Melcourt® Playchips – Hardwood

SKU: N/A Category: Natural Play Surfaces

Product Tagline:

Melcourt Hardwood Playchip – Durable, safe and versatile impact-absorbing surfacing for playgrounds and high-traffic play areas.

£11.00 – £29.54 Exc. VAT

Exc. VAT

weight

Clear

General Introduction:

Melcourt Hardwood Playchip is a premium, processed Loose Impact Absorbing Surface (LIAS) made from carefully screened hardwood chips. Specifically designed for areas where high movement and ground falls are likely, it provides a safe, resilient and aesthetically pleasing surface for playgrounds, trim tracks, pathways, play centres, under play frames, space nets and other non-moving play structures.

Produced from sustainably harvested British hardwood, Melcourt Hardwood Playchip is clean, virtually dust-free, and free-draining, ensuring safe play all year round. Independently tested to nationally recognised standards, it offers reliable impact absorption and long-term durability, making it a trusted choice for both professional and domestic installations.

Key Features & Benefits:

Certified safety compliance

Independently tested in accordance with BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177:2008, ensuring nationally accepted safety standards.

Proven critical fall heights

Tested at depths of 300mm, 200mm and 100mm, achieving critical fall heights of >3.5m, >3.5m and 1.4m respectively.

Durable and long-lasting

Offers a service life of 2–4 years or more, reducing replacement and maintenance frequency.

Clean and safe to play on

Virtually dust- and fines-free, with over 85% wood content.

Natural and attractive appearance

Light brown colour complements playground environments while creating a visually pleasing surface.

Free-draining

Rapid drainage ensures usability even during wet weather.

Fire resistant

High resistance to fire confirmed by BS 4790:1987 testing.

Low maintenance

Easy to install, relocate, and maintain; overspill does not damage grass or mowing equipment.

Pest and animal deterrent

Loose, particulate texture discourages dogs and cats, reducing fouling and creating a hostile environment for pests.

Cost-effective and reusable

At the end of its useful life, Hardwood Playchip can be repurposed as mulch or a soil conditioner.

RHS endorsed

providing added confidence in quality and performance.

Produced from sustainably harvested British hardwood

100% peat free

Environmentally responsible packaging

Polythene bags made with at least 30% post-consumer waste plastic. 100% recyclable (check local recycling facilities). Ongoing work with suppliers to increase recycled content.

Product Specification:

Main Constituent Hardwood chip

Origin British

Colour Light brown

Nominal Particle Size 5 – 40 mm

Bulk Density 260 – 310 kg/m³

Wood Content >85%

Dust and Fines Minimal

Durability 2–4+ years

BS EN 1176 Compliant Yes

BS EN 1177 Tested Yes

BS 4790:1987 Fire Tested Yes

Size of Product 60-litre bag

Recommended Uses +

Melcourt Hardwood Playchip is suitable for:

Children’s playgrounds and recreational areas
Trim tracks and high-movement play zones
Under and around climbing frames, slides, space nets, and other fixed structures
Play centres and communal outdoor spaces
Pathways and landscaped areas requiring impact-absorbing surfaces

To comply with BS EN 1176, the LIAS must be installed to a layer thickness 100mm greater than that determined by laboratory testing to achieve the required critical fall height.

Customers are responsible for ensuring full compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, and best practices, particularly in public or high-risk environments.

Why Choose? +

Melcourt Hardwood Playchip combines safety, durability, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility in one trusted product. Its long track record across UK playgrounds and high-traffic play areas demonstrates its reliability in real-world applications. Easy to install, maintain, and reuse, it is a practical and cost-effective choice for schools, play areas, recreational facilities and domestic gardens alike.

Choose Melcourt Hardwood Playchip for a safe, durable, and attractive impact-absorbing surface that performs in all conditions. Available in 60 litre bags or loose bulk, it is ideal for professional and domestic playgrounds, pathways, and high-movement play areas. Ensure your play spaces are safe, visually appealing, and long-lasting with Melcourt Hardwood Playchip. +