Soft Surfaces provide a wide range of different playground surfacing options in Berkshire and around the rest of the UK.
As professional playground surface installers, we can provide expert knowledge on each surface type and provide the very best installations. Our playground experts make sure to use premium materials, so our clients receive top-quality results.
If you are interested in resurfacing your play area, please make sure to get in touch with our team today.
Types of Playground Surfacing
There are a number of different types of playground flooring to choose from. Each surface has its own benefits and limitations.
It is important to weigh up the different advantages and disadvantages and decide which is best for you.
We have listed some of the main types of playground surfacing below.
Wet Pour Safety Surfacing in Berkshire
Wet pour safety playground surfacing is a type of playground flooring that is often used for school playgrounds, nurseries, play parks and other environments that young children may play in.
Wetpour is a mixture of rubber granules and polyurethane resin which is screeded onto a sub base to create a smooth, seamless and porous rubber surface.
Since the playground surfacing is impact absorbent, wetpour may be installed under playground equipment to lessen the severity of injuries in the event children fall off the equipment.
A lot of clients refer to wetpour as ‘soft tarmac’, as it looks like tarmac but it has spongey qualities.
Wetpour is a great alternative to tarmac, as it can be bespoke with colour and also provides safety characteristics.
Playground Wet Pour Design
Our team can lay wetpour within your school or garden in a range of different colours. We can suit your individual requirements, logos, colour themes and personal preferences.
Some of the most popular colours include:
- Light and Dark Green
- Light and Dark Blue
- Terracotta
- Red
- Yellow
- Black
- Orange
- Purple
- Pink
We can also offer other colours, as well as premium blends.
EPDM rubber graphics can also be inserted into the wetpour to help children’s educational development and create a fun design.
EPDM Rubber Graphics
We have a huge catalogue filled with various wetpour graphics.
These graphics include different shapes, animals, number grids, hopscotch designs, and more.
Number and letter graphics are extremely popular in nurseries and EYFS areas, as these can improve children’s numeracy and literacy skills during play.
For more information on our wetpour rubber graphics, please visit our EPDM rubber graphics page.
Wet pour Surfacing Specification
Our wet pour surfacing is tested to BS EN 1177 standards for playground safety and Critical Fall Height (CFH) ratings.
The CFH is the maximum height a child could fall from the play equipment to the ground.
According to British Standards EN 1177, all equipment with a fall height of 0.6m and above requires a playground safety surfacing certified to the correct CFH. This is top priority to ensure children are safe.
What Sub Base Does Wetpour Need?
Wetpour can be installed over concrete, tarmac or MOT type 1 stone.
Each sub base will have an impact on the CFH requirements, so it is important to make us aware which sub base you will lay prior to installation.
For more information on wetpour sub base requirements or the installation process, please visit our wetpour surfacing page.
Rubber Mulch Surfacing in Berkshire
Rubber mulch surfacing is another type of surface we can install in Berkshire.
Resin bound rubber mulch is made from recycled rubber tyres and is bonded with polyurethane resin to create the appearance of bark chippings.
Rubberised mulch offers a more natural appearance, so it is very common to see in rural and woodland areas.
Bonded mulch could also work out cheaper in the long run, as you will not have to fill up loose fill materials.
Rubber Mulch Design Specification
Rubber mulch is available in various colour options. The most popular colours are brown, green or a mixture of both.
We can alter the design and specifications to meet your specific needs. For example, if you have a high piece of equipment, we can lay a thicker depth to meet the CFH requirements.
For more information on our bonded mulch playground surfacing, please visit our full bonded rubber mulch guide.
Rubber Mulch Resurfacing
Rubber mulch can be installed over a range of different surfaces. If you are looking to resurface your existing playground, rubber mulch may be the best option for you.
Due to its flexibility, we can often overlay existing playgrounds with rubber mulch surfacing. This means you can save on costs, as no groundwork will be needed.
To find out more benefits of rubber mulch surfacing, please click here.
Artificial Grass Surfacing in Berkshire
Another option for your playground is artificial grass surfacing. This surface is popular in schools and nurseries, as well as parents’ back gardens and play parks.
Our synthetic carpet can also be used for putting greens and pathways.
Since the surface is permeable and easy to maintain, it has become greatly popular in recent years.
Fake turf is a great option if you are looking for a natural appearance for your playground surfacing in Berkshire.
