What Is Playground Padding and Why It Matters for Playground Turf Installations
Creating a safe and enjoyable play environment is every parent’s and playground designer’s top priority. Whether you’re installing a new playground or upgrading an existing space, playground turf is becoming the go-to surface for its durability, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal. But what goes underneath the turf is just as important as the turf itself. That’s where Smart Pad padding from Smart Turf comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what Smart Pad padding is, the difference between Smart Pad Basic and Smart Pad Advanced, and why both options provide unmatched safety and performance when paired with Smart Turf artificial grass. If you’re planning a playground installation, this guide will help you choose the right padding to meet safety standards and provide peace of mind.
Why Padding Matters in Playground Turf Installations
Artificial grass has become a popular choice for playgrounds thanks to its soft, lush look, minimal maintenance, and durability. However, beneath the surface, the padding system plays a critical role in ensuring the area is safe for children at play.
Here’s why padding matters:
- Fall Protection: Proper padding reduces the risk of serious injuries by absorbing impact from falls.
- ASTM Compliance: Meeting standards like ASTM F1292 (for impact attenuation) is often required for public and commercial playgrounds.
- Drainage and Durability: High-quality padding allows water to drain efficiently and extends the lifespan of the playground turf.
- Comfort: Padding creates a softer surface that enhances play and comfort.
At Smart Turf, we offer two high-performance padding systems to pair with our artificial grass products: Smart Pad Basic and Smart Pad Advanced. Both are ASTM-tested and qualified, ensuring top-tier safety performance for your playground installation.
Smart Pad Basic – Simple, Effective Playground Protection
Explore Smart Pad Basic
Smart Pad Basic is an excellent entry-level playground turf padding solution for those looking to meet safety standards without compromising on cost-effectiveness. Designed to pair seamlessly with Smart Turf playground turf, this pad delivers critical fall height protection while maintaining proper drainage and long-term durability.
Key Features:
- Thickness: 50mm
- ASTM F1292 Certified: Meets standards for head impact protection (critical fall height rating).
- Shock Absorption: Provides reliable cushioning for general playground use.
- Drainage: Built-in drainage channels to prevent pooling and improve turf longevity.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled materials, contributing to sustainable playground designs.
- Budget-Friendly: A great choice for schools, daycares, and municipalities working with fixed budgets.
Smart Pad Basic is ideal for playgrounds that don’t require maximum impact attenuation but still need dependable safety. Whether it’s a preschool play area or a community park, it adds a vital safety layer under your artificial grass.
Smart Pad Advanced – Next-Level Safety and Performance
Explore Smart Pad Advanced
For playgrounds where safety can’t be compromised—such as those with higher equipment or serving children of varying ages—Smart Pad Advanced offers an upgraded padding system that exceeds expectations.
Key Features:
- Thickness: 50mm
- ASTM F1292 Certified: Designed for maximum fall height protection and head injury prevention.
- Dual-Layer Structure: Offers superior shock absorption and more consistent GMAX/HIC ratings.
- Advanced Drainage Design: Enhanced water flow system helps keep turf dry and safe after rain.
- Durability: Engineered for high-traffic use, long-lasting resilience, and structural integrity.
- Recyclable & Sustainable: Manufactured from eco-conscious materials for green building standards.
Smart Pad Advanced is the gold standard in playground padding, offering added assurance to designers, schools, and facility managers that their play space is as safe as possible. It’s perfect for installations where fall height requirements are stricter or where playground equipment includes taller structures.
Why Pair Smart Pad with Smart Turf Artificial Grass?
Not all turf systems are created equal. Smart Turf’s line of artificial grass is specially engineered for commercial and residential use, including play areas, schools, parks, and more. When paired with our Smart Pad systems, you get a complete safety solution that’s:
- ASTM Certified: Smart Turf and Smart Pad products are tested and certified for critical fall height compliance.
- Low Maintenance: No mowing, watering, or fertilizing needed.
- Clean and Hypoallergenic: No mud, no mess—perfect for kids with sensitivities.
- Long-Lasting: Engineered for all-day play and years of use.
- Aesthetically Pleasing: Always green, always fresh-looking.
- Built-in Microban© Antimicrobial Protection: Smart Turf is the only artificial grass with integrated protection that inhbits the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and reduces odors by 99%!
Whether you’re choosing Smart Pad Basic or Smart Pad Advanced, the combination of Smart Turf’s playground turf and padding creates a cushioned, beautiful, and functional surface kids love to play on—and adults feel confident about.
Which Smart Pad Is Right for You?
Choosing the right playground turf padding depends on several factors, including the age group of children using the playground, the height of play equipment, budget, and environmental considerations.
Still unsure? Our team at Smart Turf can help you assess your needs and recommend the best solution for your project.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Smart Pad systems are designed for easy installation beneath your playground turf. Installation usually involves:
- Sub-base preparation (compacted aggregate for stability and drainage).
- Padding layout (interlocking Smart Pad tiles for even coverage).
- Artificial grass installation (Smart Turf’s playground turf rolled out and secured).
- Infill and brushing (optional depending on application).
Maintenance is minimal with Smart Pad + Smart Turf systems—just occasional rinsing and brushing to keep the surface clean and upright.
Safety + Sustainability: The Smart Choice
Both Smart Pad Basic and Advanced are made from recycled materials, contributing to environmentally friendly playground design. They’re also fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, reducing landfill waste and meeting green building standards.
At Smart Turf, we’re proud to offer a product lineup that’s as safe as it is sustainable. Every component, from turf to padding, is developed with performance, longevity, and eco-consciousness in mind.
Build a Safer Playground with Smart Pad
When building or renovating a playground, it’s easy to focus on the visible features—the turf, the equipment, the shade structures—but the foundation matters just as much. Smart Pad underlayment adds that critical layer of protection that ensures your artificial grass playground turf system is not only beautiful and durable but also safe.
Whether you go with Smart Pad Basic for standard installations or Smart Pad Advanced for premium safety, you’re investing in peace of mind and play-ready performance.
A Note of Caution for Hot Climates: Choose the Right Turf Over Padding
When installing artificial grass over padding in high-temperature regions, it’s important to choose the right turf material to avoid performance issues. Polyethylene (PE) turf products are not recommended for use over padding in areas where temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, as extreme heat can cause the PE fibers to degrade prematurely or even melt.
For playgrounds or outdoor spaces in hot climates, we strongly recommend using one of our nylon landscape turf products, which are specifically engineered to withstand higher temperatures and maintain their integrity under more intense sun exposure. Nylon’s superior heat resistance makes it a safer, more durable choice when paired with Smart Pad in warm-weather installations.
Please note: Smart Turf does not warranty PE turf products installed over padding. It’s up to the reseller of Smart Turf to determine if a Polyethylene product will perform over padding in their climate.