Material selection can completely change the look and feel of a playground, but aesthetics are only part of the decision. How heavily will the playground be used? What level of maintenance is realistic? How exposed is the site? And how important is a natural aesthetic to the overall design?
There isn't one material that's right for every playground. The best choice comes down to finding the right balance between durability, appearance, maintenance and the way the space will be used.
WHEN DURABILITY IS THE PRIORITY
For high-use schools, council parks and public spaces, steel is often the practical choice. Its strength, durability and low maintenance make it well suited to playgrounds that need to withstand constant use and exposure to the elements. Steel also offers plenty of design flexibility, from smaller climbing elements through to large combination units and custom structures.
This thinking is behind the Activity Playgrounds Resilience range, which uses predominantly Australian steel to create robust playgrounds while still delivering plenty of play value.
WHEN THE NATURAL LOOK MATTERS
For some projects, the warmth and character of timber is an important part of the design. Its natural variation and texture can soften a playspace and work particularly well within landscaped, bushland and nature-inspired settings. Timber can also give a playground a completely different feel to an all-steel structure.
As a natural material, timber will change over time. It will weather, develop character and generally require more ongoing care than steel. Factoring this into the design from the beginning helps ensure the material choice suits the expectations for the space over time.
SOMETIMES, THE ANSWER IS BOTH
Choosing materials doesn't have to be an either/or decision. Combining timber with steel can provide the natural aesthetic many projects are looking for, while using steel where additional strength, durability or design flexibility is needed.
The Fortitude range takes this approach, bringing Australian timber and steel together for a contemporary natural look. For projects seeking something more organic, the Native range celebrates the individual shapes and characteristics of Australian timber, from smaller climbing elements through to large tower structures.
CHOOSE FOR THE PROJECT, NOT THE TREND
Ultimately, material selection should come back to the needs of the project. Consider the level of use, site conditions, maintenance expectations, surrounding landscape and the type of play experience being created. A busy school playground may have very different priorities to a landscaped community park, even when both need to deliver strong play value. The right choice isn't simply steel or timber. It's choosing the materials that make sense for the playground you're designing.
EXPLORE ACTIVITY PLAYGROUND'S PROJECTS
From steel playgrounds built for high-use environments to timber and combined-material designs, explore how different materials have been used across Activity Playground's completed playground projects.
Visit Activity Playgrounds via the links below
