Artificial Grass or Artificial Turf is a surface made of synthetic fibers that imitates natural grass. It was originally used for arenas for sports, but now it is also being used for residential and commercial projects.
In 1960s, when artificial grass was invented, there was only one product and one brand named AstroTurf. Today there are dozens of companies offering different types of artificial grass, which makes the selection process difficult. So to make this easy, let’s understand the characteristics of Artificial grass.
Types of Artificial Grass
Artificial Grasses can be manufactured in different types and forms and materials depending on –
A. Fiber Material
B. Infill Material
A. Fiber Material
The fibers of the turf that imitates grass are made of different materials. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Nylon
It is the strongest type of artificial grass available on the market as it can stand up to both heavyweight and high temperatures without getting matted down or losing its original shape. Hence making it less vulnerable to crushing and colour fading.
However, due to its high cost, it’s generally used in patches as secondary thatch to help improve the stability of other artificial grass products. It is mixed with other artificial grasses to create a final product that is comfortable, strong, and great-looking, combining the strengths of the types used.
The turf doesn’t feel natural due to its texture and stiffness; however, it looks great and is long-lasting, offering a great return on the investment. It is not comfortable to use for sports purposes.
2. Polyethylene
It looks great with bright green colors, and plenty of textures feel softer and more natural than nylon. It is often used for landscaping and on athletic fields such as soccer, football, and baseball.
Polyethylene grass is non-porous and will not retain odors hence making it ideal for pet owners. In addition, all of the waste can be washed down between the blades of artificial grass, limiting the chance of bacteria growing in the yard.
3. Polypropylene
It is the cheapest option for artificial grass however is also the least durable. It will not stand up well in traffic areas or under high temperatures.
Some golfers do like to install a patch of it for home putting practice due to the soft roll that it provides. Polypropylene is an excellent option for indoor artificial grass only for decoration, where it will be protected from extreme temperature swings.
B. Infill Material
Infill plays many roles in keeping your artificial grass pristine. It keeps fibers upright, acts as a stabilizer to prevent the turf from shifting, and makes the grass look and feel more realistic. Without infill, turf fibers would quickly become flat and matted. It also cushions feet and paws that walk on it and protects the backing from sun damage. Infill is made from various materials, including silica sand and crumb rubber.
1. Water Infill
It is composed of low pile height high-density fibers made of nylon strands. It is suitable for sports like field hockey and tennis. A major disadvantage of these fields is that the surface can easily cause friction burns unless played on a wet surface. Therefore, it is not suitable for sports like rugby, where players make frequent contact with the surface.
2. Sand Infill
It is characterized by medium pile height lower density fibers of 20 to 35 mm, of which the space in between is filled with sand. It is generally made out of polypropylene. It is a versatile and durable turf that can be used for field hockey and football. However, it is not suited for rugby in general and football on a competitive level.
3. Rubber Granule Infill
It comprises long pile height low density fibers of 35 to 65 mm. The space in between is filled with a layer of sand and a layer of rubber granules. These polyethylene fibers are less rigid than the fibers of sand and water infill turfs, making the surface less abrasive. The rubber infill allows for damping of shocks and allows shoes with studs to be used. These turfs are therefore suitable to create fields for rugby and football in which players slide over the surface or fall to the ground.
So these were a few types of artificial grass based on their fiber and infill materials. Artificial grass is the best option when we want greenery around us but are not ready for maintenance, so if you are planning to get artificial grass to, keep these varieties in mind and select the one that suits you the best.
