Rubber Shred Play Information – Application Guide

Site preparation

This flooring system requires very little base work. It can be laid on all solid base layers and the fact it’s also permeable means it dries out quickly keeping the play surface clean and in use longer. No puddles are going to be left behind after a shower. The kids can get straight back outside and play.

How to Apply a Resin Bound Rubber Surface

The application of a rubber shred resin bound surface is very similar to how a non-rubber surface would be applied. The rubber is mixed with the resin and then hand screeded. Normally a thickness of 100mm would be suitable which protects a child from a fall from up to 2.4 metres. That should easily cushion the impact of a playground fall. If a playground has climbing frames even higher than 2.4 metres then a thicker layer is recommended for a more suitable impact-absorbing surface.

Resin bound rubber shred mulches are ideal for areas requiring a more natural look whilst also providing a safety surface. The rubber bound shred is self-supporting which means it doesn’t require a foundation layer. This makes it ideal for less accessible locations but care needs to be taken when deciding the base or substrate if you want to keep the play surface SUDS compliant.

Trowel application is best way to lay a rubber shred in resin surface. Making sure that the top is perfectly flat. The hand-trowelled system sees the rubber shred blended with the resin prior to application and is trowelled to a smooth level finish. Design elements such as logos or numbers can be incorporated into the finished area by using contrasting colours to create the desired finish.

This method of application relies on the rubber shred and resin being agitated together, and then spread over the prepared base with a hand float, screeding bar or a trowel. This type of application generally ensures an adequate thickness is applied to the entire area and is a fairly common method of application. The resin sets relatively quickly. In most cases this is within 60 minutes meaning the resin and rubber need to be applied correctly with smoothing out and levelling carried out prior to the resin setting, otherwise it will become too stiff to manipulate.

There are so many reasons why playground rubber surfaces are now so common throughout play areas in the UK. The cost, no need for maintenance, choice of colours and above all keeping children safe.

As this bonded shred system is self supporting it requires no digging of foundations and the lack of large or heavy equipment makes it cost effective for even small or difficult access areas. Moreover it will easily work directly onto almost any existing ground conditions including grass or soil, old tiles or wet pour, crushed aggregate or concrete; it will follow the natural sloping contours of the ground and / or absorb undulations and can even be spread directly over tree roots and around plants.

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