Outdoor Playground Flooring
Get in touchAt Playground Safety Surfaces, we specialise in installing CFH-compliant flooring solutions and across the UK for schools, parks, nurseries, and residential settings.
This flooring is crucial because it helps reduce injury risk by absorbing impact from falls, and it is designed to meet Critical Fall Height (CFH) requirements outlined in BS EN 1177 safety standards.
Since outdoor environments are exposed to weather and heavy use, selecting the right flooring ensures long-term safety, drainage, and usability.
Get your free quote for our outdoor playground surfacing today.
What Is Outdoor Playground Flooring?
Outdoor playground flooring refers to a protective surface system that provides safety under play equipment and across recreational spaces.
This flooring can include wet pour rubber, bonded rubber mulch, synthetic grass with shock pads, rubber tiles, or engineered wood fibre.
Since the flooring is selected based on equipment height and site conditions, it ensures compliance with child safety regulations.
How Much Does Outdoor Playground Flooring Cost?
The cost of playground flooring is from £50 to £130 per square metre.
The cost depends on the material, thickness, and preparation work required.
Since CFH requirements affect thickness, installations for higher play equipment may cost more.
As we provide free site surveys and quotes, pricing is tailored to your specific layout and needs.
What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Playground Flooring?
The benefit of outdoor playground flooring is the ability to provide a safe, durable, and visually appealing surface that meets national safety standards.
Key benefits include:
Certified fall protection that meets BS EN 1177 and CFH requirements
Year-round usability, with weatherproof and slip-resistant surfaces
Customisable colours and graphics to support learning through play
Low maintenance, reducing long-term operational costs
Suitable for all site conditions, including slopes and natural settings
Eco-conscious materials, using recycled and sustainable components
Inclusive and accessible, meeting the needs of all users
Why Is Playground Flooring Important for Safety?
Playground flooring plays a vital role in minimising injuries from falls by absorbing shock and reducing impact severity.
Since falls from height are a leading cause of playground injuries, compliant surfaces must be installed under all elevated equipment.
As part of BS EN 1177 requirements, each flooring type must meet specific CFH ratings.
What Are the Most Common Types of Playground Flooring?
Common types of outdoor playground flooring include wet pour rubber, bonded rubber mulch, synthetic grass, rubber tiles,loose-fill options, like engineered wood fibre or pea gravel (less common in UK standards).
Since each material has its own benefits, the choice depends on budget, appearance, CFH needs, and site conditions.
What Is Critical Fall Height (CFH)?
Critical Fall Height is the maximum height from which a child can fall and still be protected by the flooring below, based on certified testing.
Since each piece of playground equipment has an associated fall height, the flooring must be tested to match or exceed that height.
As CFH compliance is a legal requirement in public playgrounds, the surface type and thickness are selected accordingly.
Is Outdoor Playground Flooring Weather-Resistant?
All CFH-rated playground flooring is designed to withstand UK weather conditions, including rain, snow, and UV exposure.
Since materials like wet pour and bonded mulch are porous, they allow water to drain through, preventing puddles and surface damage.
As synthetic grass includes a drainage layer, it also supports year-round usability.
How Long Does Playground Flooring Last?
Playground flooring systems typically last 8 to 15 years, depending on the material type and level of use.
Since surfaces like wet pour and bonded mulch are built for durability, they perform well in high-traffic areas when maintained properly.
As part of our service, we offer maintenance plans to extend the life of your flooring.
Can Playground Flooring Be Installed on Uneven Ground?
Most surfacing systems—especially bonded mulch and wet pour—can be installed on sloped or uneven ground.
Since these materials are mixed and laid on-site, they can be shaped to suit natural contours, tree roots, and mounds.
As flexibility is important for natural play areas, these solutions are ideal for landscaped playgrounds.
Is Playground Flooring Suitable for Schools and Nurseries ?
Outdoor playground flooring is ideal for schools and nurseries due to its safety, slip resistance, and low maintenance.
Since many surfaces can also be customised with games, graphics, and bright colours, they promote active learning and inclusive play.
As early years settings require compliant surfacing, we ensure every installation meets the required CFH.
Does Playground Flooring Require Maintenance?
Regular maintenance helps preserve safety, appearance, and performance.
Basic upkeep includes sweeping debris, occasional pressure washing, and inspecting for wear, damage, or vandalism.
Since early repairs help prevent more costly issues, we recommend annual condition checks.
Can You Include Designs or Markings in Playground Flooring?
Playground flooring—especially wet pour and synthetic grass—can be customised with embedded graphics.
Since designs are laid within the surface (not painted), they remain durable and vibrant over time.
As popular options, we offer numbers, shapes, games, roadways, and bespoke educational features.
Is Playground Flooring Eco-Friendly?
Many playground flooring systems use recycled materials, such as repurposed rubber tyres.
Since bonded mulch and wet pour often include recycled content, they help reduce landfill waste. As synthetic grass systems are also recyclable, they support sustainable design.
Can You Use Playground Flooring for Wheelchair Access?
Safety flooring options like wet pour, rubber tiles, and synthetic turf with shock pads are all suitable for wheelchair access.
Since these surfaces are smooth, firm, and stable, they comply with accessibility standards for inclusive play.
As accessibility is a legal and design priority, we ensure all play zones are fully inclusive.
Is Planning Permission Needed for Playground Flooring ?
In most cases, planning permission is not required to install outdoor playground flooring on school grounds, public parks, or private properties.
Since it is considered a surface upgrade, it falls under permitted development.
As a precaution, we recommend checking with local planning authorities in listed or protected areas.
Get a Free Quote for Outdoor Playground Flooring
If you're planning a safe and vibrant play area, Playground Safety Surfaces offers expert design and installation of CFH-rated outdoor playground flooring.
Since every site and equipment layout is different, we provide free, no-obligation quotes tailored to your safety, budget, and design goals.
As trusted UK specialists in playground surfacing, we deliver solutions that combine compliance, durability, and creativity.
Contact us today to book your free consultation and find the right flooring for your outdoor space.
Other Services We Offer
At Playground Safety Surfaces, we offer a wide range of services.
Some of these include :