Many daycare, school, commercial and public playground surfaces must meet the fall height requirements of playground equipment. There are several types of playground surfacing to choose from that are acceptable in Canada, including playground mats, artificial turf, loose rubber, wood fibre, and gravel. The right surface ensures the playground is accessible for all to enjoy and protects children from injuries and falls.
Tips for choosing playground surfacing
Prioritize safety – First and foremost, safety is the top priority when choosing a playground surface. Rubber playground mats are some of the safest surface materials as they are cushioned enough to absorb the impact of falls while providing a solid, slip-resistant surface for children to run on. They come in a range of thicknesses to meet the fall height requirements of playground equipment, making them an ideal and popular playground surface.
Consider accessibility – Inclusive and accessible playgrounds are becoming increasingly common where children of all abilities can play. Loose playground surfacing such as wood fibre, loose rubber, and gravel make it a challenge for children in wheelchairs to access the playground. For this reason, playground designers are choosing rubber as the ideal flooring choice.
Visual appearance – Children respond to visual stimuli and react positively to fun patterns and colors. The right playground surfacing can help kids have an enjoyable experience while providing a safe environment.
Rubber playground mats
PlaySafe SHOCK Park and Play Tile
Economical and easy to install, PlaySafe SHOCK Park and Play Tiles work for any play area, including outdoor and indoor use with a non-slip surface even when wet. These tiles are made of softer material that absorb the impact of falls while providing children with a safe, cushioned surface. Choose from full-colour options to match the aesthetic of the playground.
A 1 3/16” thickness meets a 3’ fall height requirement and 6’ fall height requirement when paired with a 1.5” PlayPad Foam Padding. Playsafe SHOCK recycled rubber playground tiles absorb shock and sounds, have anti-fatigue properties, and are easy to clean and maintain.
PlaySafe PERFORM Tiles
With playground injuries and falls a serious hazard, Canada and the US have placed strict regulations for playground surfacing to help prevent these risks. PlaySafe PERFORM playground rubber tiles can meet a fall height requirement of up to 10’ when paired with a 1” and 2” PlayPad Foam, making it one of the highest performing and safest playground surfaces available.
PERFORM outdoor rubber tiles are made of recycled scrap tires with several vibrant colours to choose from. These tiles are easy to install and are safe to place over concrete, asphalt, crushed rock, and any other solid surface. PERFORM tiles require no maintenance and are designed to prevent rainwater from puddling on the surface.
Where to find playground surfacing
At Perfect Surfaces, we supply resilient rubber mats and rubber playground tiles in Canada. Made of porous, heavy-gauge rubber, our playground mats are shock-absorbant, slip-resistant, comfortable, and offer the safest play surface under play structures.
We also supply other play-safe materials, such as artificial turf and foam mats designed for indoor and outdoor use. Contact us today for more information or to get a quote on your project.
