The Many Benefits of Using Wood Chips for Your Playground Mulch
When considering safety, cost effectiveness, and style for your playground mulch, New Jersey’s climate and environment are perfect for virgin wood chips. There are many pros and cons to both wood and rubber mulch, but wood mulch is safer for the environment, more reliable, and more cost-effective.
More importantly, the main concern with playground mulch is safety. In the United States alone, more than 200,000 children visit the emergency room for playground-related injuries. Surface shock absorption of falls varies slightly when rubber mulch is compared to wood mulch; however, when installed properly, all mulches meet or exceed the shock absorption standard. According to the American Camping Association, the proper surface area for playground mulch is 9 to 12 inches of loose-fill mulch. Specifically, when installing wood chip mulch for playgrounds, you won’t have to worry about the problems common with recycled rubber mulch. These include high levels of toxicity, increased flammability, and the potential for the metal to remain in the rubber. Installing shredded mulch in your playground ensures that your mulch is free of foreign particles, giving you confidence that you are providing your children with the safest option possible. With all the positives, there are of course the negatives. Although not thoroughly studied, many mulch users claim that wood mulch attracts more insects and spiders. This is something to be aware of, as there are some poisonous spiders in the New Jersey area.
After safety comes cost and sustainability. Wood mulch tends to be half that of recycled rubber mulch. The initial cost of rubber mulch is very high, but the maintenance is very low. Due to biodegradability, it is suggested to add to the top layer at least once a year. Over a long period of time, rubber mulch may be the most economical option. However, when you consider your playground flooring, rubber mulch has very little to offer. It is not biodegradable and does not add nutrients to your soil. Even though you’re using recycled rubber that would otherwise end up in a landfill, the health of the soil around your playground is important, and this mulch is the most viable option for adding nutrients to your soil under and around the playground. .
Of course, style is an important aspect for both parents and children. It varies in size, color and texture depending on the type of wood. If you are looking for a more natural and organic look, this mulch is the way to go. However, rubber mulch has many more options for the picky decorator, since rubber is much easier to work with. You can choose between a natural-looking style, which is designed to look like wood mulch, or a vibrant color scheme that your children would enjoy. When it comes to looks, rubber offers more options, but if you’re looking for a nature-inspired playground, wood chips are the perfect choice.
When choosing playground mulch, wood chip playgrounds have many more benefits compared to rubber. Provides safety, cost-effectiveness and a natural environment for your fun-loving kids. Although there are some negatives when placed alongside rubber mulch, the supporting arguments for wood mulch are very strong and worth considering.