Rubber surfacing is definitely the solution you should be considering if you are looking for the best surface for a playground. Did you know that more than 200,000 kids are taken to the emergency room every year due to falls or accidents on the playground? We know how much children love playing outside, and it is pivotal that they get the exercise and enjoyment that comes with this. However, things can soon turn sour when a child falls and hurts themselves. This is why opting for a rubber surface from one of the best surfacing contractors is the only solution.
Rubber Provides The Cushion, Concrete Is The Base
When it comes to rubber flooring, it is important to recognising that while rubber provides a soft cushion should a child fall, the base is just as critical. You can’t place rubber tiles or flooring on concrete that is cracked and in poor shape. You will need to look into concrete repair and replacement, which is something you can learn more about online. It is vital to make sure you do not overlook this step. Papering over the cracks is never an advisable route to go down, especially when safety is involved. You need to get the base right first, and then after this, you can have rubber surfacing put down with considerable ease. You will discover more about this process and what to look for below.
How Rubber Surfacing Contractors Boost Safety Levels
There are numerous surfaces available for playgrounds, including wood chips, engineered wood fibre, gravel, and sand. However, none of them live up to the safety performance of rubber surfacing.
One way this can be illustrated is by taking a look at the fall height ratings for typical playground surfaces. It is important that the fall height rating is higher than the highest piece of playground equipment. Considering the fact that rubber mulch surfacing has a fall height rating of over 16 feet, you can see that it passes the requirements. It has a significantly better fall height rating than all other options – wood chips (seven feet), engineered wood fibre (six feet), gravel (six feet), and sand (five feet).
In addition to this, rubber surfacing for playgrounds is a good choice because it will ensure there are fewer cuts, scrapes, and bruises when someone falls, as there are no sharp edges, unlike other surfaces. Moreover, the safety rating of rubber mulch will not lessen over time, as the material will not compact. You can meet safety standards by opting for a reputable surface contractor, and you can have peace of mind that everything has been done to protect the safety of children. Of course, there are other benefits associated with rubber mulch too, including the cost efficiency of this solution, as well as the durability, long-term value, and the ease of maintenance.
What To Look For In Rubber Safety Flooring Contractors
If you are to benefit from all of the safety performance attributes associated with rubber safety flooring, as well as the other advantages mentioned above, you need to choose a contractor with a considerable amount of care. Look for a firm that has a considerable amount of experience in the industry and that have provided their services many times before. The last thing you want is to be their practice project.
You should also make sure that all of the installers they employ are experienced, highly trained, and have the necessary qualifications, including a CSCS card. CSCS stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme; this proves that the individual has the qualifications and training required to install rubber safety surfacing. The company should also be easy to work with and they should recognise that no two projects are the same. This means they will make an effort to get to know you and your requirements, and they will carry out an extensive site survey to put together the ideal design.
Reviews and case studies are exceptionally valuable when searching for a contractor. The latter allows you to see some of the work they have done thus far, and this will instantly give you a feel as to whether this is the type of firm you want to work on your project. Reviews can be exceptionally telling. If you come across an abundance of negative comments, you know to direct your search elsewhere.
All in all, when it comes to creating a safe playground area, you need a solid concrete base, with soft rubber cushioning for a reliable solution.
Picture: https://pixabay.com/photos/playground-swing-slide-school-fun-99509
