Colourful Rubber Mats for Playgrounds and Gyms

Colored rubber mats are used both on playgrounds and in gyms, fitness rooms, and other sports facilities. They combine a protective function with the ability to aesthetically match the surface to the character of the space. Depending on the application, they can be made from SBR or EPDM granulate, and the availability of different colors and thicknesses allows selecting a solution for a specific location.

Mat flooring provides a visually attractive space, but above all protects the surface from damage.

Colored tiles for playgrounds are a product that confirms safety and compliance with European and Polish standards. They provide safe play for the youngest, and thanks to varied color options allow creating a pleasant and comfortable play area.

Rubber mats for gyms and playgrounds - Applications

Gym rubber mats

In gyms, rubber mats are used primarily in areas with training equipment, free weights, and devices that can place large loads on the floor. A properly selected mat helps protect the flooring and facilitates maintaining designated training zones.

In this application, attention should be paid to thickness, mechanical resistance, slip resistance, and the method of cleaning. In larger facilities, the ability to join mats into larger surfaces may also be important.

Playground rubber mats

On playgrounds, rubber tiles and mats are used in areas that require a durable and resistant surface. When choosing, one should primarily consider the product's thickness, its shock-absorbing properties, and the intended use for a particular playground zone.

Colored rubber mats also allow separating individual parts of the playground and creating a more organized layout. Depending on the product, solid colors or surfaces with colored granules are available.

When designing the surface, it is also worth taking into account the fall zone around equipment and using an appropriate impact-absorbing surface matched to the free-fall height.

What are rubber mats made of?

Mats dedicated to sports facilities are most often produced from rubber granulate:

• SBR for mainly black variants

SBR is a rubber blend known as styrene-butadiene rubber, which is the cheapest available blend that meets the basic requirements of the Polish Hygienic Association (PZH). Using this type of product allows significant cost reduction, especially compared to tiles made from EPDM blend.

• EPDM for colored variants

Color durability for manufactured products matters. The only blend that allows colors to be preserved longer in sun-exposed locations is the EPDM blend, which makes it excellent for outdoor use. The full name of this blend is ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Due to its main properties such as resistance to UV radiation, contact with water, and color retention, the price of products made from this blend is higher.

How are rubber mats for gyms and playgrounds produced?

The production of rubber mats is carried out in three ways:

1. Molded product

The manufacturer has molds that are filled with the appropriate combination of raw materials. Under pressure, a molding process occurs that allows obtaining the required shapes and properties.

2. Cut rubber product

The production process takes place in the form of squares. Such mats are then cut, which is why many shapes and connections are available on the market.

3. Combined production method

Combining two layers: SBR and EPDM also allows cost reduction while maintaining properties. This enables maintaining PZH certification and meeting the HIC certification requirements important for projects for our youngest users.

Advantages of colored rubber mats

At Power Rubber we offer tiles made of colored EPDM and SBR granulate. Using high-quality materials guarantees high resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage. The main advantage of tiles made from SBR and EPDM granulate is the attenuation of impacts caused by dropping sports equipment from a height.

Tiles made from dry EPDM granulate are vulcanized with sulfur or peroxide. Anti-slip mats exhibit high flexibility and resilience, as well as resistance to light reflections. The technology of producing sulfur-vulcanized rubbers is more complicated than that of peroxide-vulcanized ones. However, it is worth considering the former because the colors are much more stable than in the case of peroxide-vulcanized tiles. They are often used in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, where UV rays are emitted in very large amounts.

To choose the best solution, products are available in various thicknesses. The manufacturer can produce each tile in different colors: red, yellow, green, or gray. Rubber flooring for playgrounds for children contains pigment that is resistant to weather conditions, abrasion, and aging.

EPDM rubber tiles are also specially subjected to stabilizing and protective processes against ultraviolet radiation. This is documented by an ISO9001 certificate. They provide safety and comfort, but importantly, they also constitute a significant decorative element. They also have vivid colors that do not fade under long exposure to sunlight and are resistant to abrasion from intensive use.

There are 16 basic colors of mats and custom colors according to individual orders. At the customer's request, we can mix colored granules to achieve the desired visual effect. Good brands producing pigments for coloring tiles ensure that their products have a soft surface.

Rubber tiles available in different colors

The offer includes basic color variants, and for selected products it is also possible to prepare a custom color scheme. Combining several colors allows creating, among others, patterns, functional zones, and arrangements resembling a mosaic.

Colored mats and mosaic patterns

Creating beautiful patterns allows creating a custom design tailored to individual requirements. Let's check which colors of mats for gyms and playgrounds are available:

1. black

2. full-color

3. black with speckles / called mosaic in colors:

• red

• green

• blue

• orange

• gray

• white

• yellow

• purple

• pink

• cream

• graphite

• navy

Combining rubber tiles into checkerboards and patterns

Rubber tiles can be combined in various color layouts. Combining tiles of different colors allows creating, among others, checkerboards, contrasting stripes, or separated zones. Such a solution works particularly well when the surface is to serve both functional and decorative purposes.

What to consider when choosing colored rubber mats?

Tiles have wide applications in both public and private outdoor gyms, playgrounds, gardens, or terraces. When choosing a colored rubber surface, it is worth paying attention to basic features such as:

• resilience

• glare / reflection of harsh light

• resistance to stretching and impacts

• anti-slip properties

• good ventilation

• resistance to heat and cold

• resistance to aging

• slow water penetration

• resistance to UV radiation

• availability of confirmed material certificates such as PZH and HIC

Safe rubber surface for gyms and playgrounds - HIC Certificate

The mats we offer play a key role in limiting the hazards resulting from falls from heights, which can lead to serious head injuries. The aspect of safety should be a priority when choosing a surface for playgrounds or gyms. To minimize the severity of injuries resulting from a fall, protective surfacing that effectively absorbs impacts is installed on playgrounds or sports fields.

At Power Rubber, the mats have Head Injury Criterion certification, which means they meet the appropriate level of impact attenuation.

More information about the HIC parameter (HIC - what does it mean?) can be found in a separate article.

Colored mats for playground and gym - product available in the Power Rubber store

Playing, exercising, and being outdoors brings many benefits. If you are looking for a durable and resilient floor resistant to changing temperatures and weather conditions, we invite you to start cooperation with Power Rubber.

Here are some reasons to choose our rubber surfaces for gyms and playgrounds:

• the tiles have PZH approval and HIC certification

• the surface dampens noise (e.g., a falling barbell or other weight) and reduces vibrations

• shock-absorbing properties protect against injuries

• protection against critical injuries caused by falls from height

• anti-slip surface protects against slipping or falling

• helps drain water - prevents puddle formation

• easy to keep clean

• easy to install

Segmental mats for playgrounds and gyms made of granulate with added colored SBR or EPDM are a guarantee of safety and comfort. The thickness of the tile should be selected according to the height of the equipment using the Critical Fall Height (HIC) parameter.

If you have any questions, please contact us by phone: +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 16 03 03, or by email (Power|PowerRubber.com| style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 91, 171); border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 91, 171); text-align: justify;"|Power|PowerRubber.com) or via our contact form.