Though it probably has the highest up-front cost, its longevity will provide a long-term payoff that outranks almost all other options. Rubber mulch can be made from old tires- an option that some people choose to make themselves or buy from a local friend or salesperson. One hesitancy with this option is the fumes and substances that might be attached or associated with the old tires.
If you have small children playing on the swing set, you will not want to have strong tire odors or chemicals around. You can choose from a variety of colors to match your landscaping and the swing set of your choice. It provides the highest quality surface that is weather-resistant and provides a cushion to absorb the shock of a fall.
You can find all kinds of Rubber Mulch options link to Amazon online now, and many are made specifically for swing set safety. Additionally, though it presents a choking hazard, it is minimal compared to other options considering it cannot splinter and is not sharp.
With that said, it is always important to monitor small children for safe play on a swing set or playground- regardless of their age and the surface of the playground floor. One con to rubber mulch, though, is that it will be one of the most permanent decisions for your backyard. While the other options are a bit more natural and easier to displace or move, rubber mulch is pretty much only going to be used under a playground.
So, you will want to be sure that this is the route you are hoping to go before you make the decision to do so. Be sure to add an enclosure or some type of boundary for your swing set when using rubber mulch. By adding an enclosure, you will help your yard to remain a yard and your swing set area to remain intact. Though many people have many different reasons for choosing their respective ground cover for under a swing set, some clearly outrank others in terms of practicality, longevity, and safety.
Parents can choose what meets the needs of their family, home, and backyard without fear of persecution, but there are still some choices to be made with the knowledge of what is out there.
The best ground cover for under a swing set is synthetically made rubber mulch. It is a durable material, so it will stay intact no matter how hard it is played on or not. Additionally, it is weather repellant and will not be destroyed by a strong rainstorm or too much sunshine.
Though it is not the natural look that many people go for when constructing their play area in their yard, it is going to be the top pick for quality and safety. Regardless of the material you choose for the base of your swing set, you will need to add a sufficient layer to add any value to it. Placing a minimal amount will do you no good as the ground will not be protected, limited safety will have been added, and you will be required to replenish the surface in no time. You should layer the ground cover under a swing set at least 6 inches deep with 9 inches being the ideal height.
Of course, this is assuming the ground is leveled under the swing set in the first place. Adding additional ground covering is always welcomed, but restricting ground covering will take away from the purpose and functionality of the surface you choose.
With that said, it is important that you know how to level the ground under the swing set before you begin applying and filling in the ground covering. As there are many options available as discussed above to choose from for the ground under your swing set, you will need to consider your budget as well as the needs of your family, home, and yard.
While you might not have a large budget to spend on a luxury swing set and the ground beneath it , you should consider the long-term investment that you are putting towards the structure. If you are not planning on remaining in the same home for very long, then it is understandable to want to find a more short-term solution.
But, if you are here for the long haul or plan to sell your home and leave the swing set behind , then you will want to consider an up-front investment that will pay off in the long-run. The amount of mulch you place under a swing set will be directly correlated to the safety and durability that it provides for your structure. If you skimp out, then you might as well not even apply it in the first place.
With that said, there are plenty of options to choose from for ground covering. When using rubber or wood mulch, be sure to level out the ground first. Use a minimum of 9 inches of mulch to separate the leveled ground from the top of the mulch. Swing set equipment that is 8 ft.
Though, if you are questioning whether you have enough mulch, then you should measure the shallowest end and then feel free to add more. Adding more cushion with the mulch, in this case, will likely only enhance the safety that it provides to the playground area. So, when in doubt, you can probably just add more and spread it out evenly.
With this, you can ensure the safety of your children on the swing set of their dreams. I'm Robert Sampson and I live in Colorado where I spend a lot of time in the backyard with my family either grilling, playing games and sports, or working on a project to make our backyard a better place to be.
If you are new to the world of composting, you may be wondering when all of your hard work will be available to use. As you know, the process of composting is not quick, and not only does it require Moving and navigating through your garden can be painful when your clay soil isn't reaching its full potential.
The heavy, compacted soil makes more work for you in your lawn and garden. Skip to content. Before you go, check this out! We have lots more on the site to show you. Did you decide on the ultimate playset for your children? And now you need a safe, easy, and cost-efficient way to tie the whole thing together with the perfect ground cover?
