WHAT MATERIALS ARE BEST FOR PLAYGROUND CUSTOMISATION?
23 Aug 2023
The thoughtful and deliberate selection of materials is crucial to designing a cohesive and attractive playspace. Playgrounds are places of joy and imagination, and adventure+ recognise that companies must exploit the features of a combination of materials to create unique and customised playgrounds.
Each material has different strengths and opportunities for customisation, and the adventure+ team can use this to their advantage to design playgrounds that are beautiful and engaging for everyone.
Colourful and strong steel and aluminium
Steel or aluminium are known for their strength and durability; this makes them ideal for constructing tall structures and large unsupported spans. Given its relative affordability, steel is one of the most common materials used in playground equipment, especially for uprights and platforms, but also for handrails, climbers and overhead components. Even in playgrounds where other materials such as timber or plastic are desired for aesthetic reasons, steel remains the most suitable material for handgrips, climbers and other basic elements. 
Imaginative themes with HDPE plastics
The vibrant colours of HDPE plastic sheet components are a fantastic option for complimenting the powder coat colours of steel structures. Tri-colour plastic sheet as used on adventure+ playground equipment allows for intricate designs to be produced using CNC routing, making it a perfect choice for creating detailed, imaginative and themed-play elements.
The range of colours available means that there are endless possibilities for creative combinations, allowing designers to push the boundaries of their imaginations. Although plastic panels can be quite expensive, its ease of customisation makes them an excellent option for creating eye-catching and creative spaces. 
Flexible and natural timber designs
Customisation is an aspect where timber shines, as it offers incredible flexibility. The playgrounds shown here are perfect examples of this. The ease of working with timber allows adventure+ to create different profiles, shapes, angles and curves, making it possible to design unique and innovative playgrounds that truly stand out.
With more options for widths of boards and special features, the possibilities are endless. Utilising our CNC routing capabilities, we can even add extra details in timber elements, such as windows, motifs, shapes or even text, thus making each playground truly unique. This allows adventure+ to create customised pieces that can reflect local culture and history or just add that subtle detail to elevate the design. 
Talk to the playground experts
Material selection is a crucial part of the design process and heavily influences the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space. Each material has its strengths and weaknesses, and carefully considering what materials we use, we can create aesthetic, functional and engaging playgrounds that truly stand out.
Need assistance creating a playground that suits your needs? Contact one of the adventure+ playground experts today at the links below.
