PROJECTS

What Are the Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing and Flooring Materials?

The world of playground surfacing options can be vast and complex. You want playground surfacing that does it all: meets safety requirements, fits your budget, and requires low maintenance. Plus, your playground project has its own unique needs and priorities. The question remains: what flooring material is suitable for your playground project? We’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces.

  1. Pavement
  2. Pea Gravel
  3. Sand
  4. Natural Grass and Soil
  5. Artificial Grass
  6. Bonded Rubber Mulch
  7. Rubber Mulch
  8. Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)
  9. Wood Chips
  10. Poured Rubber Surfacing
  11. Rubber Tiles

1. Pavement

Pavement Pros and Cons

Pros: The best part about concrete and asphalt pavement surfaces are that they are American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant for ramps and flooring. It is cheaper than other surfacing options and can last 30-50 years without being entirely replaced. While you can DIY a pavement surface installation, it’s best to leave this project to the professionals.

Cons: A significant factor in hard pavement surfaces is the complete lack of shock absorbency, which doesn’t meet American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM) guidelines for fall height. Extra details and stains add to its cost, but pavement can get expensive to repair. Expect costly and complicated repairs of frequent cracks and splits caused by fluctuations in temperatures.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Pavement >>>

2. Pea Gravel

Pea Gravel Pros and Cons

Pros: At depths of nine inches, pea gravel can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall from playground equipment and meets ASTM standards for impact attenuation. This relatively low-cost loose-fill material is easy to install by yourself and relatively easy to rake stones back into place.

Cons: Unfortunately, pea gravel only protects falls from up to five feet. Plus, it doesn’t meet ADA safety standards due to its constant shifting underfoot. Did we mention pea gravel is high maintenance, requiring endless raking as kids play on the surface? You will need to replace this non-shock absorbing surface almost every few years as it breaks down into stone dust.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Pea Gravel >>>

3. Sand

Sand Pros and Cons

Pros: Decades of use in playgrounds designate sand as an appropriate playground surface by ASTM when spread 9 inches deep for a fall height of 4 feet. Sand is one of the cheapest playground surfacing options out there, and it’s easy to find and install. Better yet, it doesn’t support microbial growth. Be sure to buy sand graded for use in playgrounds as it’s rounded to smooth out any large, sharp particles.

Cons: Despite its ubiquity in playgrounds, sand has limited impact absorption and compacts to create an unsafe solid surface over time. Sand doesn’t meet ADA accessibility standards. It’s challenging for wheelchairs or disabled folks to navigate. Let’s not forget about the likelihood of finding animal waste, insects, or weeds in the sand, or, even worse, asbestos and silica in the sand. Not only do you need more sand to achieve a 12-inch depth for a six-foot fall zone, but you also need to replace 25% every year and commit to weekly rankings to keep it safe. 

Learn More about the pros and cons of Sand >>>

4. Natural Grass and Soil

Natrual Grass Pros and Cons

Pros: Using natural grass and soil for a playground surface can be aesthetically pleasing and bring natural benefits. The low temperature of natural grass reduces heat island effects. Its root system filters out harmful pollutants before they enter local groundwater systems. Natural grass is also cheap to repair or fill in bare spots.

Cons: The downside to grass? It won’t be green for long. It quickly wears, especially in extreme weather, creating unsafe muddy or uneven bare spots. Speaking of risk, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM report natural grass and dirt as an inappropriate surfacing for playgrounds. In addition, its high-friction surface makes it difficult for wheelchairs to navigate. While inexpensive to install, the cost of natural grass maintenance can quickly add up. It requires expensive irrigation systems and daily maintenance like blowing leaves, mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and more.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Natural Grass and Soil >>>

5. Artificial Grass

Artificial Grass Pros and Cons

Pros: Artificial grass or synthetic turf achieves a high level of protection and shock absorption compared to natural grass. When installed with proper padding and infill, it becomes ADA compliant and meets ASTM standards. Plus, artificial grass looks natural and comes in various colors and styles. It has both a low lifetime cost and is highly durable.

Cons: A disadvantage to artificial grass is the need for additional padding or underlayment. It can also be very costly to install due to materials, essential ground preparation, irrigation needs, and professional installation requirements. Artificial grass also requires weekly maintenance to avoid dust, sand, and leaves. 

