Artificial Grass Guide

The Different Types of Artificial Putting Greens

2011-05-16T08:26:00.001+10:00

Not all artificial putting greens are the same, just as not all types of grass are the same. Manufacturers are able to create different types of putting greens using a variety of different materials and the properties of these different materials will give you a different use for each.

You may either want a putting green in your backyard to practice putting on exclusively or, if you have more room, an artificial green that can be used to chip to. Because of the different ways in which they can handle the roll and bounce of a golf ball they may be made using one of two materials.

The first is nylon. Nylon fibers more closely resemble grass fibers and the way they are manufactured means that they can be used without necessarily using infill. That being said, infill is occasionally use with nylon artificial grass. A putting green that is installed using nylon is generally for putting and short chipping. The ball will roll in a manner that is very similar to real grass and will hold as well as long as the shots are from close range.

The other type of material is polypropylene. This is essentially a type of plastic and it can be quite obvious that it is made of plastic when you look at it. Because of the nature of the material it requires infill to help the grass fibers stand up. This infill and the nature of the material makes it suitable for holding the ball when it is chipped from longer distances.

Out of the two types of artificial putting greens the one made from polypropylene is going to be cheaper. In some respects it will prove to be just as useful in terms of allowing adequate practice to take place. For many of us, the quality of an artificial putting green is going to be light years ahead of any of the public golf courses we have to play on.

Impoved Technology Results In A Better Artificial Putting Green

2011-05-12T21:02:00.001+10:00

There is little surprise that the artificial grass industry has steamed solidly ahead. With so many questions raised about the safety of the grass and its impact on the environment the incentive was strong to produce a product in which there were no doubts as to the quality and safety. The result has been a product that has become more natural looking and a far more versatile one than ever before.

In particular the sporting grasses have moved ahead strongly. This is very evident in the production of artificial putting greens. In the past these greens really looked like green carpets with very little about them making them comparable to a real green. That has changed enormously and it is getting increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a real green and a fake one.

This has been backed up by golf professionals who have made it known that they do their practice on artificial greens. This has then resulted in an increased demand for backyard putting greens as golfers have realised the amount of practice they could get in on their short game if they had their own surface to use whenever they wanted. The fact that the artificial green is as good as a championship surface is to the advantage of those who have taken the plunge.

Installing a backyard putting green will give you the opportunity to custom build your green. You can design it to look and act like one of the greens of your local course or you could replicate one of the more famous greens around the world. The choice will be up to you and your budget.

Although maintenance requirements will be greatly reduced compared to those that would be needed if a real grass green were installed, there will still be some tasks required to keep the green looking good and performing at its best. Brushing and raking and ensuring moss has not taken hold a just a few of the simple chores that might have to be done.

After that it should be a case of simply pulling out the putter and setting to work improving that handicap.

Your Own Putting Green

2010-01-03T21:49:00.002+11:00

Every golfer worth his or her salt would give their eye teeth to be able to practice their putting whenever they felt like it. These days the chance to practice in your own backyard is becoming even more of a possibility with the accessibility of artificial grass putting greens.

The backyard putting green is being made possible for an increasing number of people because it is being made by an increasing number of synthetic grass manufacturers. The price is also becoming more affordable because of the increase in competition. The grass itself is very similar to the grass used on any major golf course green which is something that is virtually impossible to grow and maintain in the average backyard.

The most common material with which the artificial grass is made is nylon and this gives you a nice surface to use as a putting green. You will never have to worry about the grass growing too long to use for putting and won’t have to worry about the hassle of mowing, fertilizing or ensuring that pests don’t destroy the grass. All you will have to worry about is which hole to aim at first.

Just because you have a flat backyard doesn’t mean that the putting green has to be dead flat. It is possible to build up small humps and swales to make the putting green more of a realistic challenge giving you the opportunity to practice putting across and down the slope.

Now there should be little excuse for not perfecting the short game with the possibility of putting in as many hours as you need in the comfort of your own back yard.

