Rubber Grass Mats vs Plastic Grass Mats
In our latest blog post, we delve in to the top three differences between rubber grass mats and plastic grass mats. The ultimate comparison guide and the highlights and key benefits of EcoSmart grass mats can all be found below…
1. Size
Our EcoSmart grass mats measure 1m by 1.5m and are 23mm thick, with the honeycomb being the majority of the thickness, with a smaller nipple underneath. Many rubber grass mat competitors bulk out the overall thickness of their mats by reducing the honeycomb and increasing the length of the nipple. This makes for a weaker, less durable mat that can be easily torn or damaged.
In terms of Plastic grass mats, the standard is 1m x 1m x 23mm thick and you would expect to pay more for larger coverage. What’s even worse is that often the quoted 1m x 1m will actually be four separate pieces that have to be locked together. And the other thing to consider… If your supplier tells you it’s quick and easy to lock the grass mats together… Surely that also means it’s easy to unlock them and for them to be damaged or vandalised?
2. Product weight
The second key difference between EcoSmart and it’s competitors is the weight of the grass mat. Our mats weigh 13.5kg each. This means they are far more durable, will create better ground stabilisation and are far less likely going to be damaged. The majority of rubber grass mats in the market are 11kg, however plastic matting usually comes in at around 8.4kg, or sometimes even as low as 5.6kg.
In the case of grass matting, heavier is always better, so why would you go for a mat that is 60% lighter than the leading standard?
3. Accessibility
Many grass mats require a ramped edging strip to ensure they are accessible to all users. Our mats are installed in such a way that this is not required. When our mats are installed they are recessed into the ground, meaning that once the grass has properly regrown, the mat is flush with the ground around it, meaning easy access for all!
Other reasons to choose EcoSmart grass mats
Other key benefits of EcoSmart grass mat is its long term durability and lifespan. The hard wearing matting has a very low maintenance schedule, where all you have to do is cut the grass! If any mats are damaged or vandalised, they can be easily replaced. Our EcoSmart grass mats come with a 10 year product guarantee as standard, and if we install the matting for you, we will give you a 5 year installation guarantee.
We keep a large stock of matting in our warehouse, so are able to ship supply only as soon as payment has been received, and all grass mats (to the UK) are sent on 48-hour delivery as standard.
EcoSmart grass mats can be installed all year round in most weather conditions, on existing grass surfaces, seeded topsoil or new turf. And if you need a mat that has all of these benefits but is also fire retardant, we’ve got that as an option too! FireSmart is the leading standard for fire retardant grass matting in the UK and can extinguish within 60 seconds of ignition.
The final key difference with our rubber grass mats is that they can be combined with our patented shock pad to create the SmartPlay Safety System. The system ensures better fall height protection for Critical Fall Heights over 2 meters and because of the unique design of our shock pad and grass mats, grass will grow through both to aspects, promoting natural play in playgrounds where the equipment needs to blend in with the surroundings.
