Bonded Rubber Mulch is a '100% recycled bonded rubber eco-mulch' surface that is commonly used in playgrounds and play areas for parks and schools, activity trails, playgrounds and leisure areas. Also, due to its natural appearance, Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces are becoming more commonly applied and installed for landscaping applications such as seating areas and pathways.
Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces are produced by shredding re-cycled forklift truck tyres such that they appear similar wood bark chippings. The metal-free rubber shreds are then bonded with a high performance polyurethane resin, and the resultant product is then installed to create a seamless playground surface with no loose particles. The shredded rubber is colour-coated in a factory process using a variety of colours. The overall effect is that, although they appear very similar to a natural bark/wood chip surface, the key difference is that it's bound together, meaning that it does not erode or deteriorate. The finish is a rolled and textured bark effect which blends beautifully with natural and rural surroundings.
Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces are installed onto a special geotextile sheet with a base layer and the specialist rubber mulch wearing course. Our 40mm system is the most popular rubber mulch depth for playground surfaces and meets all the safety requirements. Thicker depths are applied on playgrounds containing play equipment to add extra safety qualities. Such equipment includes swings, slides, climbing frames and activity trails, which are all common in children's play areas. The right thickness of bonded mulch is quantified and applied according to Critical Fall High guidelines of the equipment placed on the playground. We do this to reduce the risk of permanent injuries due to head impacts in case of a fall or a trip.
Bonded Rubber Mulch is a fully tested and certificated impact absorbing system, with a maximum critical fall height of 3.5 metres on a concrete sub-base. The special attributes and installation of Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces allows for high absorption of impacts, thereby reducing the risk of injuries to children playing on the surface.
Our company offers specialist advice and guidance on the installation of Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces, so please feel free to contact us using any of the methods described in our Contact Details page.
What are the key differences between wet pour and bonded rubber mulch surfaces?
The key difference between Wet Pour and Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces is that the latter can be installed directly onto existing surfaces, which means that it is generally a more cost-effective playground surface. Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces can be installed over many existing surfaces and gradients including, but not limited to, the following:
- Grass
- Concrete
- Tarmac
- Soil
- Gravel
- Existing bark pits
- Tree roots
- Pathways
- Slopes
- Mounds
- Patios
- Existing synthetic surfaces.
Rubber Mulch is very different from other rubberised play surfaces, not only in its appearance, but also with respect to the amount of preparation work that is required before it can be installed. In most cases, installing Bonded Rubber Mulch surfaces requires minimal preparation ground work, which means that is generally a more cost-effective option to other surface types and is ecologically friendly.
Why use our company for bonded rubber mulch surfacing?
We are a company who specialises in the provision and installation of conventional and be-spoke safety surfacing for playgrounds. We highly a reputable record for our excellent workmanship and for executing and delivering quality end-products, and are an extremely competitive company who are always striving for continuous improvement using, in particular, the latest technologies and innovations. We constantly work according to the specific needs of our clients and customers, and we offer an unparalleled customer service guarantee, which entails the underpinning ethos of 'no job is complete until the customer/client is 100% satisfied with the end-product'.
As with the other types of surfacing services we provide, installing a Bonded Rubber Mulch surface requires the use of highly specialised and competent persons and as such, Safe Play Surfacing ensures that their workforce are trained to the highest standards and site supervisors and managers have a minimum of five years' experience in the domain of Bonded Rubber Mulch surfacing. All our staff undergo annual competency assessments/appraisals and where competency deficiencies are identified, appropriate training needs are identified and included in a formalised training program. We strongly ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations and amongst other memberships we are also certified by the Association of Play Industries (API).
