The odds are pretty good that if you have bought artificial grass then you have invested quite a bit of money into the project. This further means that you will be very keen to ensure that you take good care of your new artificial grass. There are some specific ways to go about taking care of your grass and although the manufacturers claim that their grass is maintenance free, this is not altogether true, especially if you are planning on keeping it looking as nice as possible.
It is advisable to give the artificial grass a sweep with a stiff brush every week or two to not only remove any debris that is lying on the surface but to also ensure that the grass fibres are standing up. Over time the artificial grass fibres can become crushed and flattened due to the constant foot traffic that it may be subject to. Sweeping the grass freshens it up and helps to make it look fresh and new. The sweeping will also remove the majority of the dirt and debris that may have settled into the pile.
The occasional hosing down of the grass will also ensure that it is kept clean with any potential bacteria build ups getting flushed through the matting and into the soil below. This helps the artificial grass perform in a similar way to real grass.
The maintenance tasks required for artificial grass are not as onerous as they are for real grass but it is still necessary to carry out something or else your big investment is going to be wasted quite quickly.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Pasadena Offering Rebates for Synthetic Turf
Another incentive has been put in place for the residents of Pasadena thanks to Pasadena Water and Power offering rebates that includes the use of synthetic grass. A total of $9 million has been set aside by Metropolitan Water District to reward residents who buy water saving devices during the year.
Synthetic grass has been included as one of those devices that saves water with a rebate of 60 cents per square foot. The spokeswoman for Pasadena Water and Power pointed out that synthetic grass saves many thousands of gallons of water that would otherwise go towards watering one of the most thirsty of all plants, grass.
Also included in the rebate program are high-efficiency toilets, efficient clothes washers, weather-based irrigation controllers and rotating sprinkler nozzles.
If you need to find out how much funding is left in the MWD program you can visit the MWD website where a gauge is being displayed indicating where it is up to. This will reassure you that you will still be eligible for the rebate at any point in time.
Synthetic grass has been included as one of those devices that saves water with a rebate of 60 cents per square foot. The spokeswoman for Pasadena Water and Power pointed out that synthetic grass saves many thousands of gallons of water that would otherwise go towards watering one of the most thirsty of all plants, grass.
Also included in the rebate program are high-efficiency toilets, efficient clothes washers, weather-based irrigation controllers and rotating sprinkler nozzles.
If you need to find out how much funding is left in the MWD program you can visit the MWD website where a gauge is being displayed indicating where it is up to. This will reassure you that you will still be eligible for the rebate at any point in time.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Artificial Turf For Soccer In India Not Yet Accepted
The first soccer stadium in India to be covered with artificial turf is in use in Kolkata at the Salt Lake Stadium and while this kind of surface is being enjoyed across Europe and the US as a preferred covering there is debate over the suitability of the turf in India. The first match was completed between Churchill Brothers and Air India during the last week and the response from players and coach was less than glowing.
Churchill’s Gourmangi Singh felt that the pace off the pitch was a bit of a problem for the players. “The balls were moving too fast for us to be comfortable. Judging the balls off the ground was a definite problem. It was hard to anticipate the speed,” he said.
There were also some concerns over the reflex pressure that the turf allows for players when they accidently kick the ground saying that the surface doesn’t react like the normal grounds.
Further complaints were avoided because there was heavy rain during the match which some players felt was a blessing, saying that had the sun been out it would have been unplayable due to the heat from the ground. One player commented on the possible heat and smell from the rubber granules would have made play extremely difficult.
It appears that there is some more testing to be done before artificial turf for soccer in India is going to be given the tick of approval. But if the artificial turf that was installed at Salt Lake Stadium contains rubber granules then the “new” turf is old technology. These days, with all of the newer, more improved infill products available, no new artificial turf installation should be using rubber granules for infill.
Churchill’s Gourmangi Singh felt that the pace off the pitch was a bit of a problem for the players. “The balls were moving too fast for us to be comfortable. Judging the balls off the ground was a definite problem. It was hard to anticipate the speed,” he said.
