When designing a playground, selecting the right surfacing material is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Not only does it impact the safety of the children using the space, but it also determines maintenance needs, cost, and accessibility.
Although there are many playground surfacing options available, engineered wood fiber (EWF) consistently stands out as the best mulch for playgrounds.
What Is Engineered Wood Fiber For Playgrounds?
EWF is specifically manufactured for playgrounds. Unlike regular wood mulch, engineered wood fiber is finely ground into small pieces, no bigger than 2 inches long. This helps prevent splinters and create an even, stable surface that meets strict safety and accessibility standards.
To be classified as certified engineered wood fiber playground mulch, it must meet or exceed ASTM standards and the US Consumer Products Safety Commission standards.
What Are the Benefits of Engineered Wood Fiber For Playgrounds?
Engineered wood fiber is the best playground mulch because of its:
Shock-Absorbing Properties
On a playground, slips and falls are going to happen. When properly installed at the right depth, engineered wood fiber is designed to cushion those playground mishaps, reducing the risk of serious injuries.
Good Drainage
Rain and water can create slippery conditions near playground equipment. Since wood absorbs water, EWF helps prevent pooling water and flooding. As a loose fill material, it also allows space for water to easily flow through the material, keeping the playground surface safer and dryer.
Accessibility
Certified engineered wood fiber is ADA-compliant, meeting the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means that individuals who use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, can easily access the playground.
Cost-Effectiveness
EWF is one of the most cost-effective playground surfacing options on the market. While it’s much more affordable than synthetic options like rubber mulch, it doesn’t compromise on quality. With proper installation and routine maintenance, EWF is an excellent short-term and long-term investment.
Environmentally Friendliness
Unlike rubber or synthetic options, wood fiber is made from natural resources and renewable resources, meaning it is biodegradable and making it an eco-friendly option.
The Disadvantages of Alternative Playground Surface Materials
How does engineered wood fiber playground mulch stack up against other playground surfacing options?
Here are the disadvantages that come with using pea stone, sand, or rubber mulch:
Pea Gravel
Uneven Surfacing
Pea gravel or pea stone creates an uneven surface that is harder to walk on, increasing the risk of slips and falls. The uneven terrain makes these playgrounds inaccessible to individuals using wheelchairs or strollers. As a result, it does not meet the standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Messy Mischief
Not only that, pea stone is a recipe for messy mischief. The small stones often end up in kids’ shoes and then get tracked indoors. Cleaning up a bunch of stones every day is a vacuum’s (and a teacher’s) worst nightmare.
Pea stone is also a temptation for kids, who can easily pick it up and throw it at one another. While they can throw EWF too, getting hit with a small, dull piece of wood isn’t nearly as painful as getting hit with stones.
Sand
Although sand may sound like a good playground surface option, it comes with some drawbacks.
Safety Risks
Sand can be a great hiding place for foreign objects and potentially dangerous materials like glass shards, needles, or jagged rocks. Additionally, sand does not cushion falls well.
Additionally,, sand attracts animals who bring bacteria, parasites, and fungi with them, turning the playground into a serious health and safety risk.
Hard to Clean
If you’ve ever gone to the beach, you know how difficult and frustrating it is to clean the sand off afterwards. A day at the playground should be fun and carefree. No one wants to send their kids to a bacteria infested sandbox and then drag half of the material home with them.
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is cleaner, requires less maintenance and is better for playground safety.
Rubber Mulch
Although it is a popular option, rubber mulch and rubber playground mats are not the best playground surfacing options.
Higher Cost
Rubber mulch can be significantly more expensive than EWF, both upfront and over time.
Environmental Impact
Rubber mulch is not biodegradable. It can last between 10-20 years, which, in this case, is not a good thing. As it heats up in the summer sun, it releases harmful chemicals into the air and soil. Those chemicals aren’t good for kids or for the environment.
Smelly and Messy
Rubber mulch retains heat, making playgrounds unpleasantly hot in warmer months. As the material heats up, it also releases a strong odor, creating an uncomfortable play experience for children.
FAQs About Wood Fiber for Playgrounds
In case you still aren’t convinced that engineered wood fiber is the best choice for playground safety, here are answers to the EWF questions we get asked most:
Safer, More Sustainable Playgrounds
At Superior Groundcover, we specialize in fast, efficient, and accurate playground mulch placement. Blown-in mulch is the cleanest, quickest way to create a safe play area.
Our experienced team uses advanced blower trucks to spread EWF evenly and effectively. They will ensure your playground mulch is placed at the right depth under playground equipment. Then, they will clean up any stray mulch before they leave. We will get your playground up to code fast with minimal interruptions to play time and no extra work for you.
If you want a safe play space with a beautiful, natural look contact Superior Groundcover today for an estimate.