Artificial Grass Designs
Synthetic turf can be installed in a range of different designs depending on your individual needs and requirements.
We can cut fake grass to meet unique spaces. The carpet is also available in different colour options if required – however green is the most popular.
Artificial grass is typically installed to replace natural lawn, as it is low maintenance and looks great all year round.
Many clients are now choosing synthetic turf over grass mats for their new playground, as this material is more aesthetically pleasing.
Artificial Grass Specification
Like with our other safe surfaces, we can also adjust the artificial grass specification and include a shock absorbent layer to meet fall height requirements.
The pile height can also be altered to meet individual needs and requirements, however 25mm is the standard depth for our leisure grass.
We can also provide multisport synthetic carpet which is more suited to areas where sports will be played.
To find out more about the fake turf specifications we provide, please visit our artificial grass page.
Resin Bound Gravel in Berkshire
Resin bound gravel and resin bonded paving may also be found in playgrounds. However, it is important to note, this surface is not suitable under playground equipment.
Both resin bound and resin bonded stone do not offer any impact absorbing properties. Instead they are usually used for pathways within playgrounds.
Our resin products can be used to resurface existing tarmac and concrete areas to improve the overall look, as the surface is more visually appealing.
You can find out more information on our resin bound surfaces here.
Resin Bound Gravel Design
Resin bound gravel is available in a number of different colours and patterns to meet individual needs and requirements.
To learn more about the colour range, please visit our resin bound designer.
We can use multiple shades to create specific designs and even logos within the surfacing if required.
Resin Bound Specification
You will find a number of different specifications relating to resin bound surfacing. Our standard resin bound surface is smooth, porous and fast draining.
Some clients may opt for resin bonded surfaces which are not porous. This type of surface is laid using a scatter system – therefore this will not create a smooth surface like the resin bound alternative.
We also provide Sudscap and Addagrip specifications. These specs have an additional layer within the system meaning they can be installed over a stone sub base without the need to install tarmacadam.
Tarmac Playground Surfacing Berkshire
Tarmacadam is another popular surface for playgrounds.
We can offer specialist paints and thermoplastic playground markings which can be installed on the area for educational play. More information on playground markings can be found here.
Although the surface is durable, it does not protect children, as it has no shock absorbing properties.
Playground Rubber Tiles Berkshire
Rubber tiles are another popular surface choice. However our team often remove rubberised tiles and replace with wetpour surfacing, as this is a seamless surface
Rubber wetpour surfacing can also provide a more bespoke design, whereas rubberised tiles are limited.
Our team can also overlay rubberised tiles with mulch if you are on a budget.
Benefits of Play Area Flooring
There is a range of play area flooring benefit.
We have listed some of the main advantages of having playground surfacing installed below:
Safety
A lot of playground surfaces can be installed with impact absorbing properties which makes the surface safer for children.
These types of surfaces are great for areas with play equipment, as the risk of severe accidents will be minimised in the event a child falls from the surface.
Customisable
Options such as wetpour or painted macadam are fully customisable and can incorporate a range of designs.
The great thing about having designs installed within a playground is that educational games can be applied so that children can learn during their playtime.
We can also offer our surfaces in various colour options to meet your unique designs or school theme.
Long Lasting
All the surfaces that we install should last a minimum of 10 years with the correct maintenance being carried out.
It is important to choose surfaces that are long lasting so that you do not have to resurface the areas soon after the installation.
Our durable products are reliable and are great in all weather conditions. For more information, please make sure to contact us today.
Low Maintenance
All of our products require low maintenance which is important in schools and nurseries where children will be using the areas regularly.
We would always recommend routine cleaning and inspections in the event there has been any damage. It is more cost effective to get any damages repaired rather than having to carry out a resurface.
What is Impact Absorbing Surfacing?
Impact absorbing surfacing is a type of surface that provides shock absorbing properties to minimise the extent of an injury in the event any falls take place.
Head injuries are the most serious when it comes fall-related injuries on playgrounds. It is not uncommon for head related accidents to result in death, this is why having shock absorbing surfaces is important under playground equipment.
Our team will assess the equipment and determine the depth needed to ensure it is safe for children. If you require more information on shock absorbing playground safety surfacing, please click here.
Playground Surfacing Grants in Berkshire
If you are a school or nursery owner, it is possible to get funding by searching for playground surfacing grants online.
