Placing a play set over the patio is an odd choice of solutions. Why are you not placing it elsewhere in the yard, over soil?

I agree no amount of padding will make this a sa fe choice . Move the set to where the grass is kill the grass first and get the recycled rubber pellets they use in playgrounds.Yoiu never see playgrounds with playarea in concrete for a reason.

The yard isn’t that big. The rest of it is taken up by landscaping (bushes, flower beds, etc) that we are not going to take that out. We’re not going to rip out the concrete for this. We are in an upscale urban area where this size of a yard is fairly valuable real estate. Not the suburbs.

Why are we doing this? Coronavirus. It isn’t something I would normally do.

The rubber tiles and underlay I’m planning to purchase are designed for use over concrete in heavy-use public spaces (public playgrounds, etc). I was told by the reps that it is fairly unusual for residential homeowners to buy them. Not here to argue with people who aren’t experts in this area about whether this product is safe or not. Was just wondering whether there was a cheaper option.

unlikely

a few rubber mats for horse stalls ?

The price you have quoted (I'm in Vancouver BC so I understand the pressure) is REASONABLE for exterior grade rubber matting! I kid you not. I have many playgrounds around me that have this type of surface underneath them ('cause schools were tired of getting sued).

You have been quoted (is labour/installation included?) $3000 for 256sf of rubber product. That's an outstanding price. You will have the best safety mat for LESS than $15/sf. You are being offered the product for $11.72/sf CND.

I used to sell cork flooring (indoor). I would compete for jobs against rubber. A 'nice' rubber interior floor STARTED at $15/sf. It certainly would not have the safety rating of your exterior grade product.

I would take that quote and pay for it...quick before the realize a digit or a decimal is missing.

SJ McCarthy, thank you so much. I ordered after reading your advice, and the stuff is sitting in my yard. Really grateful that you took the time to answer. Stay safe, and enjoy the sunshine! (I'm also in Vancouver - we're lucky with the weather right now!)

Yes...right now the Lower Mainland is going through a bit of a heat wave. And the building trades are finding it tough slogging to find work so now is a good time to lay out your project so that everyone can get outside.

Good luck. I think you are going to find you have spent wisely.

Why are we doing this? Coronavirus. It isn’t something I would normally do.

this isn't a permanent thing. I don't understand you doing this because of the virus??

I mean, hey, if you have the extra money to spend, then have at it. I'm just commenting on the fact that you're doing this because of the current virus thing.

(whatever happened to games like croquet, badminton, ping pong, jumprope, etc?)