Option one – sand. This is the most popular and common coverage option for a children’s play area on the site. Firstly, sand is cheap, secondly, it is possible to create a covering from this material very quickly, and thirdly, the entire zone turns into a large sandbox. However, sand as a cover for a playground has several drawbacks: very little ones can pull it into their mouths, pets and neighbors can take it for an excellent toilet, and garbage will accumulate, which is difficult to clean..
If you decide to choose sand for covering the playground, then it is better to use river sand, as it is more plastic and soft. It will create the feeling of a beach, it will be pleasant to walk barefoot. The sand layer can be from 2 to 10 centimeters, and for the base you can use a layer of gravel, which should be covered with geotextile with a geogrid on top. This will make the coating more durable..
Option two – lawn. It is very pleasant to run barefoot on the grass, and it looks attractive throughout the warm season, so the lawn often becomes a cover for playgrounds. The pluses include the naturalness of this living base, softness, the ability to grow a lawn with your own hands, saving on specialists.
However, the lawn has several disadvantages. You will have to carefully look after him, water, remove weeds, cut. In addition, the lawn on which children rush is quickly trampled down and may lose its original appearance. Therefore, it is better to choose a covering, as for sports fields, for example, a mixture of herbs such as creeping clover, meadow mint, reddish fescue or creeping fescue..
Option three – natural mulch, wood chips. Another fairly inexpensive way to quickly create a cover for a children’s play area. The advantages of wood chips include its softness (the risk of injury is reduced, and walking barefoot is pleasant), low cost, the ability to use decorative mulch of different colors, ease of use, the ability to do everything yourself.
The disadvantages of wood chips include fire hazard – what if the children decide to play with matches on the playground or bring a coal from the barbecue. In addition, chips can spread throughout the entire area, the coating will have to be regularly updated. Walking on wet mulch won’t be so pleasant.
Option four – rubber tile. This is already a modern artificial version of the coating for the children’s area on the site. Rubber tiles are made from crumbs of used car tires. It is soft, the risk of injury is noticeably reduced, pleasant for walking barefoot, has good drainage characteristics (it is not afraid of moisture, letting it in), it can be of various shades, durable, easy to clean.
There are actually a lot of advantages of rubber tiles, because it is easy to transport and install, if it is damaged, then this particular area can be replaced, and not the covering of the entire site. However, rubber tiles are quite expensive – about 650-1000 rubles per square meter, depending on the thickness and other characteristics. In addition, the edges of individual rubber plates may begin to bend over time, the coating will not turn out to be continuous, which is dangerous and inconvenient during active games..
Option five – seamless rubber coating. In this case, rubber crumb is also used, as in the previous version, but the coating is arranged in place using a polyurethane adhesive binder. So there will be no minus with the raised edges of the individual rubber plates, and all the advantages, of course, will remain. But it’s very difficult to create a seamless rubber coating with your own hands, you will need the services of a team of specialists, which also cost a lot. This will make setting up a playground a very expensive pleasure..
Option six – plastic cover. A modern, convenient option. Such a coating is made of primary processing plastic, which does not have an unpleasant odor, is wear-resistant, soft, minimizes the risk of scratches and abrasions, is easy to clean, you can play on the playground almost immediately after the rain.
The plastic cover, as in the case of rubber versions, can consist of separate modules, plates, or be continuous, seamless, according to the size of the platform. In the first case, the modules can be mounted by yourself, there must be a reliable lock system. In the second case, there are also few problems with installation, but it will be more difficult to transport a large piece of plastic cover. In any case, the price will be quite high – about 700-800 rubles per square meter.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using crumb rubber as a coating for playgrounds compared to traditional sand?
Crumb rubber has several advantages as a coating for playgrounds compared to traditional sand. It provides a softer cushioning surface, reducing the risk of injuries from falls. It is also more weather-resistant, meaning it will not degrade as quickly as sand. Additionally, crumb rubber is made from recycled tires, making it an environmentally friendly option.
However, there are also disadvantages to using crumb rubber. It can become hot in direct sunlight, making it uncomfortable for children to play on during the summer months. There are also concerns about potential health risks from exposure to chemicals found in recycled rubber. In terms of maintenance, crumb rubber may need more frequent cleaning to prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris compared to sand. Ultimately, the choice between crumb rubber and sand as a playground coating depends on the specific needs and priorities of the playground.
What are the main differences between sand and crumb rubber as playground coatings? Which one provides better safety for children?