Surfacing

Grass matting, when used as a safety surface, is a natural and visually appealing choice that complements the overall aesthetic of a play area. This combination provides a soft and secure environment for children to play, adding an extra layer of protection while maintaining the charm of a grassy play space. The integration of grass matting with the underlying natural grass ensures a harmonious and eco-friendly safety solution, striking the right balance between safety and the enjoyment of a green play surface.

This option reduces the need for extensive ground preparation and maintenance, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution for play areas. As an eco-friendly safety surface, grass matting aligns with the growing emphasis on creating play spaces that harmonise with nature, providing children with a safe and environmentally conscious environment to play and explore.

Grass matting serves as an excellent wear pad solution for low-level play equipment in high-traffic areas. It helps protect the underlying natural grass from excessive wear, ensuring the longevity of the grass and minimising the impact on the environment.

One of our favourite choices for impact-absorbing safety surfacing is Gravelsafe®, an innovative product developed by CED. Gravelsafe® stands out as an environmentally conscious option, featuring well-rounded multi-coloured granite pebbles free from broken or sharp elements. These natural, round pebbles not only provide exceptional impact absorption, mimicking the fluidity of liquid. Gravelsafe® conforms to BS EN 1176 standards for intended use as an impact-absorbing safety surface, ensuring both safety and environmental responsibility in our playground designs.

Cushionfall, a loose-fill option crafted from seasoned recycled timber, stands as a contaminant-free safety surface for your playground. This eco-conscious solution prioritises safety and contributes to sustainability by repurposing recycled materials. Rigorously tested to BSEN 1177 standards, choosing Cushionfall aligns with our commitment to providing effective safety surfaces while actively participating in eco-friendly practices for a greener and more sustainable play environment.

Play grade bark chippings present a wonderful alternative to grass matting, providing a natural and earthy aesthetic to your play area. Bark chippings do come with a commitment to regular maintenance, to keep this surfacing option in its prime condition and ensure its effectiveness for the required fall height. Periodic topping up and raking are recommended to preserve the quality and appearance of the play grade bark chippings, ensuring a safe and inviting playground surface.

Bound rubber mulch stands out as a top-tier safety surfacing option, balancing both safety and aesthetic considerations. Its natural appearance seamlessly integrates with outdoor environments, providing a visually pleasing alternative. This carefully selected option ensures that your play area not only meets safety standards but also maintains a harmonious connection with nature, enhancing the overall appeal and charm of the space.

Wetpour, a versatile and resilient safety surface, is a popular choice for playgrounds that require consistent and reliable protection. Comprising of recycled EPDM rubber granules bound together with a polyurethane resin, wetpour provides a smooth and seamless surface that caters to various play activities. Its impact-absorbing properties make it an ideal option for areas with equipment at varying heights. It also allows for creative designs and colour choices, adding vibrancy and visual appeal to the play area. As a trusted and durable safety surface, wetpour ensures a secure and enjoyable environment for children to play freely while meeting stringent safety standards.

Selecting a bound safety surface, such as wetpour or rubber mulch, incurs a higher cost per square meter due to the preparation and layering process involved. To ensure durability, safety, and an attractive finish, the ground is excavated to the correct depth. Following this, an MOT sub base layer is laid and compacted; next a base layer of rubber crumb is added to provide a stable foundation. Finally, a top layer of finer material is applied, resulting in a seamless and resilient surface. This thorough process ensures the longevity and quality of the play surface, justifying the higher investment for a lasting and visually appealing outcome.

Four Acres offers the choice between a flat-top PCC (Pre-Cast Concrete) edging or chamfered wetpour edging. The flat-top PCC edging offers a clean and defined border, providing a neat finish to the safety surface. Opting for a chamfered wetpour edging introduces a softer and rounded boundary, seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment. Both options are thoughtfully designed to complement the chosen safety surface, adding a finishing touch to the overall look.