Safety Surfacing for Playgrounds
Safety Surfacing for Playgrounds
Choosing the right safety surfacing is essential for protecting children as they play. At Synergy Outdoors, we provide expert advice on a wide range of surfacing options, including wet pour, rubber mulch, grass mats, and artificial turf.
Not all surfaces are suitable for every environment or budget, so we work closely with you to find a practical, cost-effective solution. Safety surfacing can be a significant investment, and our goal is to help you make the right choice.
Finding the Right Surface
Before any safety surfacing is installed, it’s essential to consider the critical fall height—the height of the highest point a child could potentially stand on. This measurement determines the required thickness of surfacing to ensure it effectively absorbs impact, in line with BS EN 1177 and BS 7188 standards.
Hard surfaces are generally unsuitable for playgrounds, except in transition areas between equipment. The ideal surfacing depends on several factors, including site conditions, the type of play equipment, and available maintenance. For example, loose-fill options such as bark or sand may not be suitable where maintenance is limited, whereas firmer surfaces are often necessary for areas with moving equipment.
At Synergy Outdoors, we provide expert advice to help you choose the most appropriate surfacing for your project. All our products meet EN1176 safety standards, and we only work with trusted suppliers offering high-quality, rigorously tested materials.
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Screened and processed to remove 98% of fines
Nominal particle size range of between 15-60mm
Compliant with Industry Standards EN1176/1177
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Recycled material
Conforms to the requirements of EN1176
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Wet Pour rubber safety surfacing provides a durable, water-permeable, and decorative solution for outdoor play areas.
Consists of two layers: a base of SBR recycled tyre rubber and a top layer of coloured EPDM rubber crumb.
Bound using a flexible, single-part moisture-curing polyurethane binder.
Suitable for installation on concrete, asphalt, compacted stone sub-bases, and existing surfaces.
Available in a wide range of colours and can incorporate bespoke graphics.
Ideal for creating vibrant, custom finishes that complement play space themes and equipment.
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Made from 100% Recycled Wood
High Impact Absorption
Compliant with Industry Standards EN1176/1177
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Grassmat is an eco-friendly, non-slip, and impact-absorbing safety surface made from high-quality recycled materials. With a slightly softer composition than Grasslok, it blends naturally into the environment as grass grows through, providing a discreet and natural look.
Thickness: 23mm
Fall Protection: Tested up to 3m CFH (depending on soil conditions)
Ideal For: Soft ground and areas requiring higher impact absorption
Key Benefits:
Non-slip surface
Wheelchair and pushchair accessible
Year-round installation
Minimal maintenance required
10-year product guarantee
Installation requires no specialist tools, and we recommend a ground-stabilising mesh for soft or unstable ground to prevent sinking and enhance durability.
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Playgrade Soft Sand
Conforms to EN1176/1177
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Ground-stabilising mesh provides protection for soft or unstable ground and to help prevent Grassmat and Grasslok sinking and enhance durability.
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Bonded Rubber Mulch offers a cost-effective, durable, and natural-looking safety surface made from recycled materials. It combines colour-coated SBR tyre granules with a polyurethane binder, providing superior strength and consistency compared to traditional mulch made from just shredded material. Ideal for various outdoor applications, it offers a low-maintenance alternative to wet pour surfacing, while meeting critical fall height requirements.
Key Features:
Recycled and eco-friendly
Durable and low-maintenance
Meets EN1177:2018 critical fall height requirements
Provides a safer and more consistent surface than traditional bark chippings
Aesthetic, natural look
Suitable for playground safety surfacing, golf pathways, garden borders, rural pathways, and more
Ideal for:
Playground safety surfacing
Golf club pathways
Daily mile tracks
Garden borders
Rural pathways
Tree pits
Decorative landscaping
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Artificial grass offers a soft, natural-looking surface that's safe, durable, and low-maintenance—ideal for schools and play areas. When installed with an appropriate shock pad, it meets critical fall height requirements and complies with safety standards like BS EN 1177. It's a great all-weather option that stays clean and usable year-round.
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Grasslok is a robust, interlocking safety surfacing solution, fire-resistant and ideal for high-wear areas and dynamic play equipment such as swings and cableways. It features a harder composition than Grassmat, making it suitable for more demanding environments.
Thickness: 16mm
Fall Protection: Tested up to 2.1m CFH (depending on soil conditions)
Ideal For: Areas with moving or dynamic equipment
Key Benefits:
Fire-resistant
Interlocking joint system for added stability
Ramped edges available to reduce trip hazards and eliminate the need for digging in
Wheelchair and pushchair accessible
Year-round installation
Minimal maintenance
10-year product guarantee
As with Grassmat, we recommend using a ground-stabilising mesh on soft ground for maximum performance.