Make Sure You Care For Your Artificial Grass

2009-12-29T09:26:00.002+11:00

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.

Pasadena Offering Rebates for Synthetic Turf

2009-10-01T13:15:00.001+10:00

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.

Artificial Turf For Soccer In India Not Yet Accepted

2009-09-09T08:08:00.002+10:00

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.

School Stadiums In Oklahoma and California To Go To Artificial Turf

2009-09-07T15:21:00.001+10:00

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.

***

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.

Polyethylene Used To Make Synthetic Grass

2009-05-06T21:10:00.001+10:00

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.

Not Everyone Is In Favor Of Artificial Grass

2009-03-18T13:54:00.003+11:00

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.

Why Is Infill Used In Artificial Grass

2009-03-02T21:10:00.003+11:00

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.

Cost of Artificial Grass Installation

2009-02-23T17:46:00.000+11:00

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.

Landscaping Synthetic Grass is Different to Sporting Synthetic Grass

2009-02-02T13:59:00.003+11:00

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.

Some Benefits of an Artificial Grass Lawn

2008-10-04T08:06:00.002+10:00

Artificial grass as a way to help the environment, sure it’s a valid reason to replace the tired, high maintenance water-guzzling thatch that sits between your house and the footpath. You won’t mind being accused of being a lazy gardener if you are comfortable with the fact that by choosing to lay artificial grass you are doing your bit to fight global warming.

There are a number of factors that go into maintaining a healthy, green lawn that, quite frankly, are not particularly eco-friendly. Think of the chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers that are regularly sprayed onto lawns, the lawnmower that seems to be operating all through spring and summer. Then there is all the watering that is required to keep the grass healthy and well-grassed.

Replacing your lawn with an artificial grass equivalent will address each of the environmental issues mentioned here. And there is a further health issue that may play a big part in some people’s decision – grass allergies.

Grass allergies provide another great reason to replace your natural grass lawn with one of artificial grass. If you or one of your family suffers from severe allergies caused by grass, the option of laying down a yard of synthetic turf as a replacement has got to be on the mind.

Over the short term, it may seem as though the cost of buying and laying an artificial grass lawn is way beyond what can be considered reasonable. But when you consider the savings over the long term it becomes a much more cost effective choice. Over the life of your new artificial grass you will be saving the cost of running a lawnmower, buying fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and watering costs. Then there’s the time cost that will no longer apply. An artificial grass lawn is very low maintenance, giving you time for other activities.

With an artificial grass lawn laid in the backyard, you will never be left living surrounded by a browning dustbowl as water restrictions continue to be applied. Your carbon footprint will be reduced over time and no matter how heavy the traffic is on your lawn, you won’t face brown patches or die-off over winter.

Artificial Grass by Royal Grass

2008-10-03T16:19:00.000+10:00

Royal Grass is an artificial grass manufacturer catering to the landscape gardener with artificial grass systems that cater for different types of landscapes. The artificial grass is made with cutting edge technology out of environmentally friendly materials and te company boasts that their product is "the best possible identical look to real grass".

Royal Grass offers grass that always looks perfectly manicured which is ideal for owners of holiday homes who are not going to be around very often to maintain the landscape.

Royal Grass artificial grass comes in three styles: Royal Grass Park, Royal Grass Exclusive and Royal Grass Deluxe.

Royal Grass Park uses the sand-filled system and is cost-efficient for use in a wide range of circumstances. Royal Grass Exclusive is a light or medium green artificial grass and is also a sand-filled system. Royal Grass Deluxe is a non sand-fill system.

When looking for an artificial grass for landscaping your garden and creating a low maintenance, evironmentally friendly yard, consider Royal Grass' range of artificial grass.

How Is Artificial Grass Made?

2008-10-02T14:01:00.000+10:00

Similar to the way a carpet is woven, artificial grass is made with a tufting technique to form the grass part. To start the process of making the artificial grass, the primary ingredients are blended together in a hopper into which is added dyes and chemicals that give the grass its green color. The chemicals are also designed to protect the artificial grass from the damaging ultra-violet rays from the sun.

