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Surface America Builds Safety into the Surface For Marvin Gaye Playground in Washington D.C.

Cheektowaga, NY (August 2009) – Surface America, leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry, announces the completion of the Marvin Gaye Park Playground in Northeast Washington D.C. The project was part of a donation to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) initiative called Parks Build Community, a revitalization effort targeting parks in underserved urban communities across the country. 

imageThe 5,600 sq. ft.  Marvin Gaye playground features Surface America’s PlayBound™Poured-in-Place surfacing system, the industry’s leading playground surface. Designed with proven, high-quality materials to provide long-term performance, durability, and consistent shock absorption, the surface transforms a neglected area into a safe and engaging play area for children of all abilities.

Among the other features of the new Surface America playground:

  • The playground surface is accessible to all people and conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ASTM F-1951-99.
  • All Surface America surfaces are IPEMA certified and meet the criteria for ASTM F-1292-04 for shock absorption.
  • The Marvin Gaye Park Playground surface is made from recycled materials.

The Surface America surface features a two-layer system consisting of a resilient basemat made from 100% post-consumer recycled rubber and polyurethane; and a tough, wear-resistant top surface made from post-industrial recycled rubber and polyurethane.  Applying and mixing the materials on site allows for modifications in the thickness of the surface to meet varying critical fall heights within the playground.

As part of the NRPA’s Parks Build Community initiative, the once-blighted playground will be the focus of a study conducted by George Mason University and the non-profit group Washington Parks & People, documenting the long-term health benefits the playground and surrounding park will bring to the youth and the community at large.

“Being part of an effort to improve the health and well-being of a community – especially for the children – is truly rewarding for the Surface America team,” said Jim Dobmeier, President and Founder of Surface America. “The reach of this revitalization project and the impact it’s having on the Northeast neighborhood is testament to the overall benefits a safe playground can have on a community.”

In addition to Surface America, members and recreation industry partners supported the NRPA initiative. Surface America collaborated with EDAW AECOM on the design of the playground. All told, more than $200,000 was donated to make the playground a reality.

Watch the video of the revitalization project
Read more at www.washingtonpost.com


Founded in 1993, Surface America is North America’s leading playground and recreational surfacing company – installing more than fifteen million square feet of recycled rubber surfacing on thousands of playground and recreation areas from coast-to-coast. In addition, Surface America provides surfacing systems for trails & pathways, gymnasiums, fitness facilities and athletic fields marketed under the A-Turf (a sister company) brand.

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A Miracle for Athletes in Cranberry, PA. Watch Video of the Athletes in Action on Their New Surface | Surface America, Inc.

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A Miracle for Athletes in Cranberry, PA. Watch Video of the Athletes in Action on Their New Surface

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Understanding The Safety Of Surface America Surfacing. | Surface America, Inc.

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Understanding The Safety Of Surface America Surfacing.

Not all rubber surfaces are the same.

When evaluating the safety of a playground there are a number of critical components to consider including equipment, critical fall heights and the type of surface being installed. Recently the focus has turned to the latter as media reports circulate questioning the safety of loose fill crumb rubber as a responsible choice for playground surfaces.

While the articles are taking issue with the use of crumb rubber as a loose fill surface, used under and around play equipment, the overall content and the lack of information has caused confusion, concern and perpetrated the spread of misinformation. When examining the issue, it’s necessary to consider the facts and the most recent scientific studies by leading government organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health and others, to truly evaluate the safety of a play surface.

Loose Versus Poured
By definition, loose fill is just that – loose material used in and around play equipment on a playground. Common materials used for loose fill include wood chips, sand, pea gravel, and recycled, shredded rubber. As children run and play, the loose fill material shifts, risking a compromise of the safety thickness requirement at critical impact areas like swings, slides and climbers.

Recycled rubber is also used in poured-in-place surfaces. But, instead of being loose, the rubber is poured into place and encapsulated with a urethane binder. The rubber is then completely covered by a half-inch layer of another material. This means, children never come in direct contact with this layer of rubber. In summary, Surface America’s Poured-in-Place surface is a two-layer system. The basemat consists of 100% post-consumer recycled SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) encapsulated by urethane and then covered by a wear-resistant layer of virgin EPDM rubber and urethane.

What the Scientists Say
Surface America builds safety into every playground and only uses the highest quality rubber and urethane to build athletic and play surfaces. While we have long believed our product to be safe, recent research confirms there is no scientific evidence to support claims or concerns of danger as reported by the media. The facts are clear.

May 2009 – New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) released a new study validating the safety of crumb rubber. The findings, available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/46856.html concluded that crumb rubber material poses no significant environmental threat to air or water quality and poses no significant health concerns.

May 2008 – New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released finding of its health and safety risk of synthetic turf fields using crumb rubber infill. Among the findings – no increased risk for human health effects as a result of ingestion, dermal or inhalation exposure to crumb rubber.

June 2007 – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released a white paper finding no obvious toxicological concern raised that crumb rubber used for outdoor playgrounds and playing fields would cause adverse health effects (pdf).

