What is the best playground flooring?

Playground tiles are the best flooring for playgrounds because they’re safe, easy to install, and easy to maintain. They offer commercial and residential fall height ratings, so your playing area will be safe as well as fun. Additionally, playground tiles come in a variety of fun colors, so the play area will always look nice.

What does fall height rating mean?

A fall height rating represents the highest point a child can safely fall from onto playground flooring. If your playground flooring surface is fall height rated for 4′, that means the child can fall from 4′ without serious injury. It is important to choose flooring that meets the potential fall height for your equipment. Otherwise, it could be dangerous for children to play.

How is fall height rating tested?

Fall height is determined by testing the shock absorbency of the flooring. Manufacturers perform tests that replicate a child falling from various heights to determine a height that a child can fall from without experiencing a serious injury. This helps the playground owner pair the best equipment with the right flooring to create the safest environment. Historically, the test has been done by dropping a ball form representing the head of a child onto the center point of a floor tile. However, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) recently changed the testing procedure so that the ball form is now dropped on the edge of the tile, the weakest point of the product. Playground flooring manufacturers must perform six tests and can only list the lowest fall height rating received.

What is the best material to use under a swingset?

Rubber flooring is the safest and most durable material to use under a swingset or other playground equipment. Playground flooring needs to be shock-absorbent to protect a child from injury if they fall, and rubber is about as shock-absorbent and durable as it gets when it comes to flooring. For a swingset specifically, you may want to consider rubber mulch and a playground mat to prevent any worn down areas in the mulch.

Can I use regular mulch for a playground?

We do not recommend using regular mulch for a playground. Gardening or landscape mulch is made from different materials than rubber playground mulch, and it will not provide the same protective qualities if a child were to fall. Rubber playground mulch acts as a buffer between a child and the ground and is durable enough to stand up to heavy traffic. On top of that, rubber mulch won’t absorb water or blow away like wood chips, making it easier to maintain than regular mulch. Since rubber mulch doesn’t break down, your playground area will look great all year around.

What is the safest playground material?

Rubber playground tiles are among the safest playground materials. They’re durable and stay securely in place. Unlike playground mulch, tiles won’t wear down or shift around, so you won’t have to worry about the thickness changing. Durable, resilient rubber makes an excellent smooth surface that is sturdy enough for running and playing but cushioned enough to be safe for falls. WIth rubber tile flooring, the risk of tripping or slipping is also reduced since rubber is slip-resistant, even when wet.

How do you clean playground flooring?

Maintaining playground flooring is a breeze. All you need is a blower and a garden hose or broom to keep them clean. For commercial playgrounds, you may want to perform a routine cleaning with a power washer (not to exceed 2000psi) or scrubbing machine and mild detergent (non-petroleum base) to maintain an attractive and long-lasting appearance. Note: Do not use any solvent or oil-based cleaners such as Pinesol, Lysol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, WD40, paint thinner, etc. These types of cleaners will break down the outdoor playground rubber surface over time.

How much does playground equipment cost?

Home playground equipment doesn’t have to be expensive. There is a wide price range with options that are affordable for everyone. While large, deluxe playsets can cost a couple of thousand dollars, you can easily scale back to a simple swing set or spring rider that will only cost a few hundred dollars.

How long will playground equipment last?

When properly taken care of, playground equipment can last for many years. The wood components of our Gorilla playsets are resistant to rot, decay, and insects, so they won’t break down over time. To keep your playset looking its best, powerwash and reseal the wood at least every three years. If you notice any worn or rusted components, replace them promptly.

Is playground equipment safe?

Playground equipment is safe for kids as long as you maintain it properly and make sure you have playground flooring with the appropriate fall height rating. To make sure playsets are safe, regularly check all fasteners to ensure that none are loose. Additionally, you should sand away any rough or splintery areas, and promptly replace any pieces that are rusted or worn out.

Playground Flooring and Playground Equipment

A Playtime Paradise:
Playground Flooring and Equipment Options

Maybe you have a sprawling yard and lots of little ones in need of a mega playset. Or maybe you’re looking for something more manageable for a small space. Maybe you love the look of colorful tiles, or you want a more affordable mulch. Whatever your needs, our flooring and playsets offer plenty of options so you can get the right fit for you and the kids.

Playground Flooring Fall Height Rating:

The fall height rating is the most important thing to consider when searching for playground flooring. Fall height indicates the height at which someone can fall onto the safety flooring without getting severely hurt. This rating depends on the density and thickness of your flooring.

Be sure to purchase playground flooring with a fall height rating sufficient to meet your needs. While fall height ratings vary between products, here are some typical ratings for flooring of differing thicknesses.

1” thick: Tiles this thick typically have a fall height of 2’ or less. This is a suitable thickness for residential playgrounds.
2.5” thick: With a tile this thick, you can expect a 6’ fall height. This is the most common fall height rating for commercial playgrounds.

Playground Flooring Options

There’s no doubt that safety is the number one priority for your playground, followed by fun (it’s a close second)! To make sure the kiddos can play without risk, start with quality outdoor play flooring. We offer a selection of tiles, turf, and mulch to match your budget and maintenance needs.

With all these options, how you you know what flooring is best for your home? Check out our large selection to find the perfect flooring solution, with the fall height rating you need and a design you love.

