Surfacing
Surfacing
Frequently Asked Questions
Wetpour rubber, rubber mulch and rubber grass mats are the standard playground safety surfaces, with artificial grass for play areas and resin bound gravel used in lower-impact zones. The right choice depends on equipment fall heights, footfall, drainage and budget.
Yes — we install surfacing as part of full playground surfacing & fencing schemes alongside our play, gym, MUGA and skate park projects. We can also lay surfacing as a standalone job on an existing site.
Yes — we routinely strip out failed surfacing and install a new system around existing equipment. We assess substrate, drainage and edging before specifying a replacement.
The most common soft playground surface is wetpour — also known as wetpour rubber surfacing or poured-in-place rubber — a seamless EPDM surface designed to meet specific fall heights. Rubber mulch and rubber grass mats are softer alternatives.
Yes — our design service includes independent guidance on the best material for playground surface based on your site, equipment, footfall and budget. We don't manufacture surfacing, so the recommendation is led by your needs, not a single product range.
Loose-fill bark and woodchip are the cheapest options, but require frequent topping up and don't suit wheelchair access. The cheapest engineered system is usually rubber grass mats on a prepared sub-base, offering a fixed fall height at lower cost than wetpour.
A correctly installed wetpour surface typically lasts 8–12 years before resurfacing, with the EPDM wear layer the first to degrade. Lifespan depends on usage, UV exposure and the condition of the underlying base.
Most school and community surfacing installs take three days to two weeks on site, depending on area, system and cure times. Wetpour and resin systems need dry, above-5°C conditions during installation.
Repair if degradation is localised and the base is sound. Resurface if more than around 25% of the area has failed, the fall height no longer meets the equipment requirement, or the substrate has lifted.