Whether you’re installing the perfect lawn, sports field, batting cage, or putting green, in order to find the best artificial grass for your project, you need to understand a little bit about it. As you start browsing the different types of artificial turf available, you will begin to notice terms that you may not be familiar with. From face weight to back weight, every technical specification has a distinct meaning and its variance changes the features of the turf.
Let’s break down key terms that you should know when shopping around for artificial turf:
Adhesive
Synthetic turf adhesives should be applied by experienced, professional installers. The adhesives should provide a strong, hazard-free, and durable bond between adjacent turf panels or sections and to be usable for installation under variable weather conditions. The adhesive should also be resistant to water, fungus, and mildew. Synthetic turf adhesives include: one-part adhesives (urethane), two-part (epoxy or urethane), hot melt, and water-based (latex) and one-part, solvent/isocyanate free adhesive (SMP).
Back Weight
Back weight is the total weight of the primary backing and secondary coating per square yard of turf. The backing of your artificial turf is what holds everything together, so it’s critical that this component of the turf is durable. The higher the back weight, the more durable your backing will be. As such, heavily used turf benefits from the highest back weight possible. Average turf has around 26 ounces of back weight (6 ounces of primary backing and 20 ounces of secondary backing). It’s recommended to stay in this range or higher. The only time that you would want to consider a turf product with a lower back weight is if the turf is purely decorative and will not be used very often.
Front/Face Weight
This measurement refers to how many ounces of yarn are used per square yard of turf. The higher the face weight, the longer and denser the turf’s artificial grass will be. This creates a lusher, more well-grown appearance, and also causes the turf to feel softer as you walk on it. Front/face weight is seen as a key indicator of overall turf quality based on density.
Infill
Blades of grass on artificial turf don’t stand up on their own. It’s the infill that keeps the blades upright and protects the grass backing from damage that would be caused by UV rays. There are three main types of infill: round silica granules, crumbled rubber, and subangular silica. Round silica granules help turf retain its spring and structure due to their rounded shape. Crumbled rubber normally comes from recycled car tires and makes a nice, long-lasting infill option. Subangular silica is one of the least expensive options, but its edges slowly break down from friction and lose their shape. It’s possible to combine this material with other infills to protect against wear.
Pile Height
You want your grass to be lush and beautiful. The pile height, which is the length of the longest blades in the turf, plays a key role in this. A good pile height will make your turf look like a perfectly grown bed of grass. Pile height also affects the utility of the turf. For example, a football player’s body will undergo a lot of stress on the field, so it’s important to have a turf that provides a slight cushion against impact. To this end, most font-athletic turf fields have a pile height of 2 to 3 inches. A dog, on the other hand, does not need this length of grass to run around comfortably. A pile height of 1 to 1.25 inches is usually best for dogs, which also makes cleanup easier. When considering which pile height is best for your needs, also think about matting. This is a reduction in pile height caused by continuous impact on the turf (walking, running, etc). If you want your turf’s pile height to be at least 1 inch for its lifespan, then you may want to consider a 1.25 inch option to compensate for matting.
Roll Width
Turf is not installed by cutting a large sheet of material to fit the dimensions of your field or field would mostly require a 15 foot roll width for installation, simply because this will minimize the material waste and labor required. A small lawn, on the other hand, may require only a 12.5 inch roll width to minimize cutting and wasted material during the installation.
Total Weight
This indicates the combined face weight and backing weight. It is critical that you understand this term, because each turf product is marketed differently. For example, one type of turf may have a listed weight of 70, whereas another has a listed weight of 55. The first option initially seems better, but the two brands are listing the turf weight in different ways. The turf listed with a weight of 70 includes the total weight, whereas the turf listed with a weight of 55 includes the front weight only. When you add the second turf’s back weight of 28, its total weight becomes 83, which significantly outclasses the first option.
Yarn Type
All artificial turf is not composed of the same material. The material that the artificial grass is composed of is identified by the yarn type. Each yarn type has unique properties that make it best suited for specific functions. Nylon yarn, for example, is an outstanding option for creating a beautiful lawn. However, because nylon is very permeable, it is not a good option for use with pets. Polypropylene, on the other hand, is extremely rugged, but not as aesthetically appealing as nylon. Polyethylene yarn strikes a good balance between aesthetic appearance and toughness.
Knowledge is Key When Choosing Your Turf
Armed with information on turf terminology, you should be more prepared to make the right decision for your needs. If you have any other questions about turf specifications or you would like assistance in selecting the right turf for your project, contact the experts at U.S. Artificial Grass and we will answer them for you!
