Playground Surface Coatings
A Guide to Playground Surface Coatings
Are you in pursuit of creating a safe, stand-out and enjoyable playground environment for your school, college or community play area? If so, the significance of choosing the right surface coating cannot be overstated. As avid champions of child safety and recreational excellence, we are dedicated to providing innovative solutions for playground surfaces. In this article, we’ll delve into three distinct surface coating options that can transform ordinary playgrounds into exceptional, eye-catching spaces for children to explore and thrive.
As we explain the different surface coating options available, you’ll learn everything you need to know including aspects such as:
- Pricing and Associated Cost Considerations
- Common Challenges and How to Address Them
- Sports Coating Vs Anti-Slip Playground Paint Vs MMA
- Best UK Playground Painting Companies
By the end, you’ll be empowered with knowledge that will allow you to choose the right playground paint for your outdoor area, ensuring a safe and enjoyable play environment for children.
What surface coating options are available?
When budget allows, using our thermoplastic material for full colour courts is a fantastic alternative that delivers a real wow-factor! We can cut intricate designs to create impressive sports courts that will really motivate budding sport stars with 26 available colours.
Otherwise, we have three fantastic playground paints to choose from:
Sports Coating
Our high-quality Sports Coating is an advanced formula for marking sports courts, available in 12 colours. It provides an environmentally friendly, long-lasting finish and has a Slip Resistant Value of 60, making it safe for wet or damp play.
Anti-Slip Playground Paint
Another great solution for covering large areas of tarmac is our durable Anti-Slip Playground Paint. This long-lasting paint offers 7 bold colours to choose from and is ideal for making sports courts more fun and engaging for children.
Methacrylate Cold Plastic (MMA)
For smaller areas of tarmac, and to make your playground markings really stand out, use our Methacrylate Cold Plastic (MMA). Ultra-durable and slip-resistant, this solution is available in 22 colours and is great for covering up any tarmac scarring.
Pricing and Cost Considerations
What are the factors that influence the pricing of surface coatings for playgrounds?
As is the case with all three surface coating options, the larger the area that needs covering, the higher the cost. Costs may also increase if the surface coating is needed on more difficult areas such as roadways, or if custom colours are required.
Can you provide a price range for different types of Surface Coatings available for playgrounds?
Certainly. Here is a price range for each of our surface coating options:
| Sports Coating | Methacrylate Cold Plastic (MMA) | Anti-Slip Playground Paint | |
| Cost for areas of block colour | £8.50 – £17.50m2 | £32 – £35m2 | £22 – £24m2 |
| Cost for roadways and other difficult areas | £16.50 – £22m2 | £100 – £150m2 | £25m2 |
In each price range, the larger the surface area being coated, the lower the cost per m2.
Are there any ongoing maintenance expenses for surface coatings, and if so, how much can we expect to spend annually?
Each of our surface coatings have varying levels of lifespans and warranties. Depending on that, you may find you need to recoat the playground paint after a few years. Its lifespan will also depend on the surface quality and how well it is looked after. See our helpful comparison table further down this page.
Are there any additional costs involved in the preparation of the playground surface before applying surface coatings?
Before applying any of the surface coatings, we will need the ground to be prepared. Depending on the surface coating option chosen, the playground will need a light brush at the very least, or at most, completely cleaned, free of mud and loose stones. We are equipped to help you with this and can offer a cleaning service at £1,500 for a full day where we can clean up to 800m2. Check out the comparison table further down to see what preparation each surface coating requires.
Do you offer any warranty or guarantee on the longevity of the surface coatings, and does it affect the overall cost?
The warranty given does not affect the overall cost and differs between the surface coating options. Whilst there is no warranty provided on the Sports Coating, we offer a year’s warranty on the Anti-Slip Playground Paint, and 4 years warranty on MMA.
Are there any cost differences based on colour options for sports coating, anti-slip playground paint and MMA?
There are many different colours to choose from in both Sports Coating, Anti-Slip Playground Paint, and MMA, yet each colour will be the same price and does not affect the cost.
Are there any eco-friendly or sustainable playground coating options available, and how do their prices compare to traditional coatings?
The most eco-friendly option, in terms of environmental effects or harmful substances, is our water-based Sports Coating, which is also the cheapest option for surface coating. However, it does have the least durability when compared with Anti-Slip Playground Paint and MMA.
Can you provide a breakdown of what’s included in the overall cost for each type of surface coating?
Yes. Each of our surface coating options include the following in their costs:
· Design service
· Installation
· Travel
· Any necessary overnight stays (depending on project size and distance)
· Revisits due to uncontrollable delays e.g. poor weather
Are there any financing options available for customers who might find the upfront cost of playground coatings challenging?
Playground markings can be covered by Sports Premium funding since they improve the quality of PE and sport offered to pupils. This includes bright and colourfully decorated sports courts! Don’t miss out on utilising this funding from the government.
Can you provide some examples of previous playground projects with different coatings?
Sure! Check out our case studies for L&S Waste Management or Falconers Hill Infant School where we used MMA creatively for different objectives. We have also completed many projects with Anti-Slip Playground Paint and Sports Coating. See below for respective examples:
Common Playground Paint Problems and How to Address Them
Are there any safety concerns related to the toxicity or chemical composition of the playground paint?
There are no end-user safety concerns for any of our surface coatings, including our Sports Coating which is a safe, water-based coating. As with any paints, MMA and Anti-Slip Playground Paint are flammable before they cure. However, our install team are trained in creating a safe work environment and carefully handling the paints whilst wearing appropriate PPE.
