Playgrounds are a sight to behold. There is nothing like seeing children running about and having the time of their lives playing with the various equipment the local playground offers. Since this equipment is exposed to the elements most, they certainly have to be made of sturdy materials, right?
There are a variety of playsets and features to choose from when it comes to the commercial playground industry.
Popular Playground Materials
If you’ve been studying the making of commercial playgrounds for your daycare, church, or school, you may have concluded that it’s much more than just “a playground.” Choosing the right equipment with the perfect combination of materials depends on its impact on safety, durability, and aesthetics.
As you select the best commercial playgrounds, consider crucial factors such as maintenance, aesthetics, purpose and functionality, cost, and accessibility.
Playground Building Materials
A piece of playground equipment is made of layers of materials. The “foundation” or the primary layer forms the backbone of the playground equipment, and for these structures, pressure-treated wood, galvanized steel, plastic, or aluminum are usually used.
For tubes and posts, recycled stainless steel provides superior weather resistance as well as durability and strength. A specialized coating may be applied to galvanized steel to improve corrosion resistance.
Commercial-grade plastic equipment is also available in a wide range of attractive colors, and although plastic is slightly less durable than metal, it is also safer if a child takes a tumble.
These characteristics make it a better material choice for indoor play equipment, structures for younger playground users, and independent play stations. If you’re looking for more environmentally friendly playground material, consider recycled plastic play structures.
Popular Surface Materials for Playgrounds
Selecting the appropriate playground surfacing materials is crucial because it might help protect children from loose-fill materials to unitary surfaces and avoid unnecessary injury. Here are a few of the most popular playground surface materials:
- Solid rubber surfacing
- Artificial grass
- Wood chips
- Rubber mulch
- Engineered wood fiber
Those selecting loose-fill surfacing must ensure that it’s properly maintained for optimal safety. Independent wear mats are typically used in conjunction with these types of playground base materials.
These rubber mats add an extra layer of protective insulation and prevent the displacement of loose-fill materials under active play equipment. Unitary surfaces are a low-maintenance but more costly alternative to loose-fill materials. Common types of unitary surfacing include synthetic grass, rubber tiles, and poured-in-place rubber.