Ensuring long-term satisfaction
While safety is certainly the top concern for every playground project, there are other factors, which greatly impact success and long-term satisfaction. Once you decide on installing a pour-in-place surface for your playground it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure you hire a company with expertise, experience and a commitment to using only quality materials. Before you start a poured-in-place surfacing project, ask about the following:

  1. The type and quality of material components (rubber and urethane) being used. Consistency in the rubber from post-consumer tires, called SBR, is critical. The EPDM quality used in the top surface is even more important. A low dust content and high production quality lead to consistency in the surface construction. It reduces the amount of urethane absorbed by the dust and maximizes the amount of urethane left to bond granules and strands together. The result is a stronger surface.
  2. Is the top surface application rate ample for long-term durability? The application rate is best understood in pounds per square foot than in thickness, because density is critical to the structural integrity of the surface. For example: In poured-in-place systems, Surface America uses an industry-leading 2.44 lbs of material (rubber and urethane) per square foot in its top surface. More material in the top layer means greater tensile strength (side-to-side pulling) and superior taber abrasion (top down wear).
  3. Quality of the basemat. The basemat provides the shock absorbency in the system. The objective is to have a medium density layer with a medium amount of urethane in the mix. Too much urethane makes the system hard and unforgiving. Not enough urethane can cause a premature breakdown of the basemat. The right balance is key.
  4. Is the installation crew committed to meeting the specification and following sound application guidelines? Is the crew highly trained in the unique poured-in-place process? Does the installation crew have the craftsmanship required for consistently high-quality installations?

Founded in 1993, Surface America is known as North America’s leading playground and recreational surfacing company – installing more than fifteen million square feet of poured-in-place surfacing on thousands of playground and recreation areas from coast-to-coast. In addition, Surface America provides surfacing systems for trails & pathways, gymnasiums, fitness facilities and athletic fields marketed under the A-Turf (a sister company) brand.

 

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Surface America Offers Safe Playground Surface Options | Surface America, Inc.

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Surface America Offers Safe Playground Surface Options

NY DEC and U.S. CPSC Give Synthetic Surfaces Thumbs Up

Cheektowaga, NY (June 19, 2009) – Surface America, a leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry since 1993, hails the ongoing safety endorsements of synthetic playground surfaces, including surfaces like Surface America’s TurfTop™ with Infill. 

The latest safety endorsement from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) concludes that crumb rubber material used in synthetic turf play areas poses no significant environmental threat to air or water quality and poses no significant health concerns. The New York study follows earlier safety studies including the findings from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report, touting synthetic turf as safe.

The CPSC found newer synthetic grass surfaces, such as TurfTop with Infill, to pose no danger to young children or athletes who play on or use these fields. The CPSC evaluation follows months of speculation and concern regarding the levels of lead contained in the fibers and the potential health impact. The report went on to alleviate concerns by stating that none of the fields tested released levels of lead that would be harmful to children.

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission validates what Surface America, A-Turf and the Synthetic Turf Council have long known to be true,” says Jim Dobmeier, President and founder of Surface America and A-Turf. “We appreciate the additional assessment and are hopeful the news will help put many of the unfounded fears to rest.”

As a leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry, Surface America features the most complete line of playground surfacing systems in the world. Surface America’s products are also used for gymnasium and fitness flooring, trail and pathway surfacing, other indoor and outdoor surfacing, and artificial turf athletic fields.
Surface America’s playground surfacing products are IPEMA Certified and include PlayBound™ Poured-in-Place, molded tiles, and synthetic grass with infill. The PlayBound™ Poured-in-Place system is the industry’s leading playground surface, designed with proven, high-quality materials to provide long-term performance, durability, and consistent shock absorption. Mixed and applied on site, Surface America’s playground surfacing is easily customized to meet safety and design requirements.

Surface America incorporates the industry’s widest collection of recycled materials into its surfacing systems, utilizing both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material components. Most of the recycled material is rubber from post-consumer tires. Surface America products are eligible for LEED® credits.

For more on the CPSC study: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08348.html

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New York State Study Finds Crumb Rubber Infill to be Safe. Tests Show No Health Concerns. | Surface America, Inc.

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New York State Study Finds Crumb Rubber Infill to be Safe. Tests Show No Health Concerns.

A new study released today by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) concludes that crumb rubber material used in synthetic turf fields poses no significant environmental threat to air or water quality and poses no significant health concerns.

The study, available on DEC’s web site (details below), assessed the potential release of chemicals in crumb rubber to the environment. Crumb rubber, produced by grinding scrap tires, is a common “infill” material for synthetic turf fields. It provides cushioning and helps to hold the carpet down and keep synthetic grass fibers upright. The study only addressed the crumb rubber infill and did not address pigments used in synthetic turf fibers that in older applications are known to contain lead.

The study found:

  • No significant threat from chemicals leaching into surface water and groundwater. While some chemicals can be released from crumb rubber over time, they are in small concentrations and are reduced by absorption, degradation and dilution—resulting in no significant impact on groundwater or surface water.
  • Lead concentrations in crumb rubber are well below federal hazard standards for lead in soil and do not represent a significant source of lead exposure.
  • Levels of chemicals in the air at synthetic turf fields do not raise a significant health concern.
  • Synthetic turf fields can have significantly higher surface temperatures compared to nearby grass and sand fields, although factors of heat stress did not differ noticeably among surfaces. Still, the study notes that prolonged contact with hotter surfaces has the potential to create discomfort, cause thermal injury and contribute to heat-related illness.

To carry out the study, state scientists conducted lab tests on crumb rubber samples obtained from manufacturers and conducted tests at synthetic fields. They tested for leaching, exposure to acid rain and acid digestion, exposed samples to a range of temperatures to observe impacts, assessed chemical particle sizes for their potential to move through soil and air, collected soil samples at wells down-gradient from existing synthetic turf fields and measured air samples upwind and downwind of such fields. DEC will continue groundwater and surface water testing related to this issue.

