Choosing the right wet pour playground surface for a playground isn’t easy. School administrators, daycare directors, church leaders, and city managers have a lot to consider when choosing the material that will receive millions of footsteps – especially from children. There are many different options on the market and finding one that fits the specific needs of a play area is key. Poured-in-place rubber surfaces are a popular choice because they offer shock-absorbing qualities and can be designed to meet critical fall height requirements.

So, which is better: wet pour or mulch?

Both are excellent options, but it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want pattern design and long-lasting bright colours, wet pour is the way to go. If you need a natural look, or a product that can suppress weed growth, rubber mulch is better suited.

Surfacing wet pour, or poured-in-place rubber, is an impact-absorbing surfacing that gets used in playgrounds, parks, and some residential gardens and yards. It’s made of two layers — a base shock pad and a coloured top layer — that are mixed on-site using recycled tyre crumb and polyurethane binder.

The layer is typically half an inch thick and comes in a range of colour combinations to suit the needs of each project. It’s also easy to add patterns, shapes, and other details that will encourage creative play. Once the surfacing is installed, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for the wet-pour surface to cure.