In the backyard or the playground outside, swings are always one of the most popular amusement projects for children. Children like to laugh and fly on the swings. But have you ever thought that the seemingly ordinary area under the swings actually hides mysteries? Choosing the right material to lay under the swings is not only about appearance, but also closely related to the safety and play experience of children. The following will analyze the characteristics and advantages of various materials for you in detail.
1.Why Is it Important to Put Surfacing Under a Swing Set?
There are certain risks when children play on swings. Laying elastic materials such as rubber tiles and lawns can cushion the child's fall. According to statistics, the rate of serious injuries caused by falls can be reduced by about 70% in swing venues with suitable cushioning materials. At the same time, soft surface materials make children feel more comfortable when resting or playing around the swing. Secondly, the surface material laid under the swing can also blend in with the surrounding environment to increase the overall aesthetics.
2.What to Do Before Putting Surfacing Under a Swing Set
Before paving the surface under the swing, the following preparations need to be made:
Safety protection: During the paving process, necessary safety protection supplies such as gloves, goggles, etc. should be prepared. At the same time, warning signs should be set up in the children's play area to prevent them from entering the construction area to ensure construction safety.
Site cleaning:
remove weeds, stones, branches and other debris under and around the swing to ensure that the ground is flat and clean, providing a good foundation for subsequent paving work.
Determine the material:
Common swing materials include rubber mats, artificial turf, wood chips, gravel, etc. The paving surfaces of different materials have different characteristics.
Consider drainage: Check the drainage of the site. If the drainage is not smooth, the drainage system needs to be modified or set up first.
Measurement planning:
Accurately measure the size of the area to be paved under the swing to ensure that the subsequent materials can completely cover the safe area under the swing.
Prepare tools: Prepare the corresponding tools according to the selected materials and paving methods, and ensure that the tools are complete and in good condition to improve the efficiency and quality of paving.
3.7 Materials to Put Under a Swing Set
1. Poured Rubber or Rubber Tiles
Both cast-in-place rubber and rubber floor tiles have good elasticity and cushioning ability, which can greatly reduce the risk of children getting hurt. The surface of these two materials usually has a certain texture or roughness, which can provide good anti-slip effect. Cast-in-place rubber and rubber floor tiles are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, with relatively high installation costs, and have a long service life and low maintenance costs. They do not require frequent maintenance investment like natural turf, nor are they as easily damaged as some other materials and need to be replaced frequently. These two materials can be made into a variety of colors and patterns, creating a cute and interesting atmosphere for children.
2.Rubber Mulch
The rubber mulch has good elasticity. When a child falls from the swing, it can act as a buffer like a spring, greatly reducing the probability of injury to the child and protecting the child's head, limbs and other important parts. The rubber surface has a special texture and no sharp edges, which can provide children with reliable grip in both dry and wet conditions. At the same time, high-quality rubber coverings are made of environmentally friendly and non-toxic materials. Although the price is relatively high, they have a long service life, generally up to 10-15 years or even longer, and the maintenance cost is relatively low. In the long run, it has a high cost-effectiveness. At the same time, rubber coverings can be made into various colors, adding color and vitality to the swing area, creating a beautiful and unique play space for children.
3.Artificial Grass or Turf
Artificial Grass or turf usually has a certain degree of elasticity and cushioning properties, which plays a great role in protecting children's play. The purchase cost of artificial turf is relatively high, including the turf itself, the base materials, and the installation costs. But its long-term cost is lower. Artificial turf does not require frequent maintenance operations such as watering, fertilizing, and mowing like natural turf, and it will not wither and die due to seasonal changes. It has a longer service life. People only need to check the condition of artificial turf regularly to see if there are problems such as wear, tear, or degumming.
4.Wood Playground Mulch / Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)
Wood Playground Mulch has a certain degree of elasticity and softness, which can play a good cushioning role when a child accidentally falls from the swing, and can effectively reduce the risk of injury to the child. Sawdust mulch is also more environmentally friendly, and its price is relatively low, which is a more economical choice. It does not require more effort and tools to remove like some fixed rubber mats or artificial turf. However, the sawdust will gradually decompose over time, be blown away by the wind or washed away by rain, so it is necessary to regularly check and replenish new sawdust, and regularly clean up weeds that may grow in the sawdust to prevent stagnant water from soaking the sawdust, causing it to mold, rot, etc.
5.Sand
Sand is one of the most popular playground surfaces for children. Sand is soft and can greatly reduce the risk of children falling from swings or slipping on the ground. Sand is also a common building material and is relatively cheap. Compared with professional playground floor materials such as rubber mats and artificial turf, the cost and installation cost of sand are much lower. However, due to the fact that children may blow or bring out sand during play, as well as the influence of natural factors such as wind and rain, the sand in the playground will gradually decrease, so it is necessary to regularly check and replenish the sand to maintain sufficient thickness and good buffering effect. At the same time, it is also necessary to promptly clean up debris in or around the sand, such as leaves, branches, garbage, etc., to ensure the hygiene and safety of the children's playground.
6. Pea Gravel for Playgrounds
Pea gravel has a certain elasticity and mobility. When a child falls from a swing, it can play a certain role in cushioning, reducing the impact and reducing the possibility of injury. Its natural material gives children a sense of closeness to nature, which helps promote the development of their sensory organs. There are gaps between the gravel, which makes the venue have good drainage, but children need to be careful to prevent slipping or spraining when playing. Compared with some professional playground ground materials such as rubber mats or artificial turf, pea gravel is usually less expensive and has a longer service life. It is a more economical choice for playgrounds or family swing venues with limited budgets.
7. Grass under Swing Set
"Grass under Swing Set" is soft and comfortable, has a certain cushioning effect and natural elasticity, and is less irritating to children's skin. Although the initial purchase and laying costs are relatively low, the subsequent maintenance costs such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control are high. It is also greatly affected by the season and weather. If there is strong wind, the grass is easily damaged. But in spring or summer, it is also a beautiful landscape in the backyard playground or outdoor playground.
4.What Is Best to Put Under a Swing Set?
Children may fall accidentally while playing on the swing, so it is necessary to choose materials with good cushioning properties, which can effectively reduce the impact force when the child falls and reduce the risk of injury to the child. However, it is also necessary to consider the anti-slip performance, material cost, installation cost and cleaning requirements of the selected materials. Therefore, there is no absolutely best material suitable for all situations. In the family courtyard, if you pay attention to beauty and a certain degree of comfort, and the budget is limited, artificial turf is a good choice; rubber floor tiles are more suitable for people who value safety and durability. In public places such as kindergartens or playgrounds, cast-in-place rubber or rubber floor tiles are better choices from the perspective of safety and durability.
From soft and fun sand, to safe and durable rubber tiles, to natural and beautiful turf, each material placed under the swing has its own unique advantages and considerations. There is no best or optimal choice. How to choose a good material to place under the swing? The key is to make a comprehensive decision based on the use scenario of the swing, the budget, and the user's acceptance of the difficulty of maintenance. I hope that through the analysis and comparison of these materials, it can help you make a better choice.