Playground Tiles:

Playground tiles are our most popular flooring option. They’re available in a huge variety of colors and thicknesses, ensuring that your play area will be a beautiful addition to your yard. The porous surface of the tile lets water pass through, so the tiles are dry and slip-resistant even after a rain. You can purchase playground tiles with either residential or commercial fall height ratings.

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Playground Rubber Mulch:

Rubber mulch is an affordable outdoor flooring solution. It comes in a variety of attractive colors so you can customize your space. Rubber mulch doesn’t break down like wood mulch tends to do, so it lasts longer.

However, just like wood mulch, rubber mulch can make a mess if it gets kicked out of the play area. The fall height rating for mulch depends on how thickly it’s applied. Most commercial playgrounds have 6” of rubber mulch, while residential playgrounds will have 3”

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Playground Turf:

Artificial grass has been a popular option for playground flooring for quite a while. Special playground turf is designed for the challenges of heat, frost, and high traffic. It’s UV stable and more durable than other types of artificial grass. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that turf heats up more than real grass. To combat the heat, you can purchase special infill that’s specifically designed to cool your turf when it comes into contact with moisture.

You need to purchase a play pad underlayment to achieve a proper fall high rating for playground turf. A commercial turf underlayment should be 3.3-4.3” thick to have a 7’ fall height rating. Meanwhile, residential play pads are typically 2.1-3.1” thick and have a 5’ fall height rating.

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Playground Mats:

When kids are having fun, they play hard. That’s a good thing! But maybe not so much for your mulch as it gets kicked up and worn down. Our rubber mats are perfect for covering bare mulch areas that tend to develop under slides and swing sets. For an extra dose of durability, lots of people choose to add mats over their existing playground flooring. You can install them anywhere you think could use some extra flooring support.

These quality outdoor playground mats don’t just improve the appearance of your playground - they make it safer, too! Install them wherever the kiddos need a safe place to land. Plus, they’re heavy enough to avoid being dragged off or blown away.

These mats shouldn’t be the only flooring you have, but instead should work as added padding in certain areas. Not all playground mats have fall height ratings, but if that’s important to you, we do carry a rated mat.

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NEW
Playground Equipment

Playground Slides

Get ready to slide in style with our fun selection of slides. Kids can take a wild ride on a curvy slide, or race each other down on side-by-side double slides. We also offer scoop slides for that classic playground experience. Looking for something more adventurous? Check out a fun, twisty, tube slide for some additional thrills.

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Residential Swing Sets

Remember all the fun you had on tire swings as a kid? Gift those memories to the kiddos with a 360-degree swivelling tire swing. You can also choose a trapeze swing for fun flips and tricks. If you’re more interested in the traditional belt swing option, no worries! We’ve got those, too.

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Playset Climbing Walls & Monkey Bars

Half the fun of a playset is the chance to climb. While we offer standard entry ladders, the older kids might be looking for more of a challenge. That’s why we offer rope ladders, rock walls with climbing ropes and metal rung ladders. For those extra adventurous kiddos, you can also choose monkey bars so they can swing from one activity to another in style.

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Residential Playground Safety: Our Top Priority

The safety of your child is always at the top of your mind, so of course you want to make sure your playset is designed for durability, stability, and safety. Keep playtime safe by always reading the manufacturer’s instructions and following these tips.

Playground Flooring Installation

Proper playground flooring installation is the first step in establishing a safe play area. Each flooring type is different, and requires different methods for a proper installation.

Playground Tiles:

Start by laying tiles along any walls that will mark the edge of a play area. Then lay out the remaining perimeter and join the edge tiles, either with a dowel system or rubber block connector. Begin filling in the area with tiles, row by row. If you need to cut tiles, use a utility knife and a bread knife to get them to the proper size.

Playground Mulch:

Create a “box” around your playground area to contain the mulch and maintain the desired depth. Our rubber timbers are a great product to build a playground boundary. Next, lay out landscape fabric over the entire area to keep weeds from growing up through the mulch. Fill the area with mulch and distribute it with a rake. Be sure to compact the rubber mulch until you reach the desired depth.

Playground Turf:

Start by laying out landscape fabric to prevent any weeds from popping up. Place a play pad over the landscape fabric and then unroll your turf over the play pad. Staple seams together and cut the edges of the turf to fit the playground area. Nail down the edges of the turf to ensure it’s secure. Finally, to weigh down the turf and give it a more natural look, fill the surface with an infill of your choice.

Playground Mats:

Playground mat installation is incredibly simple. Just pick a spot for the mat, lay it out, and enjoy. Ta-da! If only all installations could be this easy.

Maintain Playground Flooring for Safety

Playground flooring needs to be kept clean and dry for optimal safety. Note any places that might be worn or uneven that might cause a tripping hazard. Rubber mulch can be scattered and lose volume over time, so make sure you’re keeping the play area properly filled.

Safe Outdoor Playset Installation

Follow all building instructions before beginning your assembly project. Be sure to wear safety glasses, gloves, and any other appropriate protective gear. Some pieces of the playground equipment will require more than one person to lift. Do not allow children to play on the equipment until it is fully assembled.

Safe Playground Maintenance

When maintaining your equipment, you should regularly check all fasteners to ensure they’re not loose or protruding from the playset. The wood components of our Gorilla playsets are resistant to rot, decay, and insects. However, it is still recommended that you powerwash and reseal the wood at least every three years. Sand away any rough or splintery areas. Promptly replace any pieces that are rusted or worn out.

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