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Home- Swing sets
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Part 2: Using a
Play Surface for Your Own Playgrounds
There are some steps you need to take to
correctly install your surface materials. You need some type of
retaining barrier so that the surface materials will not be displaced
due to play and weather conditions. Loose fill materials should not be
placed on top of hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. You also
need adequate drainage below the protective surface.
The advantages and disadvantages of loose surface materials are
described below.
Wood chips and shredded bark mulch are advantageous because they are
quite attractive; they are not as abrasive as other materials such as
play sand; and animals are not likely to foul wood chips or shredded
bark mulch. The disadvantages of wood chips and shredded bark mulch are
that they do not offer as much protection after being subject to
inclement weather conditions; they will eventually decompose; they may
develop fungus or mold from wet conditions; and insects gravitate to
wood chips and shredded bark mulch.
The advantages of pea gravel are that it will not decompose or
pulverize; it is not particularly subject to mold and fungus; and it is
not attractive to animals or insects. The disadvantages of pea gravel
are that it is tricky to walk on (especially for small children); its
protection is diminished by rain, humidity and extreme cold; and it may
cause falls if it is dragged to another hard surface such as a sidewalk.
The advantages with play sand are that it does not decompose or
pulverize and it will not cause mold or fungus. The disadvantages are
that the protection that play sand provides may be diminished due to the
weather conditions; it sticks to clothes, shoes and skin; it may be
tricky to walk on; and it can scratch floors if tracked inside.
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