Top 3 Uses for Outdoor Rubber Flooring: Playgrounds, Walkways, Decks

As one of the most durable and readily available flooring materials, rubber has quickly grown in popularity for both indoor and outdoor installations. Most rubber floors are made of recycled tires, preventing them from filling up landfills while providing a useful purpose for them again.

The long lifespan of outdoor rubber flooring products along with its safety features have been the biggest reasons for its increasing presence in outdoor areas. Let's take a look at the three most popular outdoor spaces where rubber flooring is used.

Playground Outdoor Rubber Flooring

Outdoor rubber flooring for playgrounds can come in several different forms including, tiles, mats, poured-in-place flooring, and crumbs.

The most versatile of these is the outdoor rubber playground tiles. These tiles offer the ability to create designs and patterns due to their modular nature. You can find outdoor rubber flooring for playgrounds in several different color options as well.

They simplify the installation process by coming in the form of conveniently sized squares, many of which interlock. The rubber outdoor flooring tiles also provide the most consistent fall height protection. Some outdoor interlocking rubber tiles are as thick as five inches and protect against falls from as high as 10 feet, so you can choose the product that offers the specific fall height protection that your playground or play area needs.

If you need extra protection and durability in certain areas of your playground, rubber mats are an excellent option. Rubber swing and slide mats provide extra shock absorption in these high-traffic areas, and can also help to prevent your rubber tile flooring from being worn down.

Outdoor Rubber Flooring for Decks and Patios

Another popular space for outdoor rubber flooring is decks and patios. The outdoor rubber deck tiles are durable enough to handle patio furniture and are slip and weather-resistant. While many patios are surfaced with concrete, brick, or stone, rubber patio flooring offers a much more comfortable solution to your outdoor living space.

As a material also used for playgrounds, you can rest assured there are additional safety factors with outdoor rubber patio flooring as well, which will give you peace of mind when the space is occupied by young and old alike with an affinity for falling, spilling or inadvertently dropping things - be it phones, glasses, toys or dishes. The shock-absorbing benefits of rubber have long been recognized and can save you a lot of headaches as well as medical and replacement costs.

One versatile and long-lasting rubber patio tile is the Sterling Rooftop Tile, sold by Greatmats.com. This tile can be used for both ground-level and rooftop patios. At 2 inches thick with an interlocking design, it has significant weight and will stay in place. It is also safe for rubber roofing membranes and is easy to clean.

Outdoor Rubber Walkway

The use of rubber walkway mats is a relatively new development, but it makes sense, given the benefits it provides for playgrounds and patios. The same benefits apply to a recycled rubber walkway. You don't even have to sacrifice style or a natural appearance for the sake of safety as rubber walkway mats can be assembled to fit virtually any shape or size.

Take, for instance, the dog-bone-shaped Equine Paver Tiles. They give a dog bone-shaped paver appearance with a unique shape and are super easy to install. The consistent size and shape of these tiles allow them to fit neatly together.

Also, consider Playground Mats to create an outdoor walkway. These mats can be laid down next to each other to create a durable pathway.

An outdoor rubber walkway is an aesthetically pleasing and safe addition to a home, park, or other public space. They’re also highly popular in areas like equestrian facilities and horse barns, where walkways need to be durable yet also safe for humans and horses.

The rubber pavers and mats are waterproof, and they can withstand varying temperatures, making them suitable for year-round use. These products offer traction to help prevent slips and falls, and they’re also comfortable underfoot. If falls do occur, rubber flooring is more forgiving than a surface like concrete or asphalt, which can help to reduce or prevent injuries.

Order Outdoor Rubber Flooring Today

No matter what type of surface you are looking to cover, there is a rubber flooring outdoor solution to fit your needs. As you explore rubber flooring options and plan your project, keep in mind that rubber flooring needs both drainage and airflow to prevent mold and mildew. It’s important to incorporate these elements into your planning for a successful project.


We’re proud to offer an excellent selection of rubber outdoor flooring products at Greatmats. Contact our customer service team today with any questions. We’re happy to help you determine which product is best for your needs, can provide shipping quotes, and can help you place your order to get started on your project.