Learn More about the pros and cons of Artificial Grass >>>

6. Bonded Rubber Mulch

Bonded Rubber Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros: The unitary surface of bonded rubber mulch makes it relatively safe and accessible according to ASTM standards, protecting kids from a 10-foot fall if using 6 inches of materials. While its moderate cost can vary based on project scope, bonded rubber mulch is quick and easy to install for professionals. It is made from safe materials free of chemicals and is available in a variety of colors.

Cons: Pieces of the bonded rubber mulch can become loose or unbonded, creating safety issues and degrading the material. The material lasts ten years but requires intermittent patching and maintenance to meet safety guidelines and significant site preparation. Expect to go without stenciled games or designs if you opt for bonded rubber mulch.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Bonded Rubber Mulch >>>

7. Rubber Mulch

Rubber Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros: When you correctly install rubber mulch, you can meet acceptable ASTM safety standards. Rubber mulch is one of the safer playground surfaces. It gets extra points for its low-mid price range, ease of installation, and inability to decompose like natural wood mulch. 

Cons: While rubber mulch is a safe surface, it can be difficult for those using a wheelchair or walker to get around. Rubber tire mulch requires frequent inspection. It’s easy for sharp objects, litter, or debris to get buried in the mulch. Plus, rubber mulch requires near-constant replenishment because it is easily washed away or kicked out from frequent activity.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Rubber Mulch >>>

8. Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)

Pros: The popular surfacing option of engineered wood fiber mulch meets the basic accessibility standards of the ADA. In addition, if tested to ASTM F1292 standards, CPSC names it an appropriate surfacing type. EWF is cheap to install and doesn’t easily splinter like wood chips.

Cons: EWF may be popular, but it does have downsides. For children to safely land from a 10-foot fall, you’ll need a lot of it, a layer of EWF that is 9 inches deep, to be exact. While disabled people can move around on the surface, it’s not navigable with ease. EWF also requires significant maintenance, much like other loose-fill materials, as it wears away or gets kicked around.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Engineered Wood Fiber >>>

9. Wood Chips

Engineered Wood Fiber Pros and Cons

Pros: When it comes to loose-fill surfacing options, wood chips are visually pleasing and cheaper at $3 per square foot and have a degree of shock absorbency. According to ASTM, wood chips meet the critical fall height requirement. Safe landings can be made from 10 feet when using a 9-inch layer of wood chips.

Cons: CPSC calls wood chip mulch an inappropriate surfacing type. Plus, it doesn’t meet ADA requirements for surfaces. Much like other loose-fill materials, it requires much upkeep to prevent severe injuries and keep it looking nice. Watch out for hazards like glass, insects, mold, or splinters if you decide to use wood chips.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Wood Chips >>>

10. Poured Rubber Surfacing

Pured Rubber Surfacing Pros and Cons

Pros: Want safe and accessible play for those with physical limitations? Poured rubber surfacing passes both ADA compliance and ASTM standards with flying colors. Made from natural materials and easily customized with color and designs, poured rubber surfacing is durable, soft, and can’t splinter. It can last up to 15 years with regular maintenance, coatings, or a new top layer in high-traffic areas.

Cons: In extremely dry or cold climates, poured rubber surfacing can become hard over time. Every few years, you’ll need to ensure you top it off with a fresh layer, which is a relatively simple process. In comparison, it’s not the cheapest playground surfacing option. However, the longevity of the material and its minimal maintenance create a low lifetime cost.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Poured Rubber Surfacing >>>

11. Rubber Tiles

Rubber Tiles Pros and Cons

Pros: If you’re planning an inclusive playground, rubber tiles are ADA compliant and meet ASTM standards. With rubber tiles, you’ll also enjoy low maintenance and low lifetime cost. Thanks to an interlocking system that creates smooth seams, you can easily swap old tiles and install new ones. Rubber tiles come in various colors and boast a porous surface, giving them excellent non-slip qualities in wet environments.

