Playground Surfaces Info

Playground surfaces are required to protect children and youth from injuries if they fall whilst playing. Playground Surfaces are the materials that are used around and under swings and slides, under climbing frames, and any other kinds of playground equipment. At any playground the safety of children plays a vital role, since the surfaces are horizontal and hence children may get severe injuries if they fall. Hence, to avoid these possibilities the playground surfaces should be designed to prevent or minimize any injuries or hurts because of a fall and should not have a severe risk for children. Normally, the nature of the playground surfaces is an important factor in causing hurts and injuries. Currently, there is a huge collection of materials available for the construction of playground surfaces and the associated landscaping. Some of them have national standards for safety and wheelchair convenience whereas some of them do not. However, there are three main types of playground surfaces and these are as follows:- Mulch, Tile and Pour which are all preferred more frequently these days than the old fashioned cement, asphalt or grass.

In these playground surfaces, a material known as Mulch is placed over the playground soil as a layering. Normally, you can notice these types of surfaces near to plants to avoid the freezing of plant roots and the evaporation of rainwater.  The Mulch playground surfaces are soft enough to avoid hurts if a kid falls. Moreover, the mulch playground surfaces have better weather resistance. Nowadays, the Mulch coverings are available with a huge range of colors and designs. The Rubber mulch covering is one of the best types, since it easy to install, non-toxic, long lasting and cost-effective. Also, the rubber mulch playground surfaces are normally made from recycled tires and hence they are environmentally friendlier as well.

These types of playground surfaces are made of tiles. One of the most frequently used titles for these playground surfaces are rubber tiles. In fact, recycled rubber is made into tiles of different thickness and these type of rubber tiles are more durable and offer better protection in a fall. Normally, the thicker rubber tiles will cost more than the normal types however, they are certainly more long lasting. Moreover, the rubber tile playground surfaces don’t require too much maintenance, usually a pressure wash twice a year is enough. Providing several options of colors, durability, ease of maintenance, price and wear life, the rubber tile playground surfaces are the most popular choice, at present.

The pour playground surfaces are made of color dyed synthetic rubber that is tightly bonded by means of a polyurethane binding material. These playground surfaces actually use more than one coat of rubber applied on the surface of the trodden stones or concrete asphalt. Just like cement it is blended and coated over the playground surfaces and then a layer is troweled over to make a flat and smooth surface. With your own creativity you can select and provide the designs you like. Even though these type of Playground surfaces demand more cost than the other two types, these playground surfaces are certainly more sturdy and enduring.  They are also customizable in that you can design the flooring to match the theme of the playground equipment or have kids names or their favorite soccer teams built into the  design.