Playground Services
Playground Shading Solutions
Shading solutions for playgrounds
The importance of shading in playgrounds is often underestimated in playground design and playground planning. However, shading plays a significant role in ensuring playgrounds are safe and comfortable for all children of all abilities. Shading enhances the overall experience for children and caregivers alike. A playground is a significant investment, and users often look for playgrounds with shading to prolong their stay, so when researching a shading solution for your commercial playground, here are some factors that will help you decide on the correct type of playground shading structure. Before delving into the specifics, it's paramount to understand the common challenges faced around the lack of playground shading:
Inadequate coverage can lead to discomfort during peak sunlight hours.
Unsuitable materials can cause deterioration and safety hazards.
The design Aesthetic clashes with the playground's design.
Improper installation resulting in structural instability.
Maintenance and repair demands lead to operational disruptions.
Think Multi-Functional Design
Shading is part of a great playground design. To maximise functionality and usability, integrate shade structures with other playground amenities, such as seating, picnic tables, or climbing structures. Design shaded areas to accommodate various activities and age groups, ensuring they serve as inviting gathering spaces for active play and relaxation.
In the following, we will cover information regarding:
Playground shade design
Durability
Maintenance and Installation
Safety Compliance
Costs
1. Playground shade design
One of the primary functions of shading in playgrounds is to protect from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. We all know the joy of a sunny day, but prolonged exposure to the sun can pose risks to children's delicate skin. By incorporating shaded areas into playground designs, we create safe havens where children can play without worrying about sunburn or other heat-related illnesses.
Some of our commercial playground structures have built-in shading, but you can incorporate separate shade structures into your playground design, too, e.g., our Robinia sunshade structures. Harmonising functionality with aesthetics, Robinia shade structures and playground equipment shading are meticulously designed to complement the playground's ambience, enhancing its appeal without compromising practicality.
Shading a playground consists of a combination of shade structures, natural elements, and design considerations.
Shade Structures
Install shade structures such as shade sails, playground canopies, pergolas, or pavilions over key playground areas, including play equipment, seating areas, and pathways.
Choose shade structures made of durable, UV-resistant materials that provide ample coverage and protection from direct sunlight. Position shade structures strategically to maximise coverage during peak sun exposure while allowing for adequate airflow and ventilation.
Natural Shade Elements
Incorporate existing trees or other landscaping features into the playground design to provide natural shade and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space. Preserve mature trees whenever possible and plant new trees strategically to create shaded areas that complement the layout of the playground.
Design Considerations
Orientate play equipment and seating areas to take advantage of natural shade patterns and minimise exposure to direct sunlight. Use light-coloured or reflective materials for playground surfacing to reduce heat absorption and minimise the risk of surface temperatures becoming uncomfortably hot.
2. Durability
When Choosing a KOMPAN shading product, you can count on durability. Nothing lasts forever, but our Robinia Sunshade structures come with 100% High-Density Polyethylene HDPE sail, and the approximately 320 g/m² density ensures high outdoor usage durability. The high-density polyethene material is very durable; however, we recommend taking down the sail in heavy wind and during winter. Light rain will run off, while during heavy rain, the water will pass through the sail material to prevent any damage.
Integrated shading in playground structures comprises sails of commercial 95 high-density PE knitted specially for sunshade structures. The sails are treated with UV stabilisers to ensure a long lifetime, are supported by a hot dip galvanised steel frame, and are tightened by stainless steel devices.
Ultimately, in terms of standalone versus built-in shading structures, both options have their advantages depending on your playground's specific needs and layout. Our sales experts are more than willing to advise you on the best solution for your playground project.
3. Maintenance and installation services
Lack of shading maintenance can be dangerous and cause operational disruptions to your playground. Therefore, scheduled maintenance is vital for your chosen shading solution and the playground equipment. Clear instructions come with the product to guide installing and maintaining the sunshade. At KOMPAN, we offer several maintenance services to simplify your operational upkeep, ensuring that your shade structures remain pristine and functional throughout their lifespan. Contact your local sales representative to learn more about our maintenance programmes.
4. Playground shade safety regulations
There are different safety regulations from country to country and region to region. However, all KOMPAN products are designed for commercial use and must adhere to strict safety regulations. Commercial playground sun shading is not to be compared to residential sunshades. Please get in touch with your local sales expert for more information about safety regulations in your area. It is the best place to start.
5. Cost of playground shading
Usually, we cannot tell precisely how much money a shading solution costs. Many factors can drive the prices up or down. The size of your playground, whether you need a single standalone shading solution or need to shade a large area, installation costs, type of product and your overall budget can affect the price. If you would like to learn more about playground budgeting and how to allocate your resources, we recommend reading our Playground Planning blog post about playground budget breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you shade a playground?
How to shade a commercial playground depends on your location, playground layout and size of the playground area. We recommend consulting with your local KOMPAN sales consultant, as shading a playground involves combining shade structures, natural elements, and design considerations.
What is the best shade structure for windy areas?
In windy areas, it's essential to choose shade structures designed to withstand strong winds without compromising safety or structural integrity. Tensioned fabric shade sails or perforated metal shade structures are often suitable for windy environments. Ensure shade structures are securely anchored to the ground using appropriate mounting hardware and follow our wind load ratings and installation guidelines recommendations.
How do you balance shade and sunlight on a playground?
Carefully consider the orientation and placement of shade structures to maximise coverage during peak sunlight hours. You can position shade sails, sail canopies, or built-in structures in areas where they provide the most shade throughout the day, such as above play equipment, seating areas, or high-traffic zones.
Do shade sails help keep the playground clean?
Shade sails can contribute to keeping a playground clean, although their primary function is to provide shade rather than directly addressing cleanliness. Keeping your playground clean is part of your daily maintenance programme.
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