What To Put Under A Trampoline? – 6 Best Ideas!

Trampolines have been a great fun source for kids and adults, The most prominent perk is that you don’t have to go to a park or a gym to get fit or active with a perfect combination of enjoyment at a doorstep.

It is an ideal sport to be installed in the backyard, yet installing it with appropriate and proper instruments comes with a cost. Therefore, it is considered an expensive sport, but luckily, it’s a single-time investment. 

Unfortunately, many injury cases have been seen lately. The main reason behind them was the trampoline bases being sunk to the ground due to the overloading. What made them overloaded had been adults and kids jumping all together without bothering or considering any preventive measures. 

The trampoline base should be firm enough not to sink into the ground. It has to be secure enough to let everyone bounce. Hoping on a trampoline, even with an enclosed net, it still has a chance of falling off if you hit hard on the net. So not just the trampoline; even the surroundings must be perfect.

What To Put Under A Trampoline? – Let’s Contemplate A Few Of The Best Options Available

1. Artificial Grass Mat

The artificial grass mat is one of the most expensive yet low-maintenance options, providing a dazzling landscape with soft cushioning. Therefore, making the grass mat entirely out of harm’s way rather than having a concrete pad, brick patio, or bare hard ground underneath a trampoline.

So if you are fascinated by the grass’s look yet have lower time for its maintenance, this aesthetic-looking mat is your foremost choice. 

The grass mat installation is comparatively more convenient than others, and their longevity is remarkable. There might be a growth of plants below underneath the mat, but luckily, it won’t outgrow the carpet. 

This material will approximately put a figure of around $40 for a 15-square-foot piece. So, a normal trampoline of 150 square-foot would cost $400, which is high compared to other better options available.

Pros

• The grass mat provides an excellent and rich view.
• In addition, It is easy to install.
• Grass mat requires less maintenance.

Cons

• It is costly.

2. Rubber Mulch

These tiny shredded rubber bits have been considered one of the best options to put under a trampoline, As they ensure safe landing with more bounce and soft effect. In addition, this option is considered as the best public choice because many clubs mostly prefer it as a safety precaution under trampolines. 

Usually, in fluency, people tend to jump a little higher, excited partners, family members, and friends adjoining them on the bouncy trampolines without realizing the different weight measurements cautions resulting in harsh landings with an unexpected sinking of a trampoline base. 

Why Rubber Mulch Is An Ideal Option:

• It provides the utmost security for any unexpected accidents
• It ensures no growth of plants and grass, completely keeping them at bay.
• After installing rubber mulch, you don’t need any other further protection.
• Its period of deterioration is much enhanced than others; therefore, once installed, it will keep benefitting you for years.
• It provides an extra bouncier and softer effect, so having it under a trampoline lets you have more secure high bounces.

How To Apply A Rubber Mulch

• First, Dig a depth of 3-inches of the same size as your trampoline.
• After you are done with the digging, apply and scatter the rubber mulch all over.
• Unfortunately, rubber mulch is slightly lesser in cost than a grass mat. So, it will cost you around $300 to $350 to buy 43 cubic feet or 157 sq. feet of mulch if you have a 15 feet circle trampoline. 
• Just to be on the safer side, If you can afford and are willing to spend more money, it’s better to dig a whole more extensive than the size of your trampoline. So, in case a kid falls out of the trampoline, he will land on rubber mulch, not on hard ground.

Pros

• It is comparatively the best soft and bouncier option available.
• Rubber Mulch lasts longer than others and deteriorates quite slowly.

Cons

• Digging the ground for it is necessary; otherwise, it will wander around the base, creating a mess.

3. Bury The Trampoline

Buried trampolines are the best inclusion in your backyard. It is considered safer because, in this case, these trampolines are not a few feet above the ground but are on ground level, ensuring utmost safety. Another substantial benefit of the in-ground trampolines is that they can easily cope up with additional weight. 

A hole must be dug into the ground to get it fixed—a deeper one from the middle and a little hollow from the edges. Its pre-installation cost is more as the hole digging and aligning of the trampoline, but owners see it worthwhile to invest it only once.

As it is on the ground, it requires more maintenance as you have little kids and pets roaming around on the floor all the time. Also, in case of any damage, like springs coming out of the base, it will be dangerous and could hurt them. 

To make it more secure, you can add an enclosed net. It makes it a perfect combination of fun with security.

Pros

• It ensures safe jumping for adults as well as kids
• It’s suitable for the garden atmosphere and maintenance

Cons

• It is expensive again in terms of preparation of the base to install it.

4. Play Sand

Play sand is the most suitable alternative for rubber mulch. If the dark color of rubber mulch does not fascinate you, then play sand is an excellent option. It provides the same secure Bounces as the mulch and softer landing surfaces like rubber. In addition, sand has a beautiful color, with bits of natural glitter, making it a little eye-catchy.

Play sand is easier to install than rubber mulch, providing maximum security against accidents or miss-happenings. In addition, play sand can be used for as much longer as you want; it won’t Detroit. Besides, this base of trampoline would cost a little more than mulch.

A trampoline of a regular size would cover around 80 bags of sand; typically, one bag would cover a half cubic foot with a cost of $5, making the whole fixture worth about $400. Not only can it provide a beautiful landscape of a desert, but also it can help kids have a better time, as after getting tired of jumping, they can have fun making things out of the sand. 

We also have a little downsize for this option, and the sand would be dispersed everywhere, even inside the home. The most unclean part would be the pets around would use it to litter when you are not around. 

Pros

• It is more convenient to install than others.
• It can last the longest.
• Play sand is soft as mulch.

Cons

• It isn’t as bouncier as rubber.
• Play sand is an expensive substitute.

