The 5 Best Rubber Mulch Mats – [Reviews & Rankings]

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 70 percent of the injuries that occur in playgrounds are caused by falls to the ground. Therefore, a proper resilient surfacing on the ground can help prevent serious injuries in playgrounds. Rubber mulch mats are some of the best surfacing products you can use, in this regard.

Basically, safety standards and guidelines require that the ground below and around playground equipment be surfaced for safety. In addition to safety, there are several other things that you should consider while shopping for the right rubber mulch mats.

Likewise, If you are worried about the season’s turn and leaves cluttering in your yard or garden. We highly recommend buying the top-rated backpack leaf blower that keeps your garden clean.

Besides, whether it is for gardens, sustainable landscaping, or playgrounds, you should consider the steel content, maintenance, UV resistance, and coarseness of these products. Below are reviews of five of the best rubber mulch mats you can buy today.

Comparing The Best Rubber Mulch Mats

1. Plow & Hearth 51522 Permanent Mulch Pathway – Best Overall

Any of the leading experts in the industry today can attest that Plow & Hearth is one of the leading manufacturers of recycled rubber mulch mats today.  Just like other products by this manufacturer, 51522 Permanent Mulch Pathway is a high quality, durable, and aesthetically appealing product.  For many homeowners today, an aesthetical appeal is a key concern.

In this regard, the 51522 Permanent Mulch Pathway features a unique, traditional wood appearance. This is sure to enhance the beauty of any landscape. Additionally, users love the fact that this product is very durable. As a matter of fact, the mulch is guaranteed to last for years with minimal or no maintenance at all.

When used on gardens, the mulch will prevent the growth of weeds, whilst allowing full penetration of water and air into the soil. Since the mats are cut to fit, you will have an easy time installing them on your own. As such, these recycled rubber mulch mats are a great way to save money on the surfacing.

2. YARDWISE Landscape Rubber Mulch – Best for Landscaping

Are you looking for the best rubber mulch for landscaping or to smother weed in your garden? Well, you should consider buying the Yardwise Landscape rubber mulch. A considerable amount of landscaping entails beautifying the surroundings, right? In this regard, the product will add appealing color and character to your landscape.

You will also love the fact that the color of the mulch will not fade away with time. The product has been proven to be very durable in any climate. With regard to safety, this rubber mulch is 98 percent steel free. Provided that the mulch is installed properly, it will not blow or float away with time.

As such, the product will offer you long-lasting, low-maintenance mulch that remains vibrant for years. You will get this mulch in 2000 lbs pallets, each of which will cover approximately 450 SQ.FT at a depth of 2 inches.

3. PlaySafer Rubber Mulch – Best for Kids Playground

If you are installing new equipment to your kid’s playground, safety should come first. To avoid injuries associated with falls onto the playground surface, you should install the best rubber mulch. The PlaySafer Playground Rubber Mulch is one of the best products, in this regard.

It may not be the most affordable product in this guide, but it offers a decent cover. In this regard, 75 cubic feet of this mulch will cover a generous 300 square feet of your playground. This is a great value for money, bearing in mind that the mulch is of the best quality.

The mulch has been proven to offer excellent drainage properties. Additionally, it does not encourage the accumulation of dust on the playground. This way, your kids will remain as clean as they play. The safety of your kids will also be guaranteed whenever they are playing on this mulch. In this regard, the mulch is 99.9 percent steel-free.

The product is also ADA approved and certified by IPEMA for ease of installation. Once the mulch has been properly installed, it will never erode, absorb water, or float away. This way, you can enjoy years of quality surfacing with minimal maintenance.

4. International Mulch RUBBER MULCH BLACK – Most Affordable

Are you looking for the best blend of affordability and quality? Very few products within this price range can beat what this International Mulch product has to offer. With regard to safety, this mulch has been EPA approved and certified by IPEMA.

As such, the product is rendered to be safe for surfacing playgrounds. When used in a garden, it will preserve soil moisture for a long period without absorption. Additionally, the mulch exceeds the current playground safety standards. When properly installed, the product will inhibit the growth of fungi and mold.

5. NuScape 100% Recycled Rubber Mulch – Longest Color Retaining 

Whether used on a playground, garden, or a yard, the NuScape Rubber Mulch will give you the perfect finalizing touch you need. The impressive black color of the mulch has been proven to be a great addition to any landscape or garden. Again, the color will not fade away after years of use. As a matter of fact, the manufacturer offers a 10-year color guarantee on this mulch.

The product is designed to offer the best drainage and to prevent the accumulation of dust. Additionally, it does not attract carpenter ants, termites, or any other harmful insects. You will also love the fact that this product has a considerably high fall rating and has been certified by IPEMA.

How Do You Use Mulch Mats?