Cons: While the upfront costs are higher, in the long run, rubber tiles are a cheaper option when it comes to low maintenance, especially when you compare them to loose-fill surfacing options. Be sure to hire a professional with the right tools and experience to avoid unnecessary tripping hazards.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Rubber Tiles >>>

Choose The Right Playground Surfacing Material

Each playground project has its priorities, making the playground surface options unique to each project. However, now that you have a better understanding of all the playground surface options available, you can make an educated decision. Contact adventureTURF today for high-quality rubber surfacing material crafted to keep your playground safe, fun, and comfortable for everyone.

Pros & Cons: Pavement (Asphalt/Cement) for Playground Surfacing

Are you considering pavement as a playground surfacing option? Playgrounds are designed to be safe and fun for children to play on, and a significant factor in a playground’s safety is the surface you build it on. Of course, you need a stable surface to support the play structures, but does that mean you can use concrete or asphalt for your outdoor playground’s flooring?

Read on for everything you need to know about blacktop and cement playgrounds.

What is Pavement for Playground Flooring?

Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel
Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel.

Pavement is a common term for outdoor flooring that is often used interchangeably with asphalt or concrete. Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel. Concrete is a material made from a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water spread or poured to form a stone-like mass.

Sometimes stones like flagstone or cobblestone, bricks, tiles, or concrete pavers are used as pavement. You can easily stencil games, shapes, or logos on this type of surface, adding to its versatility. Often you’ll find pavement used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios, courtyards, and sometimes playgrounds.

Safety of Pavement as a Playground Surface

Pros:

  • While concrete and asphalt playground pavement surfaces are ADA compliant for ramps and flooring, it might be better to use them sparingly under structures.
  • If you’re determined to use playground pavement, opt for a playspace with a tactical experience, adding textures like rumble strips or undulations to concrete or asphalt surfaces.
  • Children with special needs, in particular, can benefit from play that stimulates their sense of touch.
Concrete does not meet ASTM standards for fall height for playground flooring.
Concrete does not meet ASTM standards for fall height for playground flooring.

Cons:

  • Concrete has almost no shock absorbency, nor does it meet ASTM standards for fall height. Without these critical safety endorsements, concrete is unsafe for use directly under play structures.
  • The bottom line is you don’t want kids falling from tall playground equipment onto a hard surface like concrete or asphalt pavement. A severe head injury can occur due to a fall from the equipment.
  • Wear and weather can also create cracks in the surface, possibly causing a child to trip and fall. Using this type of surfacing is dangerous.

Cost of Pavement for Playground Flooring

Pros:

  • Asphalt or concrete pavement for playground surfaces is significantly cheaper than other surfacing options.
  • Asphalt can cost $2 to $4 per square foot, although these prices fluctuate with crude oil prices. Concrete can cost $4 to $6 per square foot.
Pavement on playground surface with cracks
The average cost of pavement can increase price up to $15 per square foot.

Cons:

  • If you’re looking for additional finishes, details, and stains, the cost of pavement can increase price up to $15 per square foot, costing nearly $30,000 to install a 2,000 square foot playground surface.
  • Concrete crack repairs are complicated and much pricier than asphalt, although it’s near impossible to resurface concrete.
  • Concrete slab repairs alone can cost $50 for a small crack and up to $500 to $800 to mudjack or raise and stabilize sinking or cracked uneven surface.
  • A sealing coat for asphalt can cost $.14 to $.25 per square foot, costing about $280 to $500 for a 2,000 square foot playground. Sealing asphalt should be done every three to five years.
  • Generally, it costs $1 to $3 per linear for filling small cracks in asphalt. The repair cost can range between $100 to $125, but it depends on the severity of the damages and the labor required.

Quality and maintenance of Pavement for Playground Surfacing

Pros:

  • Concrete is more durable than asphalt pavement, offering up to 50 years of use, whereas asphalt offers about 30 years of service.
  • As for maintenance, concrete requires occasional degreasing. However, if installed correctly with proper site preparation, you shouldn’t have issues with drainage.
Four square painting on pavement surface
Concrete is more durable than asphalt pavement, however repairs are harder and pricier than asphalt repairs

Cons:

  • While concrete is more durable, concrete repairs are harder and pricier than asphalt repairs.
  • Asphalt will need occasional resurfacing and resealing every five years, but you can avoid expensive repairs with proper maintenance.
  • Over time, concrete and asphalt surfaces can crack or split, causing tripping hazards. These cracks or splits become a haven for weeds. It would be best if you patched the gaps in the surface as soon as possible to extend the life of the paved area.
  • Concrete can crack from constant freezing and thawing in cold weather, while rock salt will eat away at the asphalt.
  • Hot temperatures can create a mess with asphalt, causing it to soften, stick to shoes, clothing, and wheelchair tires.