Led by DEC’s Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials and the Division of Air Resources, the state pursued a comprehensive evaluation of potential chemical releases from crumb rubber. It involved an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon expertise in DEC’s and DOH’s other programs including water resources, remediation, laboratory, chemistry and fish and wildlife.

The study is available on DEC’s “Waste Tire” web page: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8792.html. For more information about crumb-rubber infilled fields, see the DOH fact sheet (pdf)

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Surface America Miracle League Field Opens in Gardendale, Alabama. | Surface America, Inc.

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Surface America Miracle League Field Opens in Gardendale, Alabama.

Special needs athletes in Alabama and across the nation are set to play ball on a Surface America poured-in-place Miracle League Field. Hundreds were on hand in Gardendale, Alabama, as organizers and athletes gathered to celebrate and throw out the first pitch.

The new 15,900 sq. ft. baseball field is ideally suited for athletes with special needs who compete as part of The Miracle League, a national organization committed to providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of physical ability. The Gardendale field is one of a number of fields Surface America will build this year as the exclusive provider for all poured athletic surfaces installed at Miracle League facilities across the U.S.

http://www.njeffersonnews.com/local/local_story_119143933.html
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/04/smiles_all_around_at_gardendal.html

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Surface America Creates Dream Space for Washington D.C. Playground. | Surface America, Inc.

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Surface America Creates Dream Space for Washington D.C. Playground.

Playground Magazine
The Girard Street Park Playground replaced a grass surface that was being literally used to death. The final product was designed with Surface America’s poured-in-place surface and can now be used year round without creating a dust bowl in the summer and a mud hole in the winter.

Read the complete article here (PDF)

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Surface America Miracle League Field is a Dream Come True | Surface America, Inc.

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Surface America Miracle League Field is a Dream Come True

Gardendale’s Field Dedication Scheduled April 25

Just in time for spring ball, Surface America, leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry, announces the completion of the Gardendale Miracle League Field in Gardendale, Alabama.

imageThe new 15,900 sq. ft. baseball field is ideally suited for athletes with special needs who compete as part of The Miracle League, a national organization committed to providing opportunities for all children to play baseball regardless of physical ability. The field is one of a number of fields Surface America will build this year as the exclusive provider for all poured athletic surfaces installed at Miracle League facilities across the U.S.

Built with Surface America’s resilient, seamless EverTop™ surface – for both the infield and outfield – Pate Field now provides a combination of exceptional footing and smoothness, eliminating barriers and dangers for children using walking aides or for those with visual impairments. EverTop’s porous design also prevents puddles from forming on the surface. The system conforms to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ASTM F-1951-99 Determination of Playground Surface Accessibility.

imageBecause EverTop is mixed and poured on site with colors permanently inlaid, the Gardendale Miracle League field is designed to look natural. Using recycled post-industrial EPDM rubber, Surface America applies white rubber to create field markings like foul lines, bases and the batter’s box; brown, beige or terracotta is used to simulate dirt and green for the grass areas. A specialized urethane binder is then applied to keep colors true and reduce maintenance over the life of the field. The Miracle League field is also latex-free creating a safe environment for all athletes.

“This is one of those projects that goes beyond business to tug at your heart,” says Jim Dobmeier, President & Founder of Surface America. “While we are honored to have earned the trust of The Miracle League, watching these athletes play is the true reward. It really is a feeling like no other.”

“Having a project like this is different. You can see the impact in the attitude of the employees and in the public perception. Everyone is very positive; we couldn’t be happier,” says Stan Hogeland, Director of Parks and Recreation Department. Hogeland credits Jeff Dennis, a local businessman, for spearheading the project.

Founded in 1993, Surface America is known as North America’s leading playground and recreational surfacing company – installing more than fifteen million square feet of recycled rubber surfacing on thousands of playground and recreation areas from coast-to-coast. In addition, Surface America provides surfacing systems for trails & pathways, gymnasiums, fitness facilities and athletic fields marketed under the A-Turf (a sister company) brand.

About The Miracle League:
Founded in 1999, The Miracle League’s mission is to provide opportunities for all children, regardless of ability, to play baseball. What began with 35 players on four teams has grown to 220 Miracle League organizations throughout the country, including Puerto Rico, serving 90,000 children and young adults with disabilities. For more information visit www.miracleleague.com.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #1 (pdf) | Surface America, Inc.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #1 (pdf)

SurfaceTalk Newsletter
Articles in this issue include:
Removing the Mystery From Poured-in-Place
What makes a base sound?

Download the StraightTalk Issue 1 (pdf)

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #2 (pdf) | Surface America, Inc.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #2 (pdf)

SurfaceTalk Newsletter
Articles in this issue include:
Poured-In-Place Systems
Ask these critical questions before purchasing a poured-in-place system.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #3 (pdf) | Surface America, Inc.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #3 (pdf)

SurfaceTalk Newsletter
Articles in this issue include:
Manufacturing Upgrades Improve PlayBound™ Tiles
Improved Manufacturing Processes and Product Components

Download the StraightTalk Issue 3 (pdf)

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #4 (pdf) | Surface America, Inc.

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SurfaceTalk Newsletter - Issue #4 (pdf)

SurfaceTalk Newsletter
Articles in this issue include:
Custom Designs Are Easy With Poured-in-Place
The Courts Hand Down Judgement On Loose Fill vs. Poured-in-Place
Cost Comparison for Poured-in-Place vs. Loose Fill


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We Stand Behind Every Surface We Install (video) | Surface America, Inc.

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We Stand Behind Every Surface We Install (video)

But, that’s just the beginning of what makes Surface America different. Included in this seven minute video: gallery of projects, interviews with the president of Surface America and customers, product components and our corporate strength.

