
Today, poured in place rubber paving is chosen as pavements for an ever increasing number of pre-schools, schools and public playgrounds. This paving for playgrounds and sports grounds made from rubber granules is often referred to as Rekortan track in common parlance. But what exactly does this term mean, and what is the reason for its growing popularity?
The drawbacks of alternative solutions
In the past, in many places, the shock-absorbing soil of playgrounds was created by using inexpensive and readily available sand or pea gravel, or people with more funds at their disposal tended to use precast rubber tiles.
Sand
The use of sand playgrounds as shock-absorbing soil poses several problems, as anyone can witness that this material is compacted or wears out relatively quickly in the heavy-duty areas; and has completely different fall-absorbing properties in wet or dry weather.
Pea gravel
Pea gravel does not get compacted, unlike sand, and the weather does not change its efficiency, but here too we there is the risk of wearing out; moreover, whoever has been to a playground with a baby-stroller, knows perfectly well that pea gravel surface is hard to use exactly for those to whom it was designed…
For the safe use, therefore, regular and continuous monitoring and maintenance is essential in both cases, resulting in significant long-term costs.
Rubber tiles or rubber bricks

Pavement made from prefabricated rubber tiles or bricks has proven to be a much better solution than the above. Here we need to expect higher initial investment costs, but a good quality rubber tile retains its shock-absorbing capacity without maintenance over a long period of time. However, many people have become disappointed about rubber tiles, which is caused, in many cases, by incorrect implementation. If the substructure is poorly designed or the wearing layer of the tiles is too thin, then it is very common that the edges of the rubber tiles get curled up, making the pavement unsafe, since children inevitably kick the edges, and the rubber tiles begin to wear out.
When choosing rubber tiles, therefore, try to choose a model that is 100 x 100 cm, and at least half to two-thirds of its total thickness is a continuous wear layer; moreover, it should only have small cleats. In case of use in public places, appropriate fixing is important because vandals or thieves may try to pick the rubber tiles up from time to time.
The technology of poured in place flooring

The poured in place rubber pavement is done somewhat similarly to concreting. Unlike rubber tiles – compressed at an elevated temperature and pressure –, with this technology the pavement material is prepared on the spot using a special stirrer, and then, in case of large surfaces, it is spread by a finisher machine for this purpose, or in case of smaller surfaces, by means of hand tools. After a few days of curing time the pavement can be utilized.
Poured in place rubber flooring surfaces are completely smooth, with no grooves or fractures even when they form different patterns; and since the final arrangement of the surface makes even the boundaries between the patterns completely smooth, there are no edges where the wear-out could begin. Moreover, since the entire area is contiguous, you do not have to worry that someone will try to pick the paving up.
Poured in place pavements provide a flexible yet sturdy paving for playgrounds, so in addition to safely cushioning shocks caused by falls, they are perfectly viable for baby strollers or wheelchairs.
Not only good but also beautiful
In addition to the merely technical advantages, the visual experience provided by the rich, colourful design of Poured in place rubber paving is also worth noting, especially in view of children. Roads, paths, islands, lakes, rivers, hopscotch, or other shapes in the pavement stimulate the fantasy of children, and the so-far most boring part of the playground – namely, the pavement – gets to the fore as one of the most exciting game elements.
Typical applications for the poured in place rubber pavement
Friss cikkek a gumilap öntésről
The benefits of the Poured in place rubber pavement
Are you interested in poured in place rubber paving? Ask for a free offer:
Vagy keresse kollégánkat, Lukács Istvánt az alábbi elérhetőségen:
Lukács István
Projekt Manager
Mail: lukacs.istvan@nadland.hu