Rubber playground flooring is fast becoming the most popular surface option in the UK. However, there is a lot of confusion over which type is better for which project. Therefore, we strive to give you the information you need to choose between Rubber Mulch or Wet Pour Rubber.
Each has its benefits and uses that make them unique rubber playground flooring option. Let’s put them up against each other to find out which comes out on top!
What is Rubber Mulch?
Rubber mulch is a great alternative to rubber play bark or natural play bark. It has an extended lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements. Additionally, this surface uses natural rubber shred and polyurethane binders for excellent slip resistance and all-round durability.
Rubber mulch is an easy-to-install option for a cost-effective large playground surface option. Additionally, it requires only a minimal sub-base. Installation needs just 25mm depth of turf to remove and a weed suppressant membrane placed.
Introducing JungleMulch
JungleMulch is a widely popular choice. It is a sustainable rubber playground flooring option because it uses recycled rubber tyre shred and organic colour pigments. JungleMulch is available as bonded rubber mulch or rubber chips for playgrounds.
JungleMulch looks natural with multi-color blends available in many different combinations to create a unique effect. Additionally to its aesthetic value, JungleMulch is certified for excellent slip resistance. A single 55mm layer provides a critical fall height of 1.7m (BS EN1177 2008 and BS7188)
Introducing EPDM MulchSmart
Using virgin rubber shred, EPDM MulchSmart provides vivid rubber mulch colours which last for longer than recycled options. We often install this alongside Green Frog Artificial Grass for a brilliant, vibrant playground design. Also, EPDM is a great option for any outdoor area looking to provide a firm, shock-absorbent surface with superior slip resistance.
We recommend EPDM, as a virgin rubber playground flooring product, to nurseries and preschool playgrounds. This is because the durable material does not release carbon or toxins with heavy use like some recycled rubber can.
What is Wet Pour Rubber?
Wet Pour Rubber flooring is an ever-popular safety surfacing option with amazing customisability for fall protection, design, colour, and thickness. Unlike some flooring options, we install wet pour as one continuous surface. Therefore, allowing for easy access and an unparalleled smooth look and full buggy and wheelchair accessibility with no trip edges.
The durability of rubber wet pour surfacing makes it perfect for a lot of heavy traffic areas including pathways. In the event damage does occur, repairs are simple. PlaySmart provides repair kits and a repair service when required for reskim layers or fill-ins.
Introducing RubbaSmart
RubbaSmart is an ideal choice to brighten up your playground surface with complex designs and bright colours that visitors love! Additionally, this safety surface can provide a range of critical fall heights at different installation depths (dependent on sub-bases). Our 130mm option providing 3m of critical fall height protection.
PlaySmart’s RubbaSmart wet pour safety surfacing is very popular for creating a continuous design across a larger playground site. Therefore, our past playground projects have created some amazing themed rubber playground flooring with the help of RubbaSmart! For RubbaSmart playground design ideas you can take a look at our gallery, or case study videos.
Where to use Rubber Mulch
Example uses of Rubber Mulch from our past customers include:
- Embankments
- Erosion control areas
- Paths
- Tree surroundings
- Mounds
- Surface overlays
- Nursery and pre-school play areas
- Around play equipment requiring critical fall height protection
- Recreation grounds
- 3D centrepieces
Where to use Wet Pour Rubber Flooring
Sites where Wet Pour Rubber Flooring has been a great surfacing solution include:
- Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs)
- Outdoor gyms
- Pathways
- Sports surfaces
- Seating areas
- Splash zones
- Gardens and play surfaces for home
- Children’s play areas
How do Wet Pour Rubber and Rubber Mulch Address Play Surfacing Concerns?
Cost Effectiveness
Although all of our surfaces are cost-effective, rubber mulch is a more versatile and useful material for larger-scale projects. This is because of its reduced installation costs and time commitment.
The main point that makes both kinds of rubber playground flooring cost-effective is their durability. PlaySmart provides a 10-year product and 5-year installation guarantee on all of our products. Additionally, we offer many options for repairs and maintenance assistance to further boost the longevity of any surface.
Drainage Capabilities
As with any playground surfacing, drainage capabilities depend on the existing ground type and the surface of your area. However, with fully certified, experienced installers, we can find the right solution and adjustments for any flooring option.
However, areas of slow drainage may require more extensive groundwork when installing rubber mulch, due to its permeability. This is important to reduce groundwater puddling which can cause further issues down the line. These groundworks can be similar to the requirements for wet pour rubber. It can therefore require drilling drainage holes or an open textured macadam sub-base installation.
Maintenance Requirements
The ease of Rubber mulch maintenance makes it the ideal alternative to loose-fill play flooring options. Especially for tree surrounds and natural areas, because it can protect roots and control weed growth.
We design RubbaSmart to be vandal resistant and easily maintained through the occasional sweep or hosing. The maintenance and way to clean Rubber Mulch are similarly simple. However, when installed alongside grass, the edges can require regular mowing to control natural grass growth.
Sustainable Flooring
RubbaSmart uses a non-recycled rubber material, ensuring the surface’s purity and stability over time. This makes it a less sustainable flooring option than recycled rubber mulch like JungleMulch. However, because of PlaySmart’s goals for eco smart surfacing provision, the base surfaces still use reycled rubber crumb. In addition to being a sustainable flooring material, this gives the surface a superior shock-absorbent layer for fall protection.
Which Rubber Flooring is Your Winner?
We hope that this guide gives you some clarity on which rubber playground flooring option is the best for you. Are you looking for more information and guidance, or are ready to start your journey with PlaySmart? Visit our contact page and request a callback or free quick quote today!