There were also some concerns over the reflex pressure that the turf allows for players when they accidently kick the ground saying that the surface doesn’t react like the normal grounds.
Further complaints were avoided because there was heavy rain during the match which some players felt was a blessing, saying that had the sun been out it would have been unplayable due to the heat from the ground. One player commented on the possible heat and smell from the rubber granules would have made play extremely difficult.
It appears that there is some more testing to be done before artificial turf for soccer in India is going to be given the tick of approval. But if the artificial turf that was installed at Salt Lake Stadium contains rubber granules then the “new” turf is old technology. These days, with all of the newer, more improved infill products available, no new artificial turf installation should be using rubber granules for infill.
Monday, September 7, 2009
School Stadiums In Oklahoma and California To Go To Artificial Turf
The usual round of news about the various stadiums in the country that are converting from grass to artificial turf continues to hit the airwaves. However the transition isn’t taking place quickly enough for some schools.
A $1 million project has been delayed at D. Bruce Shelby Stadium in Oklahoma and this has left the Enid Plainsmen as one of the few large school teams to still be playing on grass. As the Enid coach Tommy Parker admits, artificial grass is not an absolute necessity but the fact is that there were missed practice days because the fields were not fit to play on. This is sure to affect the team again in the upcoming season.
Another benefit cited with the artificial turf fields is that the lines are permanently marked on these fields and so, when practicing passing and defending the lines are clearly visible at all times.
A $1 million project has been delayed at D. Bruce Shelby Stadium in Oklahoma and this has left the Enid Plainsmen as one of the few large school teams to still be playing on grass. As the Enid coach Tommy Parker admits, artificial grass is not an absolute necessity but the fact is that there were missed practice days because the fields were not fit to play on. This is sure to affect the team again in the upcoming season.
Another benefit cited with the artificial turf fields is that the lines are permanently marked on these fields and so, when practicing passing and defending the lines are clearly visible at all times.
***
In California there is anticipation in the air as Ramona High School’s stadium is going to be revamped with artificial turf that will be ready for 2010. Not only is the field going to be returfed but there is going to be a change on the sideline with bleachers, press box, elevator, ticket booth, concession stands and restrooms also being made.
The new bleachers will be able to seat a crowd of 2,500 and work is going to get underway immediately after this year’s football season is over. This means that it will be ready by September 2010.
What this means for both Ramona High School and nearby Arlington High which shares the stadium with Ramona is that they will be able to play on a good playing surface all season. In the past the grass would wear out completely well before the season was over.
It also means that Pop Warner and Jr. All-American youth football leagues will be able to use the field on the weekends when it’s not in use by the high schools. This is something that would not have been possible before.
The new bleachers will be able to seat a crowd of 2,500 and work is going to get underway immediately after this year’s football season is over. This means that it will be ready by September 2010.
What this means for both Ramona High School and nearby Arlington High which shares the stadium with Ramona is that they will be able to play on a good playing surface all season. In the past the grass would wear out completely well before the season was over.
It also means that Pop Warner and Jr. All-American youth football leagues will be able to use the field on the weekends when it’s not in use by the high schools. This is something that would not have been possible before.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Polyethylene Used To Make Synthetic Grass
It's nice to see that the amount of synthetic grass makers entering the marketplace with artificial turf products that are comprised of 100% polyethylene fibers is mounting. When used in conjunction with non-rubber infill products such as a thermoplastic product the health concerns are practically completely answered. The only question that really is left is how these products will operate after years of use because they they are untried over the long haul, it remains to be seen if or how they will break down.
It is heartwarming to see the relentless push to find better products to solve the concerns that have been raised about fake grass. Not only do polyethylene fibers satisfy the health concerns but the material is also more useful environmentally since it is non-porous allowing the water to drain through just like real grass.
As an added bonus for this new generation synthetic turf product it is made out of entirely recyclable materials another bonus over nylon fibers. With a bit of luck this new know-how in the fake grass industry will help the popularity of a product that brings many advantages. It is to be expected that more customers will be inclined to buy synthetic grass based on these facts.
