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Artificial Turf

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf, also known as artificial grass or synthetic grass is a man made surface that is manufactured using synthetic materials and resembles natural grass. It is very commonly used for sports that are usually played on real grass, but recently it has also found place in residential lawns and commercial complexes.

Artificial Turf - Background

David Chaney led the team of researchers who were responsible for creating the artificial turf. In 1965, artificial turf was installed in the newly built Astrodome in Houston, Texas. It was at this point that the artificial turf gained a lot of prominence. By 1970s, they became widespread and were installed in both indoor and outdoor stadiums that were used for baseball and gridiron football in the United States and Canada. The prominent stadiums that underwent this change were the Riverfront Stadium at Cincinnati, Three Rivers Stadium at Pittsburgh and Veterans Stadium at Philadelphia.

Artificial Turf - Present Scenario

The dawn of the 21st century brought with it new artificial surfaces using sand and rubber infill were developed. These ‘next generation’ turf brought in the concept of ‘Artificial Grass’ and are virtually undistinguishable from a distance. Playing on these new turfs is considered to be as safe as real grass and safer during the colder seasons.

fake grass toolsMany clubs have already installed the new synthetic grass as a part of an all weather training capability while many clubs who still have the real grass fields are considering changing to the new turf because of the various advantages that it offers. Football clubs in Europe too are considering the artificial turf in an effort to reduce the maintenance costs and also reduce the number of matches that are canceled in winters due to a frozen pitch.

Synthetic turf has also brought about significant changes in the game of hockey. They were introduced on the hockey pitch in 1970s and now competitions in the western countries are played on the artificial turf. These turfs have increased the speed of the game and have also brought about a change in the shape of the hockey sticks to allow for new techniques like reverse stick trapping and hitting.

Since the middle of 1990s the artificial turfs have moved into the residential and commercial landscaping artificial lawns. The main reason for this is because firstly the quality and the variety offered by the artificial turfs have increased rapidly. Secondly, water conservation organizations are being very vocal about the role the artificial turfs will play in saving water.

Artificial Turf - Advantages

The advantages of the artificial turf are as follows:

  • The main advantage of artificial turf can be seen in areas where the conditions to grow natural grass is very hostile like areas that are very dry and arid or receive very sunlight.
  • Artificial turf is ideal for holiday homes and elderly home owners where maintenance of real grass is not a feasible option.
  • Artificial turn is also very suitable for swimming pool areas and roof gardens.
  • Artificial turf is also an excellent option where cost plays a major factor. Artificial turf last beautifully for ten years.

Artificial Turf - Disadvantages

The disadvantages of the artificial turf are as follows:

  • The cuts, abrasions and burns caused on the artificial turf are of a greater degree when compared to natural grass. This is because of the friction caused between turf and the human skin. This becomes an issue in many sports specially football where the sliding maneuvers are common and clothing does not cover the entire body.
  • Players who play regularly on the artificial turf suffer from a medical condition known as the ‘Turf Toe.
  • The abrasions caused by the artificial turf have been known to cause a higher incidence of MSRA infections.
  • Some varieties of artificial turf require infill of silicon sand or granulated rubber that is made from recycled car tires. These materials usually carry heavy metals which can leach into the water table.
  • Periodical disinfection is required as pathogens are not broken down by any natural process.
  • The artificial turf becomes much hotter under the sun when compared to natural grass.

 

By Ranjan Shandilya
Published: 3/14/2008

artificial turf SOQUEL - More than 150 people traded passionate pleas for and against new artificial turf fields at Anna Jean Cummings Park on Tuesday night, with soccer players in warm-up suits complaining of a shortage of fields and neighbors armed. red artificial turf on football CHENEY, Wash. — The nicknames are already flying and Eastern Washington University hasn’t even begun installing its new artificial turf.The Slaughterhouse.  Use On Artificial Turf What Tunit studs should I use on Artificial turf for my new soccer shoes? I Bought F50+ tunit soccer shoes, what studs should I use for artificial turf

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Putting Green Fake Grass

Artificial Putting Greens

Want to know more about artificial putting greens? 

Introduction

In the game of Golf, the ball is struck by a club causing it to roll towards the cup. This process is called ‘Putting’. A putting green is the ground on which the game of golf is played. The grass on this putting green is cut quite short. This facilitates the rolling of the golf ball.

Most golf grounds grow the grass and keep it cut very short so that the ground is perfect for a game of golf. However, with the advent of new technologies, artificial turf has begun to take the place of real grass.

History

fake grass putting greensThe invention of artificial turf is credited to David Chaney and his team of RTP researchers in 1960. Since then, this artificial turf has been used in all kinds of sporting grounds where grass played a major role. Initially, the artificial grass was not very popular with players and fans alike due to its unforgiving surface which made the players more prone to injuries. It was subsequently banned by many football leagues.

