The Best Surface for your Playground
When designing or maintaining a playground it is very important to ensure you have the best surface for a playground.
Patterns and designs within the play area can stimulate a child’s mind. Therefore, if aesthetics is a top priority for you, your surfacing selection needs to be a key consideration.
Regardless of this, choosing the best surface for a playground can ensure the children get the most of it for years to come. The main factors to consider for your surfacing selection are:
- maintenance
- exposure to sun or water
- any equipment/kit installed
- aesthetic requirements
There are a wide range of surface options to suit any application. We here at PlaySmart are more than happy to give you advice on what may best suit your requirements and playground design.
In this article we go into the best surface for a playground, and the key benefits of each. If you have specific requirements, get in touch with our experts to discuss your options and get a quote.
Bonded Rubber Mulch
Bonded rubber mulch is a great surface for a playground due to it’s cushioning properties and slip resistant surface. Our premier rubber mulches: JungleMulch and ForestMulch are sourced from recycled tyre shred.
The texture of rubber mulch makes it water permeable while lendign it a natural look similar to that of natural bark due to larger pieces of rubber granules. We use a unique organic colouring process which ensures a vibrant colour that stays bright for a long time.
Bonded rubber mulch provides excellent slip resistance whilst being fully wheelchair and buggy accessible. We can install JungleMulch at a range of fully certified depths to provide fall protection to suit your requirements. On top of all this, it’s also got a lower price tag than many other surfacing options.
Why choose Rubber Mulch from PlaySmart?
3 Year Product, 2 Year Install Guarantee.
1.3m critical fall height protection at 40mm, up to 3m at 140mm depth installation.
Tested to BS EN 1177, BS EN 7188:1998 & A2 2009 Ease of Ignition
Artificial Grass
Artificial Grass is a fantastic choice for Primary Schools and nursery playgrounds alike. Not only is the maintenance incredibly easy, but the grass is child friendly and there will be no muddy mess. We recommend you a choose a high-quality brand, such as Lush Lawn. This is because quality artificial grass can be soft to the touch, creating another layer of sensory stimulation for the children. Also, artificial grass is a very cost-effective playground surface.
If you’re wanting all the benefits of artificial grass, but also want to incorporate other patterns and designs, we at PlaySmart are more than happy to do both! One option is velour grass carpet. Different colours can be used to create patterns, shapes or designs.
The other option would be to go for a combination of wet pour and artificial grass. By doing this, you can create a wide range of designs. Although it will cost a bit more than just artificial grass by itself.
Is Artificial Grass the Best Surface for your Playground?
Hybrid grass options available for reduced plastic.
Far reduced maintenance from natural lawns.
Versatile, durable surface with natural look and feel.
Grass Mats
If the playground is in a natural area, the best surface will be one that keeps that natural look. By installing grass mats, such as EcoSmart, the grass will grow through the safety surface. These mats are an environmentally friendly choice. This is because they use recycled rubber, which also provides a softer landing than hard plastic tiles.
Grass mats are very durable, our EcoSmart comes with a 10 year product guarantee – meaning it is also a very cost effective solution for your playground surfacing. If you have playground equipment with a fall height more than 2m, our EcoSmart grass mats can be comined with European patented shockpad, SmartPlay. The SmartPlay and EcoSmart system meets a certified 3m Critical Fall Height when installed on a good grass base.
Choosing Grass Mats for Your Playground.
Grass mats can be installed all year round in most weather conditions, on existing grass surfaces, seeded topsoil or new turf.
Up to 3m Critical Fall Height Protection with SmartPlay Shock Pad.
10 Year Product, 5 Year Install Guarantee
Tested to BS EN 1177. Slip and fall resistant to the British Standard BS 7188
Solid rubber surface (aka wetpour)
The best surface for a playground is a solid rubber surface, also known as wetpour. Wetpour is a rubber surface that provides a high quality, hard wearing, slip resistant surface that requires little to no maintenance. The key benefit of wet pour is that it’s very easy to create complex designs, patterns and shapes, helping spark the imagination of any children using the play area. In the event that the playground surface suffers damage through vandalism, rips or perimeter shrinkage, it can be easily fixed with the help of a professional team.
Our brand of wetpour, known as RubbaSmart, has a range of 20 different colours and can be installed in various different thicknesses. This means that no matter what play equipment is in the playground, this solid rubber surface can be installed to be suitable.
Is Wetpour Right for Your Playground?
5 Year Product and 3 Year Install Guarantee.
Non-fade high-quality virgin EPDM rubber product.
1.2m Critical Fall Height Protection up to 3m at 140mm Depth.