You can use recycled rubber mulch mats either in square pieces or as long rectangular rolls. The former is meant for small areas, while the latter is for covering a large ground.

Overall, you can use mulch mats for almost any landscape. You can use them as tree rings, cover fences, banks of water bodies, or any other place you can think of. Their high-end durability lets them withstand almost all surfaces with ease.

The best thing about rubber mulch mats is that you can use and place them anywhere in your garden. You will need shears or carpet knife to cut them into the desired shape to fit them around the edges of your garden.

How Much Do Rubber Mulch Mats Cost?

Rubber mulch mats are available at various prices based on their recycling quality and durability. Also, some brands might be costlier than others. You can expect rubber-based mulch mats to cost anywhere between $2 to $15 per square feet.

Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Rubber Mulch Mat

Whether it is for a public or private playground, you will need resilient safety surfacing to minimize injuries. Currently, different materials are being used for playground safety surfacing. The different safety surfacing materials available today differ in terms of installation requirements, maintenance, and cost.

Whichever way you look at it mulch rubber mats are some of the best safety surfacing products available today. Although the initial cost of recycled rubber mulch may be comparatively high, it happens to be easy to install and maintain in the long run. Most importantly, rubber mulch is very effective at preventing injuries due to falls in the playground.

However, there are several rubber mulch mats to choose from in the market today. Well, they all are made of rubber; but not all the rubber mulches available today are the same.

In this regard, here are some of the key considerations you need to make while shopping for the right rubber mulch:

1. Safety

Whether you are using rubber mulch to surface a playground, garden, or just on your landscape, safety should be a key consideration. In this regard, you need to check whether the particular product you would like to buy is toxic to plant and animal life in any way. Additionally, it is advisable to buy a product that is inflammable.

This way, you will rest assured that the mulch rubber does not pose any fire risk to the property. As you may be aware, rubber mulch is recommended for playgrounds to reduce injuries associated with falls. To ensure that you get the best safety, in this case, you need to go for the springy and soft rubber mulch products in the market.

Unlike rubber mulch mats for safety, if you are looking for something that will help to sit down and tend to your plants and flowers comfortably, buying the garden kneeler benches is the right fit.

2. Steel Content

Most of the rubber mulches available today are made from recycled rubber, particularly from used tires. Since the steel-belted radial tires have wires within their structure, it is possible to have a certain amount of steel particles in the mulch. This can be dangerous, especially when the mulch is used in a playground.

While shopping for the right rubber mulch, it is advisable to opt for the products that have the least steel content—if they have any at all. In this regard, you should go for the products that are at least 98 percent steel-free.

3. Maintenance

Unlike wood mulch mats, rubber landscaping is renowned for its lasting durability with minimal or no maintenance at all. This also applies to the best rubber mulch mats available today. Unfortunately, some of the available products are of poor quality and may require regular maintenance and replacement.

The rubber mulch is offered by the leading brands today is resistant to degradation, fading, and disturbance by strong winds or rainfall. Whether you use the product to surface a playground, sports arena, driveways, landscapes, outdoor showers, or ornamental gardens, high-quality rubber much should be able to last for years with minimal maintenance.

4. Coarseness

How coarse are the mulch particles? As you may be aware, rubber is generally a flammable material that burns hotter for a longer period. But, even wood mulch mats can catch fire. According to the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, choosing rubber mulch with larger particles reduces the fire risk slightly.

However, this will not do away with the fire risk posed by the material. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to install rubber mulch at least 30 feet from any structure or house.

5. UV Resistance

Even when used at places that experience heavy traffic, rubber mulch is known to be very durable. However, not all the available rubber mulches are resistant to damage by UV radiation.  With time, some of the black rubber mulches may oxidize. When this happens, the materials deteriorate in appearance into a chalky appearance.

This will, in turn, ruin the aesthetic appeal of your landscape of whichever surface you had spread the mulch on. In order to avoid this scenario, it is advisable to buy the mulches that have been a UV protective substance or dyed.

Such treated rubber mulches are relatively costlier than the ones that are not treated. However, the treated products will not oxidize with time; hence will retain their appearance over time.

Ready To Buy The Best Rubber Mulch Mats?

If you are into playmate or outdoor mats that do not fade away in any weather, then you ought to invest in rubber mulch mats. These efficient and 100% recycled rubber products are a good way to landscape your backyards and lawns.

As compared to wood mulch and other organic options, rubber mulch is the most economical option. Not to mention, you are helping the environment by recycling. To begin with, it is relatively affordable to buy, easy to install, and will last for years with minimal maintenance.

Mulch mats have been there for decades because of their affordability, versatility, and safety. If you find it confusing to choose the right one for your landscaping project, then this guide will certainly make it easier for you.

Looking forward to investing some more in beautifying your garden? Check out our other guides for garden amenities.

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