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Picking The Right Gymnasium Floor | Surface America, Inc.

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Picking The Right Gymnasium Floor

As a society, our expectations are high. We demand quality, integrity and accountability – not only from the people in our lives, but also from the products and services we select to make our lives easier and better. And, while we may compare and contrast features, benefits and relevance – the products and the people behind them can still fall short of our expectations if we don’t ask all the right questions to ensure we are getting what we want and need.

When it comes to athletic flooring, the expectations are: performance, safety, resilience and long-term durability.

So, when the time comes to invest in gymnasium or other athletic flooring, it’s important to ask questions to learn about your surfacing options as well as about the character of the company you will hire to do the work.  

For most schools, churches and organizations that are renovating or replacing their gym or multi-purpose room flooring, the surfacing options are typically narrowed to two choices – wood or a poured urethane surface. To make the best choice, the decision-makers need to consider several factors: budget, surface usage and expectations for long-term customer service.

Traditionally, hardwood is the surface of choice for a gymnasium floor, but as the need for multi-use surfaces increases, synthetic surfaces such as poured urethane is proving to be a durable  – not to mention – more affordable option.

A poured urethane surface is roughly two-thirds the cost of a wood floor and offers greater versatility over its hard wood counterpart, while also providing a worry-free, multi-purpose surface ideal for basketball, volleyball, indoor tennis and jogging. And, unlike a wooden surface, which is more sensitive to damage caused by water or the wrong type of foot traffic, a urethane surface is durable enough to handle other non-sport related events such as meetings, dances and church services.

Within the industry, there are generally two types of urethane floor systems used for gymnasiums – the roll-pour surface and a full-pour surface.

The roll-pour is a composite synthetic flooring system that includes a prefabricated, fully adhered rubber basemat sealed with polyurethane. The top resin layer of self-leveling polyurethane is fluid-applied. This system is coated with a two-part pigmented polyurethane with game lines and graphics applied.

The full-pour system consists of a base layer of fluid-applied resin and rubber, and a top pour of polyurethane self-leveling elastomer, to form a seamless, durable surface. The thickness of the top layer can vary to meet specific specifications. The system is finished with a two-part pigmented polyurethane coating, specifically designed for indoor sports. Game markings and intricate graphic designs can be applied for a complete custom design such as school logos and images

With both the roll-pour and the full-pour systems, the long-term quality of a poured urethane surface is dependent upon several critical areas:

  • The type of material components being used. Any surface, from playgrounds to walking trails to gymnasium floors, is only as good as the components built into the system. While there are many types of urethane used in various applications, urethane for gymnasium flooring requires particular levels of tensile strength, flexibility and working time.  
  • The experience and expertise of the installation crew. Any surface is only as strong as the installation crew who carries out the mixing, application and finishing touches to the floor. Installing recreational and athletic surfacing is very much a construction process. Having a company with a well connected, well-trained network of installers – committed to superior craftsmanship – helps to ensure the job is done right.

Investing in any type of athletic or recreational surface is a big decision, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By demanding more of all companies within the surfacing industry, the likelihood that the best value is chosen increases significantly. Know what you are purchasing before it is installed. Asking the right questions will ensure many years of enjoyment and performance from your surfacing systems. After all, isn’t that what you expect?

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4 Reasons A Poured-In-Place Surface Will Enhance Your Playground | Surface America, Inc.

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4 Reasons A Poured-In-Place Surface Will Enhance Your Playground

Compare any playground to the one you played on as a kid and the evolution is obvious. Today we use words like innovative, interactive and educational to describe the places where our children play.

As schools and parks explore new ways to elevate the play experience, the search goes beyond the equipment to the surface, as architects and designers incorporate intricate graphics and designs into their plans.

As playground designs are pushed beyond the “typical,” poured-in-place (PIP) surfacing is the ideal choice.

1: Color. There are many more colors available. And color granules can be blended to form nearly endless color combinations. School colors and color themes are quite easy to accommodate.

2: Design. A PIP playground can easily incorporate logos, sponsors, educational games, wandering paths and other shapes directly into the surface. They become a permanent part of the playground surface.

3: Economics. Unlike tiles and rolls that need to be cut to fit shapes and perimeters, there is no wasted material with a PIP surface. Because the manufacturing of the PIP surface is literally done on site, the thickness can easily be reduced outside of critical fall areas, further saving in material costs. And, the poured process can adjust for any unevenness in the base surface. From people’s views, the surface looks even throughout.

4: Safety. Any color changes or inlaid designs are part of the seamless surface. Tiles and rolls need to be cut and glued. Every seam is a potential weak spot, and could loosen and lift over time.

So when designing your next playground don’t forget to include the surface as part of your creative and functional plan. With poured-in-place, your color and design possibilities are significantly increased.

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The Right Way To Install Safe Playground Surfaces | Surface America, Inc.

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The Right Way To Install Safe Playground Surfaces

As a nation we go to great length to protect our children. We buckle them into safety seats in our cars, put helmets on their heads as they ride bikes and outfit them with pads as they skateboard down the street.

There’s no question we care. But, are we doing all we can to protect children as they run, climb and swing on our playgrounds. According to the most recent stats on fall surfacing, from the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)  – the answer is no.

Even with an increased awareness of the safety associated with a poured-in-place playground surface, there is an increase in number of playgrounds with an unsafe level of loose infill playground surfaces. In a four-year period, the number of playgrounds with an appropriate depth of loose infill dropped from 47% to just 19%. 

