Each playground is unique and has specific needs for its surfacing. Therefore, the surfacing solution will be different for every project.
PlaySmart is here to give you a guide to finding what your playground or outdoor space may need. Therefore, our playground ideas help you meet the unique challenges of surfacing. Key questions to ask in your design process are: How do visitors use it? Who are your visitors? Which hazards it may face.
Let’s explore the considerations you need to make before choosing your surfacing solution…
Nurseries and Primary Schools
The best surface for children’s play areas pays attention to the need for creativity that young children have. Additionally, vibrant or creative designs increase the excitement and play that they require for development.
For the perfect space to play, PlaySmart’s RubbaSmart provides many options for creative playground designs. Therefore, kids’ play areas have a wide variety of surfacing solutions that emphasise vibrant colour and patterns. Additionally, you can take a look at our previous projects for inspiration for a custom, vibrant playground.
This classic wet pour surfacing solution can transform any play area. Therefore, PlaySmart provides surface solutions with fully custom and personalised colour, thickness and design. This is our RubbaSmart solution, bringing a unique sense of fun to your site. Regardless of size or previous play area flooring material, our wet pour installation process is available and simple. Additionally, we can install wet pour rubber over concrete or tarmac surfaces for a flat, balanced application. However, other areas may require a sub-base prior to installation.
High-Traffic Playgrounds
Play areas see more and more vigorous use in the summer months. Therefore, durability and maintenance costs of surfaces come to the forefront of concerns for many playgrounds.
PlaySmart designs all of our entire surfacing solution range for durability and longevity. Therefore, you will see a definite benefit to your playground’s long-term durability and return on investment when you choose PlaySmart.
Our top choices for a high-traffic space such as a public play area or large school playground site are:
- JungleMulch Rubber Bound Mulch
- EPDM MulchSmart Rubber Mulch
- Green Frog Artificial Grass
JungleMulch Rubber Bound Mulch
Made from shredded recycled tyres, JungleMulch is perfect if you are, like many of us, looking to improve your sustainability. In the installation process, there are minimal sub-base requirements. Therefore the installation process is faster, more cost-effective and causes less disruption.
A unique organic colouring process ensures that the vibrant rubber mulch colour stays bright over time with minimal maintenance required. The water-permeable structure of the recycled rubber playground flooring also provides flood and puddling protection.
EPDM MulchSmart Rubber Mulch
Another of our amazing rubber mulch options is EPDM MulchSmart. Recycled rubber mulch is not always appropriate for all play area flooring. Therefore, it may require a different blend of rubber aggregates. EPDM Mulch is a great alternative with even greater guarantees of durability and sustained vibrancy!
Even with extensive traffic, this option stays bright. Also, more importantly for young children’s playgrounds, this surface doesn’t release any carbon or toxins.
Are you looking to cover old or damaged rubber surfaces but have concerns over expensive and intensive installation? EPDM overlay surfacing may be right for you. This option is becoming increasingly popular in a range of locations. We have installed this in pathways, mounds, embankments, and even erosion control areas. Our clients often choose EPDM because of the mulch’s amazing durability.
Green Frog Artificial Grass
Many sites are looking for a replacement for their natural grass outdoor areas. This is because real grass requires constant care and is unreliable quality as the weather changes. If this describes you, then Green Frog Artificial Grass may be your answer!
PlaySmart guarantees our grass to last at least 8 years. But, with the correct care synthetic grass can last for over a decade. This maintenance however, is much less intensive than natural grass, while looking perfect all year round.
Sports Areas
Your sports areas deserve the highest-quality surfacing to create a safe, attractive multi-use space. Therefore, we recommend surface solutions that are slip-resistant with high drainage capabilities, durability, and a range of sports markings. Flexcourt modular sports surfacing is the best outdoor sports court material to meet these requirements.
The ergonomic Flexion® structure of the rubber provides a great surface for any sport, from badminton to volleyball. FlexCourt’s Traxion® design also improves the bounce and grip of the surface. This enhances the experience of any sport, allowing for even greater fun!
As with any surface, accessibility is vital in sports courts. Therefore, finishing ramps are available on installation of your FlexCourt surface, encouraging and enabling inclusivity in sports.
Flood Prone Areas
April showers and a wet British summer are approaching. Therefore, water permeability and drainage are some of the greatest concerns for playgrounds and outdoor areas across the UK. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are increasingly popular in urban areas. This is because these designations aim to combat the environmental damage and water loss associated with concrete and tarmac surfaces and inadequate drainage.
Therefore, PlaySmart provides multiple surfaces with this vital property, including:
- Smart Pave
- Corkeen
Our water-permeable SmartPave pathway and running track surface solution is a great option to improve site drainage capabilities. We especially recommend it in areas where the majority of the surface cover is unavoidably non-permeable.
The porous structure meets SUDS requirements as the rubber aggregates formulated with polyurethane binder capture surface runoff and prevent puddling. However, this isn’t the only benefit of SmartPave. Additionally, this structure also provides high-quality grip and resilience providing the perfect pathway to meet accessibility and reliability concerns.
Corkeen
For larger areas of ground cover, Corkeen natural cork surfacing is a solution with high-quality drainage capacity. All weather surfaces like Corkeen are the playground essential to ensure consistent accessibility and enjoyment year round! Corkeen is a great example of our hardwearing, sustainable, and safe surface solutions for any outdoor activity.
PlaySmart’s experts can help you make the right decision.
We hope that this guide has been useful to you in beginning your playground journey with PlaySmart. For more outdoor play area flooring ideas you can discover our more in-depth Playground Surfacing Quiz.
Are you looking for expert advice and playground consultation services? Then you can fill in our handy contact form. You can also give us a call at 01564 742811. We hope to hear from you soon!