We would like to use Google Analytics and Google Ads cookies to see how the site is used and how our adverts perform. We only set them if you accept. Read our privacy policy.
Colour can completely transform an outdoor space. Whether you are revitalising tired tarmac, defining activity zones or transforming a sports court, MUGA or public space, we offer specialist coloured surface coatings across four systems, specified to what your space actually needs.
Rather than offering a single type of playground paint, we work with four different coloured surface systems: Endurance, Xtreme, Colour Coat and Acrylic Spray. Each offers different performance characteristics, including durability, slip resistance, application method, finish and suitability for different levels of use.
This means we can assess your project and recommend a coloured playground surface based on what the space actually needs, rather than trying to make one product fit every application.
A full-colour MUGA: a coloured anti-slip surface with the sports court markings laid to match.
How do we choose the right playground surface coating?
Search for playground paint, tarmac paint or coloured playground surfacing and you will find plenty of options, but not all surface coatings are the same. Before recommending a product, we consider factors including:
Existing surface and its condition
Expected footfall and intensity of use
Playground, sports or public realm application
Required durability and expected service life
Slip-resistance requirements
Desired appearance and finish
Site and weather conditions
Available budget
Where appropriate, we carry out a site survey to assess the existing substrate before recommending a system, giving us the flexibility to specify the right solution for everything from general school playground colour schemes to heavily trafficked outdoor spaces.
What are the four surface systems?
Each system is built for a different level of use, grip and finish. We specify the one that suits your surface, footfall and budget.
Endurance
Premium MMA coloured surface treatment
Our high-performance, cold-applied MMA coloured surface treatment, designed for projects where excellent durability, adhesion, colour stability and slip resistance are required. It combines an MMA binder with pigments, aggregates and fillers to create a tough, textured coloured surface.
When installed using the correct back-rolling process, Endurance achieves an SRV of 60+, an excellent choice where enhanced grip matters.
Rapid curing: depending on ambient temperature and catalyst dosage, it typically cures within approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
Highly resistant to discolouration and engineered for a long service life.
Installs on suitable bituminous surfaces, and with the appropriate primer on concrete and metal. New bituminous surfaces need a weathering period first.
Particularly suited to: Playgrounds, pathways, walkways, cycle routes, crossings and other outdoor areas needing a highly durable, anti-slip coloured surface.
Xtreme
Heavy-duty epoxy-acrylic surface coating
Our high-performance two-component, water-based epoxy-acrylic surface coating, designed for demanding outdoor environments. Unlike coatings intended primarily for lighter pedestrian use, Xtreme is formulated for heavy foot traffic and can even be used in areas subject to vehicle traffic.
Achieves a wet slip resistance value of 55 or more when tested to EN 13036-4, Class III for exterior use.
Excellent resistance to abrasion, tested against weather exposure, impact, freeze-thaw cycles and a range of chemicals.
Rapid drying: approximately two hours drying time, touch dry in around one hour, complete hardening in approximately 24 hours.
Application temperature range from +5°C to +35°C, useful for projects installed outside the warmer summer months.
Particularly suited to: Busy playgrounds, MUGAs, sports courts, high-footfall areas, pathways, pedestrian areas and public realm projects.
Colour Coat
Versatile water-based playground coating
Our versatile, water-based playground surface coating, designed to bring bright, stimulating colour to tarmac and concrete playgrounds. An excellent option for transforming tired surfaces, introducing large blocks of colour or creating clearly defined activity and play zones.
Offers slip-resistant properties and can be brush, roller or spray applied depending on the project.
Water-based formulation provides an eco-friendly playground coating option.
Designed for general playground use rather than very heavily trafficked environments. For particularly intensive use we can advise whether Xtreme or Endurance suits better.
Normally applied in two coats and, under suitable summer conditions, typically dries in approximately 2 to 4 hours.
Particularly suited to: School playgrounds, playground refurbishment, coloured activity zones and projects needing a versatile, cost-effective full-colour surface treatment.
Acrylic Spray
Spray-applied playground and sports surface coating
A hard-wearing, water-based pigmented acrylic coating designed to introduce colour efficiently across larger playground and sports surfaces. Applied using professional airless spraying equipment, using high-quality full acrylic resin, pigments, fillers and additives, and normally installed as a two-coat application.
Conforms to the slip resistance requirements set out within the SAPCA Code of Practice for tennis courts.
