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Surfacing and Shade Calculators

Four tools we use on real jobs. Put in your numbers and you will get the same figures our crew works from. Nothing here is a quote, but it will get you within range before you ever pick up the phone.

Loose Fill Surfacing Calculator

Rubber mulch and engineered wood fiber. Works out how much material your area takes and how many bags that is.

750square feet
375cubic feet
13.9cubic yards
469bags

Depth we usually install What it is for
6 inches of rubber mulch The depth most commercial jobs are built to
9 inches of wood fiber Loose fill wood under taller structures
12 inches of wood fiber Deep fill under the tallest decks

Depths come from the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook as a starting point. The fall height your surfacing is actually rated for comes from the manufacturer ASTM F1292 test on that exact product, and your inspector has the last word. Tell us the deck height and we will confirm the depth before you order.

Poured Rubber and Tile Calculator

Unitary surfacing, priced by the square foot. Add waste for cuts around posts and borders.

750square feet
803sq ft with waste
201tiles needed

Shade Coverage Calculator

Shade has to reach past the equipment, not just sit on top of it. This adds the overhang and points you at the closest standard structure.

38 x 28feet of cover needed
1,064square feet of shade

Closest standard structures:

Overhang matters because the sun moves. Four feet past the equipment on every side is a sensible starting point in Alabama, and more on the west side if the structure gets late afternoon sun. Every shade we sell is engineered to a wind load for the site it is going on, so the final post and footing spec comes with the drawing.

Use Zone Calculator

The surfaced area around the equipment. This is the number that decides how much surfacing you actually buy, and it is bigger than people expect.

42 x 32feet to surface
1,344square feet

Want us to run the numbers for you?

Send us the dimensions of your space and the age group you are building for. We will lay out what fits, confirm the surfacing depth and come back with a real price. No charge for the design and no obligation to buy.

Request your quote