Ideally, mulch should be deep enough to support a child's body weight without compressing too much - this is usually somewhere between 6-12 inches deep. If the mulch is not deep enough, there is a risk of injury if a child falls and hits the ground below.
The rule of thumb for how deep playground mulch should be is 8-12 inches, but every playground is different. Depth requirements for protective surfacing vary according to the materials used and the height of the equipment.
Rubber Mulch
It is arguably the best mulch for playground safety. And, it comes in tons of different colors for a fun, unique look.
Playground mulch is different from regular mulch because it does not release organic material into the soil. Playground mulch does not easily run off and can survive harsh weather conditions.
When sufficiently placed around a playset, wood mulch or wood chips do a decent job of protecting children. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission rates wood mulch as an above-average playground surface. However, wood mulch is far from the best material on the market.
It is essential to lay landscape fabric beneath mulch when constructing a playground because landscape fabric is one of the best weed stoppers for a playground. Landscape fabric acts as a weed barrier and prevents heavy mulch, such as shredded rubber mulch, from sinking into the soil when the ground gets wet.
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is considered the cheapest playground surfacing option at roughly $3-$5 per square foot. Relatively cheap and easy to install, Wood Mulch is one of the most popular playground surfacing options.
While the rules for mulch and most other kinds of wood chips are very loose, the standards for playground wood chips are far stricter. For example, there are to be no twigs, no pebbles, and no pieces of bark mixed in with playground mulch. No recycled materials such as pallets or wood waste.
Unlike sand, rubber mulch can also be washed off keeping it clean and free from bacteria. It's virtually maintenance free and will last without compacting for many years of outdoor playground fun.
Rubber mulch absorbs the heat of the sun. On a hot summer day, the mulch also gets hot — sometimes, uncomfortably so for children.
Wood playground mulch is a fairly safe option. Wood mulch offers decent shock absorption, as nine inches of wood mulch can protect against falls of up to seven feet.
Grass should not be considered as a safe surface under play equipment. Children sustained more severe injuries in residential playgrounds than in public playgrounds. It is recommended to replace grass by sand beneath play equipment.
To ensure sand offers proper fall protection for children, the National Safety Council (NSC) recommends maintaining a 12-inch depth in areas where equipment requires a six-foot drop or fall zone. The NSC and CPSC (as mentioned above) requires a 9-inch depth in areas with a four-foot fall height.
How deep should my rubber mulch be? 1-2 inches depth is enough rubber mulch for landscaping and gardening needs. American Society for Testing Materials requires a depth of 3-6 inches to meet playground safety standards. This will sufficiently cushion falls from 6-12 feet.
You will need to maintain a minimum depth of at least 9 inches of loose-fill materials (wood mulch/chips, shredded/recycled rubber mulch, or sand/pea gravel) for playset decks up to 8 feet high.
The area where GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch will be installed must be graded for proper drainage with a substrate that is compacted to provide a firm, even base. Installation of a commercial grade geotextile landscape fabric is recommended under GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch.
Add only an inch of soil to mulch, which is also one layer. If you need to reduce the amount already laid down, do so. You will want to keep the two materials within the same proportion so that the purpose is not defeated.
The recommended depth for playground wood chips is roughly 9 inches for play structures up to 8 feet tall. What's great about wood mulch is that it helps to avoid splinters, making it a safer option for kids. It's also an affordable choice that provides an exceptional visual appeal.
Shredded hardwood is even better at trapping moisture than hardwood bark mulch. It also decays faster and adds more nutrients to the soil as it does. The shredded pieces also hold together better than the large pieces of bark. As a result, they are better for laying in sloped areas because they won't roll away.
Lifespan. Playground chip has a lifespan of around 2-3 years, and bark nuggets slightly longer at 2-4 years. After this time the surface should be removed and replaced.
However, when it comes to safety, no other material outshines engineered wood fiber (EWF). EWF is the most cost-effective loose-fill material for playground surfacing and has superior abilities for cushioning falls or impacts. Loose-fill surfaces, like EWF, are easy to install and maintain to adesired depth.
Common solid-surface playground material options include synthetic grass, rubber tiles, and poured-in-place rubber. Poured rubber is widely considered to be the best playground base material. Whether you choose loose-fill material or solid surfacing, it should comply with national safety standards and guidelines.
Plastic comes in many fun colors and thicknesses, so there is a perfect size, shape, and color for your playground out there. Plus, plastic is safe for your child to play around and will not cause as many scrapes or splinters as wooden borders.