As a spray-applied coating it follows the existing profile and texture of the substrate, so some variation within the existing surface may remain apparent.
An effective and economical way to introduce large areas of colour where a heavier surface treatment is not required.
Under suitable conditions, typically dries within approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Particularly suited to: Playground transformations, sports areas, courts, coloured tarmac, activity zones and larger areas needing a cost-effective spray-applied colour treatment.
How do the four systems compare?
A side-by-side of the four coloured surface systems. Scroll the table sideways on a phone.
System
Type
Best for
Use level
Slip resistance
Application
Drying / cure
Endurance
Cold-applied MMA
Highly durable anti-slip areas, paths, crossings
Premium / high
SRV 60+ (back-rolled)
Back-rolled
Cures ~30 to 40 min
Xtreme
Water-based epoxy-acrylic (2-component)
High-footfall playgrounds, MUGAs, sports, public realm, light vehicle
Heavy-duty
55+ wet (EN 13036-4, Class III)
Roller / spray
Touch dry ~1hr, dry ~2hr, hard ~24hr; installs +5 to +35°C
Colour Coat
Water-based
School playgrounds, refurbishment, activity zones
General
Slip-resistant
Brush / roller / spray, 2 coats
~2 to 4 hrs
Acrylic Spray
Water-based pigmented acrylic
Larger areas, sports, courts, coloured tarmac
Hard-wearing (follows substrate)
Meets SAPCA tennis code
Airless spray, 2 coats
~2 to 3 hrs
Slip-resistance figures are for correctly installed systems. We confirm the right specification for your surface and use at survey.
Why is it more than just playground paint?
Although people frequently search for playground paint, tarmac paint and playground floor paint, specifying a full colour outdoor surface involves much more than choosing a tin of paint and a colour. The substrate beneath the coating is fundamental to its performance.
Its age, condition, porosity, previous treatments and contamination can all affect adhesion and the finished result, and different products have different requirements for newly laid asphalt or concrete. That is why surface preparation and product selection are just as important as application. Our experienced installation teams understand the different systems and how they interact with the surfaces beneath them, and where appropriate we survey your site and discuss how the area will be used before recommending a solution.
How slip-resistant are the coatings?
Slip resistance is understandably an important consideration when choosing playground surfacing, sports court coatings and coloured pedestrian surfaces. All four systems have slip-resistance characteristics, but their specifications and performance differ.
For projects requiring particularly high levels of measured slip resistance, we can specify products such as Endurance, which can achieve SRV 60+ when correctly installed, or Xtreme, which achieves 55 or more wet slip resistance to EN 13036-4. Our recommendation takes into account the intended use of the area as well as the existing substrate and required finish.
Can you combine full colour with playground markings?
Full colour really comes into its own when combined with our preformed thermoplastic playground markings. Rather than treating the background surface and markings as two separate elements, our design team develops the whole space together. Colour can be used to create:
Active play zones
Sports courts and MUGAs
SEND and sensory areas
Calm and regulation zones
EYFS spaces
Pathways and trails
Educational areas
Games and activity spaces
Bespoke school and community designs
Our thermoplastic games, graphics and markings are then incorporated into the design for a complete playground transformation. Marking out the lines on a court? See our sports court and MUGA markings.
Which coloured playground surface is right for my project?
There is not one answer, and that is exactly why we offer four different systems. A product designed for an extremely high-footfall public space may be unnecessary for a smaller school playground. Equally, selecting a lower specification purely on initial cost can be a false economy where the surface is subjected to particularly intensive use.
We consider where the product is being installed, the existing surface, expected footfall, slip resistance requirements, desired appearance and budget before recommending a solution. Whether you are looking for coloured playground surfacing, anti-slip playground coatings, school playground paint, coloured tarmac, sports court coatings, MUGA surface coatings or a complete playground transformation, talk to our team.
A recent full-colour MUGA project: a coloured anti-slip surface with the netball, basketball and multi-sport line markings laid to match.
The experts behind your surfacing
The people who design, price and stand behind every Uniplay installation.
Michael Jarvie
Operations Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with over 16 years' experience in the playground markings industry and masses of industry knowledge. There is very rarely a thermoplastic query he cannot resolve.
Tell us about your site and we will survey the existing surface, discuss the options and recommend the right full-colour surface covering for your project.
