If you are looking for the best playground borders, this article is for you. We understand that shopping for the right playground equipment can be daunting.
To help you out, we researched and put together a list of the five best playground borders in the market today. Stick with us through the end, and learn how these will help you with your playground installation.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time please check the table below for quick access to our favorites. Detailed guide below.
How to Choose the Best Playground Borders
When shopping for playground boundaries, you need to consider a few factors that will help you get the best product. Here are some of those factors:
Consider durability
You want a border that will last long. Since it is something that will stay for a long time, you want to choose the best material possible; one that does not break down over time or corrode easily.
Material
Playground borders come in different materials. They include plastic, rubber, and wood.
Rubber borders are the most durable and long-lasting. They do not corrode, and they can withstand extreme weather conditions such as heat and cold without cracking or breaking down.
However, you should still consider your location before choosing the material. Rubber borders are excellent for indoor playgrounds, but they are slippery in the outdoors.
Wood borders, on the other hand, are great for outdoor playgrounds because of their aesthetic appeal. They’re not as durable as rubber, so be sure to install them carefully and do regular upkeep checks if you choose this material.
Plastic is another option that’s a little more affordable. However, they are not as long-lasting as rubber borders and require a lot of maintenance with regular upkeep checks to ensure they stay in good condition for your playground.
Check for UV resistance
UV rays from the sun can damage playground structures over time because plastic is a very good material for storing heat energy that easily turns into light energy in the form of ultraviolet rays.
The best playground boundaries should be made with materials that resist the harmful effects of sunlight to prevent any significant damage to your playground structure’s stability and safety standards (i.e., cracks).
Ease of installation
Since playground equipment borders come in different materials and designs, some may be easier than others when it comes to installation. Some require professional help, while others can do it by themselves (DIY).
So consider this before settling on a product.
Safety
You want to choose a border that will not pose any safety risks for your children. It should be made of sturdy material, stable and not wobble when stepped on, and have rounded edges to prevent injuries from falls or knocks with other kids.
Height of the boundaries
Choose a playground boundary that is high enough so it is easily seen but low enough so that your kids don’t trip and hurt themselves on the structure.
Size of your playground
Playground boundaries come in different sizes, so choose one that is suitable for your needs and requirements.
If, for example, you have a small backyard or limited space for installation, go with smaller ones, while larger options are great if you have more space to work on and want something bigger than average.
There’s no right or wrong size when it comes to playing areas; just make sure they fit well within the available setup area of your playground equipment set up so there’s enough room for kids who will be playing on them.
5 Best Playground Borders
We will now review the five best playground boundaries on the market. Each item in this review has key features, pros, and cons in no particular order.
We will also tell you why we think each item is a good fit depending on your preference. Let’s get to it:
Playsafer 4′ Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds
The Playsafer 4′ Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds is a beautiful rubber playground border edging that is UV resistant, durable, and easy to install.
This product comes with stakes for stability and caps on the edges of the playground surface where it meets other structures like fences or walls.
You can also use this as a barrier between your lawn and garden beds if you want more visual appeal since they are available in different colors – green, blue, brown, yellowish-brown (mocha), redwood browns, silver grey.
Each edge has rounded corners, so there’s no risk of injury from bumps or falls against them. The unit comprises individual panels measuring three feet wide by four inches high by 48 inches long which easily interlock together using its flexible design even on uneven surfaces within your playground.
The Playsafer Edging can be installed on any surface without requiring too much effort or professional help. It comes with a user manual, so everything should be easy to follow, even if you have to do it yourself.
Key Features:
- Product dimensions: 48′ x 3’x 4′
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Material: Rubber
- It comes with stakes and caps
Verdict: Given the material of this product and how easy it is to install, the Playsafer Edging is a good choice if you are looking for an affordable, safe, yet durable playground border.
- UV resistance
- Flexible design that’s easy to install
- Round edges for safety and stability
- Affordable
- It comes with caps and stakes
- It comes in a neutral tone that’s compatible with any playground surfacing
- Eco-friendly; it is made from recycled rubber
- Interlocking panels may not stay in place very well compared.
