Rubber mulch is becoming one of the most popular choices for keeping playgrounds, parks and even residential back yards safe, clean and green. You might be thinking, why is it so widely used? Let’s dive into it.
What is Rubber Mulch?
Rubber mulch is a safety surfacing made from 100% recycled rubber, generally tyres. Worn tyres are shredded to a nugget size of about 2-3cm and then top-coated with a tough polyurethane (PU) polymer pigment before the coating is cured. In an inert form, the coating is non-toxic and safe for people and children who will play on it.
Benefits of Rubber Mulch
- Eco-Friendly Choice
Rubber mulch is good for the environment because it uses recycled rubber rather than adding more to the landfills. By choosing rubber mulch, it helps reduce waste and allows old materials to be repurposed for good. - Safety First
One of the advantages of using rubber mulch in playgrounds is its safety. It meets the requirements of BS EN1177:2008 for reducing injury caused by falls from children’s heads, legs, arms, shoulders, and back. It is great for cushioning accidents and falls, making it great especially on playgrounds. - Low Maintenance
Rubber mulch is incredibly easy to take care of. It requires no topping-up or raking out, like bark chippings do, it simply just stays put. The mulch remains at the same depth, consistently clean, and level. It drains quickly- no surface water, no ice – and it’s more accessible to wheelchair users.
- Versatile and Attractive
Rubber mulch has a very natural look. It works well in parks and areas, even where there’s a high concentration of trees. There’s also little or no groundwork preparation needed to install it directly on grass or other surfaces, so it’s an economical choice for many projects.
- Durable and Long-Lasting
Rubber mulch is highly resistant. It can withstand high usage and any kind of weather conditions without degradation and lasts for years. This makes it a great investment for areas with high foot traffic and commonly used public spaces.
Installing Rubber Mulch
Rubber mulch is very easy to install and time efficient. If completed properly, it can typically be dried and ready for use within 24 hours.
- Site Preparation
Little preparation is needed. The surface needs to be scraped clear and levelled. Rubber mulch can be applied to grass, soil, or an existing surface, so this option is going to be the safest if the excavation is challenging. - Laying the Base
For areas with greater CFH’s a dynamic base is prepared, consisting of stone or soil, helping to lessen the required minimum thickness compared with other materials.- What is CFH?
CFH stands for Critical Fall Height. It is a safety standard that measures the maximum height from which a fall will not result in a serious injury on a playground surface. This measurement is used to determine the thickness and type of surfacing material needed to adequately cushion falls and reduce the risk of injury, ensuring the safety of playground users.
- What is CFH?
- Applying the Rubber Mulch
The recycled rubber shreds are mixed with a PU binder and spread evenly over the prepared base. This mixture is left to cure, forming a solid, cushioned surface that remains stable and intact. - Final Touches
Once cured, the rubber mulch surface is inspected to ensure evenness and adherence. The area is then ready for use, providing a safe and attractive play or recreational surface.
Why Choose Rubber Mulch?
Rubber mulch offers several advantages that make it an ideal choice for various applications:
- No need for foundations: They can be installed directly into the grass, which reduces installation times and costs.
- Quick Setup: Ready for use within 24 hours of installation.
- Natural Appearance Overview: Its aesthetic appearance is similar to that of the material it replaces, making it ideal for delicate environments like tree surroundings.
- Certified Safety: This product is tested to meet the critical fall height requirements for playground equipment to maximise safety.
- Porous and Quick Draining: It deters surface standing water and ice accumulation, keeping the surface level safe and dry.
- Maintenance-Free: There’s no need for regular topping up or raking, providing a low-maintenance solution.
Ultimately it is always very important to make environment-conscious decisions. Unitary materials like rubber mulch embraces sustainability, where it not only re-uses it as an end of waste material but also brings a longer and durable surfacing solution that calls for less frequent replacement and maintenance. This not only brings the use of fewer resources day-to-day, but it also makes for a greener tomorrow for all of us.
Today more and more people are moving towards eco-friendly materials for surfacing. Rubber mulch is something that everyone should consider as it provides a versatile, low maintenance option for the surface.
Install Environmentally Friendly Surfacing
If you are looking into new surfacing, definitely put rubber mulch on your shortlist. The clear advantages of rubber mulch should make it the practical and responsible option for all your outdoor needs. If you need to speak to a professional, get in touch with is today. We can break it all down for you.