If you’re ever walking through a park, chances are you see a special type of playground surfacing underneath the equipment. It doesn’t look like asphalt, concrete or any other traditional surfacing and it offers safety, durability and an attractive, soft feel. This specialized playground surfacing is called rubber outdoor flooring and it’s becoming more popular than ever before.
But what exactly is it? And how is it different from the loose-fill options like EWF, pea gravel and sand? And what are the pros and cons of each type of Playground Flooring UK surface?
The main difference between loose-fill and unitary playground surfaces is that unitary surface materials have bound elements that are formed into tiles or rolled products such as turf. Loose-fill surfaces include mulch, wood chips, shredded rubber, artificial grass and sand.
Creating a Vibrant Playground with Colorful Flooring Options
While EWF has the highest ASTM fall height rating of the loose-fill material options, it still requires regular maintenance. You’ll need to keep it at the proper depth so that it stays safe for kids and ensure there are no gaps or tripping hazards. In addition, it is best suited for locations with good drainage and not located under any equipment or structures that could cause debris to be kicked into the surface.
Replacing a decomposing loose-fill playground surface can be expensive. It’s also not easy to install a full replacement because you have to replace every single tile that’s deteriorating. This can end up costing a lot of money, especially if the original design did not include enough budget to cover replacement costs within 10 years.