INFILLS

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to infills the light on it

Does Artificial Grass need infill?

Yes, artificial grass should have infill whether its kiln-dried silica sand, an acrylic based infill designed to eliminate pet odours, or a combination of both. All the benefits like extending the life of the turf and giving the grass a fuller look far outweigh the only negative which is the increased cost. With an average cost of under a dollar per square foot for artificial grass infill it's well worth it.

Artificial Grass Infill vs no Infill?

There are some turf manufacturers and companies claiming that their turf doesn't require infill. Unfortunately this is probably an attempt to gain business by quoting a low cost while sacrificing performance, quality and longevity. Products marketed as non-infill artificial turf are manufactured with a thicker thatch under layer but they still require infill to perform properly.

The Purpose of Infill

Artificial turf infill is recommended for any synthetic grass installation. In basic terms, infill is the substance the installers put in between the blades. It fills in the space between the grass blades and has several other functions as well.Infill makes the yard springy, which makes it more comfortable for children and pets to playon.
"Infill protects the artificial turf's foundation, so it helps your synthetic lawn last longer.
"Infill provides drainage.
"Infill helps the aesthetics of your turf by keeping the blades upright.

Reasons to Use Infill

Artificial Grass

Whether you use a kiln-dried silica sand for artificial grass or an acrylic based organic infill you will be insuring your turf stays beautiful while protecting your investment for many years. In addition to helping eliminate static shock and preventing weeds from growing in your turf you can count on the following benefits to using infill.
1. Prevents Rippling - Artificial grass can expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate. The hot summer sun can cause turf to expand several inches and cold temperatures can cause it to contract. This inevitably causes movement of the turf on top of the sub layer that can potentially lead to ripples and ridges if it's not weighed down and fastened properly.
2. Holds the Turf in Place - The weight of the artificial grass infill is approximately one pound per square foot or five kilograms per square meter. If the infill is spread evenly, the weight is distributed over the entire artificial turf area and provides the added assurance that the turf won't move or slide over time. This is of greater importance if the turf isn't edged by concrete, a brick pathway or landscape edging.
3. Keeps Turf Cool - The sun can heat some types of artificial turf up to the point that they are uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet. Artificial grass infill acts as a temperature regulator and keeps grass cooler than if you don't use infill.The backing of most artificial grass is black or dark green and will retain a lot of heat in the summer. Adding a light colored artificial grass infill sand creates a heat reflecting layer that keeps the turf cool by repelling heat.
4. Protects Fibers and Backing -In addition to keeping the grass fibres standing up straighter and more resistant to wear and tear, infill protects the turf backing. The grass blades are most susceptible to damage at the base of the blade where they tie into the backing. Artificial grass infill that is applied properly will sit along the base of the backing to provide a protective barrier.While everyday wear like foot traffic, rain and snow should never damage the turf there are instances where the turf is subjected to increased wear.
5. Improves Drainage - The backing of all quality artificial turf is punched with holes to allow for drainage. The holes allow water to drain through to the sub layer under the turf backing where it's further dissipated out of sight. An adequate infill layer will allow for water, pet urine and rain to drain through at a more regulated rate.

  • SBR

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    SBR stands for Styrene-Butadiene Rubber. It is by far the most commonly used infill material in synthetic turf fields. It is made of ground up recycled tires.
    Pros:
    " Most economical shock absorbing infill
    " Most widely studied infill (70+ independent studies)
    " No study has ever found ill environmental or human health effects
    " Absorbs shock
    Cons:
    " Moves with play, requiring more maintenance to preserve safe shock absorption at all areas of the field (when used without a pad) " Less cutting-edge infill technology (has been around for 20+ years)
    " Negative perceptions regarding safety in the general public
    " Higher field temperatures
  • Silica Sand

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    Silica sand is often used for synthetic turf ballast. It comes from multiple quarries throughout the country, contributing to its low cost. Silica sand is often used in combination with other performance infills.
    Pros:
    " Very inexpensive
    " Widely used and proven
    " No negative market place perceptions
    " Good ballast material
    Cons:
    " Does not absorb shock (must be used with a pad or shock absorbing infill)
    " Compacts. If used in too great a quantity without a pad, will negatively impact shock absorption as it hardens.
    " No real benefits aside from ballast
    " Can abrade fibers
  • EPDM

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    EPDM- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is a virgin rubber material. It is a high quality, high dollar replacement for crumb rubber.
    Pros:
    " Few issues with quality in the marketplace
    " Attenuates shock
    " Very high melting point
    " No negative perceptions in the marketplace Cons:
    " Very expensive
    " Aside from overcoming the perception issue, offers little performance advantage over crumb rubber
  • Nike Grind

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    4. Nike Grind partnered with AstroTurf to deliver cutting-edge turf systems. Nike Grind infill is a rubber infill material that is derived from the excess materials collected during the manufacturing of Nike shoes. The rubber outsoles are collected, chopped up and sized for optimal field drainage, and encapsulated with a premium green coating that bolsters infill resiliency and creates a more uniform and plusher field appearance.
    Pros:
    " Nike Grind is engineered for human contact and conforms to Nike's stringent quality standards and Restricted Substances List (RSL)
    " Sustainability (Each Nike Grind field diverts 160,000 pounds of materials into next uses)
    " Plush and uniform field appearance
    " Temperature reduction (versus black crumb rubber)
    " One of the more affordable alternative infill selections
    " Absorbs shock
    " No negative public perception
  • TPE

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    TPE - Thermoplastic Elastomersare a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic blended with a rubber). These are virgin materials that are either extruded or molded.
    Pros:
    " Varied shapes of TPE are less likely to compact
    " No perception issues of crumb rubber
    " Attenuates shock Cons:
    " Very expensive
    " Must be very careful to purchase TPE with a very high melting point. The industry has seen field failures from TPE sourced out of China.

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