Rubber Border Edging, 4 “x6”, Earthtone
The Rubber Border Edging, 4 “x6”, Earthtone is made of durable recycled rubber that is flexible and easy to install.
This product comes with multiple applications depending on your needs for the playground, so you can use it as a barrier between outdoor play spaces and even around flower beds if desired.
It has rounded edges, which will not cause injuries when bumped into by children playing in the area where this border is installed. You can also mix up colors if you want something more interesting than just plain green.
The Rubber Border Edging’s material makes it very sturdy yet lightweight enough to be carried around easily without straining much effort from workers who are installing all these materials and borders at different parts of your property, including sidewalks, driveways, swimming pool sides, etc. It does not require any special tools to work properly either.
Key Features:
- Material: Recycled rubber
- Weight: 4″ x 4″ weigh 40 lbs, 4″ x 6″ weigh 60 lbs. 6″ x 6″ weigh 75lbs, 6″ x 8″ weigh 80lbs
- Flexible rubber
- Multiple applications
Verdict: Overall, this is a good choice of playground border as it is versatile enough to be installed in parks or areas around your property. Plus, you won’t have trouble finding a place where you want these borders since they come in four sizes.
- Durable and lightweight material that’s easy to install
- Rounded edges for safety and stability
- Flexible design can be used on many different surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, poolsides, etc
- Mix up colors if desired
- Multiple applications, including flower beds, landscape edging, playgrounds, etc.
- Comes in different heights: 4″, 6″, 8″
- It doesn’t require a lot of maintenance
- Quite pricey
- There are only a few color options.
FlexiStack 4-Foot Rubber Border – Landscaping, Gardening, or Playground Edging
This boundary has a patented interlocking system that makes installing and uninstalling with no tools needed.
It is also lightweight, so you can easily move them around depending on your kids playing in the yard, playground, park, or landscaped area.
The FlexiStack rubber border – package of four is made from flexible recycled rubber, which means it has rounded edges for safety. This material won’t crack even if there are freezing temperatures outside or when used outdoors for an extended period.
Since they’re light yet durable, these borders come with convenient handles at the top, making transportation easier than ever before. They’re available in different colors, such as black, brown and green.
Key Features:
- Overall dimensions: 48″ long x 4″ wide x 4.5″ tall
- Weight: 72 lbs
- Material: Flexible rubber
- Colors: Black, Brown, Green, Red
- Patent-pending interlocking system
Verdict: The FlexiStack rubber border is a good choice if looking for an almost maintenance-free solution at home or around your property and can be used in various areas.
- Rounded edges for safety and stability
- Lightweight yet durable material,
- It won’t crack or break even in freezing temperatures.
- It can be used outdoors without much maintenance needed since the recycled rubber is flexible enough to absorb impact from children bumping into them.
- It comes with convenient handles at the top part of each panel so you can easily move them
- Multiple color options
- Multiple applications depending on where you want to install them, such as a playground, landscape edging, etc.
- Relatively more expensive than other products on this list
Garden Elements True Form Plastic Flex-Wall Landscape Edging
Garden Elements True Form Plastic Flex-Wall Landscape Edging is made from form plastic, a durable material that gives these borders their flexibility.
They’re lightweight yet sturdy enough to be used on different surfaces, including grass, gravel, mulch, or soil, without harming them in any way.
The Garden Elements border comes with the ability to connect panels using its patented connection system so you can create straight lines easily and effortlessly. These flexible landscape edging pieces come in an appealing design of greystone color with white accents giving your garden area more style than ever before.
It is lightweight and can be moved around effortlessly.
Key Features:
- Product dimensions: 48″ long x 4″ wide x 6″ tall
- Weight: 5.8 lbs
- Material: Form plastic
- Multiple applications
Verdict: The Garden Elements True Form Plastic Flex-Wall Landscape Edging is a good choice if you want something more stylish yet simple to install and doesn’t require much maintenance. It is also great for multiple applications depending on where you want to use it, such as flower beds, landscaping, playgrounds, etc.