How does the paint hold up against harsh weather conditions like rain, UV exposure, or extreme temperatures?
Each of our surface coatings are perfect for outdoor use meaning they can withstand all weather conditions, including rain, sunlight, and extreme temperatures. Some will last longer than others, with MMA having the highest durability.
Are there any potential allergic reactions or skin irritations associated with the paint’s application or during play?
Once each of the surface coatings have been applied and cured, there are no potential hazards or risks of skin irritations or allergic reactions during play. During the application, our trained install teams take care safely handling the products, wearing the correct PPE, and using appropriate safety equipment.
Does the playground paint have any adverse effects on the environment, such as being non-biodegradable or containing harmful substances?
Once cured, neither MMA, Sports Coating, or Anti-Slip Playground Paint are classified as hazardous to the environment, nor do they contain any harmful substances.
How long does the paint’s anti-slip properties last, and does it require frequent reapplication to maintain effectiveness?
The short answer is that the anti-slip properties of each surface coating will last for its entire lifespan. However, different factors can impact this, such as the quality of the surface (particularly on a playground), how well the surface is maintained (e.g. keeping moss at bay), and also the amount of wear the surface will get. Our surface coatings are designed to withstand high footfall, and our Anti-Slip Playground Paint will even keep it’s slip-resistance after 1,000,000 wheels pass over it!
Does the playground paint undergo any testing or certification to meet safety standards for playgrounds and child use?
Our Sports Coating, Anti-Slip Playground Paint and MMA surface coatings are all manufactured under the ISO9001 certification.
Are there any compatibility issues between the playground paint and the surface material, such as concrete, asphalt, or rubber?
All three of our surface coatings can be applied to tarmac or concrete, not rubber. You will find better results with tarmac and it’s important to note that the warranty on the Anti-Slip Playground Paint and MMA is only on tarmac. Sports Coating does not come with a warranty on any surface.
Can the playground paint be customised in terms of colours, patterns, or designs to suit the playground’s theme or branding?
Yes, it can! We have a range of colours to choose from depending on which surface coating method is best for you. Our Sports Coating is available in 12 colours, our Anti-Slip Playground Paint is available in 7 colours, and our MMA comes in 18 different colours.
Does the playground paint emit any strong odours or fumes during application, and how long does it take for these odours to dissipate?
Our Sports Coating does not emit any strong odours on application. Both our Anti-Slip Playground Paint and MMA do; however, these odours readily disperse upon curing and so the odours will be gone around an hour after application.
Are there any specific temperature or weather conditions that should be avoided during the painting process for optimal results?
MMA can be installed all year round, but conditions must be between 5-25 degrees with no rain forecast within 2 hours of application. Anti-Slip Playground Paint and Sports Coating is installed between months April and September as temperature requirements are 15-25 degrees with no rain forecast within 24 hours of application.
Sports Coating vs Anti-Slip Playground Paint Vs MMA
How do each of the surface coating options compare to each other?
There’s a whole host of benefits for each of our playground paint products. Take a look at the comparison table below to see the difference in durability, safety, quality, suitability, warranty and more!
| Sports Coating | Methacrylate Cold Plastic (MMA) | Anti-Slip Playground Paint | |
| Durability | 4/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Slip Resistance | 8/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Finish Quality | 9/10 | 3/10 | 8/10 |
| Playground Preparation | Completely clean, free of mud and loose stones | Light brush required | Brushed and free of moss and mud |
| Suitable for new tarmac | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for old tarmac (reasonable condition) | Yes, with preparation | Yes | Yes, if brushed |
| Suitable for old tarmac (poor condition) | No | Yes | Yes, if jet washed |
| Application | Rolled or sprayed | Rolled | Rolled or sprayed |
| Manufacturer warranty | None | 4 Years | 1 Year |
| Can thermoplastic be installed on top? | Yes | Yes, though with light scorching | Yes |
| Colours available | 12 | 18 | 7 |
Best UK Playground Companies For Surface Coating
Here are some of the best playground companies for Surface Coating in the UK:
Pentagon Play
For the last 25 years, Pentagon Play have been designing, crafting, and installing outstanding playground facilities across the UK. These playground spaces are created to support learning through play, in line with the Primary School Curriculum, in schools and nurseries throughout the nation.
School Playground Painting
School Playground Painting’s experts can provide you with a bright, vibrant finish and can also complete the installation of play markings over the painted surface if required. They conduct high durability playground repainting in a number of different colours to meet your needs and requirements.
UniPlay
UniPlay specialise in the design and installation of thermoplastic playground markings for primary schools. They provide creative, imaginative and fun thermoplastic markings aimed to enhance cross-curricular learning. They create outdoor play areas suitable for children of all ages and abilities and aim to increase their confidence while making exercise fun.
Designs & Lines
Designs & Lines is an independent UK based company with over 20 years experience. They work with Schools, Councils, Children Centres and many other organisations across the country helping them make good use of their outdoor space creating a successful environment for outdoor learning sports and play.
The Benefits of Choosing Our Surface Coating Service
When you choose to work with us, you can expect:
- Professional, high-quality application
- Guidance supported by 10+ year industry experience
- A wide range of colour options
- Fully DBS checked staff
- Competitive prices
- An all-round first-class service
We’d love to help you with any upcoming playground projects so contact our friendly team for a free quote for surface coating and get your playground transformation underway.
