How Much Does a Poured Rubber Playground Cost?

Average Poured Rubber Surfacing Cost

*This table assumes a 1,000-square-foot playground. If you’re installing a small backyard playground for your family, expect to spend between $3,200 and $5,000 for the typical 200-square-foot area.

Wet Pour Rubber Surfacing Costs per Square Foot

The average poured rubber playground cost ranges between $7 and $15 per square foot, installed, for playgrounds 1,000 square feet or larger. If you are budgeting for a smaller playground, you might spend $16 to $25 per square foot, including labor, for a wet pour rubber surface playground. You can contact a playground equipment company for more accurate pricing for your project size.

Poured-in-place rubber is great for playgrounds, pathways, pool areas, and patios thanks to various benefits:

• Slip-resistant

• Versatile

• Long-lasting

• Low-maintenance

• Cool to the touch

Though poured rubber surfacing is more expensive upfront than other materials like concrete or asphalt, its long lifespan should save you money over time.

Playground Surfacing Cost Comparison

The average cost to install a playground at your home is $325 to $700, while public playgrounds are much larger and thus more expensive to build. When it comes to the ground or base, many materials are available, meaning the final price can vary drastically, from $1 to $25 per square foot.

While the typical poured rubber playground costs $7 to $15 per square foot for larger spaces, homeowners designing their own backyard playground should expect to pay between $16 and $25 per square foot. Here’s how that stacks up against other material costs:

Rubberized Playground Surface Cost

At $7 to $15 per square foot for large surfaces or $16 to $25 per square foot for smaller play areas, poured-in-place rubber works well for playgrounds, particularly large, public playgrounds. The thick, springy material helps prevent fall-related injuries. However, the thicker the material, the more expensive it will be. It does have a higher upfront cost than other materials but requires less maintenance.

Artificial Turf or Grass for Playgrounds Prices

The cost of turf installation ranges from $5 to $20 per square foot, but it can pay for itself over time thanks to its convenience. Artificial turf offers many of the same benefits as poured-in-place rubber and lasts longer with less maintenance.

Playground Mulch Cost

Mulch is incredibly affordable; you’ll spend between $0.80 and $1.20 per square foot in rubber mulch installation costs. However, while the cost of playground mulch may be lower than the average poured rubber playground cost upfront, you may have higher costs over time, as you need to regularly replace the loose fill.

Compare wood and rubber mulch to see which option works best for you. In general, rubber mulch is the better option for playgrounds, though it is more expensive than wood mulch

Concrete Playground

Concrete costs between $4 and $30 per square foot and doesn’t require as much maintenance as asphalt. It cracks over time and may need repairs. Concrete installation is more expensive than other materials like gravel. It can also lead to scraped knees and elbows and other playground injuries; rubber is usually a safer option.

Asphalt Surface

Asphalt paving costs $7 to $13 per square foot. Asphalt adapts well to temperature changes and isn’t known to crack. It requires resealing every couple of years.

Rubber Pavers

Costing between $2 and $6 per square foot fully installed, rubber pavers are a great alternative to poured-in rubber playground flooring. Some benefits of pavers include:

• Cheaper than poured surfacing

• Easier to install than concrete or asphalt

• Simpler to fix than poured rubber surfacing

• Available in different sizes and thicknesses

Playground Surfacing Cost Factors

The cost of poured-in-place rubber surfacing can vary depending on the level of recycled materials, the color, and the depth or thickness of the surface.

Recycled Materials

While poured-in-place rubber flooring may use recycled shredded tire materials, not every brand uses 100% recycled materials for the surface, especially for the wear layer. Expect to pay more per square foot for fully recycled rubber material.

Color

Poured rubber playgrounds most commonly use a mixture of 50% black and 50% colored rubber materials, which is the most economical option. Depending on the manufacturer, color granules might cost four times as much as black rubber granules. Thus, as you add in more color, prices can go up—but it’s important not to go with all-black rubber, as the surface could get too hot for children.

Depth or Thickness

At a minimum, poured-in-place rubber surfacing should have a half-inch wear layer. This is the visible surface and may utilize different colors for a unique design. Beneath the wear layer is the base layer, which can be anywhere from one to 10 inches thick. The greater the potential fall height (i.e., how far a child might fall from the equipment), the thicker the base layer should be. You’ll pay more in material costs for a thicker base layer.

Other Uses for Poured Rubber Surfacing

Poured rubber surfaces work for more than just playgrounds. You can use poured rubber for pool decks, driveways, patios, and porches. For each project, poured rubber will reflect just a small portion of overall project costs. Use our cost guides below to calculate overall project pricing:

• Pool deck costs

• Patio pricing

• Cost of a driveway

DIY vs. Hiring a Paving Pro

Because of the use case of a poured-in-place rubber surface—providing safe recreation for children—it’s especially important to use a professional playground installer near you for this surface. Choosing to DIY can certainly save money on a project, but if you aren’t sure what you are doing, you can incorrectly install the rubber surface, leading to safety issues and a shorter lifespan for the material.