Latest trends in playground surfacing

Playground surfacing is as diverse as the equipment placed upon it. The many different types of surfacing available can be generally broken down into two main categories consisting of loose fill and unitary materials.

There are many loose fill materials in use today such as wood chips, pea stone, sand, bark mulch, rubber mulch and engineered wood fiber (EWF). Of this group, engineered wood fiber is the dominant surfacing type comprising of approximately 75% of the market by volume.

Playground surfacing made of engineered wood fiber generally consists of new wood, that has been debarked and ground into a fibrous consistency. Each loose piece of wood fiber has an approximate length to width ratio of 10 to 1 with a minimum length of 2 inches.
Advantages: Primary advantages are cost and impact attenuation ratings. EWF offers one of the lowest initial purchase costs. EWF also provides one of the most favorable initial impact attenuating ratings when tested in laboratory conditions.
Disadvantages: Requires a regular maintenance program which involves regular raking, leveling and shifting of the loose material to counter the effects of decomposition, compaction and material displacement.

The second category, unitary surfacing, consists of two major types of products including poured in place (PIP) and prefabricated mats or tiles.

Poured in place (PIP) surfacing is a dual density system, it consists of a low density base course and a higher density top wear course. The base course is comprised of elongated recycled tyre rubber mixed with a polyurethane binding resin. The top course is made with an EPDM granulated rubber material mixed with a higher concentration of binding resin.
Advantages: These provide advantage of low maintenance, low life cycle cost.
Disadvantages: Susceptible to damage caused by environmental factors.

Another unitary surfacing option that is growing in popularity, is a prefabricated product often supplied in a mat or tile form. These materials are generally made from a combination of recycled tires and EPDM rubber combined with a polyurethane resin. Unlike poured in place that is field manufactured, this product is manufactured prior to its installation in playground.

Pre-manufactured products offer the same functional advantages, that field manufactured unitary surfaces offer. These also do not require a high level of maintenance thus providing a comparatively low life cycle cost.
Advantages: Higher degree of density or durable nature, consistent and reliable fall protection and wear resistant, cost falls between poured in place and engineered wood fiber hence more affordable.

Synthetic products are increasingly becoming the preferred surfacing materials for playgrounds for reasons of design, safety and durability. Within this scenario, interlocking tiles are especially gaining in popularity. With their particular advantages, they have become the generally preferred system of choice within the industry. Regardless of which type of playground surfacing meets your particular needs, it is important to remember that the quality of a system can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another.

This article is written by an expert working for All rubber surfaces, engaged in offering a wide range of playground surfaces.