Types of Playground Surfaces

• A child can suffer an injury if he falls on a hard-surface playground. Hiroshi Watanabe/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Playground surfaces refer to the grounds under and around slides, swings and other playground equipment. The playground surface is important as children often fall onto the ground. If the ground is too hard, children can get injuries that could be avoided if a softer surface was used. There are many types of playground surfaces available in the marketplace.

Engineered Wood Fiber

• Engineered Wood Fiber, or EWF, is one of the best materials from which to make a playground surface. It provides a more reliable and consistent surface than ordinary wood chips as the wood from which it's made is mechanically shredded in a way that facilitates the material to thatch together. EWF, however, requires constant replenishment as the wood fiber biodegrades.

Poured-in-Place Rubber

• Poured-in-place rubber requires little maintenance after the surface is poured. In addition, it is slip-resistant when dry or wet, meeting safety standards concerned with the prevention of head injuries. Poured-in-place rubber can also come in any color or form to better fit the design of the playground.

Artificial Turf

• Artificial, or synthetic, turf used for playground surfaces should have a rubber pad thick enough to provide adequate cushioning against falls. The turf is typically made from a blend of polyethylene monofilament fibers and thatch layers that simulate neatly cut grass. Good quality artificial turf can last many years.

Rubber Tiles

• Rubber tiles are easy to set up and maintain. In addition, the tiles can have different thicknesses, facilitating different fall heights. Rubber tiles typically have a square or rectangular form.