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Artificial Grass
Get in touchAt School Playground Surfacing, we offer premium artificial grass tailored for school playgrounds.
Our safe, low-maintenance installations create resilient play surfaces ideal for schools, nurseries, and community learning spaces.
With durable materials and a design that withstands high-traffic environments, artificial grass provides an enjoyable play area that meets the unique needs of educational settings.
This guide covers the costs, benefits, and specific advantages of selecting artificial grass for schools, including its safety, durability, and environmental benefits.
With efficient installation processes, we transform outdoor areas quickly and expertly, making them ready for year-round student play. Our comprehensive range of products, tailored to school settings, ensures vibrant, safe, and long-lasting playground surfaces.
Artificial Grass Costs
The cost of installing artificial grass in school playgrounds generally ranges from £50 to £80 per square metre, which covers both materials and professional installation.
Pricing can vary based on factors such as the quality of grass, the playground size, and extra features that enhance safety, like shock-absorbing pads or drainage systems.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Artificial Grass for Schools
Several key elements affect the overall cost of installing artificial grass on school playgrounds:
Material Quality: The quality of artificial grass directly influences cost. Premium varieties, made from durable materials like polyethylene, provide a cushioned, child-friendly surface designed to withstand high traffic. Although high-grade grass has a higher initial cost, its durability and safety features make it a valuable long-term investment for schools.
Professional Installation: Expert installation ensures that the artificial grass surface is securely and evenly applied, with essential steps like ground levelling, drainage installation, and shock-pad layering. While professional services may increase the cost, they guarantee a safe, level surface that meets school safety standards, including BS EN 1177.
Playground Size: Larger areas increase costs due to additional materials and labour, though schools may benefit from cost savings per square metre for extensive installations.
Extra Safety Features: Adding features like shock-absorbent padding and drainage systems enhances safety by preventing water pooling and creating a cushioned play area, which is particularly beneficial for schools with elevated play equipment. These features increase upfront costs but are essential for maintaining a safe play environment.
Site Preparation: The condition of the site affects installation costs. If substantial site preparation is needed, such as removing old turf or fixing drainage issues, it will impact the final price.
What are the Benefits of Artificial Grass for School Playgrounds?
Artificial grass offers multiple advantages that make it an ideal choice for school playgrounds, delivering a safe, resilient, and visually appealing environment for students.
From durability to reduced maintenance, here’s how artificial grass benefits school playgrounds:
Enhanced Safety for Active Play
Artificial grass provides a cushioned, non-toxic surface that reduces injury risks. Designed with safety in mind, high-quality artificial grass meets safety standards like BS EN 1177, ensuring a soft and impact-absorbing play area.
The grass also incorporates effective drainage, preventing water buildup and maintaining a dry, slip-resistant surface even after rain.
Minimal Maintenance Requirements
With artificial grass, schools can significantly cut down on maintenance time and costs. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf doesn’t need mowing, watering, or fertilizing.
It remains green and fresh-looking all year round, freeing up resources and making the playground consistently accessible.
Long-Lasting Durability
Built to handle high foot traffic and various weather conditions, artificial grass is engineered for durability.
With a lifespan of up to 15–25 years, the turf retains its quality and appearance despite daily student activity. Its resilience in all seasons means that students can enjoy a stable, reliable surface year-round.
Environmentally Friendly Option
Artificial grass is an eco-friendly alternative, as it eliminates the need for water, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Schools focused on sustainability find artificial grass an excellent choice, reducing water use and minimizing the environmental impact associated with traditional lawn care.
Attractive and Inviting Aesthetic
The vibrant green appearance of artificial grass enhances the school playground’s visual appeal, creating a welcoming and enjoyable outdoor space for students.
Its clean, consistent look provides an aesthetically pleasing play environment that’s always ready for use, helping foster an inviting atmosphere for active play.
By choosing artificial grass, schools can offer a safe, beautiful, and practical play surface that meets the demands of busy school environments, providing long-term benefits for both students and staff.
Artificial Grass vs. Wetpour for School Playgrounds
While artificial grass offers a natural look and soft, low-maintenance surface, it lacks the impact absorption capabilities of wetpour, which is preferable for areas with elevated play equipment.
