To Shock pad or not to Shock pad…?

Shock pad is a type of underlay that is often used as a base for artificial grass in schools and nurseries. Made out of fused together polyethylene pieces, Shock pad is a fall cushioning substrate. It has a spongy but firm feel which makes it perfect for use as an outdoor safety surface.

Used under and around play equipment in schools and nurseries, shock pad is used to deliver what’s called a ‘critical fall height’. A critical fall height is the greatest height of head first fall, from which a child, landing on a surface could be expected to avoid sustaining a critical head injury. Shock pad is used to meet these critical fall heights – typically between 1 – 2 meters.

Shock Pad is a legal requirement in schools where high play equipment is used, but it is also becoming increasingly popular in back gardens. As the trend for bigger and better and ever more complex play structures in back gardens gathers pace, so does demand for the underlay shock pad. A climbing frame can provide hours of back garden fun for kids, which in a screen –obsessed world is something to be encouraged. But parents also want to ensure that when slips and falls happen – which they inevitably will – their children will have a soft landing.

As well as the safety aspect, the combination of artificial grass and shock pad is nice underfoot and gives a firm but springy feel. Other benefits include giving an extremely flat finish – without any lumps and bumps.

Installation of artificial grass can be tricky in properties with gardens that don’t have any side access. Using Shock pad in these scenarios means a ‘cleaner’ installation which minimises the amount of hard landscaping material that needs to be taken through the house. While excavating the lawn will still be necessary, the installation process is quicker when Shock pad is used as it replaces the need for an aggregate to be laid and compacted.

In terms of lifespan, shock pad combined with Trulawn artificial grass will give you at least ten years of soft, safe green grass perfection, if not more.