Rubber mulch is the best playground mulch available, but it will not be able to provide reliable shock absorption like recycled rubber playground tiles. Both recycled tire playground surface options will offer durability against damaging environmental factors and excellent shock absorption. Despite their similar vehicle tire compositions, rubber mulch cannot offer sufficient shock absorption properties as recycled rubber playground tiles. As a loose-fill material, the safety properties of rubber mulch can easily be compromised by both physical and environmental properties, reducing the shock absorption properties of the rubber playground floor. Outdoor rubber playground tiles are unitary surfacing products that will stay an even surface for uniform playground safety padding throughout the entire playground in both indoor and outdoor settings.

What is Best for Playground Mulch?

The best for playground mulch is recycled crumb rubber mulch, but the best surface for a playground is crumb recycled rubber playground tiles. Recycled rubber crumb is an excellent playground padding material that can offer shock absorption can cushion a fall better than wood mulch or pea gravel. Case in point, “shredded rubber from old tires, also known as ‘rubber mulch,’ which can cushion kids’ falls better than gravel or wood chips” (nbcnews.com). Despite shock absorption properties, rubber mulch can easily be compromised by changing weather conditions as well as the wear and tear of children playing on its surface. Not only does this raise maintenance costs of frequent refilling, but it also reduces the surfacing’s ability to efficiently absorb the force of an impact. For instance, loose-fill materials, like rubber mulch, “will need to perform regular maintenance and upkeep of the playground surface to ensure proper cushioning is provided, as continued use can displace the cushioning material beneath swings and other equipment, and weather can cause the material to move beyond the containment area of the playground” (cauinsure.com). Due to its limited shock absorption, rubber mulch cannot be used over hard surfaces, such as concrete. Contrastingly, recycled crumb rubber playground tiles are unitary surfacing options that are easily installed through its interlocking mechanism that will remain unmoved. Additionally, they can be installed over a variety of different surfaces, including concrete, hardwood, dirt, grass, and carpet. For example, unlike rubber mulch, recycled crumb rubber playground tiles can be installed over hard surfaces and offer superior shock absorption, durability, and resistance against damaging environmental factors, such as UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. They will also stay in place and will not be displaced outside the designated play area. Therefore, the best playground mulch is rubber mulch, but the best overall playground surface is made up of interlocking outdoor rubber playground tiles.

• (a) What Kind of Mulch Should I Use for a Playground?

  If you are going to use much for a playground, you should use rubber mulch rather than wood mulch; however, it is best to used interlocking crumb rubber playground tiles for playground safety padding. Since rubber mulch is made from repurposed vehicle tires, they will be highly durable, shock absorbent, and weatherproof rubber playground tiles. Outdoor playground surfaces made of playground tiles will not be harmed by damaging outdoor factors, including UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. For rubber mulch to provide sufficient shock absorption, it must be at least 10 to 12 inches deep. Wood mulch cannot provide the same shock absorption as rubber mulch. For instance, while wood mulch can offer some shock absorption, it cannot provide the same shock absorption rubber tire mulch can (playgroundresource.com). Although both rubber mulch and outdoor rubber playground tiles are made of recycled tires, rubber mulch is a loose-fill material while rubber tiles are unitary, making its safety benefits inconsistent depending on weather and wear. Weather and wear can move rubber mulch and make the surface uneven, disrupting its 10-to-12-inch depth. Because outdoor rubber playground tiles are unitary surfacing products, they will stay in place to provide long-lasting playground safety padding.

  (b) What Kind of Mulch Do You Use for a Playground?

  You can use different types of mulch for a playground including, wood and rubber mulch, but crumb rubber tiles are the best playground padding material. If you are going to use mulch for playground surfacing, it is recommended to use rubber mulch over wood due to its post-consumer vehicle tire composition. Because wood is an organic material, it will eventually degrade over time when it is used outdoors. It also does not provide nearly as much shock absorption as a recycled tire playground surface. Recycled crumb rubber mulch can offer better shock absorption and is an inherently weatherproof material that will not degrade under damaging environmental factors. Despite this, both playground mulch options can be displaced by physical and environmental factors causing an uneven playground surface that cannot provide adequate playground safety padding. This makes loose-fill rubber playground surfacing difficult to maintain which, in turn, reduces its safety benefits. Additionally, unlike interlocking rubber playground tiles, outdoor rubber playground mulch cannot be installed over hard surfaces due to their limited shock absorbency compared to unitary surfacing options (cpsc.org). On the other hand, outdoor rubber playground tiles are unitary materials that are easy to install, will stay in place, and is easy to maintain simply by occasional cleanings. Furthermore, they can provide excellent padding over a wide range of surfaces, including hard surfaces as well as surfaces like grass and dirt.

  (c) What is the Safest Playground Mulch?

  The safest playground mulch is rubber mulch because it is made from post-consumer vehicle tire crumbs, allowing it to be a common playground padding material. Vehicle tires face rough terrain and harsh weather conditions daily without being significantly damaged. Tires can absorb the force of impact and remain undamaged when they are exposed to UV rays and ozone. In addition, rubber mulch is softer than wood mulch and will offer more shock absorption. Wood mulch is an organic material that will eventually degrade in outdoor settings whereas rubber mulch will last for years without showing signs of degradation. Furthermore, with wood mulch, there is a possibility of splinters getting stuck in hands or on exposed skin during a fall (playgroundresource.com). Made of the same material as rubber mulch, recycled rubber playground tiles are the solid form of rubber mulch and can offer better and safer properties. Outdoor rubber playground tiles will not be affected by physical or environmental factors and will remain in place to provide reliable playground safety padding. Best of all, the playground tiles are available in 3/4", 1”, 2.5”, and 3” thicknesses for maximum fall protection according to the height of the playground equipment.

Outdoor rubber playground tiles are the best option for creating a safe and shock absorbent playground surface in both indoor and outdoor play areas. Unlike rubber mulch, a loose-fill material, interlocking playground safety padding is a unitary surfacing option that will remain intact and level throughout the entirety of the playground surface. This type of recycled tire playground surface will not be affected by physical and environmental factors that often displace loose-fill materials. Additionally, recycled rubber playground tiles will not be damaged by harsh outdoor factors, including UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. Furthermore, they can be installed over a many different surfaces, including concrete, hardwood, carpet, grass, and dirt, while rubber mulch cannot be placed over hard surfaces due to its limited shock absorption properties that can be significantly compromised. Overall, recycled rubber playground tiles are the superior choice for creating a safe and shock absorbent playground surface over loose-fill rubber mulch.