What’s the Lifespan of Rubber Mulch Compared to Other Options

Choosing a surfacing material is one of the most important decisions when designing or upgrading your playground. You want the material to be safe, durable, and keep your maintenance costs down. That’s why more and more parks and schools are choosing rubber mulch. It lasts longer than traditional mulches, provides better impact absorption, and it doesn’t take much upkeep to keep it looking neat. But just how long does rubber mulch last?

In this blog, we’ll compare the lifespans of rubber mulch vs. all your other mulch options to help you understand why it’s becoming a popular choice for parks and playgrounds. 

Rubber Mulch vs. Traditional Mulch Options

Organic mulches have their strengths, but permanent mulches, like rubber and gravel, last a lot longer. Here’s how all of your playground surfacing options compare:

Rubber Mulch – 7 to 20 years or more

Rubber mulch has a typical lifespan of 7 to 20 years or more, making it one of the longest lasting mulch options. It doesn’t rot or attract pests, and its low absorption rate means water drains quickly. Rainbow Mulch is made of a closed-cell sponge rubber, so it maintains its original shape and performance over time. All you have to do is rake it now and then to keep it evenly distributed. Playground rubber mulch offers the best balance of safety, durability, and low maintenance.

Bark Mulch – 1 to 3 years

Bark mulch, made of the outer bark of pine, cedar, and cypress trees, has a lifespan of only 1 to 3 years. This organic mulch offers a natural look and adds nutrients to your soil, but it breaks down much faster than mulch rubber. It also absorbs more moisture, which can lead to mold and rot—yuck. Bark mulch has a classic, natural appeal, but you’ll have to replace it much more often.

Wood Chips – 2 to 4 years

Wood chips are another popular organic mulch. Unfortunately, its lifespan is only 2 to 4 years, depending on how much traffic and rain your playground gets. Wood chips offer a nice, natural cushion at first, but they compact and decompose over time. You’ll have to top it off regularly to keep your mulch playground safe.

Recycled Wood Mulch – 1 to 3 years

Recycled wood mulch is made of ground up pallets and lumber scraps. It has a similar lifespan to organic wood chips—roughly 1 to 3 years. It’s more affordable than virgin wood chips, but it’s often dyed to make it look more uniform; this means it may contain chemical residues, making it less safe for playgrounds. 

Pea Gravel Mulch – 10 years or more

Pea gravel mulch is a permanent mulch option made of small, smooth stones. It has a long lifespan of 10 years or longer. While it has a similar lifespan compared to rubber mulch, it scatters easily and doesn’t offer the same quality of impact cushioning. Pea gravel mulch is also hard to rake and it can get really hot in the sun.

Sand – 2 to 3 years

Sand is another classic loose-fill material that many people love. Unfortunately, as a playground material, it only lasts 2 to 3 years since it compacts, scatters, and quickly loses its shock absorption qualities. Sand is cheap and easy to install, but you have to constantly level it and clean it to keep it safe. Overall, rubber mulch outperforms sand when it comes to durability and long-term value.

Why Rainbow Mulch?

The Best Choice for Playgrounds 

There are two popular playground surfacing materials that stand out in terms of lifespan: rubber mulch and pea gravel mulch. Both are “long term” mulches, but here are just a few of the reasons why we think  Rainbow Mulch is the clear winner:

Better Impact Protection

Rainbow Mulch offers superior impact protection, cushioning falls and helping prevent injuries on your playground. Closed-cell sponge rubber doesn’t compact or decompose over time like organic mulches. And because it’s made from virgin rubber, you don’t have to worry about tire residues, metal fragments, and other contaminants sometimes found in recycled rubber tires. Rainbow Mulch has a smooth and consistent texture that’s fun and comfortable for both children and pets. 

Long Lifespan and Low Maintenance

With a lifespan of 7 to 20 years or more, Rainbow Mulch doesn’t need to be replaced often and requires only minimal upkeep. It doesn’t absorb water, doesn’t attract pests, and doesn’t decompose like organic mulches. Rubber mulch has a very low absorption rate, so it dries quickly after it rains. All you have to do to keep Rainbow Mulch looking fresh is rake it every now and then to evenly distribute it across your playground’s surface.

Clean, Non-Toxic, and Responsibly Designed

Rainbow Mulch is made from 100% non-toxic virgin sponge rubber that’s safe for kids and pets. The rubber doesn’t contain any heavy metals or harmful chemicals, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor playgrounds. It lasts for years without breaking down or leaching chemicals into your soil. With its long lifespan, cushy impact protection, low maintenance needs, and non-toxic nature, Rainbow Mulch is the perfect solution for your playground.

Contact Rainbow Mulch Today

Permanent Mulch for Playgrounds, Landscaping & Gardens

The lifespan of your playground mulch matters. While organic mulches look great at first, they decompose over time and require constant upkeep, removal, and replacement. Rubber mulch can last over a decade in your playground, landscaping, or garden.

Are you designing or upgrading a playground? Contact Rainbow Mulch today to learn more about non-toxic rubber mulch products and get a free estimate. The products are non-toxic, tire-free, and made right here in Ohio by a veteran owned and operated company.