It is heartwarming to see the relentless push to find better products to solve the concerns that have been raised about fake grass. Not only do polyethylene fibers satisfy the health concerns but the material is also more useful environmentally since it is non-porous allowing the water to drain through just like real grass.
As an added bonus for this new generation synthetic turf product it is made out of entirely recyclable materials another bonus over nylon fibers. With a bit of luck this new know-how in the fake grass industry will help the popularity of a product that brings many advantages. It is to be expected that more customers will be inclined to buy synthetic grass based on these facts.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Not Everyone Is In Favor Of Artificial Grass
If we were under the impression that by installing synthetic grass playing fields in place of natural grass we were doing our kids a favor - and that our kids would be grateful for that fact - then we might have another thought coming.
members of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council which is a group of middle school and high school students who offer opinions to the City Council voted 5-4 against putting synthetic turf on the Highlands Park Lower Athletic Field. Their reasoning was that in their opinion the money that would fund the project could be better spent on less expensive projects that would benefit the broader community.
According to the plan to install the synthetic grass, it is expected that the affected play space will be increased by 43.5 percent and the annual six-week maintenance closure period would be eliminated.
By the looks of things though, the council will likely ignore the opinion of the Youth Advisory Council, with the San Carlos Mayor Bob Grassilli saying that while he understood the cost concerns "usage always seems to carry the day".
it also appears that the same fears that have been proven to be largely a myth - those of toxicity and injury being dangers of synthetic grass - are still surfacing. It appears that a lot of uninformed people prefer to vote in the negative rather than find out from the numerous scientific studies that have been performed in recent times to determine the safety or otherwise of synthetic grass.
members of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council which is a group of middle school and high school students who offer opinions to the City Council voted 5-4 against putting synthetic turf on the Highlands Park Lower Athletic Field. Their reasoning was that in their opinion the money that would fund the project could be better spent on less expensive projects that would benefit the broader community.
According to the plan to install the synthetic grass, it is expected that the affected play space will be increased by 43.5 percent and the annual six-week maintenance closure period would be eliminated.
By the looks of things though, the council will likely ignore the opinion of the Youth Advisory Council, with the San Carlos Mayor Bob Grassilli saying that while he understood the cost concerns "usage always seems to carry the day".
it also appears that the same fears that have been proven to be largely a myth - those of toxicity and injury being dangers of synthetic grass - are still surfacing. It appears that a lot of uninformed people prefer to vote in the negative rather than find out from the numerous scientific studies that have been performed in recent times to determine the safety or otherwise of synthetic grass.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Why Is Infill Used In Artificial Grass
A lot of the concerns over artificial turf comes about because of the supposed toxicity of the rubber crumb that is used by the majority of artificial grass manufacturers. So the question that may need to be answered for some people is, why is infill required for artificial turf?
Now, just to be clear, infill is not needed for all artificial grass. The type of artificial grass we are talking about here is actually more properly known as artificial turf and is used on sporting fields and in playgrounds.
Infill may either be comprised of sand, rubber granules, a combination of both or, most recently, thermoplastics. Infill serves two purposes. It helps to structure the artificial grass fibers, helping them to stand upright and act like natural grass, without the infill the polyethylene turf would lie flat against the ground. The second purpose is to provide a cushioned surface for those using the field.
Some manufacturers are coming up with more innovative ways to move away from the use of rubber crumb particles as infill. The use of texturized nylon gives a more stable surface that isn't susceptible to becoming displaced by adverse weather or heavy foot traffic.
Landscaping synthetic grass does not require the type of infill that is commonly used by sporting fields. Doing so will make it look less like a lawn and more like a spotty carpet. Synthetic grass with a woven infill system would be the desired choice for a landscape synthetic grass solution. This removes all of the problems associated with using rubber granules as the infill and makes using synthetic grass for problem yards a real option.
Now, just to be clear, infill is not needed for all artificial grass. The type of artificial grass we are talking about here is actually more properly known as artificial turf and is used on sporting fields and in playgrounds.
