what do you put under a swing set

What to put under a swing set in the backyard?

In the guide below, you can quickly find out what to put under a swing set in your backyard. Popular materials to put under a swing set in the backyard include rubber mulch, pea gravel, wood mulch, sand, rubber mats and grass. But which is the best?

How to choose the right material for your child’s swing set?

One way to do it is to make sure the base material your swing set sits on is soft and easy on the landings. Finding the right materials to place your child’s swing set on is not that difficult. There are so many options the difficult part of the decision is picking one.

What is the best surface for a swing set?

There are a variety of surfaces that will work under a swing set including leveled sod with swing mats (for wear and tear), pea gravel, turf or artificial grass, sand, or mulch made from wood chips, rubber, recycled tires, and more. Each will have different costs, longevity and levels of safety.

Do you need a fall surface under a swing set?

While no regulations are stating that you need to put a fall surface under your swing set, many people prefer to for safety reasons. Each material that you can put under your swing set has its own set of pros and cons, so the best choice will depend on your unique situation.

What is the best way to protect a swing set?

What is the best ground cover for a swing set?

How Deep Do You Layer the Ground Cover Under a Swing Set?

How Much Mulch Should You Put Under a Swing Set?

Is grass good for a swing set?

Can kids jump out of swings?

Where does sand stick?

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What material is best under a swing set?

When building a swing set, the best material to put under your swing set is widely considered to be rubber mulch. Rubber mulch has a relatively expensive cost amongst all the different materials, but it has excellent shock resistance and limits the amount of time you need to spend maintaining it.

How do you prepare the ground for a playset?

0:501:52How to Prepare your Yard for the Installation of a Playset - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to install your playset on solid level ground such as grass or dirt avoid. Hard surfacesMoreYou want to install your playset on solid level ground such as grass or dirt avoid. Hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete now adding a protective surfacing area around your playset is great.

Do you need mulch under a playset?

What to Put Under a Swing Set: Natural grass is not a thick enough cushion to protect kids when they fall. Instead, it's good to install a protective surface such as: Wood mulch/chips, shredded rubber mulch or engineered wood fiber for equipment up to 8 feet high.

Can you use regular mulch under a swing set?

Wood Chips or Mulch for Your Swing Set It's cheaper and more natural to use compared to other alternatives. Aside from rubber mulch, regular wood chips or mulch are eco-friendlier options for your swing set.

What is best to put under a playground?

Safety. 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.

Can I put playset on grass?

All that said, grass is still the most popular choice for backyard swing sets and playsets, and may work out just fine for your family.

What is the best playground surface material?

Top 5 Playground Surface Materials1.) Solid Rubber Surface. This is first on the list because it's not only the safest, but it requires the least amount of maintenance. ... 2.) Artificial Grass or Turf. ... 3.) Play Sand and Pea Gravel. ... 4.) Rubber Mulch (Nuggets or Shredded) ... 5.) Engineered Wood Fiber aka: EWF.

What do you line a playset with?

Bottom line: wooden playsets aren't the safest, and neither is wood mulch....Safety-First PlaysetsCoated in vinyl to prevent mold and splinters.Rubber-sheathed swing chains for pinch-free swinging.Towers and ramps come with non-slip steps and safety rails.Two ground anchors for every swing beam for added stability.

How do you keep grass under a swing set?

What Can You Put Under a Swing Set?Leveled sod (grass) with swing mats to protect from wear and tear.Pea gravel.Turf or artificial grass.Sand.Mulch made from wood chips, rubber, recycled tires, etc.

How do I keep my swing set from sinking?

Use pressure-treated pine lumber rated for ground contact. They will last in the ground long enough for your kids to swing your grandkids on it. (2) Set the frame directly on the surface where it will be installed and use pavers or scrap wood as shims until it is level.

How do you anchor a playset to the ground?

Here's how:Place swing set evenly and clear from obstruction.Mark location of legs.Insert screw type ground anchor either by hand, hammer, or metal rod.Attach swing set legs to anchors.Cover hardware with bolt caps or other cushioned materials.

How do you put mulch around a swing set?

So, how do you mulch a playset?Create a perimeter around the playset.Measure the height of the playset to determine the fall height.Remove all grass, plants and other debris inside the perimeter.Lay down weed fabric.Fill in with mulch.

What do you put under an outdoor playhouse?

It is fairly common to see outdoor playsets plonked directly onto a grass surface, and this is better than them being on a concrete or asphalt surface....A Guide For What To Put Beneath Your Swing SetSand or Pea Gravel. ... Mulch or Chips. ... Shredded Rubber. ... Rubber Mats. ... Poured-in-Place Rubber.

How do you level a yard for a playset?

