With spring in the air, kids around the country are letting their inner child out for a Playground Flooring that’s both fun and safe. When selecting a playground surfacing, it’s important to consider all of the options available to you including color, texture and fall height safety rating*. Pair your choice with sturdy, well-maintained equipment and a little common sense and you’re ready to take on some outdoor fun.
Safety Surfaces
Shock-absorbent material helps prevent injuries from falling off equipment and from tripping. It also decreases stress on joints from prolonged standing and running. This helps protect children in the short term and in the long run from fatigue and even chronic pain.
There are many different types of surfacing materials to choose from, including unitary and loose-fill materials. Unitary surfaces include poured-in-place and bond-in-place rubber, interlocking resilient tiles, and synthetic turf with protective under-padding. These surfaces are easy to clean, durable, and offer accessibility for visitors with mobility devices or wheelchairs. They do require a higher upfront cost than loose-fill surfacing, but can reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
Loose-fill materials include rubber mulch, engineered wood fiber (EWF), playground sand and pea gravel. These surfacing products are easy to install, and can be less expensive than unitary material. However, they must be regularly topped off, to ensure that the material stays at a proper depth and isn’t kicked away by playful feet.
The most popular and cost-effective option is playground rubber tiles. These are made specifically for outdoor use, and are rated for all climates. They resist fading, mold and mildew growth, and are easy to clean with a broom or sweeper. In addition, they’re able to handle a lot of weight, and can be easily replaced should any damage occur.