- Lightweight and easy to move, set up, or install
- Attractive greystone color with white accents for more style
- Easy installation by snapping together the panels
- Has durable material that is flexible enough not to crack even if there are freezing temperatures outside since it absorbs impact from bumps into them, etc.
- It doesn’t require much maintenance
- Affordable
- Suitable for multiple applications, including landscaping, playgrounds, flower beds, etc.
- No stakes
Grass Barrier – Landscape Edging
If you are looking for a durable plastic boundary for playgrounds, the grass Barrier – Landscape Edging is a good choice with its 100% recycled plastic material.
It has puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds when installed properly and can last for many years even when used outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions, including freezing temperatures.
It comes in multiple lengths, so you don’t have to cut it if your desired length doesn’t match those available, giving you more flexibility than ever before and saving time and money on the installation part itself, which is not an easy task any means.
These borders are lightweight yet sturdy, allowing you to move them around effortlessly using their convenient handles without much effort at all. You will also be able to install them easily since they come with pre-marked holes that snuggly into each other for a more efficient installation process.
Key Features:
- Material” 100% recycled plastic
- Weight:: 34 pounds
- Product dimensions: 12 x 12 x 10 inches
- Comes in multiple lengths: 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 150, 300 ft. options
- Puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds of force
- It can last up to 100 years
Verdict: I would recommend this product if you are looking for a durable yet affordable plastic playground edging that is flexible enough to be moved around with ease and doesn’t require much maintenance.
- Lightweight yet sturdy enough to be moved around with ease
- Puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds
- Easy installation
- It comes in multiple lengths, so you don’t have to cut it if your desired length doesn’t match those available, saving time
- Very flexible
- Perfect for multiple uses such as playgrounds, landscaping, or flower beds
- No stakes included
How do I Install Playground Borders?
Installing playground borders is easy. Most products come with installation manuals, so you can follow those instructions.
Most products also come with stakes which you need to pound into the ground for support and then attach your panels using their connection system. Here are a few tips on installing playground boundaries:
Outline the Playground Area
You will need a tape measure and a shovel to mark the area where you want your border. You want to be precise here, so you have a perfect border. Before doing this we recommend you prepare the ground.
Measure and Mark
Measure out the length of the borders using a tape measure and make marks at each end with a stake or marker, then take those measurements from one side of the marked line to another.
Water Down the Playground Edges
This is an important step because it will make it easier for you to dig the holes for your stakes or hammer pins and spikes.
Draft Your Placement
Most rubber edgings are hole-free, which makes installation. This also allows for a completely personalized appearance.
With that in mind, you must spend some time planning your border placement. Setting the edging down allows you to make any adjustments or changes to get the best appearance.
If you choose rounded edges, now is the time to plan it because rubber edging is flexible and malleable, giving you more freedom in the overall final appearance.
Dig holes/place pins or stakes: The final step is to place the stakes or pins in the holes that you’ve dug for them.
Make sure to pound them all down firmly and keep your edging as level as possible, which is why it’s a good idea to have someone around who can help with this process if necessary.
If you want something more permanent, metal spikes are available at most hardware stores and can be hammered into the ground for added support.
Once complete if needed you can fill the area with some type of material like mulch or pea gravel.
Playground Border FAQ
Conclusion
Getting the best playground borders can be challenging. As we have seen, there’s a lot that goes into deciding what the best option is. All of the factors we listed in the buying guide should be considered to ensure that you are getting the right fit for your particular playground area.
The products we reviewed were all selected for their durability, safety features, and ease of installation. We also considered user reviews to ensure that your customers are getting the most up-to-date information about these products.
We hope our guide has helped you learn more about what you need to look for in the best playground border options. Next, it’s time to start planning your DIY Swing Set.
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