7 Tips to Choose the Best Playground Rubber Tiles

Whether you want to install playground rubber tiles for the school play area, local park, or garden, you need to do thorough research. 

Why?

Recent studies state that spending time outdoors benefits the kids’ development. It makes them more attentive, cheerful, and less anxious. 

Thus, the playground is a crucial part of childhood. It should offer a good safety profile as the kids play around. Hence, the rubber tiles you choose must be robust enough to support the high foot traffic of kids. They should help lessen the impact of falls and injuries. 

But, addressing the safety parameter alone is not enough. 

What are the other characteristics that can ensure the best playground rubber tiles? 

In this post, we will be discussing the top seven tips that’ll help you choose the best playground rubber tiles.

How to Choose the Best Playground Rubber Tiles

Tip #1: Consider the Critical Fall Height

One of the primary aspects to look for in playground rubber tiles is critical fall height.

With climbing and playing in the playgrounds, there is a risk of scratches, injuries, and falls. Children can cope with minor injuries, but serious falls can lead to fatal injuries.

According to the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) Standards, the fall height protection rate of surfacing should be more than the height of the tallest piece of equipment in the playground. 

Hence, ensure installing rubber tiles that meet the ASTM guidelines. They can provide kids with a stable surface with cushioning and avert the risk of serious falls. 

Tip #2: Check the Surface Traction of Rubber Material

The rubber tiles you choose should withstand harsh weather elements. They should offer good surface traction in dry, damp, and wet conditions and overcome the challenges that come with them. 

Look for a quality playground rubber flooring that –

• Offer UV resistance and won’t degrade when in harsh sunlight.
• Can withstand extreme cold temperatures.
• Provides waterproof surfacing and drains water.

These aspects will ease mobility and uplift the kids’ safety in the playground.

Tip #3: Select the Flooring with Greater Durability 

Durability is another crucial aspect to consider when selecting rubber tiles for playgrounds.

The reason?

Play parks experience significant foot traffic. Besides, specially-abled children visit the parks with wheelchairs and other power mobility devices. 

The rubber playground tiles should be resilient enough to provide a sturdy foundation. Once installed, they should last for years while maintaining utmost safety. 

The quality of rubber tiles should not degrade due to wear and tear.

Team Rubcorp offers quality playground rubber flooring with a warranty of five years. The process of vulcanization improves its tenacity, making it durable. Consider investing in their long-lasting product for best results.

Tip #4: Go for ADA-Compliant Surfacing 

According to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), playgrounds should be accessible to all. 

They should offer a good play experience to kids of varying abilities. 

It’s wise to choose a resilient rubber flooring material that provides minimal resistance for the movement of kids, especially for the ones using mobility aids like crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters. 

The ADA-compliant rubber tiles will reduce the risk of injuries and promote a pleasant experience for kids.

Tip #5: Pick Cost-Efficient and Easy-To-Install Rubber Tiles

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Although rubber material is a great flooring option, its installation is tricky. 

Typical rubber tiles are prepared from PV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate), EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), and recycled rubber granules. The rubber is further combined with sturdy binding material for the best results.

As you can notice, the installation process of rubber tiles is complex. It needs adequate knowledge about the component mixing ratio and application details. It is not a DIY process. 

How to ensure successful playground rubber tiles installation?

We recommend hiring a premium rubber surfacing expert like Rubcorp.

Rubcorp Distribution LLC is a leading surfacing material provider. Their team of certified rubber tiles installation experts can ease your job. They are aware of all the technical details and offer affordable services.

Tip #6: Pay Heed to Maintenance Aspect

Children tend to throw leftover food, candy wrappers, and other stuff on playgrounds. These things can accumulate in the play area and attract flies and harmful bacteria, leading to health issues in kids.

Unlike other materials, rubber tiles are easy to maintain. All you need is a mop and a regular cleaning solution to clean mess-prone areas. They hardly take time for complete cleaning. 

Besides, they are sturdy and don’t need frequent replacement. This quality makes it an excellent choice for playgrounds.

Tip #7: Select Aesthetically Appealing Rubber Tiles

Did you know?

Colors can affect the mood and emotions of kids. For instance, children react positively to bright colors rather than dark hues. 

For playground rubber tiles, select brighter colors to invoke happy emotions in kids. It will create a remarkable difference in the aesthetics and boost the well-being of kids.

Rubcorp offers a wide range of bright colors to complement your playground flooring. You may opt for the ones that add aesthetic value to your play area.  

What’s more?  

The colored rubber tiles will also camouflage dirt stains in high-foot traffic areas.

Conclusion

An appealing playground equipped with safety provisions can encourage kids to enjoy playtime. By following the shared tips above, you can choose the most suitable rubber tiles for building the playpark. 

We have also put up a listicle of the most frequently asked questions to address your common concerns about rubber flooring material. For more personalized guidance, please get in touch with Rubcorp’s team. 

We are happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is rubber playground flooring called?

Rubber playground flooring is also called poured-in-place rubber (PIP), wet pour rubber, poured rubber, playground foam surface, rubber playground turf, or bonded rubber stone.

2. Do rubber playground tiles get hot?

Rubber is a poor conductor of heat. So, rubber surfacing has a high specific heat capacity and doesn’t get hot fast. 

3. What is the cheapest playground surface?

Wood and sand surfacing have the least expensive upfront costs. But they need frequent maintenance and replacement within a few years of installation. So, they are not inexpensive. 

Rubber tiles installation is relatively expensive during initial installation. But it lasts for years without the need for maintenance, saving your money. Rubber flooring is the best and affordable flooring option. 

4. What is the rubber mat at the playground?

Rubber matting is a playground flooring material that reduces the impact of falls and offers a nice playtime experience to kids. 

5. Can you install playground tiles on dirt?

Yes, rubber playground tiles can be installed on dirt or even grass. 

6. Can rubber tiles be used outside?

Yes, rubber tiles are ideal for installing outdoors as they can resist harsh weather – dry, damp, and cold.

7. Are the rubber tiles expensive?

The upfront costs of rubber tiles are expensive. Its benefits, such as high durability, low maintenance, and several safety parameters, make it an inexpensive flooring option from a long-term perspective.  

8. How do you prepare the ground for rubber tiles?

To install the rubber tiles, you need a flat surface with good drainage. Check out this video to understand the rubber surfacing installation process.