The Rubber Company Guide to Rubber Grass Matting
Grass matting is used extensively and is an extremely popular form of ground and grass covering. Here we give our guide to grass matting, its uses and qualities.
Where to use grass matting?
Grass matting is useful in a variety of ways. It’s very popular to use in play areas and playgrounds because it gives a high quality protective play area surface that protects children when they’re playing. It’s also pram and pushchair friendly. There are strict standards when it comes to children’s play areas and protecting them from injuries.
Grass matting is used in parks and public spaces and it’s also used as a ground reinforcement surface in a variety of ways because it gives a secure and stable surface. It can be used in fitness and fun trails, outdoor trails, golf courses, schools, pathways, ski slopes, gate entrances, ice rinks and behind bar areas. It’s also used for horses and stables and in agricultural and farming applications. Outdoor rubber mats are also ideal for outdoor events where a non-slip and secure surface and wheelchair access is required.
The benefits of grass matting
We provide high quality grass matting and grass mats called Rubbagrass® Rubber Safety Mats that have many benefits. For more details click here.
a) Safety
A paramount benefit is that grass matting and rubber grass mats give a high standard of safety in children’s play areas and playgrounds. Whether installed under and around a climbing frame, swings or see-saws, the grass matting provides a safe, stable and permanent surface to protect children from injury if they slip or fall. Playgrounds are also susceptible to vandalism, so rubber provides additional safety as the material cannot be ignited and is not flammable thus minimising fire hazards and injuries.
Rubber grass matting has non-slip properties. Water and rain passes through the holes leaving a water-free surface. It also absorbs impacts which make it ideal as a protective surface.
The current standards for impact absorbing playgrounds in the UK are BS 7188 & BS EN 1177. These standards cover tests for critical fall height, slip resistance, indentation, durability and flammability. All of our rubber grass matting products conform to BS EN 1177: 2008 3 metre critical fall height.
b) Great value for money
Rubber matting for grass gives greater value for money than cheaper PVC matting because it has a prolonged life. Rubber will provide a greater return on investment over its life span due to its higher quality, durability and anti-fatigue properties.
c) Simple to install
Our grass matting is easy and straight-forward to install and doesn’t require costly groundwork and preparation prior to installation. The grass matting also provides exceptional ground covering as it fits together without causing gaps or raised edges.
d) Natural look, low maintenance and good drainage
Rubber grass mats are manufactured with an open-hole grid format that is designed to allow grass to grow through giving the matted area a natural turf look. A few weeks after fitting, grass can be growing through the grid structure giving the matted area a natural look. The grid structure also allows rain and surface water to drain away freely.
e) Easy to maintain
When the grass grows, maintenance is easy as the matting can also be mowed with a conventional lawn mower as normal. Other than mowing the grass, there is no other maintenance required which means low running costs.
Maintenance is also important when it comes to ensuring that the grass matting is durable and continually providing the required protection. Rubber grass matting is not only low maintenance, it is ideal for outdoor areas because it is extremely durable and continues to provide exceptional performance throughout its lifecycle. Rubber grass matting can withstand extreme temperatures and all types of weather and elements and does not lift up or displace in windy weather.
f) Environmentally friendly
Our outdoor rubber mats are also an environmentally friendly grass surface solution. They are made out of recycled rubber which means that they can also be easily recycled when and if they reach the end of their lifespan.
During installation, no adhesives nor toxic substances are used during fitting and the rubber grass matting does not rot nor leak noxious substances into the ground once installed. ,
Comparing Rubber grass matting Vs PVC grass matting
We provide only the highest quality rubber grass matting. Please be aware of cheaper, PVC matting that will not give the same high quality. PVC is more brittle and prone to breakage and extensive wear and tear when exposed to outdoor weather. It also hardens in cold weather giving no soft protection and can cause grazes and cuts. PVC also has a harsher plastic finish with a greater friction effect so it's a harder surface for children’s play areas with less absorption than rubber matting in the event of a slip and fall.
PVC is not as durable and as hardwearing as outdoor rubber matting because it does not have anti-fatigue properties so it will need replacing sooner than a rubber solution, costing more money in the long-term.
We have seen inferior PVC grass matting products on sale which are being called `rubber mats.’ Be sure to look at the product description more closely and check that rubber mats are made of rubber and not plastic.
Take a look at our rubber grass matting and if you have any questions, give us a call to discuss your requirements.