Infill may either be comprised of sand, rubber granules, a combination of both or, most recently, thermoplastics. Infill serves two purposes. It helps to structure the artificial grass fibers, helping them to stand upright and act like natural grass, without the infill the polyethylene turf would lie flat against the ground. The second purpose is to provide a cushioned surface for those using the field.
Some manufacturers are coming up with more innovative ways to move away from the use of rubber crumb particles as infill. The use of texturized nylon gives a more stable surface that isn't susceptible to becoming displaced by adverse weather or heavy foot traffic.
Landscaping synthetic grass does not require the type of infill that is commonly used by sporting fields. Doing so will make it look less like a lawn and more like a spotty carpet. Synthetic grass with a woven infill system would be the desired choice for a landscape synthetic grass solution. This removes all of the problems associated with using rubber granules as the infill and makes using synthetic grass for problem yards a real option.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Cost of Artificial Grass Installation
Buying artificial grass is inevitably a big step because not only are you paying a lot of money for the grass, you are also changing the look of the landscape in a major way. It’s not a step to be taken lightly and the cost of artificial grass isn’t confined to buying the grass itself.
There are some important factors to consider that will affect the cost of your new synthetic grass, one of those is the cost of the installation. Not only that, there are some factors to further consider that will affect the cost of installation.
Things such as whether there is easy access to the location that the synthetic grass is going to be laid. If there are stairs, a challenging slope or a narrow access – or even no access to the backyard will increase labor charges. If there is any demolition that has to take place before the area can be prepared for grass laying, this will further increase cost.
The shape of the yard that is going to be laid will also play a part in the final cost of installation, too. If the yard contains tight angles, unusual shapes or unexpected obstructions, the time to trim and fit the grass will blow out. Every moment that runs longer than was originally expected will affect the final cost of installation.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Landscaping Synthetic Grass is Different to Sporting Synthetic Grass
One of the important fact to be aware of when you are going out to buy synthetic grass for your home is that there is a huge difference between landscaping synthetic grass and athletic synthetic grass. The synthetic grass used on sporting fields is also known as athletic field turf and it's amazing the number of people who buy this when they mean to buy a landscaping synthetic grass.
The most critical factor in favor of landscaping synthetic grass is that it is made with children and pets in mind so the materials used for the infill are non-toxic. Sporting field synthetic grasses are composed of large quantities of rubber tire crumbs that are used as infill. This ensures that the surface is suitable for heavy traffic, yet is able to soften the heaviest of landings without undue injury.
The presence of rubber tire crumb infill has been the subject of a number of recent scientific studies and warnings over the dangers of synthetic grass. Landscaping synthetic grass uses natural materials for infill such as sand.
Not only is the infill less dangerous, there is far less infill used in landscaping synthetic grass but the grass is woven far more closely together. Yards that have been laid with sporting field grass tend to look as if they have been invaded by swarms of ants because the black rubber infill can be seen dotted between the strands of synthetic grass which is woven more sparsely.
To put it more succinctly, you need to make sure that the synthetic grass you are buying for your backyard is landscaping synthetic grass and not sporting field turf.
The most critical factor in favor of landscaping synthetic grass is that it is made with children and pets in mind so the materials used for the infill are non-toxic. Sporting field synthetic grasses are composed of large quantities of rubber tire crumbs that are used as infill. This ensures that the surface is suitable for heavy traffic, yet is able to soften the heaviest of landings without undue injury.
The presence of rubber tire crumb infill has been the subject of a number of recent scientific studies and warnings over the dangers of synthetic grass. Landscaping synthetic grass uses natural materials for infill such as sand.
Not only is the infill less dangerous, there is far less infill used in landscaping synthetic grass but the grass is woven far more closely together. Yards that have been laid with sporting field grass tend to look as if they have been invaded by swarms of ants because the black rubber infill can be seen dotted between the strands of synthetic grass which is woven more sparsely.
To put it more succinctly, you need to make sure that the synthetic grass you are buying for your backyard is landscaping synthetic grass and not sporting field turf.
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