Playground mulch or engineered wood fiber differs from landscape mulch primarily in that it is certified to standards for “impact attenuation” which is to say in lessening impacts from falls.   It is also certified to be free from metal and wood preservative treatment products.  Many landscape mulches “could” attain the same results but state regulations and/or insurance carriers may only recognize those mulches that have met and received American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and received certification as such.

There is also a difference in the look between most landscape and playground mulches.  Landscape mulches tend to be of a finer grind and some are treated with a food coloring to dye them in a red, gold, black or brown color.  Many natural bark landscape mulches contain high contents of composted bark which breaks down easily in soils.  Playground mulches in contrast will be of a courser texture so as not to readily stick to clothing and shoes.  This will also inhibit their decomposition on the playground surface. 

Below are the mathematical calculations for mulch coverage.

One cubic yard of mulch will cover:

324 square feet at 1 inch deep
162 square feet at 2 inches deep
108 square feet at 3 inches deep
81 square feet at 4 inches deep
65 square feet at 5 inches deep
54 square feet at 6 inches deep
46 square feet at 7 inches deep
40.5 square feet at 8 inches deep
36 square feet at 9 inches deep
 

For a quote request please use the form below.

Playground Mulch Quotation

Specific recommendations for engineered wood fiber start on page 8 of the document below under section 2.4 (Surfacing). 

Link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's