Grass Protection Mats for Lawns, Paths & Gardens

Rubber grass protection mats stop busy grass turning into mud. They're made for lawns, garden paths, dog runs and the worn patches by gates, sheds and washing lines. Lay them straight onto the lawn, peg them down and the grass grows up through the open honeycomb, so the area stays green while the mat takes the wear. Each mat is 1m x 1.5m and covers 1.5m². Choose 23mm heavy duty or 16mm standard, with or without pegs and ties.

Why use rubber grass protection mats?

• No more mud or bald patches. The mat spreads the weight of feet, wheels and hooves, so grass roots aren't crushed and the ground doesn't rut or churn into mud.
• It stays green. In the growing season, grass grows up through the cells within a few weeks and knits the mats into the lawn.
• No digging, no sub-base. Lay the mats on existing grass or soil, peg them and tie them together. Most jobs take an afternoon, and the mats can be lifted and moved later.
• Firm, non-slip footing in all weather. Safer underfoot when the ground is wet, and firm enough for wheelchairs, pushchairs, bikes and wheelbarrows.
• Drains freely. Rain runs straight through to the soil, so the surface doesn't puddle or waterlog.
• Mow straight over them. Once the grass is through, mow as normal with the blades set a little higher.
• Impact-absorbing. The 23mm mat is tested to BS EN 1177 for a critical fall height of up to 3.3m, so it can be used under play equipment (see below).
• Made from 100% recycled rubber. Weatherproof and frost-resistant for year-round use outdoors. It won't rot or splinter.

Lawn and garden uses

• Gardens and lawns: paths across the lawn, worn patches by gates, sheds and washing lines, and dog runs.
• Garden paths: a firm, mud-free route to the shed, greenhouse, bins or back gate that still looks like lawn once the grass is through.
• Dog runs and pet lawns: lay the mats along fence lines and the routes your dog runs every day, where grass is worn down to bare mud.
• Paths and access routes: wheelchair-friendly routes over grass, golf and sports club paths, park and allotment walkways.
• Gateways and field entrances: stops gateways being churned into mud by feet, quad bikes and livestock. For horses, see our horse gateway mats.

Rubber grass mats or artificial grass?

Artificial grass replaces your lawn. Rubber grass protection mats keep it: the real grass grows up through the holes, so the area looks like lawn, drains like lawn and can be mown like lawn, while the rubber takes the wear that would otherwise kill it.

How many mats do I need?

Each mat covers 1.5m². Use the calculator at the top of the page, or go by these common layouts:

For a 1m wide path, lay the mats end to end. For a 1.5m wide path, lay them across the path.

Mat only, or with pegs and ties?

Each mat comes on its own or with ground pegs and cable ties. The pegs anchor the mat to the ground and the cable ties join it to the mats next to it, so nothing shifts, lifts or opens up gaps. We recommend pegs and ties for play areas, slopes, vehicle routes and anywhere the public walks. Choose Mat only if you already have fixings or are replacing a mat in an existing area.

Laying tips for lawns and paths

• Mow the grass short first. Fill any hollows with topsoil and seed bare patches, so the mats sit flat and the grass knits in faster.
• Butt the mats tightly together and peg the corners so no edge can lift into a trip hazard.
• Lay between spring and early autumn if you can. Grass comes through in a few weeks in the growing season, and much more slowly in winter.
• Water the area in dry spells while the grass establishes.

Also suitable for

• Play areas: under swings, slides and climbing frames in gardens, schools, nurseries and parks. See our playground grass mats for full playground guidance.
• Driveways and overflow parking: use the 23mm mat where cars will cross or park on grass. See our rubber grass mats for car parks and driveways. For large car parks, our turf reinforcement mesh covers 50m² per roll.

Using them under play equipment

Rubber grass mats are a popular safety surface for grassed play areas: the grass stays green and there's no bark or loose fill to top up.

• 23mm: tested by Rapra to BS EN 1177 for a critical fall height of up to 3.3m.
• 16mm: made for grass protection. Its critical fall height is much lower (typically around 1m), so choose 23mm under swings, slides and climbing frames.
• Lay the mats on grass or soil. Fall-height ratings don't apply on concrete, tarmac or paving.
• Cover the whole impact area around each piece of equipment, peg and tie every mat, and have new public play areas inspected before use.

Tell us the free height of fall of your equipment and we'll confirm the right mat before you order.

Specifications

Looking for something else? See our full range of rubber grass mats.