New technological research has come up to resolve these issues. Now the playing surfaces are made with sand or rubber filling. This makes the surface of these artificial greens more natural and easy to play on. Nowadays, artificial turf has begun to regain its importance and role in professional sport.

Advantages

These artificial putting greens have quite a few benefits compared to real grass. They are:

  • The synthetic putting greens have the look and feel of natural grass.
  • No maintenance is required for the artificial putting surfaces. This includes no mowing, no watering and no chemicals.
  • The artificial greens do not fade easily.
  • Artificial grass allows for heavy usage without losing out on its shape and form.
  • This artificial grass is environmentally friendly and very safe to use.
  • Artificial or Synthetic Turf is available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit the requirement of the client or the project.

Uses

These benefits of artificial putting greens have aided its expansion into home use. People are using small and large pieces of artificial turf to make lawns and sit outs in their backyards and gardens.

Artificial greens and turf are now used for landscaping, home lawns, and even for indoor putting greens and practice greens.

These indoor practice greens are used by learners of golf and in arcades. People also install home putting greens or backyard putting green surfaces inside their homes or in their backyards if they are interested in keeping up with their practice of golf.

This artificial turf is also used in parks and schools for making green spaces for playgrounds.

 

By Madhavi Ghare
Published: 3/10/2007

 

Artificial Grass As Putting Greens Synthetic putting greens are the future of eco-friendly sports landscaping. With such minimal maintenance and no need for watering, artificial putting.   Artificial Grass Did you know that astroturf also known as artificial grass, fake grass, artificial lawn is an increasingly popular choice of surface for many homes, schools, sport centers, and businesses. Putting green have many practical applications.  Backyard Putting Greens Artificial turf greens will require a substrate of packed stone and aggregate as a supportive base. It is not recommended to simply pour concrete unless the artificial grass has some type of padding or soft layer between the concrete.

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Artificial Grass vs. Natural Grass

Artificial grass vs. natural grass

Maintenance of natural grass needs regular use of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. It may cause injury to children, pets and animals in the neighborhood. These products migrate into the soil, groundwater and at last merge with lakes, or oceans. An increasing number of Australian homeowners are turning to synthetic turf. Many home builders, landscapers, and sports and commercial facilities are promoting synthetic surfaces, causing a dramatic demand for synthetic turf.

Maintenance
The dry climate makes natural grass very difficult to maintain. Property management companies spend large amounts on water, fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, and mowing to keep the natural grass in good condition. Synthetic grass does not require any of these items. Synthetic turf has special UV coating which protect the lawn against ultraviolet rays.

Environment
miracle lawn fake grassIt is not easy to maintain natural grass. It is a very tedious work. Natural grass requires regular use of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. They can cause damage to children, and pets. These have a long term effect on the plants, animals, and air. Artificial turf does not require fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides for maintenance. It does not cause any damage to children, and pets. They provide a safe, healthy environment for families and the public.

Safety
Natural grass sports field are not perfectly flat. These can develop dips, mounds, bumps, holes as these are used regularly, which can cause twisted ankles or other injuries. Synthetic lawn is built on top of flat, level ground. Synthetic lawn or sports field is much safer when compared to natural grass, that’s why sports organizations and schools are using synthetic surfaces.

Appearance
Synthetic turf comes in different lengths, colors and is manufactured to exactly give the same look and feel of Bermuda, bluegrass, centipede or any type of natural grass available. Synthetic turf is soft to touch and does not cause any injuries to children.

Cost
Natural grass is much cheaper than synthetic grass. But in long term, the synthetic grass has lower cost when compared to natural grass. Natural grass is a long process, it requires grass seed, watering the grass, fertilizers, lawn feed, pesticides and the labor and time for mow, trim, fill. It requires lot of maintenance. Synthetic turf does not have such a long process. Synthetic lawn can pay for itself within a few years. It does not require that much maintenance.

Watering
In lot of countries there is water scarcity. Since there are not adequate rainfalls the homeowners may find it difficult to maintain them. For commercial purposes, like golf courses, retirement communities, and property developments the cost and effort to transport water through pipeline system may be prohibited. Synthetic lawn does not require watering. These remain green regardless of climatic conditions, temperature or other environmental conditions.

By Brayan Peter
Published: 9/6/2008

 

Fake Grass Fake Grass is a man-made surface manufactured from synthetic made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. New Wave Of Artificial Grass When natural grass simply becomes too expensive in terms of money or time, it might be wise to consider a synthetic substitute. Astroturf is especially viable if the area is subject to heavy use and maintaining a consistent surface. Artificial Grass There are a variety of colors and lengths to take into consideration for a purchase of artificial grass. None will look as real as natural grass, but the synthetic substitutes still look presentable.

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