What kind of mulch should I use for a playground?
Wood playground mulch is a fairly safe option. Wood mulch offers decent shock absorption, as nine inches of wood mulch can protect against falls of up to seven feet. Surfacing playgrounds with wood mulch also offers good slip resistance, as it absorbs and drains moisture.
How long does playground rubber mulch last?
about 10 years
You can expect rubber mulch to last about 10 years before needing to do a comprehensive replacement of the material. (That being said, you’ll have to top off the rubber playground mulch during that time, which can add up.) It’s not biodegradable and does not decompose like natural wood.
What is the difference between playground mulch and rubber mulch?
The Wisdom in Using Playground Wood Chips Unlike rubber mulch, wood chips are free of chemicals and harmful substances. And, since the wood used comes from mature forests with little human activity, the chips have little chance of causing an allergic reaction.
What is the difference between mulch and rubber mulch?
Wood mulch products use dyed woods, old pallets that have been ground up, and other woods which were used in industrial capacities. These wood chips contain arsenic and creosote, among other byproducts such as toxins and acids. Rubber mulch is made from ground-up tires that have gone out of commission.
Is rubber mulch worth it for a playground?
Rubber mulch has been evaluated by groups like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as an appropriate loose full surfacing material for residential and commercial playgrounds because it provides superior fall protection when compared to other materials.
What do you put under rubber mulch for a playground?
Installation of a commercial grade geotextile landscape fabric is recommended under GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch. Seam overlap needs to be a minimum of three inches and all seams need to be properly secured to prevent dirt or other substrate material from mixing with the safety surfacing.
What is the best rubber mulch for playgrounds?
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch does not decompose, harden with moisture or freeze like wood fibers. Making rubber mulch the safest playground mulch all year long….Why Rubber Mulch is Best for Playgrounds.
| Fall Height Protection | Un-Compacted Depth | Compacted Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Up To 12 FT. | 6″ | 7″ |
| Up To 10 FT. | 5″ | 4″ |
Is rubber mulch good for a playground?
Rubber mulch is non-toxic and safe for use around children and pets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a playground safety surfacing guideline for public playgrounds, stating rubber mulch is an appropriate loose-fill surfacing material for use on commercial playgrounds.