Info-Authority: Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is a synthetic grass system generally used in sporting stadiums as a stand in for natural grasses. Because artificial turf has a low maintenance design that provides longevity and cost effectiveness, it is also found on playgrounds, golf courses, building landscapes, and hotel lawns.

Invention of Artificial Turf

Artificial turf became prominent in the mid 1960s, when the synthetic surface was installed in the newly built Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The durability of the “Astroturf” was greater and the maintenance was less timely and much cheaper. However, as the turf was a rougher and harder surface than live grass, players began to experience increased injuries and “rug burns," making the artificial grass unpopular and giving it an initially bad name.

Improvements in Artificial Turf

Recently, new technologies in artificial grass construction using sand and granules of rubber have made playing fields safer and more comfortable. The main component of the new artificial grass is polyethylene, a lightweight thermoplastic. The polyethylene “grass” is about five centimeters long and lubricated with silicone. The “grass” is then sewn into a rubberized plastic mat. When the polyethylene mat is filled with roughly 4 centimeters of sand and rubber granules, the fibers of the “grass” are kept upright. Due to the rubber granule insulation, there is a higher level of shock absorbency that decreases the chance of injury or carpet burn. Maintenance of the polyethylene is generally less costly and can involve scrubbing with warm, soapy water or spraying with a jet stream of water, also called pressure washing.

New standards of quality control have been developed in recent years for artificial turf. The Federation International de Football Association took an active role in developing standards called the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf. Many stadiums pride themselves on having their turf FIFA-approved. The standards outlined include medical research and player feedback in both laboratory and field tests.

Benefits of Artificial Turf

Artificial turf can provide an aesthetically pleasing alternative to natural grass and is now being used in executive landscaping as well as indoors to protect heavy foot traffic areas of buildings. It can be glued down on asphalt or concrete to ensure a more permanent installation, and additional live landscaping can be easily combined with artificial in order to provide an even more realistic look. Because the turf is softer and less likely to contain rocks or pebbles than real grass, it may provide a safer play zone for children in recreational and residential areas as well.

By Barbara Poelle




	Artificial Turf Artificial turf is a synthetic grass system generally used in sporting stadiums as a stand in for natural grasses. Because artificial turf has a low maintenance design that provides longevity and cost effectiveness, it is also found on playgrounds, golf courses, building landscapes, and hotel lawns. Invention of Artificial Turf Artificial turf became prominent in the mid 1960s, when the synthetic surface was installed in the newly built Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The durability of the “Astroturf” was greater and the maintenance was less timely and much cheaper. However, as the turf was a rougher and harder surface than live grass, players began to experience increased injuries and “rug burns," making the artificial grass unpopular and giving it an initially bad name. Improvements in Artificial Turf Recently, new technologies in artificial grass construction using sand and granules of rubber have made playing fields safer and more comfortable. The main component of the new artificial grass is polyethylene, a lightweight thermoplastic. The polyethylene “grass” is about five centimeters long and lubricated with silicone. The “grass” is then sewn into a rubberized plastic mat. When the polyethylene mat is filled with roughly 4 centimeters of sand and rubber granules, the fibers of the “grass” are kept upright. Due to the rubber granule insulation, there is a higher level of shock absorbency that decreases the chance of injury or carpet burn. Maintenance of the polyethylene is generally less costly and can involve scrubbing with warm, soapy water or spraying with a jet stream of water, also called pressure washing. New standards of quality control have been developed in recent years for artificial turf. The Federation International de Football Association took an active role in developing standards called the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf. Many stadiums pride themselves on having their turf FIFA-approved. The standards outlined include medical research and player feedback in both laboratory and field tests. Benefits of Artificial Turf Artificial turf can provide an aesthetically pleasing alternative to natural grass and is now being used in executive landscaping as well as indoors to protect heavy foot traffic areas of buildings. It can be glued down on asphalt or concrete to ensure a more permanent installation, and additional live landscaping can be easily combined with artificial in order to provide an even more realistic look. Because the turf is softer and less likely to contain rocks or pebbles than real grass, it may provide a safer play zone for children in recreational and residential areas as well. By Barbara Poelle Related Links: Field Turf The history and designs of artificial turf.