Installation of Pavement Playground Surfacing

Pros:

  • It’s easy to find concrete material at your local home improvement store. However, it’s best to hire professionals to do the work with a big job like this.
Concrete pavement surfacing installation
It’s best to hire professionals for concrete pavement surfacing installation

Cons:

  • Leave asphalt and concrete pavement surfacing to the professionals. There’s too much that can go wrong, and it’s well worth working with a team of professionals to tackle this type of playground surfacing.
  • Asphalt and concrete pavement require similar site prep as other surfacing options: demolition and removal of existing surface and then grading and sloping for drainage.
  • The installation process for both surfacing options can get tricky.
  • With asphalt, you need an additional compacted sub-base to serve as a frost barrier and provide durability. Next, you lay a binder layer mixed with oil.
  • Finally, the asphalt is added and later rolled smooth. For concrete pavement, you’ll need ready-mixed concrete via truck for such a big job. Suppose you don’t correctly install and grade the base surface. In that case, you could have to demo the entire surface in a year after it cracks and begins the process over again.

Alternatives to Concrete for Playground

If you’re planning your playground flooring, our professionals are ready to get the job done right and with suitable surfacing. So why not try something safe like poured-in-place rubber surfacing material?

Soon enough, kids will safely enjoy a new or improved playground at school or a public park. Contact adventureTURF today for high-quality rubber surfacing material crafted to keep your playground safe, fun, and comfortable for everyone.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

FAQ

Asphalt can cost $2 to $4 per square foot, although these prices fluctuate with crude oil prices. Concrete can cost $4 to $6 per square foot.

Learn More

Often you’ll find pavement used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios, courtyards, and sometimes playgrounds.

Learn More

Asphalt and concrete pavement require similar site prep as other surfacing options: demolition and removal of existing surface and then grading and sloping for drainage.

Learn More

Pros & Cons: Using Pea Gravel for Playground Surfacing

Are you considering pea gravel as a playground surfacing option? When constructing a playground, you often need to make many decisions. For example, there are infinite playground surfacing options. How do you know which one is right for you? You want your playground surface to be safe, effective, withstand regular use, and not break the bank.

You’ve likely seen pea gravel used in playground surfaces and wondered if it might be an option. Here, we broke down the pros and cons of pea gravel, so you don’t have to go searching the annals of the web to find the information you need to make a decision.

What is pea gravel?

pea gravel close up image
Pea gravel is a versatile hardscaping material, but should pea gravel be used for playgrounds?

Pea gravel consists of small stones, typically found near water, and has a smooth surface due to weathering. The round stones are the size of peas, ranging from ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch. Depending on the rock source, pea stone gravel comes in all kinds of natural colors like rust-brown, shades of gray, white, and even translucent.

It’s an eco-friendly, raw material landscape fabric, so it doesn’t bring any synthetic chemicals or dyes to the playground. You’ll find this versatile hardscaping material covering driveways, water drains, paths, patios, filling spaces between pavers, and even in playgrounds.

Safety of Pea Gravel as a Playground Surface

Pros:

  • Believe it or not, pea gravel, at depths of nine inches deep, can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall. But that’s where the safety advantages of pea gravel surfaces end.

Cons:

Pea gravel as playground flooring with slide
While pea gravel meets ASTM standards, it has to be at least 9 inches deep to protect a 5 foot fall.
  • While pea gravel is tested and meets ASTM standards for impact attenuation, it can only protect up to five feet at a nine-inch depth.
  • It can be problematic when using high-height playground equipment.
  • Plus, falling on the stone doesn’t exactly have much appeal.
  • Pea gravel also readily shifts underfoot, making it hard for wheelchairs and folks with limited mobility to navigate.
  • Since it doesn’t meet the basic ADA safety standards, commercial and public playground spaces are out. You may want to leave this surface to private playgrounds and backyards.
  • If your playground is for toddlers, you may also want to avoid pea gravel. Children tend to put small pea stones in their mouths.
  • Over time, the gravel rock will naturally compress (at least 25%) under its constant use.
  • It becomes hard and creates a non-shock absorbing surface that can make injuries more common.

