Stalls, corridors, washing areas, and paddocks are not all subject to the same conditions of use: humidity levels, traffic, exposure to chemicals, and the type of stress on the horse vary. Consequently, the technical requirements for flooring also vary from area to area.
Not all playground construction sites require the installation of a concrete subfloor. Redevelopment of existing areas, private gardens, temporary play areas, or short-term projects often require a solution that adapts to the existing subfloor, without the need for masonry work.
Let’s look at the installation features of interlocking rubber flooring on soil, gravel, and stabilized concrete, with a technical focus on EcoPuzzle, the line of interlocking tiles produced by Ecoplus.
Why you should avoid concrete when laying a play area
Installing a concrete screed requires longer construction time, longer curing times for the concrete before laying the flooring, and additional labor costs. For retailers and installers handling projects on existing playgrounds, whether schoolyards, condominium gardens, or public parks undergoing renovation, dry installation on a compacted subfloor reduces construction time and allows for work even where concrete work isn’t planned for in the project or isn’t feasible due to soil permeability.
Substrates compatible with dry installation
Interlocking rubber tiles do not require a rigid support to ensure stability and flatness over time. The interlocking system between the tiles distributes loads across the entire surface, maintaining alignment even on natural subfloors, provided the preparation follows certain technical precautions. Let’s look at the conditions for the different installation methods.
Laying on the ground
For installation on natural soil, a compacted, level subfloor free of depressions is required. It’s good practice to dig a small perimeter trench (a “tank”) the same height as the flooring, so that the tiles are contained and don’t shift at the edges. The subfloor must ensure adequate drainage to prevent water from stagnating beneath the surface.
Laying on gravel
On gravel, in addition to compacting the layer, it is advisable to insert an electrowelded mesh or, alternatively, a drainage geotextile (non-woven) fabric, which stabilizes the base and keeps the layers separated over time. This solution is suitable for areas subject to frequent traffic or where the base is not already mechanically stabilized.
Laying on stabilized material
Stabilized soil, due to its compactness and load-bearing capacity, is one of the most reliable subfloors for dry installation. It requires no additional support layers and reduces the risk of localized settlement, maintaining a uniform surface over time.
EcoPuzzle: interlocking tiles designed for installation without cement
EcoPuzzle is the line of shock-absorbing interlocking flooring produced by Ecoplus using high-quality recycled rubber. The self-locking interlocking format allows for installation on a flat surface without the use of adhesives, reducing installation time and complexity compared to poured-in-place solutions, which generally require a rigid subfloor of concrete, asphalt, or stabilized material.
Each thickness is certified according to the EN 1177:2018 standard, the technical reference for the safety of surfaces installed under play equipment, with HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values that cover low-level games up to higher structures such as slides and turrets.
This is complemented by the CAM Arredo REMADE in ITALY® Class A+ certification, which certifies the use of high-quality recycled rubber in compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria for outdoor furniture.
The draining structure prevents the formation of mud and puddles, making the product particularly suitable for installations on soil and gravel, where water stagnation is one of the most frequent problems in managing the area over time.
| thickness | HIC (m) | Formats | Accessories | Available colors |
| 25 mm | 0,9 | 50×50, 100×100 cm | Perimeter edges with slideCorner kit | Red, green, black, blue, yellow, gray, customized |
| 30 mm | 1,0 | 50×50, 100×100 cm | Perimeter edges with slideCorner kit | Red, green, black, blue, yellow, gray, customized |
| 45 mm | 1,5 | 50×50 cm | Perimeter edges with slideCorner kit | Red, green, black, blue, yellow, gray, customized |
| 65 mm | 1,8 | 50×50 cm | — | Red, green, black, blue, yellow, gray, customized |
| 85 mm | 2,6 | 50×50 cm | — | Red, green, black, blue, yellow, gray, customized |
How to install EcoPuzzle: installation phases and technical precautions
Subgrade preparation: compaction, leveling and possible installation of welded mesh or geotextile depending on the type of soil.
Positioning the plates: they are attached using a self-locking puzzle-shaped interlocking system, which ensures a firm anchoring between the modules and prevents them from moving, without the need for glues or adhesives.
Perimeter finishing: Edges with a sloping edge and corner kits are optional, but recommended, elements to delimit the area and prevent the outer edges from lifting. They also ensure a linear perimeter with an external sloping edge, useful for accessing the surface. There are two installation options: the first involves inserting the sloping edge and corner elements along the entire perimeter edge; the second involves using only the interlocking plates, cutting the outer “male” joints and reusing them to close the “female” joints along the perimeter.
Expansion joint: it is good practice to leave a free space along the perimeter, to compensate for dimensional variations of the rubber in the colder seasons.
Ecoplus: Italian production and customized technical support
Ecoplus produces EcoPuzzle entirely in Italy, using high-density recycled rubber granules. Direct production allows for customized supplies for surfaces of varying sizes, defined delivery times, and technical support for sizing the thickness based on the equipment to be installed and the type of subfloor on the construction site.
For technical advice on a specific project, the Ecoplus team is available to retailers and installers.
Ecoplus at FSB Forum Italy
The Ecoplus team will be present at FSB Forum Italy, the leading event for the street furniture and playground sector, scheduled for November 11 and 12, 2026 – Bergamo Fair.