How to Choose the Right Shockpad Thickness for Commercial Projects

Selecting a shockpad for a commercial artificial grass installation is not simply a matter of choosing the thickest option available.

While thickness plays an important role in how a surface performs, it is only one part of the specification process. Factors such as intended use, user type, footfall levels, ground conditions and overall system design can all influence which shockpad is most appropriate for a project.

For contractors, developers, architects and landscapers, understanding these considerations can help avoid unnecessary costs while ensuring the completed installation aligns with project objectives.

If you’re a commercial buyer, we’ll explain here how you can assess shockpad thickness requirements and why successful specifications focus on the entire system rather than a single product measurement.

Start with the Intended Use of the Area

The intended use of a commercial space should be the starting point when selecting shockpad thickness.

Different environments place different demands on an artificial grass system. A landscaped hotel courtyard, for example, may have very different requirements from a nursery play area or community recreation space.

The first question should always be:

What is the space designed to achieve?

A hospitality venue may prioritise comfort and presentation. A public-use area may focus on durability and usability. A play-focused environment may require additional consideration of impact attenuation and user experience.

This is why one-size-fits-all specifications rarely work in commercial landscaping.

Rather than selecting a shockpad based purely on thickness, buyers should begin by understanding how the finished surface will be used on a daily basis. This often provides a much clearer starting point for specification decisions.

Assess Whether Fall Height Requirements Apply

Projects involving play environments may require additional consideration of impact attenuation performance.

In some commercial projects, impact absorption forms an important part of the specification process. This is particularly common in educational environments, recreation spaces and areas designed for active use.

Shockpads are frequently assessed as part of these projects because they may influence how the overall system performs. However, the relationship between shockpad thickness and project requirements is not always straightforward.

Factors such as:

• The complete surfacing system

• Product construction

• Installation methods

• Project-specific criteria

can all influence decision-making.

For buyers looking to understand the role of shockpads in greater detail, Tuda Grass provides additional information on what artificial grass shockpads are and how they fit within artificial grass systems.

Where project requirements exist, specifications should always be assessed against relevant guidance and performance objectives rather than assumptions about thickness alone.

Consider Who Will Be Using the Space

User demographics can influence the performance expectations of a surface.

Different groups interact with outdoor environments in different ways.

A nursery playground is likely to experience different usage patterns from a communal residential garden. Similarly, a hotel terrace may prioritise guest comfort, while a public-use landscape may focus more heavily on durability and accessibility.

When considering shockpad thickness, buyers should think about:

• Who will use the space

• How frequently it will be used

• The activities likely to take place

• The expected user experience

A surface designed primarily for children may have different priorities from one designed for adults or mixed public use.

Understanding the end user often helps narrow down specification options more effectively than focusing on technical measurements alone.

Match Thickness to Footfall and Frequency of Use

Areas experiencing heavier use may require different system specifications than lightly used spaces.

Footfall is one of the most important influences on commercial landscaping performance.

Some areas may only receive occasional use, while others experience constant traffic throughout the year. Entrances, play areas, communal courtyards and gathering spaces often experience concentrated wear patterns that place additional demands on the surface.

Shockpad selection should therefore consider:

• Daily usage levels

• Peak traffic periods

• Seasonal demand

• Repetitive wear patterns

High footfall does not automatically mean a thicker shockpad is required. However, usage expectations should form part of the wider specification discussion.

Commercial projects tend to achieve better outcomes when surface requirements are assessed holistically rather than relying on individual product features.

Review the Type of Surface Going Above the Shockpad

Shockpads should be assessed as part of the overall artificial grass system rather than as a standalone product.

One of the most common specification mistakes is evaluating shockpads independently from the grass that will sit above them.

In reality, the performance of the finished installation depends on how all components work together.

This includes:

• Artificial grass specification

• Shockpad construction

• Sub-base design

• Drainage arrangements

• Installation quality

Commercial buyers exploring available artificial grass shockpads should therefore consider how different products interact within the complete system.

The objective should be to achieve a surface that supports project requirements rather than optimising a single component in isolation.

Check the Sub Base and Ground Conditions

Ground conditions can influence the performance of the finished surface and should be considered during specification.

The same shockpad may perform differently depending on the environment beneath it.

Factors worth assessing include:

• Existing ground conditions

• Drainage characteristics

• Surface levels

• Construction build-up

• Ground stability

For example, a new-build development with a purpose-built sub-base may present different specification opportunities from a brownfield redevelopment project with more complex ground conditions.

Ground preparation often has a significant influence on long-term surface performance, which is why it should be considered alongside shockpad selection rather than afterwards.

Balance Comfort, Safety and Budget

The most suitable shockpad thickness is often a balance between project objectives, user needs and available budget.

Commercial projects rarely have unlimited budgets. Specification decisions therefore involve balancing performance expectations against practical constraints.

The aim is not necessarily to maximise thickness.

Instead, buyers should determine whether additional cushioning or performance characteristics contribute meaningful value to the project.

In some environments, investing in a thicker shockpad may support project objectives. In others, it may provide little practical benefit.

Look at Sector-Specific Requirements

Different sectors often prioritise different performance characteristics.

Schools and Nurseries

Educational environments frequently assess impact absorption, user comfort and surface usability.

Because these areas are often used daily by children, shockpad specifications may receive greater scrutiny during project planning.

Hospitality and Leisure

Hotels, leisure venues and visitor attractions often place significant emphasis on comfort and user experience.

In these settings, shockpads may be evaluated as part of a broader effort to create welcoming and comfortable outdoor environments.

Housing Developments

Developers increasingly invest in communal outdoor areas that encourage resident use.

Shared gardens, play spaces and recreational zones may all have different performance priorities, making specification flexibility important.

Public Spaces

Public-use environments often experience varying levels of footfall and activity.

Durability, consistency and usability frequently become important considerations when assessing surfacing systems for these projects.

Speak to the Supplier About Tested Systems

A supplier should be able to explain how different shockpad options work within complete surface systems.

Commercial buyers should not feel pressured to make specification decisions based on thickness measurements alone.

Instead, suppliers should be able to provide guidance around:

• Product compatibility

• Installation considerations

• Performance characteristics

• System design

• Project suitability

Useful questions to ask include:

• How does the shockpad interact with the chosen grass?

• Is the system appropriate for the intended use?

• What factors should influence specification?

• Are there alternative options worth considering?

These conversations often help buyers avoid unnecessary costs while improving specification confidence.

Choose a Specification That Supports Long-Term Performance

The most successful specifications focus on long-term project outcomes rather than simply selecting the thickest available shockpad.

Commercial landscaping projects are ultimately judged by how well they perform after installation.

A specification that reflects usage patterns, user requirements, site conditions and budget constraints is often more effective than one based solely on product measurements.

Before making a final decision, consider:

• Intended use

• User demographics

• Footfall expectations

• Ground conditions

• Surface system design

• Budget requirements

• Long-term maintenance considerations

Taking a broader view of performance often leads to better commercial outcomes.

Choosing the right shockpad thickness involves far more than selecting a number from a product specification sheet.

The most appropriate option will depend on how the space is used, who will use it, what performance characteristics are required and how the shockpad fits within the wider artificial grass system.

By considering the complete installation rather than thickness alone, commercial buyers can make more informed specification decisions and avoid unnecessary expenditure.

If you are planning a commercial artificial grass project, discuss your requirements with Tuda Grass and explore suitable shockpad options for your installation. You can contact us to receive guidance on selecting an appropriate shockpad system.