Rubber surfacing has been gaining popularity in recent years for residential playgrounds. Poured rubber is soft and shock-absorbent, unlike wood chips that can splinter and pavement that may crumble over time.
Poured rubber is also easily customizable. It can be molded to include school colors, designs, and logos. It is also easy to maintain and meets ADA wheelchair accessibility standards.
Safety
Rubber surfacing has become increasingly popular for playgrounds and other outdoor spaces, but it offers many hidden benefits that make it an excellent choice for offices, schools, and residential entryways. It is durable, slip-resistant, and can be customized with designs or logos that can be molded into the surface.
Poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing comprises two layers: an impact-absorbing layer topped beneath a decorative EPDM or TPV wear layer. This layer is available in various colors and patterns to create eye-catching playgrounds that match the environment or complement existing landscaping.
Soft-pour rubber is made by shredding tires into tiny pieces called “rubber crumbs.” The crumbs are then mixed with polyurethane to bind them together. The resulting material is then poured onto a surface as an amorphous blob that can be smoothed and molded into almost any shape. It is similar to wet-pour concrete but can be reshaped after it hardens.
Durability
While some people perceive rubber surfaces negatively, they are pretty durable. They are also highly versatile and can be used in various environments. They are often installed in playgrounds and gyms but can also be used at schools, offices, or homes.
This material can also absorb shock, which helps reduce injuries for children and adults who fall on it. This is a much safer alternative to hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, which can cause significant physical trauma and wounds.
The poured-in-place rubber surfacing is also environmentally friendly, as it can be made from recycled materials like old tires, reducing waste and benefiting the environment. However, care should be taken to protect the surface from sharp objects and regularly resealed. This will help to preserve the top layer of UV protection, glue, and sealant that keeps the soft cushion layer intact.
Versatility
Rubber surfacing can be customized in multiple colors to match the space’s design and have custom logos and designs molded into it. It can also withstand a great deal of moisture damage, unlike other materials like vinyl and hardwood, and it’s more durable against the freeze-and-thaw cycle of Canadian winters.
Poured rubber can also be padded to meet specific fall height requirements in different contexts, such as playgrounds or specialized sports facilities. It’s a spongey material that absorbs impact and dampens noise reasonably well, which can be helpful in workplace settings where employees spend long periods on their feet.
Garages are prone to accumulating dirt, chemicals, oil spills, and other types of grime that can wreak havoc on concrete floors. Rubber surfacing can help prevent this from happening, as it’s resistant to stains and is easy to clean with a mop or broom. This lets the homeowner focus on other maintenance tasks instead of scrubbing away at their garage floor.
Cost
Poured rubber performs as spongey, shock-absorbent padding to reduce injuries from slips and falls. It is much safer than traditional materials like asphalt, concrete, and stone. Poured rubber surfacing is also more affordable than many alternatives.
It can be customized with colors and designs to create a custom look. This is an excellent feature for schools, playgrounds, and other commercial spaces. It is also a good choice for wheelchair accessibility because it meets all ADA and ASTM requirements.
Poured rubber is made from shredded tires and bound with a polyurethane binder. It is then poured onto the site as an amorphous blob that can be shaped into any shape. It can even be used around equipment that is already installed. Once it hardens, the poured rubber is set and will not shift. A high-quality wet-pour rubber surface lasts at least 12 years and may stay up to 20 in some cases. It also resists fading from harsh UV rays.