To level the ground for a swing set, you can dig the sod to an even level, add material like rubber mulch in an enclosed surface, or add cement blocks to level just the supports of the swing set. The longest lasting option is leveling the sod and adding a sturdy mulch within the confines of a structured enclosure.

Do you need to concrete in a swing set?

The most important step of installing your swing set is ensuring that it's properly anchored. Solid anchors prevent the swing set from tipping over and causing serious injury. While you can use concrete for this task, ground anchors are easier and less expensive.

What kind of mulch should I use for a playground?

Three types of mulch are frequently recommended by experts for use in children's play areas. They are sand, rubber mulch and wood mulch. If you put a layer of any of these, 8 to 20 inches deep, you provide a durable, springy surface to cushion falls and absorb shocks.

What is the Best Material to Put Under a Swing Set?

However, we believe the material that’s the most well-rounded is rubber playground mulch. We recommend using rubber playground mulch for all ages except toddlers. Playgrounds intended for toddlers should use rubber mats that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

What to consider when choosing a playground surface?

You must also consider the safety, cost, maintenance, and visual aesthetic of each different option . It can be a difficult decision! We want to help you, so we’ve compiled an extensive guide to help you choose the right playground surface that fits your lifestyle and needs.

What are the two types of playground surfaces?

There are two categories for the types of playground surfaces: loose-fill materials and unitary surfaces.

Is mulch good for a swing set?

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.

What to put under a swing set?

Rubber Mats. Rubber mats are a pretty simple addition to put under a swing set, whether your swing set is for residential or commercial purposes. Many people think that rubber mats are much more visually appealing than natural alternatives. They come in a variety of colors, but the sleek black is the most commonly used.

What is the best material to put under a swing set?

Sand. If you’re looking for a natural option to put under your swing set, natural sand may be an excellent option for you. Like wood chips, sand is less expensive than many other materials since it’s a natural material. Many people also feel like it looks the best in their yard if they’re looking for a natural appearance.

What to put under a swing set?

Popular materials to put under a swing set in the backyard include rubber mulch, pea gravel, wood mulch, sand, rubber mats and grass.

What is the best material to put under a swing set?

Rubber grass mat s for a swingset are interlocking tiles (usually about 1 inch thick) that are laid on top of existing grass to cover an entire play area – the grass can grow through the holes in the mat. These provide excellent protection and are the best material to put under a swing set for toddlers.

Why Put a Surface Material Under a Swing Set?

Even with supervision, a time will come when one of your kids falls off, loses their balance or is flung off the swing set when getting a bit over excited using it. The higher the fall, the bigger the impact when they land! Kids will be kids and at times will take risks and push themselves past their capabilities. This is how they learn.

How to protect grass from swingset?

One option to protect your grass is to lay grass mats for a swingset – these are rubber ring mats that let the existing grass grow through them but stop it getting as churned up. See the section on Poured Rubber and Rubber Mats below for more details.

Why is grass not used under swing sets?

There are good reasons why grass is not used as a surface under swing sets in public playgrounds…. Dry weather (when kids are most likely to play outside) can make the ground rock hard, which provides very little protection if they fall off the swing set.

How far should you extend a tire swing?

If there are tire swings – extend the surface in all directions around the tire swing to a distance that is the length of the swing chains plus 6 feet.

Is it safe to put a protective surface on a swing set?

While there is no material that can totally guarantee your child will remain injury free (especially if they like to jump off the swing set!), installing a good protective surface will greatly reduce the risk of injury. And it can look good in the backyard too.

How do you prepare the ground for a swing set?

Just level the ground you chose to install the playset on and make room for the anchors to set in. Make sure there is no obstacle like trees or rocks near the playset. Once the playset is installed, you can now pour in the safety mulch for protection.

How to Choose the best ground cover to put under a swing set?

We have listed a lot of fall surface options above and we know that now, you are confused. You might be wondering, “Which one should I choose?”

What Is the Best Material to Put Under a Swing Set?

After reading about the 9 different good materials you can use, we are betting that you are wondering which one is the best. Placing the right swing set base material under your child’s swing set will depend on several factors.

What do you need to get the most out of a swing set?

To get the most out of your swing set, you need the right base to put it on. Which base you choose to use is up to you but do some research to make sure you are getting the proper base for your family.

How to keep kids safe on a swing set?

One way to do it is to make sure the base material your swing set sits on is soft and easy on the landings. Finding the right materials to place your child’s swing set on is not that difficult.

What is the best base material for swing sets?

If looks and drainage are important to you, this swing set base material will do those jobs. Pea gravel is not that expensive, is easy to spread and helps the look of your swing set area while draining it. Plus, it should last you a long time.

What is the best replacement for a swing set?

Here are 9 good replacement materials for you: #1. Swing set on grass. grass is probably the most common used swing set base used so far. You do not have t o install it as it is already there in your yard. Plus, grass is easy to level and prepare for your new swing set.