It’s no surprise that the NPPS has graded this effort as an F.

Some will argue that loose infill, when properly put down, is safe. In theory, they’re right, as long as it’s not used. The problem occurs when children do what children do – play.  As soon as children slide, swing or jump, the critical fall heights and the protection are dramatically compromised.

And, what about accessibility? The U.S. Departments of Justice and Interior Office of Civil Rights found that wood chips and pea gravel do not meet the requirements of an accessible surface as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

So you’re probably asking – why. Why would a loose infill material be used on a playground?

It may be cost – but even that doesn’t add up. While a poured surface may carry a bigger price tag up front – it is actually more cost effective over the life of the surface when you factor in on-going maintenance and material replacement associated with loose infill. Over the course of seven years, a loose infill system carries an average maintenance cost of $66,000. Its poured-in-place counterpart is zero.

So when you look at the facts – safety, accessibility and cost – the answer of how to best protect our children on playgrounds becomes quite clear.

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Four Ways To Ensure Your Surface Is Built With Quality Components | Surface America, Inc.

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Four Ways To Ensure Your Surface Is Built With Quality Components

As a company, we are very passionate about the playground and recreational surfacing industry. It’s our core business. So, when we hear people suggest the smart choice is to simply buy on price because all surfacing systems are the same – it’s hard to keep us off our soapbox. 

After all, there’s a reason for the adage – you get what you pay for. 

There is, in fact, a huge difference between choosing a company that builds surfacing and choosing a company that builds surfacing with the best interest of the client in mind. The difference can best be defined by examining the company’s commitment to quality – in both craftsmanship and in the components being built into the system.

Before you start a poured-in-place surfacing project, ask about the following:

  1. The type and quality of material components (rubber and urethane) being used.  Consistency in the rubber from post-consumer tires, called SBR, is critical.  The EPDM quality used in the top surface is even more important. A low dust content and high production quality lead to consistency in the surface construction.  It reduces the amount of urethane absorbed by the dust and maximizes the amount of urethane left to bond granules and strands together. The result is a stronger surface.
  2. Is the top surface application rate ample for long-term durability? The application rate is best understood in pounds per square foot than in thickness, because density is critical to the structural integrity of the surface. For example: In poured-in-place systems, Surface America uses an industry-leading 2.44 lbs of material (rubber and urethane) per square foot in its top surface. More material in the top layer means greater tensile strength (side-to-side pulling) and superior taber abrasion (top down wear).
  3. Quality of the basemat.  The basemat provides the shock absorbency in the system.  The objective is to have a medium density layer with a medium amount of urethane in the mix.  Too much urethane makes the system hard and unforgiving.  Not enough urethane can cause a premature breakdown of the basemat. The right balance is key.
  4. Is the installation crew committed to meeting the specification and following sound application guidelines?  Is the crew highly trained in the unique poured-in-place process? Does the installation crew have the craftsmanship required for consistently high-quality installations?

So how can we speak from our soapbox with conviction?

It’s not because Surface America has installed more than fifteen million square feet of recycled rubber surfacing on thousands of playgrounds and recreational areas across the country over a seventeen-year period – it’s because we have done so with our eyes on the industry and most importantly with our eyes always focused on the long-term needs of our clients. 

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Top Questions To Ask To Avoid Pitfalls With Your Next Surfacing Project | Surface America, Inc.

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Top Questions To Ask To Avoid Pitfalls With Your Next Surfacing Project

It has happened to all of us at one point or another. We hire a company to do a job, only to realize midway through the project that the company doing the work doesn’t live up to what was promised.

We wish we could say the surfacing industry is immune to such occurrences. Unfortunately we cannot. There are a lot of surfacing companies that pop up on the industry map of players, but that doesn’t mean all surfacing companies are worthy of your business or are even helping advance the industry as a whole.  

The wrong suppliers, inexperienced installation crews, poor follow through – the reasons for a project failing vary, but the result is often the same – wasted time, energy and dollars.

Bottom line – as a playground and recreational surfacing company – we are in the specialty construction business. That means there will be changes, adjustments and modifications to even the best-laid plans.  Having clear communication between your team and the company hired is a critically important first step in weathering the bumps along the way. But even the best communicators need to back-up their words with actions.

Look for the following when deciding which surfacing company is best for you:

  • Reputation in the industry. Does the company demonstrate a clear understanding of the industry as well as an understanding of your needs? Do they respond thoroughly and expediently?
  • A proven track record. Has the company worked on hundreds of similar projects over many years so they are truly experts?
  • A written warranty from the company. Evaluate it in terms of content and length of time and consider the company in relationship to the warranty. How have they handled their worst warranty situation?
  • Financial strength and stability. Does the company have staying power? How long has the company been in the industry and are you confident the company will be in business throughout the life of the warranty?
Most of us involved in the construction business understand that not every project is easy and that, sometimes, unforeseen circumstances change the course of action. Having a proven company with proven solutions is the safest way to safeguard your investment.

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Going Green, Getting LEED® Credits With Your Next Surfacing Project | Surface America, Inc.

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Going Green, Getting LEED® Credits With Your Next Surfacing Project

Today going green is less of an option and more of an expectation. For some companies, the new color of operation means changing processes and sometimes even internal culture. For others – it’s been a way of life – long before the talk became the trend.

Surface America’s Playground Surfacing, Gymnasium Flooring, Trail & Pathway Surfacing, Fitness Flooring and Specialty Surfacing have always been “green” and are designed to meet stringent criteria required to earn points in multiple categories of LEED-NC. Based on this criteria, Surface America’s products can assist architects and designers in obtaining up to 7 points toward LEED certification.

