The playground slide is one of the most popular devices in the children’s play areas. Whether a school, a park, a commercial playground park, and a community space, the slides are almost always a required device.
In fact, the price of the slides has a big difference that maybe its price range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. The factors affecting prices not only includes the sizes and materials, but also refers to structure type, safety standards, installation way, and customization needs.
Why is a big price difference for playground slides
Different slides have entirely different designs and usages, so their costs also have a clear change.
The following are several factors that are usually affecting the slide price:
Slide height and length
Used materials
Slide type
Customize theme?
Installation difficulty
Safety mat demands
Transportation cost
A simple children’s small slide and large commercial combination slide have a very big difference on the structural complexity and security demands, so the price range will be pilled open.
The prices in different types of playground slides
1. Straight Slide
Its structure is most simple and also is the most common type.
Its features:
It is easy to install
It occupies a less space
It is suitable for preschool and community
Its price range:
Small plastic type: $500–$2,000
Commercial-grade and large-scale model: $2,000–$5,000
So it is suitable for a small items with a limited budget.
2. Curved Slide
It has added a turn design and let the sliding experience become more fun.
Its features:
It has a stronger fun
It is suitable for the medium to large playground parks
Its safety deceleration effect is better
Its price range: It is usually about $2,500–$7,000
Its curved structure will add the mold and support costs, so its price is higher than the simple straight slide.
3. Spiral Slide
It is a common device in the large playground parks.
Its features:
It can save the vertical space
Its sliding time is longer
Its visual appeal is strong
Its price range: It is usually about $5,000–$12,000
If the height exceeds two levels of platform, its price will continue to grow.
4. Wave Slide
Its slide has an undulating design.
Its features:
It can enhance a sense of stimulation
It is very suitable for school-age children
It has a higher entertainment
Its price range: It is about $3,000–$8,000
Its wave structure has a higher demand for manufacturing accuracy, so its cost is also higher.
5. Tunnel Slide
It is a fully enclosed design, and common used for the indoor playground and high-platform equipment.
Its features:
Its safety is higher
It can avoid children falling
It can add a transparent observation window
Its price range: It is usually about more than $7,000–$15,000.
A large custom tubular slide may even more than $20,000.
Cost differences of the slides with different materials
1. Plastic Slide
It is commonly seen in the children’s play equipment.
Its features:
Its colors is rich
It is not easy to get rusty
It is suitable for the young children
Its price range: $500–$5,000
It is very suitable for the preschool, small community and family backyard.
2. Stainless Steel Slide
It is the common materials in the commercial playground park.
Its features:
It is wear-resistant and durable
It has a long service life
It is suitable for high-frequency usage
Its price range: $3,000–$10,000
Although its initial cost is higher, but long-term maintenance costs is lower.
3. Fiberglass Slide
It is popular in the past, and the usage has reduced more now.
Its features:
Its surface is smooth
It has a strong plasticity
It can make a complex shape
Its price range: It is about $4,000–$9,000
A lot of theme parks still use the fiberglass to start a special-shaped design.
Besides the slide itself, what costs you need to consider
1. Installation cost
A commercial slide usually needs a professional installation.
The installation cost usually includes:
Basic fix
Steel structure installation
Security texting
Lifting equipment
It usually accounts for 10%–25% of the total equipment cost.
2. Safety mat cost
Most countries have a demand that the slide area must installed a buffer ground.
The common materials include:
EPDM rubber mat
EVA ground mat
Rubber particle paving
An artificial turf buffer layer
Its price usually: $30 - $150 per square meter
The higher slides, it has a higher demand for the ground cushion thickness.
3. Transportation cost
The transportation cost of a large slide maybe is very high.
Especially is:
International transport
An ultra-long tubular slide
A customized large structure
The maritime transportation, wooden box packaging,and destination port taxes and fees need to count in advance.
Why is a custom slide more expensive
Many commercial playground park will choose a theme design, for example:
Macaron theme
Ocean theme
Pirate ship theme
Jungle theme
Space theme
Candy theme
Castle theme
The custom content usually includes:
Special colors
IP theme design
LOGO
Light effect
Transparent observation window
These will add:
Mold cost
Design cost
Production cycle
So the custom slide price usually is 20%–50% higher than the standard model.
How to plan the slide budget rationally
1. Clear the age groups first
Different ages with different slide heights:
2–5 years old: Low platform and small slide
5–12 years old: Medium to large combined slide
Teenagers: Tall tower slide and spiral slide
The age targeting will directly decide the budget.
2. Consider safety standards in advance
The common standards in the international market include:
ASTM
EN1176
CPSIA
ISO
Although the slide price is higher that meets the international certification, and it is more suitable for commercial operation.
3. Not only focus on its initial price
The low-cost slides may have:
Fading
Cracking
Rusting
The connectors become loose
So the long-term maintenance cost is even higher.
A commercial item should focus on the following:
Service life
Maintenance costs
Safety and stability
What is the budget needed for a slide at a commercial playground park
The common ranges:
The budget range for a small children's slide: $500–$3,000
The budget range for a community playground slide: $3,000–$10,000
The budget range for a business combination slide: $10,000–$50,000
The budget range for a large-scale themed custom slide: More than $50,000
If you has a complete indoor playground item, the slide usually accounts for only a part of the total equipment budget.
The prices of playground slides mainly lies on type, size, material, and degree of customization. A small plastic slide is suitable for a with limited budget, but a large commercial slide needs a higher investment.
When you are choosing slide, besides focus on the purchasing costs,but also need to consider the safety standards, durability, maintenance costs, and long-term operational value. Plan the budget rationally, and then can create a safe and more attractive play space.