Wetpour surfacing provides a smooth, highly shock-absorbent finish, fully customisable with colors and designs to enhance play areas. Although it requires routine cleaning and maintenance, it is highly durable, making it ideal for high-impact areas.
Choosing between artificial grass and wetpour will depend on the specific safety and aesthetic needs of your school playground. Artificial grass suits schools aiming for a natural look, while wetpour is ideal for areas requiring enhanced impact absorption.
Artificial Grass Options for School Playgrounds
At School Playground Surfacing, we offer a range of high-quality artificial grass options tailored for school playgrounds to ensure durability, safety, and visual appeal.
Playground Grass
Our playground grass is designed with student safety in mind, providing a soft, cushioned surface around play equipment like slides, swings, and climbing frames.
Made from non-toxic materials, it reduces injury risk from falls, while being resilient enough to withstand heavy use.
Sports Turf
For playgrounds that include dedicated sports areas, our sports turf offers a durable, consistent surface perfect for active games like football and other recreational sports.
This high-performance turf meets the needs of school sports areas by maintaining a smooth, reliable play experience.
Artificial Grass Installation Process
Our installation process at School Playground Surfacing ensures a safe, smooth, and long-lasting playground surface, from start to finish.
Site Preparation
Our team begins by preparing the playground site, addressing drainage needs and leveling the ground to establish a solid foundation.
Proper site preparation prevents common issues like water pooling, ensuring a stable and safe playground.
Base Installation
A stable base, typically made from crushed stone or gravel, is installed to promote effective drainage and provide a firm foundation for the artificial grass, critical for playground safety and performance.
Artificial Grass Application
We carefully measure and secure the artificial grass over the prepared base, using adhesive and seam tape to keep it intact during high use.
Silica sand or rubber infill is applied to support the grass blades and enhance cushioning, creating a soft and safe surface for active play.
Shock Pads and Finishing Details
For added safety, we include shock-absorbing pads under the grass around playground equipment, reducing impact from falls.
Our final checks ensure the surface is smooth, secure, and ready for students to enjoy safely.
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How to Maintain Artificial Grass For School Playgrounds
Maintaining artificial grass on school playgrounds is essential to ensure it stays safe, vibrant, and resilient for daily use.
While artificial grass requires significantly less upkeep than natural grass, following a few simple maintenance practices will help extend its lifespan and keep the play area looking its best.
Regular Brushing
Routine brushing helps keep the grass fibers upright and looking fresh.
Use a soft-bristled brush or power broom to clear away any compacted infill and to lift flattened blades, especially in high-traffic areas like around playground equipment.
Debris Removal
Periodically clear leaves, sticks, and other debris that may accumulate on the surface.
Removing debris helps prevent buildup that could trap moisture, leading to mold or bacterial growth. A leaf blower can be an efficient way to keep the area clean without damaging the grass.
Occasional Rinsing
Rinsing the surface with water every few weeks helps remove dirt and dust, keeping the grass vibrant.
In areas prone to spills or stains, use a mild detergent and water to spot clean, ensuring no harsh chemicals are used that could damage the synthetic fibers.
Infill Top-Ups
Over time, the infill material (often silica sand or rubber granules) may settle or disperse, particularly in areas with heavy use.
Check infill levels at least once a year and replenish as needed to maintain proper cushioning and surface stability.
Addressing Stains and Odors
For areas where children play frequently, minor spills are common. Clean these promptly with mild soap and water.
For any persistent odors, especially in high-use areas, use a turf deodorizer to keep the surface fresh and sanitary.
Inspect for Wear and Tear
Conduct regular inspections for any signs of wear, tears, or loose seams, especially around playground structures.
Promptly address any repairs to prevent further damage and maintain safety compliance.
By following these maintenance practices, schools can ensure that their artificial grass surfaces remain clean, safe, and inviting for years, providing an enjoyable play experience for students throughout every season.
Summary
Artificial grass offers a durable, low-maintenance, and safe surface that maintains its vibrant appearance year-round, ideal for school playgrounds.
At School Playground Surfacing, we provide professional installation tailored to meet safety standards, creating playgrounds that offer both fun and safety for students.
Our installations are designed to enhance the school environment. We offer a range of products, including playground grass, sports turf, and pet-friendly options.