How Thick Should EPDM Wet Pour Flooring Be for Playgrounds?
Many buyers want to know how thick EPDM wet pour flooring should be for a playground or kindergarten.
This is a simple question, but the answer must be clear, because the thickness affects comfort, safety, and how long the floor lasts.
Short answer:
Most EPDM playground floors are 10–15mm in total.
This thickness is enough for children to run, fall, and play without getting hurt.
What Is the Correct Thickness?
EPDM wet pour flooring has two layers:
Bottom layer
- Can be SBR or low-binder EPDM
- Binder content: 8–10%
- Thickness: 5–10mm
Top EPDM layer
- Must be high-binder EPDM
- Binder content: 16–22%
- Thickness: 5mm
So the usual total thickness looks like this:
- 5mm bottom + 5mm top = 10mm
- 8mm bottom + 5mm top = 13mm
- 10mm bottom + 5mm top = 15mm
This is the most common and practical system for kindergartens and outdoor play areas.
Why 10–15mm Is Enough
Most playgrounds do not have high structures.
Children usually run, sit, jump, and sometimes fall, but not from a high place.
For this kind of activity, 10–15mm is more than enough.
This thickness makes the floor:
- Soft and comfortable
- Safe for small falls
- Good for daily outdoor use
- Easy to clean and maintain
What Material Should Be Used for Each Layer?
Bottom Layer
You can choose:
- SBR granules
- Low-binder EPDM granules
Both give good elasticity.
SBR is more common because it is economical.
Low-binder EPDM is more durable, but also more expensive.
Top Layer
Always use high-binder EPDM granules with 16–22% binder content.
This layer gives:
- Bright colors
- UV resistance
- Anti-slip surface
- Better bonding
- Longer life
Learn more about our EPDM granules:
https://www.lanhefloor.com/epdm-granules/
When Should You Choose 15mm Instead of 10mm?
You can choose a thicker system (13–15mm) when:
- Children may run very fast
- The playground has small slopes
- You want the floor to feel softer
- There is a small play structure (1m height or lower)
If you want a very soft surface under swings or slides, rubber tiles may be better.
You can check our rubber tiles here:
https://lanhefloor.com/tiny-granule-rubber-tile/
https://lanhefloor.com/composite-gym-rubber-tile/
https://lanhefloor.com/puzzle-rubber-tile/
Why Good EPDM Quality Matters
Not all EPDM granules are the same.
Low-quality EPDM may have:
- Dust
- Weak elasticity
- Poor color
- More chance of granule loss
Lanhefloor EPDM granules are made with:
- Clean and low-dust material
- Strong color stability
- Good UV resistance
- Stable batch quality
This is why our EPDM does not fall off easily and stays bright for years.
See our outdoor rubber solutions:
https://lanhefloor.com/outdoor-rubber-floor/
You can also see real projects here:
https://lanhefloor.com/projects/
Installation Tips
To make sure the EPDM floor lasts longer:
- Keep granules dry
- Mix binder and granules evenly
- Use the correct binder amount
- Install in good weather
- Avoid rain during curing
- Make the thickness even
If the thickness is uneven, the surface may become soft in some areas.
More guides:
https://lanhefloor.com/installation-guide/why-epdm-granules-fall-off-after-installation/
https://lanhefloor.com/installation-guide/one-component-vs-two-component-pu-binders-for-epdm-flooring/
Related Blogs
These guides can help you understand EPDM flooring better:
Can EPDM Wet Pour Flooring Be Used in a Home Garage?
https://lanhefloor.com/rubber-applications/can-epdm-wet-pour-flooring-be-used-in-a-home-garage/How to Choose Reliable EPDM Granules Suppliers in China
https://lanhefloor.com/rubber-applications/how-to-choose-reliable-epdm-granules-suppliers-in-china/Why EPDM Granules Fall Off After Installation
https://lanhefloor.com/installation-guide/why-epdm-granules-fall-off-after-installation/One-Component vs Two-Component PU Binders
https://lanhefloor.com/installation-guide/one-component-vs-two-component-pu-binders-for-epdm-flooring/
Conclusion
Most playground EPDM floors are 10–15mm.
A 5mm EPDM top layer and a 5–10mm bottom layer make a safe, soft, and long-lasting surface for children.
It is simple, practical, and widely used around the world.