The search for safe, durable, and sustainable materials is constant in playground design and construction. Among the available options, Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is an innovative alternative that combines these characteristics and offers a fun and environmentally friendly playground. In this article, we will learn more about Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF).
What is the Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)?
Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF), also known as Engineered Wood or Composite Wood, is a playground surfacing material composed of wood shredded to a fibrous consistency and made from recycled wood fibers and other binder materials. This manufacturing process results in a material with properties superior to natural wood, such as more excellent resistance to moisture, rot, and pests. This material is popular because of its low cost, making it a cost-effective choice for playground construction. Additionally, it meets the basic accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). EWF is a play surface option that offers high cost and safety benefits and remains a popular choice for many playgrounds.
Advantages
The safety features of EWF are a key advantage. It has high water absorption, keeping play areas dry, and is resistant to weather, moisture, and pests, ensuring a long service life for playground equipment. EWF meets ADA accessibility guidelines and can be firm enough to allow for wheelchair use if properly compressed. Its smooth, even surface reduces the risk of injury from falls, a crucial aspect of playground safety. The fibrous consistency of EWF provides a cushioning effect, significantly reducing the impact of falls. EWF is a non-toxic and splinter-free material, providing a safe environment for children to play in.
EWF is not just a safe and durable material, it’s also a sustainable choice. Made from recycled and renewable materials, it’s an environmentally friendly option for playground construction. It can be used to create a wide variety of play elements, such as slides, swings, playhouses, and climbing structures. Its natural and pleasing appearance blends in perfectly with the playground environment, inspiring a sense of harmony with nature.
Installation and applications
The installation of EWF is not only quick and easy, but also versatile, opening up a world of creative possibilities. It’s recommended to incorporate borders in the playground to delimit the areas and prevent the EWF from scattering. EWF can be used to create a safety surface for independent play elements such as swings, seesaws, and balance games. Safety flooring that is manufactured with EWF provides a soft and safe surface for children. EWF is relatively inexpensive to install, and investing in wear mats for high traffic areas can prolong the life of the material, giving us confidence in its durability.
EWF is an innovative and sustainable material that offers several benefits for playground construction. Its safety, durability, versatility, and aesthetics make it an excellent choice for creating fun and safe play spaces for children. With EWF, we can create playgrounds that are safe, durable, sustainable, and fun for children everywhere.
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