Bonded rubber mulch gives you the natural look of a woodland bark floor without the mess and constant upkeep. Shredded rubber is bound together on site to form a seamless, cushioned surface that blends into green spaces. It protects children from falls and won’t rot, scatter or need topping up.
Setter Play has been designing and building play spaces for schools, nurseries, parish councils and local authorities since 1997. Rubber mulch is our go-to surface where a site calls for a softer, more natural feel.
Why choose rubber mulch?
The look of bark, without the hassle. Every shred is slightly different, so the finished surface has the natural texture of wood bark. Unlike loose bark, it won’t break down, blow away or end up on classroom floors.
Reduces the risk of injury. The cushioned surface absorbs the impact of falls. Its depth is matched to the critical fall height of your equipment. Because it’s bonded, it stays exactly where it’s needed and isn’t kicked out from under swings and slides.
Can be laid straight onto grass. Rubber mulch can often go directly onto firm grass, which means less excavation and lower costs than many other surfaces.
Weed-free. A geotextile membrane is laid beneath every surface, so weeds can’t push through.
Free-draining. The porous surface lets rainwater soak straight through, so the area can be used all year round.
Low maintenance. There’s no raking, no top-ups and nowhere for litter or sharp objects to hide. An occasional sweep keeps it tidy.
Kinder to the planet. It’s made from 100% recycled tyre rubber, giving old tyres a useful second life instead of sending them to landfill.
Colours to suit any setting
Choose from a range of natural and playful shades. Options include forest and spring greens, earthy browns, harvest beige, mahogany red and blue, plus blended mixes. Colours can be combined to mark out paths, zones and play areas, or blended to create a soft, woodland feel.
Quality you can rely on
- 3-year guarantee on our rubber mulch surfaces
- Independently tested for critical fall heights to British and European safety standards, in line with BS EN 1176
- Expert installation by specialist teams trained to the highest professional standards
- Free site survey with expert advice on the right surface, depth and colour scheme for your space
How rubber mulch is built
Recycled tyre rubber is shredded and coated in a durable polyurethane colour. On site, the shreds are mixed with a polyurethane binder, then poured, levelled and rolled into a seamless surface. For higher fall heights, a cushioning base layer of recycled rubber crumb goes underneath.
Rubber mulch can be laid onto firm grass, soil or a new stone sub-base. It can finish flush with edging, or be ramped down into a trench edge so there’s no raised lip to trip over.
Where it works
- Playgrounds and under play equipment
- Nature play and forest school areas
- Woodland trails and activity trails
- Sensory gardens and quiet or reflection spaces
- Pathways and seating areas
- Landscaping projects
Rubber mulch or wetpour?
Both surfaces are seamless, cushioned and low maintenance, so the right choice depends on your site. Rubber mulch is ideal where you want a natural look or a cost-effective surface that can go straight onto grass. Wetpour offers a smoother finish, a wider colour range and detailed graphics such as number lines and games, and it generally lasts longer in heavy-use areas. Not sure which suits you? We’ll advise during your free site survey.
Why Setter Play?
We’re a family-run business based in Bedfordshire, and we design, manufacture and install our own play equipment. We plan your surfacing alongside your equipment, so fall zones, layout and colours work together from day one.
We work with schools, nurseries, parish councils and local authorities across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Essex and London.
Book your free site survey. We’ll visit, assess your space and recommend the right surface, with no obligation. Get in touch today.
