What Are Trampolines Made Of?

Trampolines are a source of endless entertainment and also doubles as fitness equipment. They can be placed indoors, but they’re usually a fixture in yards. Before you decide to get one yourself, wouldn’t it be wise to determine what trampolines are made of?

Trampolines consist of a jumping mat, trampoline springs, safety padding, and sometimes an enclosure for safety. The materials used may include elastic mesh made of polypropylene, stainless steel springs, and safety foam. Enclosures are made of polyester or nylon mesh materials.

What Are Trampolines Made Of?

Trampolines consist of a frame, a jumping mat, springs, and safety padding. We will go over each of these so you can have a detailed understanding of what makes a good trampoline.

Trampoline Frames

The frame of a trampoline should be the sturdiest part of the equipment. It is the base that brings everything together. A frame must provide support, stability, and balance whenever the trampoline is being used.

Trampoline frames are usually made of steel, but some are made of aluminum. The difference between the two is the weight and the amount of stress they can take. 

Steel trampoline frames are more durable and can withstand more force. However, they are heavier and more difficult to move around should you want to change the layout of your yard.

Aluminum trampoline frames are lighter and are used mostly on recreational trampolines such as the ones used by children.

Before you decide what kind of trampoline you buy, consider how often you will use the trampoline, who will use the trampoline, and what purpose it serves. 

If it’s for play exclusively, getting an aluminum frame trampoline is okay. If it’s going to be used for regular fitness exercises or consistent use by the kids, a steel frame may be the better choice.

Trampoline Jumping Mats

A trampoline isn’t a trampoline without a jumping mat. It is the central part of the trampoline that produces the fun that you expect from jumping and doing aerial stunts. The jumping mat is spread across the frame and secured with trampoline springs. It is surrounded by safety pads to prevent injuries.

Jumping mats are commonly made of polypropylene or Permatron. Polypropylene can be used on either play or professional trampolines. However, athletic trampolines may use Permatron more.

Polypropylene is made out of a thermoplastic polymer. It is widely used in countless everyday items. For jumping mats, polypropylene is processed into a stretchable and elastic material that allows users to bounce up and down on any surface it covers.

Permatron is a patented material that was specifically made for trampolines. It is also made of polypropylene but integrated with carbon for increased durability. Permatron is also Uv resistant which makes it an ideal material for outdoor use.

Mat weaves are also an important factor when looking at jumping mat materials. Simply put, the tighter the weave the higher the jump. There is also a balance that needs to be achieved so that the mat won’t warp.

You must also consider the weather and how it affects the material. Regular polypropylene will progressively fade and deteriorate, especially if you live in a place with constantly hot weather.

Permatron may be the better option if you are planning to keep your trampoline outside.

Trampoline Springs

Springs work the same way as the elastic jumping mats but with a caveat. Not only are they metal, they have to maintain the same tensile strength for the entire lifetime of the trampoline. 

If a trampoline spring breaks or warps, the trampoline will not work well enough. That will cause a safety hazard and will likely ruin any fun you’re planning.

Trampoline springs are almost always made of steel because of their mild flexibility and enhanced durability. Steel can withstand the constant pressure and tension of jumping and stunts without breaking. However, some types of steel springs may not be as durable as you think.

To ensure that the springs on your trampoline are safe, check the brand and manufacturer as well as reviews to see how the steel springs are made and whether the previous buyers have had springs break.

Lastly, consider the length of the springs. Longer springs are used on trampolines that don’t require high jumps and bounces. They are ideal for children for safety reasons.

Athletes on the other hand prefer shorter springs because it increases the tension of the jumping pads. This increases the force of the jumps due to the shorter time for the spring to extend and retract.

Safety Padding

Safety paddings are the foam borders you see around a trampoline. This prevents users from injuring themselves on the springs and metal frames of the trampoline.

Trampoline safety paddings are also made of polyethylene foam or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam. The former is commonly used for play trampolines or non-professional trampolines. PVC is more commonly used for professional trampolines for athletes. 

Both are ideal materials for trampoline safety paddings; however, polyethylene safety paddings are not as long-lasting as PVC safety paddings. The latter may make a trampoline more expensive, but you’re investing in longevity if you choose that.

Regardless, all trampolines must adhere to a manufacturing standard that will ensure a safe and fun experience for anyone. If safety padding isn’t working as it should, that trampoline should not be on the market.

Safety Enclosure

When you watch trampoline videos, you may have seen some of them have tall nets surrounding the frame. That is a safety enclosure designed to keep you from falling off the trampoline.

Trampoline safety enclosures are made from plastic mesh, which consists of polyethylene or polyester material. Some manufacturers may use different materials, but these two are the most common.

There is not much difference between the two. Polyethylene enclosures may be a little more expensive than polyester, but the two are equally useful as protective enclosures.

Some polyethylene safety enclosures are also stretchable, while polyester retains its tensile strength.

Factors that Affect Trampoline Materials

Trampoline materials are not indestructible, which is why we listed down what you can expect from the materials of each to understand how you can make your trampoline last a long time.

Frame Coatings

Even if you choose the most durable frame for a trampoline, you must consider what type of coating is used. Most of the time, frames are painted for aesthetic.

This means that the paint itself is the coating and should be weather-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and rust-proof. More importantly, the paint should not easily chip off.

Some frames that are not painted have metal that is treated to be weather-resistant and rust-proof. Check the manufacturer’s details to see whether your trampoline has that type of frame material.

Jumping Mat Quality

The most important consideration for jumping mats is their durability. It is the most used part of the trampoline so it has to be made out of the highest quality material possible.

When used outdoors, the jumping mat must have some sort of UV resistance so that it will not fade or become brittle with constant sun exposure.

Safety Padding Firmness

Safety padding must be soft enough to break falls but thick enough to prevent the user from bumping into the frame and springs.

There are standards required to produce safety paddings for trampolines so the manufacturer must abide by these rules before selling any of their trampolines.

Trampoline Protection

While some people may opt to just leave their trampoline exposed when not in use, we recommend that you use a trampoline cover.

This ensures that your trampoline will last longer and prevent it from getting damaged by unforeseen circumstances like debris falling, hail, acid rain, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a trampoline?

The best material for a trampoline frame and springs is galvanized steel, a UV-resistant Permatron polypropylene jumping mat, and a PVC safety enclosure.

Are trampolines made of plastic?

The jumping mat, safety pads, and safety enclosure are made of different types of plastic that are bouncy, firm, and strong.

Are trampolines rust proof?

Trampolines are rust-proof is they are made of rust and corrosion-resistant steel or have protective coatings.

Conclusion

Now that you have an idea on what trampolines are made of, use these as a guide to make a decision when purchasing the best trampoline for your and your family. Let us know in the comments what kind of trampoline you ended up getting and how it works out.