Every industry has its own language. Whether you’re renting, buying, or just curious, this guide breaks down the must-know words, from types of inflatables to safety features and construction materials.
Types of Inflatables & Key Configurations
- Bounce House (Bouncer) – Basic jumping unit.
- Combo Unit – Combines bouncing, sliding, and climbing features.
- Obstacle Course – Inflatable with tunnels, pop-ups, and physical challenges.
- Slide / Water Slide – Inflatable slide that can be used with or without water (wet/dry).
- Interactive Inflatables – Includes games like inflatable basketball, soccer darts, jousting, bungee run, and inflatable twister.
- Toddler Unit – Low-profile inflatables designed for young children.
- 4-in-1 / 5-in-1 / etc. – Indicates the number of combined features in one unit (e.g., bounce, slide, climb, obstacle, basketball hoop).
- Dry/Wet Use – Refers to whether the inflatable can be used with water (e.g., water slides, wet/dry combo units).
- Commercial Grade – Durable, designed for repeated use, and ready for rentals.
- Residential Grade – Lighter-duty inflatables made for home use.
Construction & Materials
- PVC Vinyl – PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. Main fabric used in commercial inflatable manufacturing.
- Double/Triple Stitching – Two or three lines of reinforced sewn seams for added durability.
- Heat-Sealed Seams – Hot air welded seam which result in airtight seals used especially in water-based inflatables.
- Mesh Siding – Breathable netting for visibility and ventilation.
- Slide Lining – Replaceable lining cover intended for the sliding surface. Will need to be replaced depending on usage.
- Climber Lining – Replaceable lining cover intended for the climbing surface. Will need to be replaced depending on usage.
- Non-Slip Material – Specially made vinyl which allows for better grip during water use.
- Safety Netting – Surrounds the unit to prevent falls or ejections.
Accessories & Components
- Impact Mats – Cushioned mats placed at the base or landing areas for added safety.
- Misting System – Water spray system incorporated into slides or obstacles to keep users cool.
- Air Blower – High-powered fan that inflates and maintains air pressure.
- CFM – CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A measure of air volume movement; the air flow produced by an air-moving device, such as an air blower.
- Static Pressure – Measurement of air pressure produced by an air blower, measured in inches of water. This is roughly the amount of air pressure required to raise a column of water one inch.
- Deflation Zippers – Large zippers opening which allow for rapid air release.
- Anchor Points – Heavy duty loops sewn into the inflatable which connect to stakes or other ballast.
- Stakes – Metal stake or nail used for outdoor anchoring of inflatables.
- Tethers – Ropes and flat webbing material used for anchoring inflatable to stake or ballast.
- Sand bag – Heavy duty vinyl covers which hold sand or gravel and intended for anchoring of inflatables.
- Water bag – Waterproof storage bag which holds water and intended for anchoring of inflatables.
- Inflation Tube – A vinyl horizontal tube which connects the air blower to the inflatable and the main portal for filling the inflatable with air.
- Repair Kit – Includes patches and adhesive for minor fixes.
- Tarp – Placed under inflatables to protect the base from dirt and damage.
- Baffle – High tear strength reinforced vinyl used to form custom shapes and guide the natural tendency of the air to form rounded shapes. Mostly used internally in inflatables. Also known as gusset.
- VELCRO – A popular brand of hook-and-loop fastener used to secure pieces of material by pressing the two pieces together.
For a deeper look on commercial inflatables types, materials, parts breakdown, and customization options, visit our Commercial Inflatable Information page.