How much space do you need for a swing set?

When you are looking over your yard to see where the perfect place is for your child’s swing set, keep in mind that you need a minimum 6 feet of free space all around the swing set. That is 6 feet in front, behind an don both sides. You also should not place it near eaves or overhanging branches.

When buying a swing set, do you need to consider your yard area?

When you get ready to buy a swing set, you need to consider your yard area. It is not wise to and buy any swing set and assemble it in the widest spot in your lawn. You need to evaluate the space you have, if it is level or not, or if it floods easily and if yo have a leach or septic field underneath.

How deep should a child's sandbag be?

The depth of the material will also play into how well it protects your children. Various materials will require different depths to render them safe, but a minimum of 12” is necessary for any of the above-mentioned materials and even up to 20” is recommended.

Is it safe to play with a wooden swing?

A wooden swing set will give your kids hours of entertainment and pleasure every day, and with the right safety precautions, they can enjoy their playset for years to come. Check out The Complete Guide to Swing Set Safety for more safety tips.

Can kids get scrapes on swing sets?

Active kids will get a scrape or two while playing on their swing set, but many accidents can be avoided with one simple step: The right surface material can prevent literally thousands of injuries from occurring.

What is the best material to put under a swing set?

There are two main answers to the question, “What is the best material to put under a swing set?” — wooden mulch or rubber mulch. First and foremost, we count our vinyl mulch as the best material for playground surfaces because it is the safest. However, there are numerous other advantages that make it a winner, too — check it out:

Is Adventure World Play Sets safe?

At Adventure World Play Sets, we’re known for building ultra-safe, super-fun vinyl swing sets that kids love! In addition to building swing sets and playsets, we also offer our line of vinyl playground mulch to complete them. Learn more about what makes for the best material to put under a swing set — and place your order today!

Is it safe to wrap a wooden playset in vinyl?

In fact, preventing splinters during play is one of the many reasons we wrap our sets in a thick vinyl sheath. Bottom line: wooden playsets aren’t the safest, and neither is wood mulch. Discover more of the downsides of wooden playsets.

Fall Zones

A fall zone, covered with a protective surfacing material, is essential under and around equipment where kids might fall. This area should be free of other equipment and obstacles onto which a child might fall.

Choosing What Material to Put Under Your Swing Set

The best material to use under a swing set will vary based on your preferences and swing set height. Learn about your surfacing material choices below.

How Much Material to Use

You will need to maintain a minimum depth of at least 9 inches of loose-fill materials (wood mulch/chips, shredded/recycled rubber mulch, or sand/pea gravel) for playset decks up to 8 feet high. Keep in mind that the surfacing will compress over time and will need to be refilled occasionally to maintain the 9-inch depth.

Protective Surfacing Fall Height Guides

Since almost 60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground, protective surfacing under and around all playground equipment is the most critical safety factor on playgrounds. Certain manufactured synthetic surfaces also are acceptable; however, test data on shock absorbing performance should be requested from the manufacturer.

Why is swing set mulch the best material to use?

For the reasons stated above, we’re big fans of rubber mulch as the best material to put under your swing set. While the upfront cost is higher than other materials listed here, you’re going to get more use and more value in the long term with rubber as your swing set mulch choice.

Can jungle gyms be installed on concrete?

Jungle gyms need a shock-absorbing surface so that children have a safe place to run, jump and play. They should never be installed on concrete or asphalt. During our 25 years’ of experience, we have installed plenty of jungle gyms on grass. Still, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends using one of the following: wood mulch, chips, shredded rubber (mulch), sand or pea gravel. Our favorite of these options is rubber mulch.

What is the best way to protect a swing set?

It is best to use an enclosure surrounding your swing set to contain the material that you place down.

What is the best ground cover for a swing set?

The best ground cover for under a swing set is synthetically made rubber mulch.

How Deep Do You Layer the Ground Cover Under a Swing Set?

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.

How Much Mulch Should You Put Under a Swing Set?

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.

Is grass good for a swing set?

Though, proper maintenance of the grass is key here. Another benefit of grass is that it will be relatively inexpensive compared to other options- at least at first. Since you will have to level your yard under your swing set anyways, it can make sense to just use the grass that grows beneath.

Can kids jump out of swings?

Hopefully, accidents will not happen, but as they are common with excitable children, it is best to consider a surface that your children will remain safe on. Plus, if your kids like to jump out of the swing (as so many do), you will want them to have a soft surface to land on. Grass can add that benefit to your swing set’s base.

Where does sand stick?

It sticks between sweaty crevices behind knee caps, inside of socks, and in the soles of shoes. Then, your children will (knowingly and unknowingly) transport it inside of your home for a lovely, never-ending sand party.