Base Options

PLAYGROUND SURFACING

Surface America recommends these three base options for its playground surfacing systems.

Concrete:
(for PlayBound Poured-in-Place, EverTop, Performance UltraTile Play or PlayBound TurfTop)
Requires minimum thickness (typically 4″) for non-weight bearing loads per the standards of the geographic region. 2% slope is recommended. Broom finish is recommended.

Asphalt:
(for PlayBound Poured-in-Place, EverTop, Performance UltraTile Play or PlayBound TurfTop)
Requires minimum thickness (typically 2″) for non-weight bearing loads per the standards of the geographic region. 2% slope is recommended.

Crushed Stone:
(for PlayBound Poured-in-Place, Performance UltraTile Play or PlayBound TurfTop)
Quarry process, crushed limestone… such as is used under asphalt roads. A homogeneous mixture of fine and medium stone is applied in multiple layers and compacted using a mechanical compactor and/or roller to provide an even plane. The crushed stone base must be tightly compacted and smooth. A 2% slope is recommended.

• 95% Standard Proctor Compaction (as per ASTM Test) is of critical importance.
• Stone for the base must be a homogeneous mix of ¾” stone down to fines and you need to achieve a 95% compaction.
• The minimum depth of the crushed stone base is 4”. Typical thickness range is 4” – 6”. Crushed stone base layers thicker than 6” are more challenging to achieve the necessary 95% compaction rate throughout the base. Thickness is never to exceed 10”.
• Crushed stone base must be fully contained.
• A filter fabric is necessary for crushed stone bases only when tiles are installed. It is not used with Poured-in-Place or TurfTop systems.
• Crushed stone is not an acceptable sub-base for any mounded area. In these areas, the stone would need to be skim-coated with concrete or asphalt to make it more stable.

Note: Regardless of the base option you select for PlayBound Poured-in-Place, EverTop, Performance UltraTile Play or PlayBound TurfTop, proper drainage is critical to the longevity of the surfacing system. Inadequate drainage will cause premature breakdown of the poured or tile material in affected areas; and void the warranty.