The birds are chirping, temperatures are rising and kids across the nation are cheering in gleeful unison that it is time to play outside. But before the romping can begin, it is important that all playgrounds are outfitted with safety-rated flooring. Playground Flooring on to learn more about the various options available, including their fall height safety ratings and other safety surface tips, to keep your playground safe year-round.

The most popular playground surfacing material is rubber, which is durable and affordable. It creates a non-slip surface that helps inhibit injuries from falls and is easy to clean, requiring only periodic sweeping or spraying with a hose. In addition, it does not harbor bacteria and does not attract insects, making it a good choice for reducing germs and preventing illnesses in children and adults who use the playground.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Safe and Durable Playground Flooring

Another option is unitary surfaces, which are bound elements formed into tiles or rolled products such as turf. These include synthetic surfaces, recycled tire surfacing, and poured-in-place (PIP) products made of rubber. Unitary surfaces tend to be less expensive and easier to install than loose-fill and mulch surfacing materials. They also usually have longer warranties and offer a range of color choices to allow for original playground themes.

Once the installation is complete, a maintenance team should be tasked with performing regular inspections and removing any debris that may have fallen from equipment or kids’ shoes. They should also sweep away any dry debris and inspect the spaces between the tiles for dirt or mold. If a rubber tile becomes damaged, the installers should cut it out and bring in professionals to repair it using new tiles. This is not an easy task and should only be performed by trained or certified professionals.