Our hard working customer service staff gets many questions regarding swing sets, such as “What should we put under our swing set?” The materials that you choose to put under your swing set is often ignored, but it can make your backyard play area a safer place. In addition, the right material will help your backyard look clean and professionally manicured.
Materials you can Put Under your Swing Set
Wood Chips / Mulch
Positive:
- Inexpensive
- Organic
- Rubber or wood mulch
- Can be good for your lawn
Negative:
- Some maintenance required: Must add mulch periodically
- May cause splinters
- Some children like to throw wood chips around the backyard
Rubber Mats
Positive
- Least maintenance needed
- More visual appeal
- Strong and durable
- Several different colors and designs available
Negative
- Some people are allergic to rubber
- Higher costs
- Some complain about the smell of rubber mats
Rubber Mulch
Rubber mulch is commonly used under playground swing sets. However, they’re a great long term and safe solution.
Positive
- Absorbs shock to reduce chances of injury
- Does not attract insects
- Installation is easy
- Low maintenance
Negative
- Not as efffective at controlling weeds
- Rubber mulch is highly flammable
- The environmental and human side effects are not fully known
Sand
Positive
- Lower costs
- Organic
- Visual appeal
- Kids can also use sand as a sandbox
- Can purchase at most home improvement store. Including Lowes!
Negative
- Attracts cats and could potentially carry diseases (in severe cases)
- Maintenance needed
- Can easily be tracked into your house
Pea Gravel
Pea gravel looks similar to small rocks, but it works well under swing sets.
Positive:
- Lower costs
- Strong and durable
- Organic
Negative:
- Harder surface than mats or mulch
- Maintenance required
- Gets stuck in shoes, pants and gets tracked around more
So, What Material Should I Choose?
All of the materials mentioned above would be an acceptable choice. We suggest using wood or rubber mulch. It is not as easy to track mulch all over the backyard and it does a great job at absorbing the impact in case your child falls. While it may cost your more than pea gravel or sand, through our own experience and from customer reviews, mulch has proven to be the cleanest and safest material to put under swing sets. Considering we’re talking about your children, don’t you want the best?
What material did you put under your swing set? We would like to hear what you think!
