Rubber/playground Flooring... ?

[gixermark]

hi Guys,

anyone looked into (and priced) the various solutions for rubber type flooring for use in their own garden - like what you get in large playgrounds.. ?

there seems to be a few obvious solutions - rubber 'bark' rubber tiles... and the more permanent wetfill stuff.

given this will be a 5-10 year thing for the kids, I'm reconing the tiles or bark woudl be better than pouring something solid... if anyone else has been through this and can advise on pro's/con's and approx pricing it woudl be great...

looking at the cost of jungle Gyms etc... we may just leave the grass !! but i'd like to at least explore the potential, as our grass is like a bog for a lot of the year, and even in summer can be messy..

[lippydave]

hi Guys,

anyone looked into (and priced) the various solutions for rubber type flooring for use in their own garden - like what you get in large playgrounds.. ?

there seems to be a few obvious solutions - rubber 'bark' rubber tiles... and the more permanent wetfill stuff.

given this will be a 5-10 year thing for the kids, I'm reconing the tiles or bark woudl be better than pouring something solid... if anyone else has been through this and can advise on pro's/con's and approx pricing it woudl be great...

looking at the cost of jungle Gyms etc... we may just leave the grass !! but i'd like to at least explore the potential, as our grass is like a bog for a lot of the year, and even in summer can be messy..

You could try this.....They come in varying thickness' and are easy to tailor into shape....

Rubber stable mats....

For example:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHEAPEST-BEST-100-RUBBER-STABLE-MATS-6ft-x-4ft-x-18mm-horse-pony-shelter-/130643987337?pt=UK_SportingGoods_StableAccessories_SM&hash=item1e6afd0b89#ht_1331wt_1139

[kevip6]

I looked into this at the end of last summer when I put up a Costco playhouse for my boy. I didn't come up with a solution before winter and so i'm going to sort it out in the Spring when I get round to putting the swing section up.

They sell the rubber tiles in Costco but they didn't look the most protective of mats.

I'll post up on here anything I find

[dombanks]

check out people who do horse arenas. they have rubber/sand surfaces so may be able to supply the rubber chips (which look like cut up tyres and belts)

those rubber stable mats are rock hard i wouldnt want to fall on one from a height

[SteveD]

i know a guy that does it i could pass on his number

[gixermark]

Cheers Steve, I'm over in n Ireland, so unlikely to work.. Unless he sells the tile/mats

I'm not sure it's worth it, but I'd like to investigate before I buy the jungle gym

[Stuart]

Have a google for tyre recyclers/shredders/rubber crumb - they all crumb to greater or lesser extent and most of them make equestrian stuff. Used to do it myself in Stalybridge years ago. I know you can buy bags of the stuff from one of the DIY chains too (that might be in the US thinking about it but worth a search). If you do buy some crumb make sure they've got all the wire out.

[Norman Verona]

HM raised funds for building a kids playground where we used to live in Low Bradfileld. Hugely expensive.

I would suggest you spend the money putting some drainage in the garden so the grass isn't a bog.

[dombanks]

norms right about the drainage. dont be fooled tho in thinking just digging the grass up and putting the rubber chipps down will stop it. it will still get waterlogged with the chips if there isnt decent drainage.

also the wire thing is correct. the place where x swmbo was had a top up on their arena and we all had to go in and look for bits, we found enough, not alot but it only takes one little bit.

it was weird to walk on and i think about 12" deep although i canr be sure. very springy and i was told when you came off the horse jumping or summat it was quite nice to land on