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Types of Playground Paving and Surfaces

Types of Playground Paving and Surfaces

Understadnig your options on the types of playground paving you could have installed will be an important part of plannig a new playground.

The playground serves as the social centre of the neighbourhood. To provide children with the opportunity to learn via play, playgrounds are necessary not just in schools but also in residential neighbourhoods and public parks as well. 

Children have more fun, are better able to make friends, and develop skills that will aid them throughout their education when they participate in exciting play activities. However, in order for children to reap the benefits of play spaces, these facilities need to be risk-free and have appropriate playground flooring.

Our paving services at Bonus Paving we have 36 years of paving experience, with all our paving being fully SABS certified.

The selection of an appropriate playground surface is critical to ensure the safety of playgrounds. The surface should make it less likely that someone will slip and fall, it should be able to absorb the shock of any falls that do occur, and it should match the lively design of your play area. Because there are many different types of playground paving, it can be difficult to choose the one that is best for your facility.

Article Summary

    Choosing the right Types of Playground Paving

    In order to make things easier for you, I have compiled a list of the most common kinds of playground flooring.
    Continue reading to find out which alternative is ideal for your playground.
     

    Artificial Grass and Sport Surfaces 

    Your playground design can benefit greatly from the addition of artificial grass.
    The use of synthetic grass in playgrounds brings life and colour to the ground, transforming it from a dull grey surface that serves as the canvas for play activities.
    It is softer than other forms of playground flooring, such as asphalt or concrete, thus it absorbs the impact of trips, slips, and falls better than those other types of playground flooring.
     
    On a hot summer day, the artificial grass won’t become too hot to play on because it has a better temperature regulation system than conventional playground surfaces.
     
    When the weather is very warm, children might take a break from playing by laying down on the grass in the shade with their friends and taking a rest from playing.

    types of playground paving

    Children can release some of their excess energy by playing on playground equipment.
    Children are provided with play value by modern playground equipment in the form of activities that aid in the process of learning through play.
     
    However, as children get older, they lose interest in the play equipment that was once exciting to them.
     
    Children are more likely to stay interested in the playground if it has a surface that can be used for sports, such as artificial grass, which serves as the surface.
    On artificial grass, children are able to participate in ball games like as football and hockey. Artificial grass contributes to the creation of a sports pitch that is secure and safe for usage.
     
    This types of playground paving creates a multi-use play area, which is an important consideration when selecting a surface for a school playground.
     
    The area, which can be used for physical education classes, is ideal for situations in which there is a shortage of space.
    Artificial grass, in contrast to natural grass, requires very little upkeep.
     
    It is not necessary to mow the surface, reseed it, or weed it in order for the children to use the playground in an unhazardous manner.
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    Brick paving


    Brick paving, is a sort of pavement that can lend a one-of-a-kind decorative flair to the overall design of a playground. You may improve the overall level of safety in the play area by minimising the likelihood of people falling by paving the pathways throughout the space with slip-resistant block paving. Because it is also long-lasting, resilient, and hard wearing, it will last for a very long time without requiring any upkeep.

    Block paving is a cost-effective and practical technique to protect the children’s safety in the playground. This is due to the fact that it is quite inexpensive. You may also employ block paving as part of the design of your playground, adding contrasting textures and laying out innovative patterns across the surface. This can be done by using paving blocks. If you want to customise the decorative elements of the playground, you can easily adjust them by switching out the bricks that are used in the block paving.

    Grass Matting


    The technique of spreading down rubber mats across the surface of grass is referred to as “grass matting.” Slipping is less likely to happen as a result of this, and the muck won’t get churned up either. It makes the playground available for use all through the year, regardless of the temperature or other external factors.

    Grass is frequently used as the surfacing material in natural playgrounds. Children are encouraged to develop a connection with the natural world when they are in an environment that is holistic and features natural grass as a complement to wooden playground equipment. On the other hand, grass could provide some safety concerns. During the colder months, the grass may freeze, which can make it more difficult to avoid tripping or falling.

    Even during the summer, it is impossible to predict whether or not it will rain in the United Kingdom. In point of fact, we are quite close to being able to guarantee that it will rain. Rain not only causes the grass to become slick, but it also turns the surface muddy, which can result in an untidy and unpleasant mess.

    types of playground paving

    Resin Bound Gravel


    One type of playground flooring that can be used to create a smooth and level surface is resin-bound gravel. It is possible to include decorative designs into the surface so that the flooring of the playground is both durable and utilitarian while also capturing the imaginations of the youngsters who use it. It is a less expensive replacement for tarmac that can be used for playground flooring.

    Because the surface is porous, there is less of a chance of water collecting and forming puddles on the surface. The resin-bound gravel will absorb any water, whether it be from the rain or from liquids that are spilt on it. Running across the playground flooring, playing tag with their friends, and chasing their friends becomes safer for the children as a result of this change because there is less of a risk of slipping. In addition, wheelchair users can move about the surface in a secure and uncomplicated manner, which makes the playground more accessible to everyone.

    Rubber mulch

    Rubber mulch is an environmentally friendly choice because it is produced by recycling fragments of used rubber and combining them with polyurethane in a single product. Because it comes in such a broad variety of eye-catching hues, rubber mulch may easily be adapted to match the aesthetic of any playground that you create. Rubber mulch, when gathered into pools throughout the surface of the play area, reduces the severity of the impact of falls by providing a cushioned and comfortable surface for children to land on.

    In spite of its name, the procedure that makes rubber mulch really results in the production of a substance that is similar to natural bark chips. The playground will not have the appearance of an artificial plastic thanks to the rubber mulch because it has a more natural aspect. Rubber mulch is an excellent option to consider if you are looking for a surface that absorbs impact and enhances the appearance of a natural playground.

    Wetpour Paving

    Wetpour surfacing is a surface that is similar to rubber mulch in that it is smooth and firm, but it is also impact absorbent to cushion any falls or trips that may occur. Because of this distinction, children are able to use the floor for activities like sports and games. The surface is held together with recycled rubber, similar to that of rubber mulch; however, in contrast to rubber mulch, the floor can have marks added to it. The separation of distinct age groups or the creation of sports pitches or courts are both possible uses for these marks.

    Wetpour surfacing is common because it offers a variety of different options for the design of the surface. You may build a playground for youngsters that captivates their imaginations by using the surface, which is available in a number of vivid colours to choose from.

    These types of playground paving  requires very little upkeep, it drains quickly, and it is accessible to wheelchair users. Therefore, in addition to having a fantastic appearance, it is both functional and long-lasting.

    What Kind Of Playground Surface Should I Use For My Playground? 


    Every every playground is one of a kind. Depending on whether you are creating a playground for a school, a private neighbourhood, or a public park, the specifications for the playground’s surface will be different. Bonus Paving’s skilled playground design team can assist you in locating an innovative playground right away and can provide you with information regarding the playground flooring options that are the most appropriate for your situation.

    Call us on +27 61 489 2837 or visit our contact page to enquire further.

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