Will an Inground or FlatGround Trampoline Be Suitable for Your Garden?

Thinking about a trampoline that blends into the lawn and keeps the garden looking tidy? You’re probably choosing between Inground and FlatGround styles. Both put the jumping surface at (or near) ground level; both can look fantastic and feel safer than a tall above-ground frame. But they’re not identical—and the right choice depends on your garden, not just the catalogue.

This guide from Trampolines Ireland walks you through everything that affects suitability in Irish conditions—drainage, soil, slope, access, safety, maintenance, and budget—so you can pick the option that fits your space and avoid surprises during installation.

Quick definitions (so we’re on the same page)

Inground trampoline
The frame sits in a pit but typically finishes slightly above lawn level (often 5–15 cm). That small upstand helps keep surface water and debris out and makes net attachment straightforward.
FlatGround trampoline
The frame and protective edging finish flush with the lawn for a sleek, seamless look. Because it’s fully level with the grass, airflow and drainage must be spot-on.

Both types need proper excavation, a stable base, good drainage, and correct ventilation under the bed to avoid the “matt slap” effect and waterlogging.

At-a-glance comparison

Factor	Inground	FlatGround
Look	Low-profile, discrete rim	Completely seamless with lawn
Drainage tolerance	More forgiving (lip helps)	Less forgiving—must be excellent
Airflow	Important	Critical (needs venting solutions)
Safety nets	Simple to integrate	Available; some systems are model-specific
Debris ingress	Lower (raised rim)	Higher unless edging is perfect
Install precision	Moderate	High (levels/edging must be exact)
Best where	Clay-ish soils, wetter gardens, slight slopes	Well-draining lawns, flat plots, design-led spaces

The big question in Ireland: drainage

If you only remember one thing, make it this: inground trampolines fail on drainage, not on brand.

How to sense-check your garden

Does water linger after rain? If puddles sit for hours, you’ve likely got slow-draining soil or a high water table.
Footprint test: Walk the lawn a day after heavy rain. If it squelches, plan for serious drainage or choose an Inground with a modest rim and robust soakaway.
DIY percolation check:
1. Dig a hole ~30–40 cm deep; 2) fill with water; 3) if it’s still full after 3–4 hours, assume poor percolation.

What we do on installs

Excavate and stabilise: compacted hardcore/sub-base beneath the pit.
Gravel layer: encourages water to move down and away.
Soakaway or drain line: where natural percolation won’t cut it.
Airflow planning: vented pads/mats or airflow channels to keep bounce quality and help the pit dry.

Rule of thumb:

If your garden drains well → FlatGround is on the table.
If your garden holds water or is clay-heavy → Inground is usually safer and simpler to keep dry.

Soil, slope, and site conditions

Soil type

Free-draining (sandy/loamy): Either option works; FlatGround is easiest here.
Clay/peat: Strongly favour Inground + engineered drainage (soakaway/sump). FlatGround can work, but precision and drainage costs rise.

Slope

Gentle slope (up to ~1:20): Both options okay with modest regrading.
Noticeable slope: Inground is often simpler; the slight rim gives flexibility. FlatGround may require retaining and laser-accurate levels.
Steep slope: Consider a stepped landscape or siting the trampoline on a prepared terrace—talk to us first.

Trees & roots

Avoid large roots; they complicate digging and future stability. Falling leaves also mean more debris for FlatGround edges.

Access for machinery (and spoil removal)

Even with a compact digger, you’ll want at least ~90 cm clear access from the road to the dig site. No access? Hand-digging is possible but increases cost and duration.

Soil volume reality check:
A typical 12 ft (3.66 m) round pit at ~0.75 m depth can produce ~8 m³ of spoil—roughly the load of a large skip. We can remove it, repurpose it in your garden, or a mix of both. Plan this early.

Size, shape, and clearance

Round: Fun, centres jumpers naturally; great for younger families.
Rectangular: More performance/space-efficient along the long side; ideal in narrow gardens or for teens practicing skills.
Oval: A smart compromise—more usable area than round without the sharper look of a rectangle.

Clearances: Leave 60–100 cm of obstacle-free space around the edge (more for rectangles used by older kids). Watch fences, sheds, trees, hard edges, and windows.

Safety considerations (nets, pads, and layout)

Perceived fall height is lower with both Inground and FlatGround, but we still recommend a safety enclosure, particularly for:
- younger children,
- enthusiastic teens trying new moves,
- gardens with hard landscaping nearby.
Inground makes net integration straightforward and keeps more debris out of the pit.
FlatGround nets are model-specific; ensure compatibility when you choose the frame.

Surroundings: Check for garden hazards (stone patios, BBQ areas, steps). If you can’t shift them, an enclosure is non-negotiable.

Maintenance & day-to-day living with it

FlatGround looks gorgeous, but being flush with the lawn means clippings, leaves, and soil can migrate onto the pads. Plan a neat edging solution (composite edging, pavers, or artificial turf ring) to reduce mess.
Inground’s small rim helps keep debris out and makes it easier to brush/wash down after storms.
Both benefit from:
- clearing leaves from pads and mat,
- occasional drainage checks (especially after downpours),
- winter covers and periodic pad/mat inspections.