We do that by incorporating the industry’s widest collection of recycled materials into our surfacing systems, utilizing both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material components. What’s more, most of the recycled material is rubber from post-consumer tires.

Surface America and sister company A-Turf are part of ECORE™ International – long known as North America’s largest processor and user of scrap tire rubber. In fact, ECORE recycles 80 million pounds of rubber each year – helping conserve more than one million barrels of oil – to manufacture quality components for poured on-site, rolled and molded products.

To us – going green isn’t a new way of doing business – it’s just the way we’ve always done it. Read more on how Surface America can contribute to obtaining LEED® credits (PDF download).

 

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Protect your existing floors and equipment. | Surface America, Inc.

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Protect your existing floors and equipment.

TrainingGround’s dense rubber construction stands up to the punishment of fitness and workout areas. It’s ideal for use in walled or non wall-to-wall areas (large or small).

  • Extremely durable rubber material
  • Excellent slip resistance in wet or dry conditions
  • 24” x 24” x 3/8” tile with interlocking tabs and slots
  • No adhesives required – “puzzle edges” simply lock together
  • Tight-fitting puzzle edges hide seams and reduce dirt buildup
  • Easy to cut or trim with standard utility knife
  • Install directly over asphalt, concrete or smooth indoor flooring
  • Flush edge detail, with edge and corner pieces available
  • 3 standard color options: black, speckled blue, speckled grey
  • Made in USA from recycled rubber

How to determine number/type of tiles:

  1. Measure the desired space
  2. Draw it to scale on a piece of paper and indicate 24” x 24” grids (simulating each tile)
  3. Using the photos (below) of the three different tile types    

        • Place a ‘1’ in all center tiles
        • Place a “2” in all edge tiles
        • Place a “3” in all corner tiles
  4. Count each tile type and write totals in our order form (pdf).

Puzzle Tile options

Download Order Training Ground Form

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Playbound Turftop Sub-Base Preparation | Surface America, Inc.

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Playbound Turftop Sub-Base Preparation

The excavation and preparation of the sub-base is to be done in advance of Surface America’s crews arriving for installation of the PlayBound TurfTop system.

  • PlayBound TurfTop system can be installed on asphalt, concrete, crush stone, or excavated earth.  For installing on top of excavated earth, please follow the instructions below:
  • Excavate the earth to a level of ½” less than the thickness of the system.  Ex.)  If the PlayBound TurfTop system is 4” total thickness, than the earth should be excavated 3-1/2”.
  • Level and compact the excavated earth using hand tools.  
  • Install a porous landscape filter fabric such as Typar 3401, by loose laying the fabric and staking it around the perimeter.
  • The PlayBound TurfTop system can be installed with or without a curb (wood or concrete) or landscape edging around the perimeter.  Any landscape edging is acceptable, metal, plastic, aluminum, etc.  If chosen, the edging should be installed below grade to add stability to the base mat of the system.
  • If neither a curb or landscape edge will be used, excavate the area 6” greater than where the surface will be installed on all sides, thus allowing for the synthetic grass to be folded over and buried around the perimeter.

Any specific questions regarding the sub-base construction are welcomed at Surface America.

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Crushed Stone Base Preparation For Poured-In-Place Playground Surface Installations | Surface America, Inc.

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Crushed Stone Base Preparation For Poured-In-Place Playground Surface Installations

The construction of a crushed stone base for Poured-in-Place playground surface installations is critical to the long-term durability of the playground surface. Particular size stones and compaction rates are necessary. Completion of the crushed stone base to specification is to be done in advance of Surface America’s crews arriving for installation of the Poured-in-Place System.
The minimum depth of the crushed stone base is 4". Typical thickness range is 4” - 6”. Crushed stone base layers thicker than 6” are more challenging to achieve the necessary 95% compaction rate throughout the base. Thickness is never to exceed 10”.

The stone for the base must be crushed so it compacts to a 95% Standard Proctor Compaction (as per A.S.T.M. Test). The stones should be a homogeneous mixture of the following size stones:

    Sieve Size    % Passing by Weight
            1"               90 - 100
            5/8"            50 -   80
            1/4"            30 -   50
            #4              15 -   35
            #8              10 -   30
            #30             3 -    5
            #200           0 -    3

The crushed stone base should be sloped 2% to allow run-off of the excess water that doesn’t percolate through the crushed stone.

Poured-in-Place Systems are extremely porous. Most of the water enters the system and must be able to percolate through the crushed stone base so puddling is avoided above the crushed stone base in the bottom layer of the poured-in-place material.

The crushed stone base must be thoroughly compacted by using a tamper, roller or combination of both. This is of critical importance so that settling of the crushed stone base does not happen after installation of the poured-in-place material. If post-installation settling occurs, of course, the poured-in-place system will follow the contour of the settled crushed stone, leaving an aesthetically inferior installation and possible causing cracking in the poured-in-place material because of excess stress where the crushed stone base has settled out.

The crushed stone base must be a level plane that is smooth and comparable in look to the sub-surface of an asphalt road prior to the asphalt paving. This requires significant attention to accomplish. String lines must be used to ensure an even plane is constructed.

Any specific questions regarding crushed stone base construction are welcomed at Surface America.

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TurfTop Maintenance Guidelines | Surface America, Inc.

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TurfTop Maintenance Guidelines

WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLEANING

Maintenance Data:

In order to keep the rubber infill evenly distributed, periodically (once per month) sweep the entire playground surface using a standard bristled push broom to groom the surface. At the same time evaluate the infill level and replenish rubber as needed.