There are a range of funding grants within the educational sector and we can assist you with this process if required.
You will usually need 3 quotations when applying for funding, so please make sure to contact our team for a quote prior to placing your funding bids.
FAQs
We receive a number of questions from clients regarding the playground flooring we install. Some of our most frequently asked questions can be seen below.
What are Critical Fall Height (CFH) Standards?
Critical Fall Height is the maximum height an individual could fall from the play equipment to the ground.
CFH refers to the distance between the ground and the highest platform a child could stand or reach.
European Standards EN 1177 (known as BS EN 1177 in the UK) specify all safety surfaces must comply with CFH testing higher than 0.6m.
What is the Best Surface for a Playground?
It is argued that wetpour is the best surface for a playground.
The reason wetpour is considered the best playground surface is due to the advantages below:
- Safe for children’s playground equipment
- Can be installed in a wide range of designs
- Can have graphics installed into the surface to improve children’s fun and educational play
- It is permeable, meaning water can drain through quickly (no puddling)
- Can be installed in a range of areas, including over mounds
What is the Cheapest Playground Surface?
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is the cheapest playground surface.
EWF is around £3-5 per sqft.
This surface is great value and easy to install, however it does not offer any safety characteristics like with wetpour or mulch.
What is the Safest Playground Surface?
The safest playground surface is a rubber floor.
This could be wetpour, mulch or artificial grass with a shockpad beneath.
The reason why these surfaces are the safest material is due to the impact absorbent properties.
Which Playground Surfaces are Made From Recycled Tyres?
Wetpour and Rubber mulch are made from recycled rubber tyres.
Wetpour is a two tier system. It is the SBR base that is made from recycled rubber. the EPDM wearing course of black wetpour is also made from recyclable material. Coloured EPDM is not made from recycled rubber.
Recycled rubber products are great for our eco system, which is another reason these play surfaces are so popular.
Can You Install Playground Surfacing on Grass?
Rubber mulch can be installed over existing grass.
Most other play surfaces will need a sub base installed prior to installation.
This usually consists of a compacted stone sub base. However, in some cases, play surfaces may be installed over tarmacadam.
How Long Does Playground Surfacing Last?
Tarmacadam is generally the most long lasting surface.
Tarmacadam surfacing usually lasts around 15+ years.
However, it is important to remember that tarmac surfacing can be unsafe for areas around play structures.
Other playground surfaces can also last a long time. It generally depends on the type of surface used and the maintenance involved.
How Long Does Poured in Place Rubber Last?
Wetpour can last 10+ years.
In order to ensure the surface lasts its maximum lifespan, we advise clients to carry out regular maintenance.
Routine upkeep includes regular cleaning and inspecting the surface for any damages. Any damage that is found should be repaired as soon as possible.
Is Rubber Surfacing Waterproof?
Rubber surfacing is a porous surface type.
Porous surfaces are great for play areas, as there will be less puddling. This makes it a lot safer for children.
Is Rubber Flooring Slippery When Wet?
Rubber flooring can become slippery when wet.
We can offer an anti slip treatment for play surfaces to reduce slipping in poor weather conditions.
We wouldn’t recommend the anti slip coating under climbing frames, as the surface will become more abrasive and could hurt children if they fall on this.
Accreditations
Having over 25 years experience within the safety surfacing industry, we have a number of accreditations to ensure you receive the best installations when using our team.
Some of the accreditations that we have include:
- API
- CHAS
- Construction Line
Playground Safety Surface Standards
Our team uses the guidelines of playground safety standards EN 1176 and BS EN 1177 to ensure the safety of those using our surfaces.
If you require a testing for safety standards, it is important to have a look at this page.
Top Areas We Cover in Berkshire
We cover the whole of Berkshire. Some of the most popular places we carry out installations include:
- Pangbourne
- Windsor
- Reading
- Sonning
- Newbury
- Cookham
- Streatley
- Kintbury
- Bucklebury
- Wokingham
- Slough
- Maidenhead
- Bracknell
- Ascot
- Sandhurst
- Goring
- Winkfield
Summary
Overall, you will find there are a number of playground surfacing options available. Our playground surfacing specialists in Berkshire can provide the very best installations at great value.
We have helped many schools and nurseries across the country to update and improve their play areas.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Simply fill in out contact form and we will get back to you with help and advice.
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