Cost of Pea Gravel as Playground Flooring

Pros:

Pea gravel for a playground surface
While pea gravel is relatively low-cost, it will have to be replaced every few years.
  • Pea gravel is a relatively low-cost loose-fill material.
  • The material alone typically costs $30 to $50 per ton, costing you about $3,000-5,000 to fill a 2,500 square foot area with a minimum 9-inch depth.
  • While you can do it yourself, it may cost more as you need to add in the cost of a header or edging and crushed rock for the base layer.
  • In comparison, contractors often have access to manufacturer discounts, and their work often comes with a guarantee.

Cons:

  • While the costs of pea gravel material are low, when you’re replacing it every few years and keeping it maintained, those costs can start to add up.

Quality and Maintenance of Pea Gravel as a Playground Surface

Pros:

Pea gravel mound for playgrounds
While pea gravel can prevent water build up and prevent weeds, depending on the weather it can become quite hard as well as form “stone dust” when breaking it apart.
  • Pea gravel suppresses unwanted weed growth, retains moisture, and doesn’t decompose like grass or mulch.
  • It prevents rainwater buildup thanks to its adequate drainage.
  • Plus, pea gravel keeps burrowing rodents at bay, and other animals tend to leave it alone.
  • You can easily maintain pea gravel by raking stones into place, but the frequency of maintenance is another story.

Cons:

  • On the other hand, pea gravel tends to travel unless you contain it with edging material.
  • It will need to be inspected on an ongoing basis and refilled every four years.
  • If your location experiences cold winters, the cold can make the gravel quite hard, impacting its safety.
  • Snow removal will likely be one of the more significant challenges.
  • It’s hard to avoid disturbing the gravel when shoveling.
  • You’ll need to shovel most of the snow and then leave a thin layer behind, melting the rest with salt.
  • Another factor due to the changing seasons is pea gravel’s tendency to break down into smaller particles.
  • It forms a “stone dust” that creates a hardpan of compacted stone, typically in high-use areas, that becomes dangerous and difficult to break apart.

Installation of Pea Gravel for Playground Flooring

Pros:

Pea gravel on playground floor with toy crane
Due to pea gravels compression, it makes it fairly high maintenance and will need to be reinstalled repeatedly.
  • Great news! Installing pea gravel is relatively easy. You can undoubtedly find it at your favorite hardware store.
  • Work the surface roughly six inches down and install at least three to six inches base layer of coarse base rock or crushed rock to prepare your site.
  • Then, cover with at least a nine-inch layer of pea gravel to meet ASTM’s minimum fill depth standards.

Cons:

  • The downside to pea gravel’s compression and high maintenance is you’ll likely be repeating the installation phase more often than you’d like.

Alternatives to Pea Gravel for Playgrounds

When it comes to ensuring the safety of the children on your playground, surfacing should rank as a top priority. You want a surface with a comfortable, soft cushion to walk on and, when installed correctly, should be compliant with ADA standards for handicap accessible areas.

Where pea gravel may be a let down in some of these respects, poured-in-place playground surfacing excels. Contact adventureTURF today for premium poured-in-place surfacing made to keep your playground safe, fun, and enjoyable for every child.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pea gravel is a relatively low-cost loose-fill material, costing you about $3,000-5,000. The initial investment in pea gravel might be low, but you’ll have to deal with maintenance costs.

Learn More

A layer of pea gravel, which is nine inches deep, can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall. However, because it doesn’t meet the ADA safety standards, commercial and public playground spaces are out.

Learn More

Pea gravel is a very versatile hardscaping material. It’s often used for covering driveways, water drains, paths, patios, and filling spaces between pavers.

Learn More

To install pea gravel as a surface material, work the surface roughly six inches down and install at least three to six inches base layer of coarse base rock or crushed rock.

Learn More

Need help planning & budgeting your surfacing project?