A common sight in school playgrounds, rubber safety flooring has uses in a multitude of environments. 

Among its applications are sports facilities such as tennis courts, running tracks and gyms, commercial premises, hospitals, care homes, and domestic driveways and paths.

Rubber crumb’s slip resistance and its ability to absorb impact make it a perfect surfacing material for places where trips and falls are a frequent risk.

What is rubber crumb flooring made of?

As the name suggests, rubber crumb surfacing is made of granules of rubber, which are then bound together to create a flat surface. The granulated rubber is made from recycled car and lorry tyres.

It can be dyed in different colours to create specific designs, to match company branding or your personal taste. 

The flooring is often installed in two layers. An underlay or base layer of larger black grains of rubber, styrene butadiene, provides an abrasive-resistant foundation and is laid onto a hard surface, ideally one with good drainage.  

On top of the black crumb, the coloured rubber granules are poured into a frame or stencil of your design. The mix is distributed by hand, using trowelling to create an even depth and a level surface. 

Unlike the black rubber granules used on artificial grass sports pitches, the crumb is mixed with a resin binder, which reduces the risk of micro particles being released into the air.

 As it dries, the mixture adheres to itself, although it may need up to 48 hours to fully set before use. 

What are the advantages of rubber crumb flooring?

Safety

Safety is the first and most obvious advantage of rubber crumb flooring. 

• It absorbs impact, and the deeper the layer of crumb, the safer it becomes for falling from heights like a climbing frame. 
• It drains well due to its porous nature, preventing surface water and puddling. 
• It is naturally anti-slip which makes it safer than concrete or asphalt in changeable weather conditions. 
• It adheres to BS EN 1176 regulations for playground equipment and surfacing in the UK.

Durable and weather-resistant

Rubber crumb surfacing is an all-weather material that is resistant to temperature changes, UV damage and corrosion. 

Like the car tyres it is made from, it is long-lasting and incredibly hard-wearing. This makes it an excellent choice for high footfall areas. 

Eco-friendly

It is made of recycled vehicle tyres that have been saved from landfill or burning. They are shredded into crumbs for reuse, so it is a more environmentally sustainable option than other outdoor surfacing.

Flexible design options

It doesn’t just come in black. You can design whatever patterns you like and choose the colours to suit. 

Accessibility

Due to being poured rather than laid like paving, it creates a seamless surface perfect for wheelchair or pushchair access. The smoothness of the surface means trips are less likely for those with mobility and balance issues. 

Low maintenance

Rubber crumb flooring can be swept or hosed to keep it clean and free from debris. It is not susceptible to organic matter, such as weeds or moss, which can be an issue in paved areas and ageing concrete. 

Soundproofing

Research conducted at Chungbuk National University in the Republic of Korea has shown that rubber crumb is useful for noise reduction. Used as a flooring, it absorbs noise in indoor settings better than solid, non-porous materials.