Cutting a rubber mat -- looking for suggestions.

[Baitball Blogger]

Here is my dilemma. My yard is small and I wanted to make every inch of it safe for toddlers. My yard also has a wee bit of a problem holding onto grass in one very shaded part of the yard. I can just get the grass to grow if it doesn't get too trampled. One way to make it work is to cut down on the trampling, which is possible with stepping stones. But, stepping stones in that shaded area would take up a third of the play area.

So, I thought I would solve the dilemma by buying rubber garden tiles. Safer to fall on rubber than stone. But, I priced them and they are astronomically expensive. The next idea was to buy a 3/4 inch stable mat, about 4' x 6', and cut it down to 18 stepping stones that are each 12" x 16". I wasn't too concerned about what they would look like because I'm pretty good at faux painting and I can give them a stone or terra cotta look.

But the cutting part. Hmmm. For this I would purchase whatever tool would work best.

Any ideas?

[Baitball Blogger]

4. I'm talking about a shaded area that has not held onto grass in more than

twenty years. I think I have it figured out now. There was a crazy strand of grass that took to the shaded area, so I propagated it into 60 individual sections. Two months later there's more grass in that area than I have seen in decades. it's ready for its first mowing. I imagine it will take a beating with little feet, but it should take it.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. Their grass will be sun loving.

Before Covid there were several options for grass that would take in the shade. We tried several, but nothing stuck. It was just that crazy strand that survived the rigorous situation. I am confident that I have it figured out, now.

But thanks for your suggestion, and Happy Holiday to you!

[walkingman]

2. I would use a carpet knife - take a straight edge and let the knife do the work. It will

take about 3-4 passes but will work. We use to cut rubber mats for horse stalls which are about an inch thick.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Thank you! Someone in the Lounge offered a video from Youtube, and yes, it will work.

[Thomas Hurt]

3. You try some hefty tin snips, might mangle the edges though.

If they make them anymore.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Carpet cutters seems to be the answer.

I have tin snips, and yes, everything I used them for was a challenge.

[Phoenix61]

6. I'd use a box cutter. Get lots of blades. Or maybe an electric knife.

Those work great on foam.

[usonian]

8. Not "astro" turf or whatever it's called these days?

I have some rubber mats (hardware store variety) outside my stairs to keep from tracking dirt. (serious country setting)

1. You have to get real heavy ones to stay put (I imagine you could use tent spikes) and
2. The black mats get mighty damn hot. (but you say, shade)

Light stuff, you can use a strong knife. Heavier? Might use a saber saw or small circular. Just not on the artificial grass, as it will catch in the teeth of the blade. Rubber is OK, I think. Haven't used a toothless circular saw blade (i.e. use on acoustical panels that will shred like crazy otherwise)

HTH

[Baitball Blogger]

11. I am going to use garden stakes to keep it down.

Probably even drill customized holes so the tops are flush with the surface of the mat.

[Kali]

12. sawzall

but warning: rubber mats can be extremely slippery.


toddlers probably won't stick to stepping stones, I would use temp fencing to keep them off a fragile spot.

[CountAllVotes]

13. Non Slip Diatomaceous Earth Mat

I have a couple of these in my house.

They do not slip!

I have one in the bathroom and another one in the entrance to that same room.

They are not expensive and they are waterproof.

You might check into them.

Just FYI; not promoting amacon.zom

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CTQF92M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_8?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B09CTQF92M&pd_rd_w=suRlk&content-id=amzn1.sym.3481f441-61ac-4028-9c1a-7f9ce8ec50c5&pf_rd_p=3481f441-61ac-4028-9c1a-7f9ce8ec50c5&pf_rd_r=4EEBYMMV6FQ9G17TGJRQ&pd_rd_wg=r5PKx&pd_rd_r=e5e9cfee-448a-4ec5-94eb-4b54742c72d1&s=kitchen&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTkVUUVVLOFAxTFBIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDYyMzEwVkNBV1dLWlBYVjhaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNjU3ODcyTUxMN0pLRkUyUTUzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[Baitball Blogger]

14. I can use that or my indoor needs. Thank you.

[CountAllVotes]

15. I ended up with one of these by accident

And they really do not slip!

Can't recommend them enough.

They come in different sizes.

I may get a few more of them as my carpets need replacing.

Good for covering up certain areas!

I'm sure they'd work well in a garage, etc.