If you’re a planner that likes to be prepared, then this blog post is for you! This post will address the common questions you may have about timing for setting up balloons and how to optimize the look of your event set up. Whether indoors, or outdoors, balloon freshness can depend on a lot of variables!

How Long Do Balloons Normally Last?

This is a hard question to answer. But for air-filled balloons that are professionally installed indoors, they can be set up days or even weeks ahead of your party. Especially if they are installed on a backdrop or frame and not hung on the wall. This is because when kept inside at room temperature, they will not shrink, or expand, from extreme temperature changes and they will not oxidize from the sun. There are unfortunately, a lot of factors that affect balloon longevity.

• Temperature – Extreme temperature changes, like said above, will cause a balloon to shrink or expand/pop.
• Sunlight – Sunlight causes oxidation in latex balloons, which means they will begin to look very dull and matte.
• Wind – Of course this only applies to outdoor installations, but if your balloons are not installed on a frame, you risk them blowing away.
• Humidity – Humidity can cause balloons to “sweat” and stick together. This humid heat can risk balloons to pop also.
• Balloon Quality – Cheap balloons are cheap for a reason!

This is different though for helium balloons. Because helium molecules are smaller than the molecules that make up latex balloons, helium will leak out of latex balloon faster than if the balloon was filled with air. Then of course, if all the factors listed above affect helium-filled latex balloons. So if you are wanting a helium arrangement for your party, it must be delivered the same day or the day before to ensure the balloons are floating for your party. If you want to read more about heat and balloons, follow the link below.

The Best Setup Timing for Indoor Balloon Decorations

• Balloon Garlands and Arches
  • These can often be installed 1-3 days before an event, even longer if set up timing is difficult.
  • Early installation is always a plus because these arrangements tend to take longer to set up than helium bouquets.
  • In order to maintain freshness, do not drastically increase or decrease temperature in the room while balloons are set up.
• Helium Balloon Bouquets
  • Best installed the evening before or the day of the event.
  • We treat each of our balloons with a special ingredient to keep them lasting as long as possible. This helps ensure that they will be floating for your event!
• Marquees with Balloons
  • Early installation is also essential for marquees with balloons. Marquees take a lot of manpower to load into the venue so lots of time is essential.

The Best Setup Timing for Outdoor Balloon Decorations

Same day installation for outdoors is usually best. As mentioned above, the sun will oxidize your balloons and they will look dull. Set up the day before can sometimes be achieved if the balloons are set up under covered patios, or during mild weather conditions. Weather conditions that require a lot of extra planning are:

• Extreme Heat
• Rain
• High Winds
• Extreme Cold

What We Recommend to Our Clients

Most indoor installs happen the day before or the morning of the event. Outdoor installations are typically scheduled as close to event time as possible, within enough time for set up. Weather forecasts are always considered before installation and we do our best to monitor ahead of your event.

Of course flexibility helps ensure the best-looking decor and is greatly appreciated by our team. Some advice for keeping balloons looking fresh would be to keep balloons out of direct sunlight, avoid extreme temperatures and keep decorations indoors whenever possible.