DIY Turf Blog

Athletic Facilities Thrive on Artificial Grass

 

If you are considering a new sports facility or gym with an artificial turf surface, Artificial Turf Express can help you with the process. Let us upgrade your facility and not only lower maintenance costs, but improve your user’s experience.

Artificial turf provides the perfect surface for most recreational activities and gyms. Not only is it cost effective and low maintenance, it has a variety of benefits that make it the best choice over any other flooring option. Artificial turf is nothing new to sports or gyms. It was used in the 1960’s for indoor football fields and has been popping up in gyms everywhere over the past few decades. The many benefits are why.

 

The Durability of Artificial Turf

Artificial grass is extremely durable and resistant to constant foot traffic. Which is critical because during a sporting event or gym session, individuals are constantly running, pivoting and falling on the surface of the turf.

For sports, real grass can be torn away from the sod leaving bare patches and divots in the ground that can lead to tripping. When natural grass is worn away, it can take weeks before new seed takes root. During that time, the field cannot be used and should be cared for every day to ensure proper irrigation and growth of the seedlings. Artificial turf will eliminate these issues. For gyms, it is a very durable product that brings a specific atmosphere to the area.

The Clean, Uniform Look of Artificial Turf

Artificial turf looks uniform and stays at the same height without any type of care or maintenance. Natural grass can change color, ranging from a bright, vibrant green to a dull brown depending on the weather. Synthetic grass keeps the same, constant color at all times without pesticides or routine waterings. The blades of grass hold their texture no matter what the temperature or environmental conditions.

Mowing and trimming natural grass is costly and takes up a lot of your time. It can also lead uneven blade length which may interrupt game play. With artificial turf, each blade is measured to be 1.5 to 2.5 (approximately) in length. The entire surface is cut to one uniform length. This makes it great for something like a putting area, which need a uniform height. Different sports also use different blade lengths to ensure sufficient ball play. The length of the blades is also important when it comes to running, walking and maneuvering on the surface, which makes it the perfect option for gyms.

Bacteria Resistant

Research has shown that bacteria cannot thrive on an artificial turf surface. Many of these products have an anti-bacterial coating that prohibits bacteria or fungal growth.

Environmentally Friendly

Artificial turf is environmentally friendly. That’s because it does not need to be watered or treated with hazardous chemicals to keep it looking beautiful. Water savings alone could reach hundreds of thousands of gallons each year. When the amount is added up over the lifespan of the turf, the numbers are astounding. Large playing fields require massive amounts of water when covered in natural grass. In a lot of states like that have drought resistant conditions, playing fields cannot be watered on a regular basis or the owners will face hefty fines and legal fees.

Sports fields must be regularly treated to prevent weeds and to ensure proper growth. Fertilizers and herbicides are extremely toxic to the environment, especially at the levels needed to maintain an athletic playing field. The run off is carried away into the surrounding ecosystem by stream and ditches, which could end up polluting water in a few mile radius. Artificial turf does not need chemicals to ensure adequate thickness or a beautiful, lush color.

Gym owners and athletic facility owners take great pride in a beautiful end product, which is why artificial turf is a common choice. The convenience and cost are two of the most obvious reasons owners switch to turf, but the other benefits, like low maintenance, often sway even the most skeptical of users.