HAGS - Guide to Surfacing

Bark Manufactured from mixed soft wood, bark has a natural look that blends into woodland environments and offers excellent impact absorbency.

Bark is not recommended as an impact-attenuating surface under swings or other moving equipment, due to it being easily displaced, and it is not allowed under traditional roundabouts as the ground clearance distance cannot be ensured when the bark is displaced.

Please note that extra length support legs are required for products being installed into bark surfacing and should be specified when ordering.

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Medium cost: from 30/m2, doesn’t include digging costs Maintenance: regular checks are required as bark will become displaced and can get contaminated with litter. Raking once a week (daily in areas of high use) and topping up regularly is recommended to avoid the foundations being exposed.

Resilience: some children find play value in digging and playing with the bark with their hands, which can make the area look untidy.

Play value: bark is a natural element which encourages children to discover nature and can have a positive impact on multi-sensory development. Poor access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: can be sustainably sourced from FSC certified forests Tech specs: excavation, a membrane and a bark pit retainer are required. Baseworks will be required for areas with poor drainage. As long as bark is kept at the required depth of 300mm, it complies with safety standard BS EN11776. hags.com I sales@hags-smp.co.uk I 0845 260 1655

Artificial grass Suitable for all year round use, this surface is all-weather, extremely durable and can be laid on slopes.

Ideal for high wear areas, artificial grass copes well with heavy traffic. A shock pad layer may be used underneath the grass to give added protection and provide a soft landing for a fall..

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High upfront cost: from £60/m2, installation included Maintenance: requires low maintenance. Clean once a month as part of routine inspection. Debris should be removed periodically, particularly leaves, since otherwise these will compost into the surface and allow moss to grow. Debris may be removed by sweeping and in dry conditions may be vacuumed with a domestic appliance or leaf blower. A broom or similar stiff brush is best for maintaining a fresh appearance.

Resilience: good resistance to fire and vandalism Play value: grass recreates a natural environment and can come in vibrant colours, thus stimulating imagination and encouraging role play. It also provides aasy access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: difficult to recycle. On the upside, artificial grass doesn’t call for regular mowing, watering, nor does it need fertilizers and pesticides to be maintained, thus reducing its impact on the environment.

Tech specs: with the correct preparation, artificial grass can be laid on tarmac, concrete and subsoil surfaces. Guaranteed 5 years.

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Grassmatt tiles Grassmatt tiles are a rubber mat through which grass can grow. This surface blends in with the environment once the grass grows, giving the play area a natural feel. It is slip-resistant and convenient for areas where grass growth may be restricted, such as under swings or climbing frames. It is also used for erosion control in designated areas around play equipment.

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Affordable: approximately £32 per sq. m Maintenance: the tiles themselves require little maintenance, yet the grass needs to be checked often as it has tendency to erode. An average of once a month or every quarter, as part of inspection routine is enough, although it can vary with the location and use. Very easy to repair and safe to mow over.

Resilience: fire-resistant. Can be lifted around the edges so they should be dug in to prevent damages that could be caused by vandalism.

Play value: provide fairly easy access for wheelchair users Sustainablitity: help protect the underlying grass from erosion in higher wear areas Tech specs: laid onto the existing ground in existing grass area. New turf may be required. It is also imperative to check the quality of the subsoil, as impact attenuation varies according to the soil type and climate. 5 year guarantee.

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Tarmac Tarmac is the most popular sports surface and it is ideal for Multi-Use Games Area.

It is easy to install, easy to maintain and makes a good surface for the majority of sports. Thermographic markings can be added for various different games. Due to a lack of impact attenuation, it is not suitable under equipment with a risk of falls.

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High upfront cost: from £69/m2, including installation and groundworks Maintenance: requires minimal maintenance, but you would still need to check for cracks, plant infestation, moss, damage done by nearby trees, as part of routine inspection. Long life span .

Resilience: good resistance to fire and vandalism Play value: easy access for wheelchair users, thermographics and markings can be added for specific games Tech specs: the installation of a MOT subbase will be required for all new tarmac surfaces. 1 year guarantee.

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Eco mulch Eco mulch is a combination of recycled solid rubber shreds mixed with a PU binder onsite and it is available in a range of muted colours. Suitable for year-round use, it can be laid on any type of existing ground without the need for foundations. It is not suitable for dynamic items as the open textured surface can begin to break under heavy, repeated footfall.

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High upfront cost: from £64/m, making it a cheaper option than wetpour as no groundwork is required.

Maintenance: requires additional cleaning to avoid contamination .

Resilience: shreds can be picked off with determination but the overall surface is resilient and can’t be removed deliberately.

Play value: provides easy access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: made from rubber that would otherwise go to landfill.

Tech specs: it is recommended to install a tear resistant weed membrane underneath first but there is no need to install a stone subbase, unless the site is very poorly drained and water ponds easily. 5 year guarantee.

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Sand Play grade sand has been washed to remove dust and iron oxide residue and the grains have been rounded to prevent compaction. It is fine to the touch and maintains good impact attenuation.

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Medium cost: from 33 per sq. m Maintenance: needs regular topping up and frequent inspections to remove debris. Daily checks may be necessary in areas with heavy wear. Its abrasive nature will accelerate wear on equipment items.

Resilience: can be easily replaced Play value: a play feature of its own, sand facilitates learning by offering an opportunity to experiment with surfaces and volumes, supports sensory development and allows children to explore nature. Poor access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: can be sustainably sourced Tech specs: play grade sand should be used as sharp sand and other types of building sands are not suitable for play areas.

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Grass The lush look of natural grass adds beauty to any public space and works well as a surface for small play areas with moderate traffic. Its impact attenuating properties vary according to the type of soil and climate.

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Low upfront cost in case of new turf installation Maintenance: only requires weekly cutting during growth season. A weekly inspection is recommended to remove debris and check potential contamination.

Resilience: very vulnerable to erosion and wear and will turn to muddy puddles in high use areas.

Play value: has great educational value and supports children’s sensory development. Also provides relatively easy access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: environmentally friendly as it fosters biodiversity, prevents soil erosion and improves drainage.

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Wetpour Wetpour surfacing is a mixture of polyurethane resin and rubber granulate. Slip-resistant and porous, it is a good all-weather surfacing option. Its continuous seamless surface allows easy access for wheelchair users and makes it more convenient to clean and maintain.

Ideal for both play and sports areas, its soft landing is kind to the body and has less impact on the legs and knees when running and jumping. Almost any thickness of it can be laid onto the ground to achieve optimal fall height safety.

Our standard wetpour comes in black with coloured “wear pads” at no extra cost.

(Wear pad options are circles, squares, triangles and splashes). Coloured wetpour is available in many different colours and designs.

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High upfront cost: from £71.5 per sq.m, including installation costs Maintenance: requires low maintenance. You can remove moss and algae with a jet wash and yard brush. Expensive to repair as it is mixed with specialist tools.

Resilience: very resistant to wear in daily use and has a long life span. Ideal for dynamic equipment.

Play value: intricate graphics can be added to increase play value and allow children to generate their own games. Easy access for wheelchair users.

Sustainablitity: partly made from recycled rubber and has to be recycled after use, an option which has a lower impact on the environment Tech specs: wetpour is designed to be installed on a compacted MOT stone subbase, directly onto tarmac or concrete. It cannot be laid directly onto grass or earth areas so the groundworks element forms a crucial part of the process. 5 year guarantee.

hags.com I sales@hags-smp.co.uk I 0845 260 1655