A visit to your local Playground Flooring will reveal a softer, more environmentally friendly version of the traditional hard flooring you are used to seeing in concrete and asphalt areas. This new surfacing is a soft, spongy, shock-absorbent material that covers outdoor play structures to protect children from broken bones and concussions.

Playground surfacing is also designed to make it easier to clean and maintain your play space. The surface can be swept or hosed down and it doesn’t harbor bacteria and attract insects. It’s also durable, and can resist heat and fading.

Exploring Recycled Materials for Playground Flooring

The most popular choice for playgrounds is rubber flooring. It is eco-friendly, made in the USA, and has a variety of color options to complement your playground’s theme. These tiles are highly perforated to maximize drainage and prevent standing water on the surface. They are easy to install and a great option for Do-It-Yourself installations.

Recycled rubber mulch is another popular playground surfacing. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to wooden mulch and lasts much longer, and is safe for kids to play on. It is a durable material that is highly shock-absorbent and doesn’t contain sharp-edged pieces like wood mulch.

EWF, or engineered wood fibers, is the most durable loose-fill playground material available. It is all-natural, knits together to compact and create a smooth, accessible surface, and it’s more affordable than unitary surfaces. It is the most versatile and customizable loose-fill playground material. It can be used to cover the entire surface or to encourage sensory development with transition zones that incorporate varying surface types.