Wood in Playgrounds
Wood is the extraordinary material that has always been part of human life, also for this reason is the most beloved and imitated building material in the world.
From the first houses built by Neolithic man (stilt houses and tree houses) until today, the wood was constantly revalued as ecological raw material, renewable and especially resistant to everything, even the most powerful seismic shock.
The physical properties of the wood allow this material to excel in every climate: just think about the homes in Scandinavia and Canada (all strictly made by wood), or tropical villages. The "secret" is the large thermal resistance of the wood that provides a natural barrier against heat and cold, adapting perfectly to every situation.
In addition to the emotional qualities the wood material has many physical and ecological virtues:
Adatto per i GPP
Utilizzare il legno significa far giocare i bambini su strutture costruite con una materia prima rinnovabile, progettate per essere facilmente disassemblate e separabili a fine vita per un facile riutilizzo o riciclo. Produrre pochi rifiuti e consumare poca energia è la soluzione per la salvaguardia dell’uomo e del pianeta secondo i prindipi dei GPP (Green Public Procurement) e dei CAM (Criteri Ambientali Minimi).
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RENEWABLE
Wood is a raw material that regenerates constantly. Companies certified PEFC – FSC, as Legnolandia, derived wood from controlled forests where are cut only mature plants at the end of their life cycle, to be replaced by new plants.
ECOLOGICAL
Wood subtracts the infamous CO2 from the atmosphere and keeps inside. In production cycles wood requires much less energy than other materials and at the end of the life cycle is reused easily and with low energy.
DURABLE
Wood, properly treated with modern technologies, is resistant to the actions of the time, of weathering and UV rays, even better than other materials.
HUMIDITY RESISTANCE
Just think at Venice, the city on the water, which is supported by secular foundations wood pilings.
MECHANICAL RESISTANCE
The house more resistant to earthquakes (7.2 degrees of magnitude) was built and tested in Japan and built entirely of wood.
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THERMAL INSULATION
Wood provides a natural barrier against heat and cold and is perfectly suitable in any situation. Benefit from his property not only homes but every element exposed to the sun, like street furniture and playgrounds.
WEAR RESISTANCE
he wood is very resistant to extreme actions such as sandstorms and to the wear from wind. The superficial erosion makes no changes to the functionality and durability of the wood. Otherwise, materials like painted metal are subject to rapid erosion.
WOOD IN THE PLAYGROUNDS
Even in the structures for playgrounds wood brings its benefits through the perfect integration both in urban areas and in the green areas. The historical connection between man and wood is of a sensory nature: pleasant to the touch, at the sight and even sense of smell, attracts the natural instinct of children. The use of natural colors, present in natural environments, help children to grow up in contact with nature.
PLAYGROUNDS EXPOSED TO SUN
It is good practice to place the equipment in the shade in parks exposed to strong sunlight. This however is not always possible thus causing a dangerous situation for the small users of the playgrounds. Metal parts exposed to the sun can reach temperatures which burn children’s skin. In particular slides, handles, handrails, and uprights. An accessory or structural part of equipment exposed to the sun (for example a slide) can reach a temperature that creates serious injury to the body parts that come into contact. Considering that during play phases the children touch almost every part of the equipment it is very important to use appropriate materials that can serve as thermal insulators such as:
- Slides in plastic material (avoid metal);
- Structures with wooden uprights, wooden handrails and wooden floors (avoid metal);
- Nets and ropes with metal interior protected by colored polypropylene.
Duration and safety inconvenience with metal play structures
Here below we show you the photos of a play structure installed by one manufacturer on a beach in 2016. After just four years from the installation, please, see the advanced state of corrosion of the metal parts (Chinese production). The saltiness, humidity and wind action create a lethal mix for the metal structures. The cracking of the paint gives way to corrosion which threatens the structural integrity. The walkways, in particular, are failing. Unlike metal, please, note how the wooden parts (which do not even seem treated) are still intact and functional.