5. Wood Chips

Suppose you are looking for a cheaper option that is widely available, then wooden chips are your best choice. Wooden chips are easily accessible and cost less than $100 for an average trampoline size. It will also help to keep the growth of the plants and weeds to a bare minimum, keeping them at bay. However, we also have expensive woods that might cost you around $150 or more.

But as they are the cheapest, they aren’t the softest option to put under a trampoline. The other catches of these options are you won’t find them even a little bouncier than rubber mulch or sandbags. Moreover, they are not even soft; therefore, landing a bit harshly on them might cause severe injuries. 

A wooden chips bed under a trampoline might be an attraction for insects. Not just that, if left unattended, it might become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Also, much wooden mulch gets treated with chemicals before they are used, which might be poisonous for kids.

Pros

• They are readily available.
• They are the cheapest option available.
• It is easier to apply and install.

Cons

• These are not soft and bouncy at all.

6. Rubber Mat

Last but not the least, there are tons of interlinked gym mats available. Make sure you go for the outdoor exposure mat that can bear extreme weather conditions too.

They can be the most affordable option available to put around the trampoline. Rubber mats can ensure safety, even if they don’t look so appealing. 

Pros

• They are cheap
• They are available easily.

Cons

• A low quality won’t be able to bear the weather conditions, hence break down or degrade.

Closing The Trampoline Area Underneath

As much as trampolines are a fun activity, it requires an exact amount of care and protection to keep them going for a longer time. There are two significant reasons we should close the trampolines from beneath. Firstly to make it secure for the kids and pets, and secondly, to protect the trampoline itself. Explaining it a little briefly below

• For Securing Your Kids And Pets

Kids are the most adventurous creatures alive, and you can’t stop them from entering anywhere or under the trampolines. However, it could be perilous if any of the springs fall out. Interacting with the stiff, sharp spring ends would be extremely dangerous.

• For Trampolines Safety 

Any animal passing from under the trampoline could easily tear it apart. An enclosed net can indeed protect your upside of the trampoline, leaving the downwards unattended. So, if you keep it all covered, we just need to close the trampoline. 

Ways To Close The Trampoline From Beneath

You can find plenty of ways to secure the trampoline, yet these three are the most convenient.

Closure With A Wooden Wall:

The best professional way to close a trampoline is to build a wall around the trampoline edges. It would just look like a wall of wooden frames. You might need a hand with it, and if you have wood available at home, you can just ask a friend to get it fixed.

Closure With Storage Boxes:

If you can’t afford to spend more time on the closure of the trampoline, you can simply fill it with all the storage boxes you have. The whole point of it is to cover the space completely. It’s the cheapest and easiest way available. Though it might look a bit messy, and if any sharp end box scratches the base mat of the trampoline, it might tear it too.

Closure With Enclosed Net:

As the top of the Trampoline is covered with a net, it provides safety for the person using it and protection for the trampoline itself. Similarly, if you use an additional net and get it fixed beneath the trampoline, even that would work as well as anything. Moreover, it is affordable, but make sure it’s tightly woven. On the plus side, you will always find Enclosed nets according to the shapes and sizes of the trampolines.

Different Types Of Trampolines Available That Are Common:

Here are the different types of trampolines:

• Square Trampoline
• Round Trampoline
• Rectangular Trampoline
• Oval Trampoline
• Octagon Trampoline
• Hexagon Trampoline 

Other Ideas To Get Your Trampolines Fixed

Concrete and Gravel are other typical solid bases available for trampolines. Although they are not recommended, you can use them if you can’t manage other options.

Concrete As A Base

Using a concrete base for a trampoline could be a yes or no; it is a catch because friction could damage the legs and the frame. In contrast, the concrete won’t be able to absorb the shocks well while the trampoline is being used. Due to these, the downfall of concrete hasn’t been considered the best possible option. However, If you still want concrete to be your base, then you must use an additional layer to reduce friction and get more stability.

Pros

• It gets an additional layer.

Cons

• Ground collisions could be dangerous.
• The frame could be damaged real soon.

Gravel As A Base

The Gravel has zero maintenance cost; having it as a trampoline base is not advisable. If you are planning on still getting it as a base, you must add a layer beneath the legs and the ground and an enclosed net for safety procedures to avoid injuries. 

Pros

• It has the least maintenance cost.
• An additional layer is added for its stability.

Cons

• Falling off the trampoline on gravel ground could be menacing. 

Setting A Trampoline Over Grass

An even grass surface would be the most convenient and accessible option available; the only reason that sets this idea on pause is the damage to the grass. 

Why the Grass Gets Damaged Under A Trampoline 

• Sunlight has always played an essential role in the plant growth process. However, when the trampoline is placed over the grass, it completely blocks the energy the grass could have absorbed from the sunlight, which results in the grass dying.

• Another factor for the lively- ness of the grass is water. A plant can not just survive without water, as its basic need. But unfortunately, the land under the trampoline does not get wet enough, leaving the grass to die.

• Let’s not forget the excessive heat that that frame and the jumping mat produce during the intense summer. The strong rays emitted by the trampoline could seriously damage the grass. 

Consequences Of The Dried Grass

There are many side effects of a dry grass base; let’s discuss a few below: 

The cracked and dry ground could misbalance a trampoline hence anyone jumping on it could fall off, facing severe accidents. Moreover, the dry grass can make the legs dirtier as quickly as anything; keeping it clean and neat would become hard eventually.

How To Keep The Grass Beneath A Trampoline Alive

• You must provide the grass with an appropriate amount of water now and then, along with proper maintenance.
• You can cover the trampoline legs with any colorful cloth to absorb the heat that the steel omits, making it look more attractive.
• Another feasible trick to keep the grass alive is not to fix the trampoline permanently in a single place but instead place it on even ground. So you can move it to different sides quickly and let each element reach the grass correctly.