Swing sets are a premium memory maker for childhood years. Luckily for you, Backyard Boss loves this stuff. A good place to start would be to look at what is most used as a playground ground cover. Mulch specially formulated for playgrounds comes in a variety of materials. Think wood chips, but better. To become EWF, wood chips go through a milling process to give them a fibrous consistency. There are newer versions of EWF that include adhesives and chemical binders in the name of performance.
EWF should be certified by a number of authorities to ensure that your children are playing on a safe, toxin-free surface. The fibrous wood also has a springy texture that could potentially cushion the inevitable falls from the swing.
Low-quality EWF is not made from virgin wood and often comes from old pallets and scrap wood from the timber industry. Exactly what it sounds like. Rubber mulch is often made from recycled tires that are shredded down into small pieces that can be used as mulch.
Rubber lasts a long time. It also offers excellent impact absorption, so falls from moderate heights become less dangerous.
However, rubber mulch has some major drawbacks. First off, tires are manufactured with steel wires reinforcing them. The number of options and considerations can be overwhelming.
You may be thinking…. You must also consider the safety, cost, maintenance, and visual aesthetic of each different option. It can be a difficult decision! There are two categories for the types of playground surfaces: loose-fill materials and unitary surfaces.
For each type of surface, we will discuss safety, cost, maintenance, and visual aesthetics. These options are in no particular order. Note: All fall protection data is sourced from the U. Wood playground mulch is a fairly safe option. Wood mulch offers decent shock absorption, as nine inches of wood mulch can protect against falls of up to seven feet.
Surfacing playgrounds with wood mulch also offers good slip resistance, as it absorbs and drains moisture. One other thing to consider is that mulch can be a choking hazard. In general, loose-fill options should be avoided for playgrounds intended for toddlers. Wood mulch generally costs less up-front and is easy to install. Mulch is also readily available. Although the cost is lower than other options, such as rubber mulch or rubber mats, the maintenance costs are higher. Wood mulch needs to be replaced yearly and requires ongoing raking to ensure optimal coverage.
There are a number of things to consider when it comes to maintaining wood mulch. Mulch can be messy and end up all over the yard or playground outside of the swing set area, so clean up is a regular task. As mulch gets moved around in higher trafficked areas it will need redistributed to ensure safety in those spots. Adding a commercial fanny pad at the end of slides can help add some cushioning and keep mulch in its place.
Wood mulch has a pleasing natural aesthetic that can match any type of landscaping you have. Wood mulch also comes in a variety of colors, making it easier to match your property.
The three most common color options are red, brown, and black. Mulch is inexpensive, natural, and environmentally friendly, which contributes to it being used in the majority of playgrounds. But are there better options? Rubber playground mulch provides the greatest impact absorption of all materials.
Six inches of rubber mulch can protect for falls up to ten feet. Like wood mulch, rubber mulch also has the potential for displacement, so it should be monitored to ensure highly-trafficked areas have enough coverage. Rubber playground mulch costs more initially in comparison to grass, wood mulch, pea gravel, and sand. Although the up-front cost is higher, it holds its value longer and requires less maintenance.
Rubber playground mulch is a low-maintenance surfacing option, which is why it tends to be more expensive at first. Unlike wood mulch, rubber mulch does not need to be replaced yearly, and may never need to be replaced at all.
Rubber mulch is durable, easy to install, and only requires a little bit of raking to ensure even distribution and remove any debris. You can choose from a variety of different colors that you can match your decor, landscape, or the swing set itself!
Pea gravel does not offer the best impact absorption, but it does offer some support. Nine inches of pea gravel protects for falls up to five feet. When it comes to cleanliness, pea gravel stays relatively clean and does not support the growth of microbial organisms.
Loose-fill surfaces like pea gravel are not recommended for playgrounds intended for toddlers, as it can be a choking hazard. Pea gravel does not meet ADA accessibility standards and can be difficult to navigate for people with disabilities. Pea gravel has a low initial cost, but high maintenance costs. Pea gravel can break down over time and will need to be replaced to ensure optimal safety, which can add up in the long run.
As pea gravel is used and it endures the elements, the pieces break down into smaller particles. When this happens, pea gravel should be replaced.
0コメント