At the foundation of every action-packed event, the latest innovations in turf are changing the way athletes compete and thrive. With intrinsic benefits like joint-protective shock absorption, incredible durability, and traction-boosting grass styles for nearly every sport imaginable, any modern field that’s hoping to remain on the cutting-edge of playability can benefit from a turf update. Both game-changing and budget-friendly, there are several reasons a turf update may be a good idea for your facility. In this quick breakdown, we’ll cover why facilities opt for turf, different turf characteristics, and prepare you to make a confident and informed decision for your facility.
Why Many Facilities Switch to Turf
When it comes to a facility investment that boasts multi-faceted benefits, you would be hard-pressed to find an upgrade that adds as much value as a turf installation. From university soccer fields to professional football arenas, here are a few of the most common reasons facilities make the switch:
- Lower Long-Term Maintenance & Utility Costs
- Enhanced Player Safety & Performance
- Improved Visual Appeal & Ease of Customization
- Sport-Specific Turfs Support Facility Revenue Goals
Find a Turf That’s Right for Your Field
The engineering behind modern turfs has come a long way. You can update your facility with a single sport or multiple sports in mind, and with customizable turf options like grass density, shock-absorption ratings, and even the color of the grasses fully adjustable, creating a highly customized finish is easily achieved. Important turf characteristics to consider include:
- Turf Face Weight: The number of artificial grass fibers per square yard of turf. Turfs with higher face weights replicate the appearance of natural grass and can handle more aggressive surface traffic. Turfs with lower face weights will reduce the overall artificial turf cost and are slightly less durable, but are still expertly designed to last for years and can be a great option if you’re working with a tighter budget.
- Grass Types: Each different grass style will affect the overall traction, softness, and aesthetic. While selecting a grass style that’s appropriate for your facility, you can choose from varying fiber lengths and shaping; a shorter-trimmed grass is great for practices fields or snag-resistant sporting events, and a longer-trimmed grass will feel softer and provides foot traction similar to natural grass surfaces.
- Backing & Infill: These are the layers that the artificial grass are woven into. For high-impact sports and practice arenas, softer backings and additional infill will reduce the likelihood of injury. For sports where ground contact is less likely or for competitive play, a less pliable backing and reduced infill provide a firmer and less “springy” foot feel.
Find the Ideal Surface Today
We specialize in adapting our turf and court materials to address the direct needs of your facility. Whether you’re installing a new outdoor soccer field, or you’re looking to elevate your interiors with a joint-protective gym flooring installation, our experienced surface pros will help you compare and contrast all of the most important details.