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PlayBound Tile Maintenance Guidelines (Indoors) | Surface America, Inc.

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PlayBound Tile Maintenance Guidelines (Indoors)

WARNING: ALSO READ OUTDOOR INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLEANING

A.    WEEKLY (or Bi-Weekly as needed) Maintenance Cleaning

  1. Damp mop as much surface as possible.
  2. Isolate stains: Use a basine straw (medium bristle) brush. Apply a mild household or commercial detergent.
  3. In addition to weekly cleaning, a commercial carpet shampooer may be used for a more a more detailed cleaning.
  4. Excess water should be vacuumed up immediately to prevent standing water or damp spots.
  5. Drying time may vary depending on temperature and humidity.

B.    Quarterly (or Monthly as needed) Maintenance Cleaning

  1. A carpet shampoo/cleaner may be used for a thorough cleaning.


DO NOT USE ANY STEAMING OR HOTSY MACHINES FOR CLEANING AS HOT WATER MAY CAUSE DELAMINATION OF SURFACE.

Adherence to all of the above requirements will ensure maximum longevity and help maintain the original appearance of your Surface America surface. Please contact Surface America with any questions.

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PlayBound Tile Maintenance Guidelines (Outdoors) | Surface America, Inc.

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PlayBound Tile Maintenance Guidelines (Outdoors)

WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLEANING


A.    Monthly Maintenance Cleaning

  1. Hose off entire surface to remove food, drink, and loose debris. A pressure washer may be used at a setting not to exceed 1500 psi. Do not place the spray nozzle closer than 12 inches to the surface. Note: Repeat process on an as-needed basis.
  2. ISOLATED STAINS: On heavily stained isolated spots, while surface is still damp from hosing, apply a sufficient amount of a mild household or commercial detergent for adequate coverage using a hand-held spray bottle. Scrub thoroughly with a 10 inch medium basine bristle scrub brush. Repeat as necessary on extremely tough stains. It is at the owner’s discretion how often to repeat the process on extremely tough stains.
  3. GENERAL AREA CLEANING: While surface is still damp from hosing, apply a mixture of full strength mild household or commercial detergent and water using a garden pump sprayer to an area approximately 4 foot by 4 foot in size. Be sure to follow directions for use on the cleaner you choose from your local supplier. Scrub using the basine 10 inch medium bristle scrub brush. Repeat this process until entire surface has been completely and thoroughly cleansed.
  4. Once the entire surface area has been cleaned, rinse thoroughly using a garden hose with attachment.
B.    For Best Results
  1. Perform cleaning during early morning or late afternoon so the cleaner will have time to react without evaporating.
  2. Area to be cleaned must be slightly damp prior to applying cleansing solution.
  3. Clean only a small 4 foot by 4 foot area at a time making sure it is thoroughly scrubbed to eliminate the possibility of dirty spots and/or streaking caused by areas missed while scrubbing.
  4. It shall be at the owner’s discretion whether to remove stains on a less than annual basis. The owner acknowledges that a stain may become more difficult or even impossible to remove if not addressed immediately.
  5. This procedure provides no guarantee of stain removal.
C.    Recommended Cleaning Aids
  1. Mild household or commercial detergent (check with your local supplier).
  2. Hand spray bottle.
  3. One 1/2 gallon garden pump sprayer.
  4. 10 inch medium bristle scrub brush.
  5. Garden hose with spray nozzle.
  6. Pressure washer recommended (1500 psi maximum).

NOTE: The following chemicals can cause potential damage to the Surface America surface and should be avoided: disinfectants, concentrated bleach, gasoline, diesel, hydraulic and lubricating oils, weak acids and organic solvents.

Use only a "Basine" straw scrub brush and/or attachment on the Surface America surface. NEVER USE A STEEL OR HARD PLASTIC BRUSH ON MANUAL OR ELECTRIC CLEANING UNITS. Failure to read and follow instructions explicitly will result in damage to the surface and termination of the Surface America warranty.

Adherence to all of the above requirements will ensure maximum longevity and help maintain the original appearance of your Surface America surface. Please contact Surface America with any questions. 

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PlayBound Poured-in-Place Maintenance Guidelines (Indoors) | Surface America, Inc.

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PlayBound Poured-in-Place Maintenance Guidelines (Indoors)

WARNING: ALSO READ OUTDOOR INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLEANING

A.    WEEKLY (or Bi-Weekly as needed) Maintenance Cleaning

  1. Damp mop as much surface as possible.
  2. Isolate stains: Use a basine straw (medium bristle) brush. Apply a mild household or commercial detergent.
  3. In addition to weekly cleaning, a commercial carpet shampooer may be used for a more a more detailed cleaning.
  4. Excess water should be vacuumed up immediately to prevent standing water or damp spots.
  5. Drying time may vary depending on temperature and humidity.

B.    Quarterly (or Monthly as needed) Maintenance Cleaning
  1. A carpet shampoo/cleaner may be used for a thorough cleaning.

DO NOT USE ANY STEAMING OR HOTSY MACHINES FOR CLEANING AS HOT WATER MAY CAUSE DELAMINATION OF SURFACE.

Adherence to all of the above requirements will ensure maximum longevity and help maintain the original appearance of your Surface America surface. Please contact Surface America with any questions.

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PlayBound Poured-in-Place Maintenance Guidelines (Outdoors) | Surface America, Inc.

