How to Calculate Rubber Mulch Depth and Cost

June 02, 2015

Knowing how much rubber mulch to order can save you a lot of time, money, and effort. Determining  how and why you will be using rubber mulch is the first step in being able to effectively calculate your total requirements and costs.    

Consider its use first

Will you be using rubber mulch for your garden, or as a surface for your kids’ play area? Different applications require varying depths of material to be effective.

For playgrounds, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) playground safety surfacing standards must be met. In order to meet these requirement 3 to 6 inches of material is normally installed.  While a 3 inch deep surface will typically provide protection from falls of up to 6 feet, a 6 inch depth is commonly rated for up to 12 feet.

For landscaping projects and gardening needs, a one to two-inch depth will suffice.

Measure, measure, measure

Before ordering, you will have to measure carefully so you can get a clear idea how much rubber mulch you will need. The area/square footage is equal to the length (in feet) multiplied by the width (in feet) of your designated space. The easiest way to determine this would be to plot the area in a rectangular shape so you can compute for its total square footage. If the area has an uneven shape, you can divide the area into smaller rectangles. You can add up the total of all the rectangles to arrive at the square footage of the entire area. Or, you can use a square footage calculator to compute for it.

Use a virtual calculator

Doing this can help you convert into pounds, feet, yards, and other measurements with relative ease. Online conversion calculators such as this one can help you convert weight, length, area, and volume so you can come up with the proper measurements for your project. In turn, your rubber mulch supplier can give you either a price quote on your measurements, or provide their own virtual calculator for you to compute the costs prior to ordering. Most suppliers of rubber much have their own virtual calculators available on their websites.  These convenient tools will automatically calculate your total requirement based on the size of your area and the desired thickness.

Include shipping cost

In calculating for your rubber mulch budget, don’t forget to include the shipping cost. Most rubber mulch suppliers already waive shipping fees to customers who order from certain cities and states. Shipping fees generally depend on how much rubber mulch you order, as many suppliers do charge for shipping orders that don’t meet their minimum order requirements.

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