When arranging a summer cottage, many are faced with the question of what material to make tracks to make it comfortable to move in any weather. Usually, for these purposes, familiar tiles, concrete or gravel are used by everyone, but in recent times more and more often you can hear about such an innovation as rubber tracks. What is it and what are the features of this coating, we will understand in more detail.
What is a rubber garden path?
Quite a long time ago in civilized countries they found practical use of used rubber tires. After special processing, rubber granules are obtained from them, from which mats, tiles, seamless and rolled coatings are subsequently produced.
Today this technology is actively used in our country. The materials thus obtained have received widespread use, as they have a number of positive qualities.
They do not absorb moisture from the earth, are easy to clean and very easy to install, and thanks to the extensive color scheme and a variety of shapes and patterns, they serve as an excellent decoration of the interior.
You can notice the rubber tracks in sports halls, offices, shopping centers, on playgrounds and tennis courts, in industrial premises, cottage and summer cottages.
Products are available in the form of square tiles, roll and seamless coating.
Granule Tile
Rubber tile is made by soldering small granules, so it is endowed with high strength and durability. It is stacked in rows on any hard surface and is fastened to each other using special bushings.
Rubber tile for paths is considered the best option for arranging country paths. This is due to the fact that it is not afraid of moisture, is not susceptible to damage by bugs and rodents, is resistant to temperature extremes and, if necessary, can be dismantled and laid in another place.
Its important feature is softness and roughness, which allows you to comfortably move along the moist path with bare feet, without fear of slipping.
The porous structure of the material provides rapid absorption of water, therefore, after rain or watering on such a path completely puddles are absent.
Rubber tiles for tracks do not form cracks and chips, and if necessary, elements that fail, can be easily replaced.
Roll coating
The production of rolled coatings is not much different from the manufacturing process of rubber tiles. The crushed particles of rubber are mixed with coloring pigments and polyurethane, and then fall asleep in a special form, where the material undergoes heat treatment. After drying, it is cut to a certain size in length and width.
The rubber track in rolls is convenient because it is laid not only on flat surfaces, but also on stairs, slippery and traumatic areas, in front of the house and near the pools.
It is advisable to use such a coating in places of rest with small children, since the rubber surface will soften falls and prevent the child from getting serious injuries.
It should be noted that this material is completely safe for people, pets and plants, because even when heated it does not emit harmful substances and unpleasant odors into the air. In winter, rubber tracks do not form ice, their surface can be easily cleaned of snow.
It is recommended to use this type of coating exclusively for straight paths, as winding paths will cause most of the roll to go to scraps.
Seamless coating
Seamless coating is made directly on the site where the installation is planned. The advantages of this option are that the area on which the rubber compound is laid out can have absolutely any size and shape.
Seamless flooring is ideal for floors of outdoor gazebos, adjoining areas, small irregular sections and other recreation areas. The absence of joints makes the surface of the track smooth and uniform. The use of different colors allows you to visually distinguish between individual territories and make the site more attractive.
The installation process of rubber tracks
Is it possible to make out a site yourself with rubber tracks? Of course you can! As mentioned above, rubber garden paths are very easy to install, anyone can make them. The exception is seamless coating, which requires special equipment and certain skills.
Rubber tracks made of tiles can be laid on a solid foundation or directly on the ground, which is most often done in suburban areas. In this case, it is necessary to choose a thicker tile, with a width of 3 to 8 cm.
First you need to remove the top layer of soil (8-10 cm), and then lay the drainage layer at least 7 cm wide. The required sand layer is laid and compacted on top of the gravel. Rubber borders are installed on both edges of the path, which will reliably fix the tile and protect its edges from destruction.
Tiles are laid on the sand and fastened together by specially designed bushings.
For laying on an even concrete base, 2 cm thick material can be purchased.
The rubber track in rolls is laid in a similar way, the only difference is that the width and length of the trench should correspond to the dimensions of the previously purchased material.
Conclusion
Rubber tracks are a relatively new technology that has already proven its worth in various fields.
Long service life, practicality, color preservation, environmental friendliness and beautiful appearance are not all the qualities that rubber tracks are endowed with. The price depends on the type and thickness of the coating. So, one square meter of tiles will cost the buyer from 1300 to 1500 rubles, and the cost of seamless coating ranges from 700 to 1000 rubles.
When choosing a particular view, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the site on which it will be located. On recreation areas and paths, you can use both tiles and roll cover, and for recreation areas with small children it is better to purchase a seamless cover.