Whether it’s on a school playground or a community play space, playground surfacing plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and comfort of playgrounds. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends safe types of playground surfacing materials you can follow for your playground — though you’ll want to consider a few other factors when deciding, too.
Explore some of the top points to assess when choosing playground surfacing and which types might suit your playground best here.
The following key considerations will help you choose the safest and most appropriate playground surfacing materials.
Playgrounds are great places for kids to play, make new friends and learn fundamental life skills. Unfortunately, more than 200,000 children under the age of 14 are treated for playground-related injuries every year in the United States. However, using the right playground equipment or materials could help prevent some of these injuries.
Consider the impact attenuation properties of the materials the surfacing is made of. Impact attenuation measures a playground’s shock-absorbing properties. Additionally, assess the surfacing’s fall height protection rate. This rate should exceed the maximum height of the equipment installed on your playground.
A typical playground surface experiences intensive activities and maximum traffic. In addition, children using wheelchairs and other mobility devices often visit playgrounds. If the surface isn’t made of durable materials, it may wear down much more quickly than expected.
Aim to choose durable playground surfacing that is resistant to wear and tear. As a bonus, well-made, strong surfacing material needs less maintenance.
Another major factor is the cost of the playground surfacing. Cost considerations for playground surfacing materials should go beyond mere price checks. You should assess the life span and the upkeep required to maintain a particular type of surfacing.
Cost can be an indicator of quality. Inexpensive playground surfacing may need more maintenance over time, while higher-priced playground surfacing materials may last longer. The life span of playground surfacing varies depending on the materials used.
Besides safety and other critical factors, you want your playground to be appealing, especially to children. Choose playground surfacing that adds to the overall aesthetics of the play area by considering the color, pattern and texture of the materials. For example, materials like poured-in-place rubber come in many color options.
In a world where the global population is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, you want to choose surfacing materials with minimum environmental impact. This is an important consideration for outdoor playing areas. Consider factors such as the drainage capability of the equipment to minimize standing water when it rains.
Every playground must be maintained to ensure its safety and appeal. The type of surface material used will determine the type and frequency of maintenance. For example, rubber mulch needs regular raking and cleaning to ensure they look their best. Poured-in-place unitary surfacing doesn’t require as much care to maintain its safety level and appearance as loose fill surfacing.
Each surfacing material has its benefits and challenges, so it’s important to consider which is suitable for your playground. There are two main categories of surfacing materials:
Your choice of surfacing materials has a major impact on your playground’s functionality. Rubber mulch, for example, is a durable material that many playground designers like using. When well-maintained, rubber mulch can last for years.
Poured-in-place rubber is a preferred option for playground designers seeking to provide an inclusive play space. It provides a smoother surfacing for kids using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to navigate the playground. It comes in different colors and is a great choice for users who want to prioritize visual appeal. This material is created with recycled rubber products and is not prone to wear and tear or decomposition like other surfacing materials.
Synthetic turf looks as green and beautiful as natural grass. In addition, it provides a soft landing for kids to play on. Although you don’t have to mow or water it like natural grass, synthetic turf comes with specific maintenance requirements to ensure it’s always in the best condition for kids to use. For example, anything that can damage the artificial turf, like bodily fluids or animal waste, should be cleaned quickly with special products designed to protect the surfacing material.
It’s important to research the options available to you before choosing a playground surfacing material. Each playground has unique features and needs, and the playground surface you choose should be suitable for the area.
Start with considering your playground’s location and how different surfacing materials might impact the surrounding environment. Then, think about how your choice will accommodate all children who visit the playground, regardless of their abilities. From there, you can make decisions about shock absorbency, color, durability, and more to select the ideal surface for your playground.
If in doubt, you can consult a professional to assess the area and advise you on the best materials and installation method to use. This can be a highly beneficial choice for administrators and other individuals who may not have playground expertise but want to make the best decisions for playground safety and durability.
Are you looking for quality playground surfacing but don’t know where to start? No Fault Surfaces provides premium-quality athletic and playground surfacing products. With over four decades of experience in the industry and a network of certified installation crews nationwide, we can provide all of your playground surfacing solutions.
We offer a range of poured-in-place and rubber mulch products, along with synthetic turf, safety tiles and more. All of our playground surfacing provides different benefits for different play spaces. Additionally, we follow strict environmental standards to ensure our products have positive impacts on sustainability.
Ready to get started with high-quality, safe and durable surfacing materials? No matter if you oversee a church playground or manage a play space for a different organization, No Fault Surfaces is here to help. Request a quote to connect with one of our sales representatives today. Our experienced staff will consult with you and help you choose the best product for your playground surfacing project.