Surface America Article

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PlayBound Poured-in-Place Maintenance Guidelines (Outdoors)

WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE CLEANING

A.    Monthly Maintenance Cleaning

  1. Hose off entire surface to remove food, drink, and loose debris. A pressure washer may be used at a setting not to exceed 1500 psi. Do not place the spray nozzle closer than 12 inches to the surface. Note: Repeat process on an as-needed basis.
  2. ISOLATED STAINS: On heavily stained isolated spots, while surface is still damp from hosing, apply a sufficient amount of a mild household or commercial detergent for adequate coverage using a hand-held spray bottle. Scrub thoroughly with a 10 inch medium basine bristle scrub brush. Repeat as necessary on extremely tough stains. It is at the owner’s discretion how often to repeat the process on extremely tough stains.
  3. GENERAL AREA CLEANING: While surface is still damp from hosing, apply a mixture of full strength mild household or commercial detergent and water using a garden pump sprayer to an area approximately 4 foot by 4 foot in size. Be sure to follow directions for use on the cleaner you choose from your local supplier. Scrub using the basine 10 inch medium bristle scrub brush. Repeat this process until entire surface has been completely and thoroughly cleansed.
  4. Once the entire surface area has been cleaned, rinse thoroughly using a garden hose with attachment.

B.    For Best Results

  1. Perform cleaning during early morning or late afternoon so the cleaner will have time to react without evaporating.
  2. Area to be cleaned must be slightly damp prior to applying cleansing solution.
  3. Clean only a small 4 foot by 4 foot area at a time making sure it is thoroughly scrubbed to eliminate the possibility of dirty spots and/or streaking caused by areas missed while scrubbing.
  4. It shall be at the owner’s discretion whether to remove stains on a less than annual basis. The owner acknowledges that a stain may become more difficult or even impossible to remove if not addressed immediately.
  5. This procedure provides no guarantee of stain removal.

C.    Recommended Cleaning Aids

  1. Mild household or commercial detergent (check with your local supplier).
  2. Hand spray bottle.
  3. One 1/2 gallon garden pump sprayer.
  4. 10 inch medium bristle scrub brush.
  5. Garden hose with spray nozzle.
  6. Pressure washer recommended (1500 psi maximum).

NOTE: The following chemicals can cause potential damage to the Surface America surface and should be avoided: disinfectants, concentrated bleach, gasoline, diesel, hydraulic and lubricating oils, weak acids and organic solvents.

Use only a "Basine" straw scrub brush and/or attachment on the Surface America surface. NEVER USE A STEEL OR HARD PLASTIC BRUSH ON MANUAL OR ELECTRIC CLEANING UNITS. Failure to read and follow instructions explicitly will result in damage to the surface and termination of the Surface America warranty.

Adherence to all of the above requirements will ensure maximum longevity and help maintain the original appearance of your Surface America surface. Please contact Surface America with any questions.

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PlayBound Critical Fall Heights | Surface America, Inc.

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PlayBound Critical Fall Heights

Playbound Tiles
1-3/4"
2-3/8"
3-3/8"
4"

PlayBound Poured-in-Place
1-3/4
2"
2-1/2"
3"
3-1/2"
4"
4-1/2"
5-1/2"

PlayBound TurfTop with Infill
4"
5"

Critical Fall Height
4’
6’
8’
10’

Critical Fall Height
4’
5’
6’
7’
8’
9’
10’
12’

Critical Fall Height
6’
8’

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Crushed Stone Base Preparation for Playground Surface Installations | Surface America, Inc.

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Crushed Stone Base Preparation for Playground Surface Installations

The construction of a crushed stone base for Tile playground surface installations is critical to the long-term durability of the playground surface.  Particular size stoned and compaction rates are necessary.  Completion of the crushed stone base to a specification is to be done in advance of Surface America’s crews arriving for installation of the Tile System.

The minimum depth of the crushed stone base is 4".  Typical thickness range is 4” - 6”. Crushed stone base layers thicker than 6” are more challenging to achieve the necessary 95% compaction rate throughout the base. Thickness is never to exceed 10”.

The stone for the base must be crushed so it compacts to a 95% Standard Proctor Compaction (as per A.S.T.M. Test).  The stones should be a homogeneous mixture of the following size stones:

        Sieve Size            % Passing by Weight
               1"                    90 - 100
            5/8"                    50 -   80
            1/4"                    30 -   50
         #    4                    15 -   35
         #    8                    10 -   30
         #  30                      3 -     5
         #200                      0 -     3

 The crushed stone is typically flat but can also be sloped to allow the minority of water that does not enter the rubber to flow to a particular side or sides.

Tile Systems are extremely porous.  Most of the water enters the system and must be able to percolate through the crushed stone base so puddling is avoided above the crushed stone base in the bottom layer of the tile.

The crushed stone base must be thoroughly compacted by using a tamper, roller, or a combination or both.  This is of critical importance so that settling of the crushed stone base does not happen after installation of the tile.  If post-installation settling occurs, of course, the Tile System will follow the contour of the settled crushed stone, leaving an aesthetically inferior installation and possibly causing the tiles to separate because of excess stress where the crushed stone base has settled out.

The tiles will reflect the levelness of the crushed stone base.

The crushed stone base must be a level plane that is smooth and comparable in look to the sub-surface of an asphalt road prior to the asphalt paving.  This requires significant attention to accomplish.  String lines must be used to ensure an even plane is constructed.

A filter fabric is necessary for crushed stone bases on when Tiles are installed.  Typar 3401 or comparable filter fabrics are acceptable for Tile installations.

Any specific questions regarding crushed stone base construction are welcomed at Surface America. 

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