixture of the physiological (improved humidity, reduced noise etc.) and psychological. Being around plants certainly seems to reduce stress and engender a feeling of well-being in most people, a benefit that is even more acute if correct lighting is in place. The fact that the employer has been prepared to spend money on something that has no obvious function other than to make the workplace more attractive may also be a contributing factor, by sending a signal to staff that management cares!
They make buildings look more attractive and welcoming.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for installing plants and one that is backed up by research. A postgraduate study carried out in a London hospital in 1995 provided clear evidence that people do react more favourably to a building when it contains plants than when it does not. Hospital visitors were asked to respond to a descriptive choice test using twenty pairs of bipolar adjectives (quiet v noisy, cheerful v gloomy etc.). The results showed that when plants were present in the reception area of the hospital, users perceived it to be:
17% more ornate
17% more interesting
17% more cheerful
16% more welcoming
15% more relaxing
11% less stressful
11% more expensive
11% tidier
8% quieter
There were no negative findings and all the results were independently verified as being statistically significant. (Ref: “Human Responses to Interior Planting”, J.V. Stiles, PhD, Oxford Brookes University, 1995).
They make a design statement.
Interior landscaping is becoming a fashion-driven business, where as much effort is now put into the design of the containers, accessories and overall “look” as into plant selection. The current trend is for minimal, clean-looking containers and strongly shaped architectural plants.
Tall, tapered containers in galvanised steel or aluminium and the “stone” look are particularly popular. Simplicity is the key – underplanting and the jungle effect are definitely out! They improve the indoor environment.
There is now general agreement within the scientific community that plants improve the indoor environment, and are useful weapons in the fight against the modern phenomenon known as sick building syndrome (SBS). No specific cause of SBS has been identified, but poor air quality, excessive background noise and inadequate temperature and light control are thought to be important factors. Because plants have a large surface area and exchange water and gases with their surroundings, they have a unique ability to tackle many environmental problems. In particular, plants can:
- Reduce levels of carbon dioxide, which can accumulate in buildings from the breathing of its occupants and the by-products of heating systems and electrical equipment
- Increase relative humidity, which should be between 40% and 60% RH for maximum human comfort
- Reduce levels of certain pollutant gases, such as formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide
- Reduce airborne dust levels
- Reduce air temperatures
- Reduce background noise levels.
They can be used to break up large open areas.
The vast expanses of open space found in airports, stations, shopping malls and open plan offices look soul-less and intimidating unless “broken up” by familiar objects. Plants are the most common solution, providing natural divides and reference points that make the space look more friendly and inviting.
They are educational.
Bringing a little of nature indoors, especially in urban areas where people may not have had much exposure to plant life can be both stimulating and educational. Where else, other than the tropical plant houses of botanical gardens, will you see the variety of exotic and unusual plant species usually on display in shopping centres and large office atria? The increasing use by many establishments of plant labelling, with information on species, origins and history, is increasing this benefit even further and encouraging people to take more interest in their surroundings.
In conclusion
Research clearly tells us that people do respond positively to the presence of plants in buildings. Healthy, well-maintained plants in well-designed displays enhance the character and appearance of a building and improve the psychological and physical well-being of its occupants. Above all, interior landscaping has been shown to be a sound investment by reducing sickness absence, improving mental agility, increasing use of communal facilities and positively changing a persons perception of a building.