The ingredients are mixed together in a giant mixture until they reach a taffy-like consistency. This semi-liquid form is then fed into an extruder which draws it out into a long, thin strand of material. The strands are then spun into a loose rope using a carding machine. This rope is then woven into yarn after they a pulled and straightened.

The yarn is wound onto spools and then heated to form a twisted shape. It is then taken to a tufting machine where the yarn is sewn into the backing of the turf with a tufting needle. The sewing process is capable of setting several hundreds of rows of nylon yarn a minute. The nylon yarn is soon turned into a mat of artificial grass.

A coating of latex is applied to the underside of the artificial grass carpet. A secondary backing is also coated with latex and then the two pieces are then rolled together and sealed.

A heating process is then applied to cure the latex coating and then a clipping process is carried out to ensure the surface of the artificial grass is of a uniform height.

The artificial turf carpet is then rolled into packagable lengths which is the way it is transported out to the wholesaler.

Brands of Artificial Grass

2008-10-01T15:45:00.000+10:00

Before we take this site any further, it might be worthwhile listing the major makers of artificial grass. If for nothing else, this will give me an easy to find resource of the artificial turf makers that I may refer to from time to time.

AstroTurf
FieldTurf
Tartan Turf
Supergrasse
TigerTurf
Sportexe
Xtreme Turf
ProGreen
EZField
ForeverLawn
Grass Tex
DurraTurf
LazyLawn
Omnicourt
SmartGrass
Poligrass
Regal Grass
Royal Grass
SprinTurf
Synthetic Turf International
AstroPlay
CamTurf

This is an incomplete list of artificial grass brands. As the site expands, so too will the range of artificial grass brands that will be mentioned and examined. I expect that each new post will make mention of a different type of artificial grass which will prompt the list to be expanded further.

Safety of Artificial Grass

2008-09-30T19:03:00.003+10:00

There are around 800 artificial grass football stadiums used by North American schools, colleges and professional teams including around half of the NFL, and the demand for new artificial grass stadiums is growing.

The artificial grass surface is preferred because it enables a uniform playing surface that is easier to care for than grass and it is more environmentally friendly because of the savings in terms of watering as well as no need for potentially hazardous chemicals.

However some health experts are concerned over the use of artificial grass due to the fact that it is made from green-colored polyethylene/nylon or polypropylene ribbons couched in a layer of cushioning rubber particles. The rubber crumbs might be more readily identified as shreaded automobile tire rubber.

The concern comes over the fact that it may be possible to ingest the small particles or inhale their fumes. The toxic chemicals can irritate the eyes and lungs and have been linked to cancer. A study has also shown that recycled tire crumbs release chemical compounds into the air under hot weather conditions.

Artificial grass also gives athletes an injury commonly referred to as turf burn more readily than would happen on natural grass which can lead to a bacterial infection that can be life threatening called MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

All of that doesn't even take into account the pending court case where it is claimed that artificial grass is responsible for exposing people to abnormally high levels of lead which is being released by the aging synthetic grass.

The popularity of artificial grass arenas is not diminishing. In fact it is increasing as players prefer playing on the true surface. The advocacy group Environment & Human Health Inc. has called for a moratorium on installing new artificial grass on fields and playgrounds until more studies have been done.

Welcome to the Artificial Grass Guide

2008-09-29T23:21:00.000+10:00

Most websites about artificial grass area actually sites trying to sell you a specific type of artificial grass or synthetic turf surface. The focus is on why that specific type of artificial grass is the best and why you would be best to buy it.

Here at the Artificial Grass Guide, thereis no affiliation with any particular type of artificial grass. This is merely a site that wil examine any and all artificial grass surfaces, pershpas weighing up the good points with the bad points. The will be benefits highlighted as well as disadvantages to artificial grass over natural grass.

The range of artificial grass surfaces is wide and varied and it is made from a large base of companies. You will hopefully come away from reading the posts on this site with a more realistic expectation of finding the type of artificial grass that suits your needs.