Rubber Playground Surfacing: the Options are.....!
11/06/09
Rubber-Cal Inc.
Rubber playground surfacing is relatively new when it comes to providing protection for commercial playgrounds for children, whether it is for schools, daycares, or parks. In many ways, this new rubber playground covering has many benefits over the “standard” coverings, such as sand, and wood mulch. Aesthetically, it can provide vibrant colors. Additionally, it can provide superior fall protection. The fact that many of these products are recycled is another indirect benefit gained from rubber surfacing. There are three primary groups of rubber surfacing for playgrounds: rubber playground tiles, rubber mulch and pour-in-place rubber flooring.
The most common rubber playground surfacing used would be the rubber playground surfacing tiles. These are moderate in terms of cost when considering rubber playground surfacing, and offer excellent fall protection. Typically, these playground tiles have two means of installation: permanent (which generally means with adhesive), and semi-permanent (which generally refers to an interlocking system). Permanent installation is usually done with polyurethane adhesive, due to its strength when bonding with recycled rubber, and is excellent for keeping the playground tiles in place in environments where heavy use is expected. Semi-permanent installation using an interlocking system is generally done using some form of clips or pins to connect the tiles, negating the need for a permanent installation. This makes it easy to replace a tile that may get worn in heavy traffic areas, such as the bottom of a slide or under swings. An interlocking installation also provides the benefit of moving the product to a new location if desired, or removed easily if the area the tiles are installed in will be used for other purposes. It also would eliminate costly installation fees, as most often, the interlocking system can be a DIY project. Either way the product is installed, it will provide ample protection for most playgrounds due to the substantial thickness, which absorbs the impact when falling onto it. Another added benefit of a tiled product versus any loose playground surfacing is that shifting would not be a concern. Mulch or sand can shift, leaving some areas less protected than others, potentially leave an area prone to child injury.
Rubber mulch is another form of rubber playground surfacing currently available. This is generally more cost effective than other rubber surfacing products, making it more affordable to smaller institutions. Installation for this product is fairly simple; generally all that is required is a geo-textile weed barrier, and a border to contain the mulch. Rubber mulch, like other rubber surfacing, compresses on impact, thereby reducing the risk of injury for children who may fall. Since this is mulch and not a solid surfacing however, it can be susceptible to shifting, making it impossible to rate for a fall height protection. For commercial or governmental institutions, it is imperative to know the regulations and guidelines in your area, as there are generally guidelines that must be followed when installing a playground surfacing.
For high-end playground surfacing, there is the “pour-in-place” rubber playground surfacing. This requires permanent installation, as an uncured rubber material is applied to the playground area, which then cures, making for a seamless, permanent installation. This product typically has excellent fall height ratings since it remains a consistent thickness throughout. This material is not commonly seen, due to the cost of installation and materials. This product also if damaged is much more difficult to repair, as the product must be “patched”, which involves an installer coming to fill in the areas which have been damaged.
11/06/09
Rubber playground surfacing products are becoming increasingly popular among schools, daycares, and their commercial playgrounds. These types of playground surfacing provide colorful new alternatives to "standard" playground filler (i.e. sand, wood mulch, etc.), as well as significantly improved fall protection compared to these products. Rubber products for safety surfacing applications are broken into three main categories: tiles, rubber mulch, and pour-in-place flooring. 
