1. Poured In Place   |   2. Rubber Tile   |   3. Synthetic Turf   |   4. Engineered Wood Fiber

5. Rubber Mulch    |   6. Specialty Products    |   A Choice Worth Considering

1. Poured In Place - This is Surface America’s flagship product: a seamless, two-layer rubber and urethane system that is mixed and poured on site. The first layer is a shock absorbing layer comprised of recycled tire. The second layer is a finished wear layer in your choice of color. On site application allows for variable thicknesses, one or more color combinations, and custom graphics.

Typical poured in place system in 50% green and 50% black

All poured in place is not equal. Three factors in particular influence the quality and useful life of poured in place: installer skill, quality of rubber components, and the amount and type of binder used in the system. Our installers have installed nearly 2 million square feet of poured in place and handle high profile projects for Surface America all over the country. We also use only the highest quality domestic and international rubber suppliers, and we use more binder and rubber by weight in our wear course than any other provider. All this translates into the highest quality, longest lasting poured in place system that money can buy, and we back these systems with an industry-leading 5-year warranty. Be wary of cheaper knock-offs that offer shorter warranties or lack IPEMA certification. Their components will be lower in quality and quantity, resulting in systems that disintegrate prematurely.

2. Rubber Tile - Surface America playground tiles are great for customers who wish to provide their own installation. However, poured in place is generally superior because it is seamless, can incorporate upgraded binders, and can be poured at variable thickness or over uneven surfaces such as the sides of concrete slabs. Surface America produces three varieties of IPEMA-certified tiles including a superior density UltraTile with an industry-leading 10-year warranty. UltraTile’s wear layer is the industry’s most durable top surface.

UltraTile’s wear layer is the industry’s most durable top surface

3. Synthetic Turf – Turf is a natural-looking, low-maintenance alternative to grass, especially in dry, high-uv climates. Depending on the application, Surface America offers three distinct turf systems. For playgrounds, PlayBound TurfTop with Infill is an IPEMA-certified, rubber-infill turf over a poured rubber basemat. For athletic fields and recreation areas, we offer various fibers and infills as well as an optional resilient underpad. For commercial and residential landscape applications, we offer a non-infill turf.

Rubber Infill Turf

PlayBound TurfTop with Infill

4. Engineered Wood Fiber - This is the most economical choice for accessible surfacing, but it requires ongoing maintenance and inspection to ensure proper depths are maintained. In our typical system, eight to twelve inches of engineered wood fiber is installed over three or four inches of gravel and landscape fabric to facilitate drainage. Unlike wood chips which are used primarily for landscape applications, engineered wood fiber is more fibrous and specifically designed for commercial playground use. Our Zeager Wood Carpet is IPEMA certified and compliant with current safety and access standards.

5. Rubber Mulch – This is used primarily for residential purposes because of the absence of testing for accessibility, but it may be used on public playgrounds when there has been adequate testing. It is standard in black but available in other colors.

6. Specialty Products – Most of our products are intended for playgrounds, but they have been used or tailored to many other applications including trails, splash and water parks, climbing walls, horse barns, and accessible baseball fields. Surface America also offers rolled rubber products ideal for fitness flooring and other indoor applications.

TuffRoll Fitness Flooring

A Choice Worth Considering - Playground surfacing is perhaps the most important consideration in injury prevention on a playground. Unfortunately, playground surfacing is usually an afterthought of larger playground projects. There are many considerations for playground surfacing beyond impact attenuation and accessibility. The following summarizes the primary considerations between surfacing systems:

I. LOOSE-FILL SYSTEMS:
Loose-fill systems have a lower initial investment with easy installation but carry an inherent maintenance obligation. Particles will migrate off playground, away from high-traffic areas, and into surrounding areas. Expect regular raking, annual tilling and periodic replenishment to maintain proper depths.

• Sand and Pea Gravel – generally not a good choice for new or improved public playgrounds because they are not considered accessible and have less impact attenuation than other loose-fill materials when maintained at proper depth (offering protection up to 5 feet in elevation).
• Rubber Mulch and Wood Chips – a better choice than sand or pea gravel because they offer superior impact attenuation when maintained at proper depth (offering protection up to 10 feet in elevation), but not a good choice as the sole surfacing option on new or improved public playgrounds because they are not considered accessible in the absence of relevant testing. May be used in combination with other accessible surfaces outside accessible routes of travel.
• Engineered Wood Fiber – generally the preferred loose-fill choice for new or improved public playgrounds because it offers impact attenuation and accessibility when accompanied by relevant test reports. While considered accessible, access is usually contingent on proper maintenance.

II. UNITARY SYSTEMS:
Unitary systems have a greater initial investment but this usually ensures compliance with the accessibility requirement while carrying a substantially lower maintenance obligation. Skilled installation is usually required.

• Rubber Tile – may permit customer installation. Individually worn tiles can be easily replaced. Seams between tiles are the major drawback because they can separate and collect debris over time.
• Synthetic Turf – requires skilled installation. Patchwork is moderately difficult with seam tape and adhesive. Turf comes in 15-foot rolls creating seams on larger areas (with the potential to separate over time). Infill - if any - may be prone to migrate.
• Poured In Place – requires skilled installation and repair of worn areas. Generally superior to tile and turf because it is seamless, can be formed to wrap or “bevel” over non-contained edges, and can incorporate premium binders to maximize life expectancy and uv resistance.

Our broad offering means that we can objectively identify the surfacing solution that best suits your needs. Please contact us for a more in-depth discussion of your surfacing project.