Loose-Fill vs Synthetic Surfacing
- Adam Stride
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 5
Total Cost of Ownership:(NZD)
Selecting the right playground surfacing means considering not just the initial installation cost, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the lifespan of the surface. TCO includes maintenance, testing, performance, and eventual replacement costs — all critical for budgeting and long-term safety planning.
Both loose-fill and synthetic surfaces are compliant under NZS 5828 and EN 1177 when properly installed and maintained. However, they offer very different cost and maintenance profiles.
💰 Initial Installation Costs
Surface Type | Typical Cost per m² (Installed) |
Loose-fill (e.g. woodchip, bark, sand) | $35–$60 NZD |
Synthetic (e.g. wet pour rubber, rubber tiles, bonded mulch) | $200–$350 NZD |
Loose-fill is often chosen for community parks or ECEs with tighter capital budgets. Synthetic surfaces are ideal for high-use urban areas, inclusive playgrounds, or where minimal maintenance is a priority.
🛠️ Maintenance Requirements
Loose-fill:
Requires regular topping up (approx. 100 mm per year)
Needs raking, re-levelling, decompaction
Prone to material loss, compaction, contamination
Higher maintenance burden over time
Synthetic:
Low maintenance (cleaning, moss/algae control)
Must be impact tested every 2 years to confirm Critical Fall Height (CFH)
Durable and consistent performance when installed correctly
Resistant to displacement and vandalism
⏳ Lifespan and Replacement
Surface Type | Typical Service Life | Full Replacement Cycle |
Loose-fill | Annual top-ups / 8–10 years full | Replace every 8–10 years |
Synthetic | 10–15 years | Replace at 12–15 years based on testing and wear |
📊 Total Cost of Ownership Over 10 Years (per 100 m²)*
Expense Type | Loose-Fill | Synthetic |
Initial Installation | $5,000 | $25,000–$35,000 |
Annual Maintenance (avg) | $1,000 | $300 |
Biannual Surface Testing | Optional | $1,200 total (every 2 years) |
10-Year Replenishment/Repair | $10,000 | $0–$5,000 |
Estimated 10-Year TCO | $25,000 | $30,000–$38,000 |
*All figures are indicative and depend on supplier, region, site conditions, and scope of installation.
📌 Summary Comparison
Consideration | Loose-Fill | Synthetic |
Budget Friendly (CapEx) | ✅ Yes – Low upfront cost | ❌ No – High upfront investment |
Predictable Long-Term Cost | ❌ Variable, based on usage | ✅ Predictable with periodic testing |
Maintenance Burden | ❌ High (manual top-ups, raking) | ✅ Low (cleaning, periodic testing) |
Wheelchair Accessibility | ❌ Poor | ✅ Excellent |
Visual Appeal | ⚠️ Can degrade over time | ✅ Clean, professional appearance |
Ideal For | ECEs, natural parks, community use | High-use parks, schools, inclusive play |
Recommendation
Loose-fill is suitable for smaller playgrounds or where natural aesthetics are important and maintenance resourcing is available.
Synthetic surfacing offers superior accessibility, durability, and consistency — ideal for schools, councils, and inclusive playgrounds, especially when long-term cost predictability and accessibility are key.
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