Play Bark Bulk Bag

Overview

When you are building a safe space for children to run, jump, fall and tumble in, you will usually require a soft surface for safety. Usually, you will purchase play area bark bulk bags in order to save money, due to the volumes you will require. We cover the use of bark for play areas in a separate article, but in this article, we discuss the issues around getting play grade bark by the bulk bag.

And just a quick note about our new tool, called the 'Pebble Picker', in the sidebar or menu - it allows you to effortlessly browse and choose from every decorative aggregate based on their colour and type. Check it out!

Key Takeaways

What is Play Bark?

Play grade bark chippings are high-quality products, finely graded for use in children's play areas. It's distinct from regular garden bark used for borders and decorative ground cover, as it's specifically designed to provide a safe play surface for children. To be certified as a play grade bark, it must be tested to meet the requirements of BS EN 1176 standards for child safety.

Benefits of Play Grade Bark

Using bark for play areas is a safe and natural way to minimise the potential for injuries during the rough-and-tumble of kids play. It can also help to reduce the spread of mud on children's feet and clothing. It also has many other benefits that we cover next.

Safety First

Play grade bark offers a soft and certified surface for safety that is designed to minimise splinters and choking hazards while absorbing the impact of falls, ensuring a safe play area suitable for both kids and pets.

Weed Prevention

Weeds are a nuisance in all parts of the garden. Laying play bark also acts as a mulch, preventing unwanted weed development and growth.

Moisture Retention

Play grade bark is great at helping moisture retention in the soil and play surface, which can help to soften any accidental falls.

Choosing the Right Play Bark for Your Project

Searching for cheap play area bark can be problematic, particularly if you are looking for a product that offers safety. In these cases, you must ensure that they are certified play grade bark chippings, and meet the BS EN 1176 standards.

Here are a few helpful things to consider when making an informed choice:

Common Alternatives to Play Bark

While play bark is a great product for play areas, there are many alternatives. Here are three that we cover thoroughly in separate articles.

Check Reviews

Whenever you are researching a product to purchase, it's always best to carefully go through the reviews. However, they can be problematic in this day and age, with fake reviews on the rise, generated either by AI or unscrupulous suppliers. Even reviews on Amazon need to be taken with a grain of salt, so seeking certification is the best idea in this case.

Asking a friend, or trusted landscaper, who might have tried and tested a great quality product can also be very useful.

Purchasing: Bulk Bags vs. Tonne Bags

Bulk bags are often confused with tonne bags, partly due to the way suppliers use the terms interchangeably. A play bark bulk bag typically contains a volume of bark, usually 1 cubic metre, whereas a tonne bag can refer to its weight.

Here's a helpful guide:

Often there is no difference between the contents of a play bark chippings bulk bag or a play bark ton bag, as suppliers can call things by slightly different names. It's worthwhile checking before having it delivered, and your choice of delivery depends on the quantity you need. This is where an online play bark calculator comes into its own.

Summary

When planning for the creation of a kids play surface with bark, it is always important to estimate accurately and know how to order correctly. There can be confusion about the volumes of different bulk bag sizes and hopefully we have enlightened you so that you can make an informed choice about your future purchase.

FAQs

How much does 1 tonne of bark cover?

A play bark tonne bag coverage depends on the bark's type and your desired depth. On average, 1 tonne can cover 20-30 square meters at a depth of 50mm. Try our bark calculator to get an accurate estimation.

How much is a bulk bag of bark?

If you search for play bark chippings near me, or play bark bulk bag near me, you will likely find a wide selection of competitors all ready to deliver and varying prices. Once you have some prices, you are free to plug them into our calculator and find yourself the best deal.

What area does 1000 litres of bark cover?

This may be considered a play bark ton bag, although it will likely weigh between 400-500kgs. Coverage always depends on the depth applied. On average, 1000 litres can cover approx 15-20 square meters at a depth of 5cm.

What is an alternative to play bark?

Rubber mulch, derived from recycled rubber, is a durable alternative to play bark known for its impact-absorbing properties. Engineered wood fiber (EWF) offers a natural appearance, soft surface, and drainage, while wood play chip provides a slightly more hard-wearing, natural surface.

What bark is best for play area?

Play grade bark is the best choice for play areas due to its safety features and quality testing.

Where can I buy small bags of play bark in the UK?

You can buy small bags of play bark from your local hardware supplier. If you are searching for play bark uk: B&Q, Wickes and Homebase usually supply in small bags.

Can I use any bark for a play area?

It's recommended to use play grade bark which is specifically designed and tested for children's safety.

Is wood chip or bark better for play area?

Play bark is often preferred as it offers better cushioning against falls compared to wood chips, although it's not always as durable.

How much does 500L of bark cover?

500L can typically cover approx 7-10 square meters at a depth of 50mm.