Playground Flooring: Foundation for Safe Play

Falling is part of play, but serious injuries shouldn’t be. In every playground, from schoolyards to council-run parks, the ground children land on matters just as much as the equipment they climb. We’ve worked with sites where a single trip on a cracked tile led to an injury report, an upset parent, and a resurfacing project that could’ve been avoided.

Play area rubber flooring plays a direct role in minimising those incidents.

Designed to absorb impact, stay grippy in all weather, and support creative play, rubber safety surfacing reduces risk without limiting fun. If you’re managing a play site or planning an upgrade, here’s what you need to know about choosing the right play area rubber flooring system.

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Why is rubber flooring better than traditional surfaces?

We still see playgrounds with bark chips, concrete edges, or modular tiles that lift over time. Each brings problems:

• Bark hides sharp objects and shifts underfoot
• Concrete is too hard for safe landings
• Older tile systems crack, lift, and create trip points

Play area rubber flooring, particularly poured-in-place systems like Rubbaflex® SG, solves these issues. It’s:

• Seamless and trip-free
• Consistently impact-absorbing
• Low-maintenance and long-lasting
• Fast-draining after rainfall

We’ve had school caretakers tell us they spent more time maintaining bark than looking after the equipment. Rubber flooring changes that. It lasts longer, handles wear better, and cuts back on daily upkeep.

What is Rubbaflex® SG rubber flooring?

Rubbaflex® SG’s rubber flooring is a wet-pour rubber surfacing system. Made from recycled rubber granules and high-performance binders, it’s poured in place and cures into a continuous, cushioned layer. It meets BS EN 1177 standards for fall protection and adapts to all kinds of playground layouts.

What it delivers:

• Matched thickness based on your play equipment’s height
• Slip-resistant finish in both wet and dry conditions
• Customisable colours, shapes, and graphics
• Weather durability

We’ve installed  Rubbaflex SG safe rubber flooring in schools, parks, nurseries, and sensory zones across Manchester, Kent, Brighton, and the wider Southeast.

Where can you use play area rubber flooring?

You’ll find rubber flooring in more than just parks and playgrounds:

• School tracks, sports areas, and outdoor classrooms
• Nurseries and early years activity zones
• Inclusive play spaces for children with mobility aids
• Rooftop play decks and terrace spaces
• Indoor sensory playrooms
• Pools and splash parks

Wherever kids play and fall, this surface supports their movement and reduces site risks.

How long does rubber playground flooring last?

With the right prep and upkeep, Rubbaflex® SG surfaces can last 10 to 15 years. They’re built to handle heavy footfall, harsh weather, and minimise cracking or crumbling.

We recommend:

• Regular sweeping to keep debris off the surface
• Jet washing on low pressure as needed
• A yearly visual check of slide exits and climbing zones

When wear happens, it’s often localised and can be patched without full replacement another way play area rubber flooring saves on cost and downtime.

Can rubber playground surfacing be customised?

Absolutely. This isn’t a one-colour, one-use material. We work with clients to design:

• Zones marked by colour for different age groups
• Trackways and hopscotch paths for structured play
• Educational or themed graphics like animals, letters, and numbers
• Sensory elements for inclusive environments

We design play area rubber flooring for how kids move, how staff supervise, and how a space works on a busy afternoon.

How does rubber flooring support accessibility?

A seamless rubber surface creates space that works for everyone. It:

• Eliminates level changes and reduces trip hazards
• Allows easy access for wheelchairs and walkers
• Provides visual contrast for low-vision users
• Offers slip resistance in all weather

Many local authorities and early years settings now make accessibility a default. Play area rubber flooring makes it easy to meet those standards without compromise.

What makes Rubbaflex® SG sustainable?

Rubbaflex® SG playgrounds uses recycled rubber mostly post-consumer tyres and low-VOC binders that reduce chemical emissions. Different from tile systems, the wet-pour install creates less waste and no offcut issues.

Because it lasts over a decade and doesn’t need frequent replacement, it reduces environmental impact long term. For councils working to lower carbon footprint, play area rubber flooring makes practical sense.

Does it meet UK safety regulations?

Yes. Rubbaflex® SG meets BS EN 1177, the UK standard for impact-absorbing surfaces in playgrounds. We tailor the depth to your equipment:

For example, a 1.5m fall height typically requires 40–50mm of surfacing. Taller frames might need 60mm or more.

Case study: Creating a safe surface for Peppa Pig World

Flex flooring installed wet-pour play area rubber flooring at Peppa Pig World, part of Paultons Park in Hampshire. They needed a durable surface that could handle thousands of daily visitors, match themed branding, and meet fall height safety standards.

We delivered:

• Shock-absorbing coverage for toddler play areas
• Custom-mixed colours to match the attraction’s look
• Seamless installation on a tight project schedule

The right surface protects children and helps play spaces stay vibrant, practical, and built to last.

Safer play starts from the ground up

It keeps children safer and helps the adults in charge spend less time managing risk and more time focusing on what matters. Fewer complaints, less maintenance, and a site that performs better year after year.

Flex flooring has been delivering play area rubber flooring across the UK for over 15 years. From schoolyards to Peppa Pig World, we help our clients build safer, smarter play environments that last. Contact us at 01622 747909 or via [email protected] to start your play area rubber flooring project.

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