Pets: Nets help keep curious dogs out of the pit. For FlatGround, consider a slightly firmer edging detail to resist paw traffic.

Wind and weather (Irish edition)

Less “sail effect” than above-ground models, but strong gales still deserve respect.
Anchoring & frame security are part of our install spec.
Coastal sites: prefer hot-dip or premium galvanisation; rinse salt off pads and frames a few times a season.

Planning permission in Ireland (the 60-second version)

Most domestic trampolines in rear gardens fall under normal household use and don’t require planning. Exceptions can exist (e.g., protected structures, unusual boundary situations, or where engineering works materially alter ground levels). If in doubt, check with your local authority. We’re happy to share drawings/specs to support an enquiry.

Budget & value: where each option lands

Inground
- Hardware cost: similar to FlatGround equivalents.
- Groundworks: generally more forgiving, can be a little cheaper to achieve robust drainage.
- Aftercare: straightforward; rim helps keep pit cleaner.
FlatGround
- Hardware: often slightly higher for the flush finish/edging systems.
- Groundworks: more precise; drainage/airflow detailing can add cost.
- Aftercare: beautiful finish; plan for edging to manage lawn debris.

The real cost driver is your garden, not the badge: access, spoil, drainage, and finish details.

Five-minute suitability checklist

Tick what applies, then see the guidance below.

Site & soil

Access & space

90 cm+ access for a mini digger
Will need hand-dig / limited access
Plenty of safe clearance all around
Tight on boundaries/hard edges

Use & safety

Jumpers are mainly under 10
Teens / performance use likely
Enclosure preferred
Strongly design-led (want invisible look)

Maintenance preferences

Low-maintenance priority
Happy to brush/edge keep tidy

How to read it

Lots of ticks for “dries quickly / gentle slope / design-led” → FlatGround suits you—just detail the edging and enclosure.
Lots of ticks for “clay / water sits / tight access / low-maintenance” → Inground is the pragmatic, reliable choice with robust drainage.

Common garden scenarios (and what we recommend)

1) Dublin semi-D, small lawn, drains well, style matters
→ FlatGround oval or rectangle for a sleek finish; enclosure compatible with chosen model; neat edging ring to keep clippings off pads.

2) Rural plot, clay soil, water sits after rain
→ Inground round or oval with a subtle rim; engineered soakaway and gravel base; enclosure for safety near patios/fences.

3) Narrow garden, sporty teens
→ Rectangular Inground (or FlatGround if drainage allows) with a quality net. Rectangles give more usable take-off along the long side.

4) Coastal location, high winds
→ Either Inground or FlatGround with premium galvanisation and secure anchoring. Plan rinses for salt; check pads each season.

5) Limited side access (no digger)
→ Both are possible with hand digging, but Inground gives more tolerance for small level variations; be aware of the extra labour.

Installation: what “good” looks like

With Trampolines Ireland, a standard inground/flatground installation typically includes:

Survey & set-out – We confirm size, shape, position, and clearance; mark utilities; agree spoil plan.
Excavation – To spec, with clean sides and a compacted base.
Sub-base & drainage – Hardcore + gravel; soakaway or drain line if needed.
Airflow detailing – Vented pads/mats or airflow channels (critical for FlatGround).
Frame & mat – Squared, levelled, secured; springs/rods fitted to manufacturer spec.
Edging & finish – Clean lawn interface; optional artificial turf/paver ring (especially for FlatGround).
Safety check & handover – We walk you through maintenance, seasonal checks, and aftercare.

FAQs we hear every week

Do I still need a net if it’s at ground level?
For families with younger children or hard surfaces nearby: yes, we recommend it for both Inground and FlatGround.

Is FlatGround harder to keep clean?
It can be if you don’t plan the edging. With a tidy hard or artificial-turf ring, day-to-day upkeep is simple.

Can I move it later?
Yes. We can dismantle, fill/restore the old pit, and re-excavate at the new location.

How long does installation take?
Most projects are completed in 1–3 days, depending on size, access, and drainage complexity.

So… which is suitable for your garden?

Choose Inground if you want robust performance with fewer drainage risks, you have clay/wetter soil, prefer lower maintenance, or your plot has a noticeable slope.
Choose FlatGround if your lawn drains well, you value a seamless, design-led finish, and you’re happy to invest in precise edging and airflow.

Not sure? That’s what we’re here for.

Get a free garden assessment from Trampolines Ireland

Send us:

A quick video or photos of the proposed area (include nearby patios/fences/trees)
Your Eircode and rough access details (gate width, steps)
Who will be jumping (ages + goals)

We’ll recommend the best Inground or FlatGround options for your garden, with a clear plan for drainage, edging, enclosure, and spoil removal—so your trampoline looks great, performs brilliantly, and lasts for years in Irish weather.

Ready to find out what’s suitable for your garden?
Get in touch with Trampolines Ireland today and we’ll design the perfect, low-profile trampoline setup—installed right the first time.