Synthetic grass was first introduced in a fully enclosed stadium Houston Astrodome, in 1965. The fake grass that was installed on the pitch at that time was not player friendly; It caused physical injuries and burns to the sportsman. But today, we have technologically advanced third-generation fake turf that is designed to give maximum safety and comfort to the players.
Mostly two types of polymers are used to manufacture synthetic fibres-Polyolefin and Polyamide. Sometimes these polymers are combined to manufacture fake grass. These polymers, however, alone can not provide the turf frictional resistance, durability and weathering resistance, so they are chemically modified.
Where is artificial turf used?
Artificial turf is used in football, soccer, baseball and hockey fields. As they are durable, they are installed in high schools where several teams practice different sports and do all the action. Many football world cups are played on artificial grass in Milton Keynes.
The growing concern for natural resources has made artificial grass a sustainable choice for gardens. It is also great for drought-prone areas and if you want to know about its residential applications, such as rooftop terraces, search Pinterest. According to experts, sports turf is manufactured for strength and durability, while residential turf is for aesthetics and comfort.
Why artificial grass?
1. Easy to install
Gone are the days when you have to water, mow and fertilize the grass to keep it lush green. Professionals can install artificial grass in a few days or hours (Depending upon the property size). Also, you need not worry about water bills with fake grass.
2. Reduce allergies
If you have grass allergies, synthetic grass can help you avoid taking pills during some seasons. So, it will help you spend time with your family on the lawn without worrying about allergies.
3. It’s durable
Natural grass becomes rough and patchy when children run, bounce, play and dig. Also, pest waste can damage some grass varieties. This does not happen with synthetic turf- it will remain lush green.
4. Don’t need sun
Shady places look good, but the grass is hard to grow there. While there are some shade-tolerant strains, they are also difficult to grow. Synthetic grass has no such problems- you can plant it in shady areas of your garden.
5. Decrease air pollution
Land mowers emit high levels of harmful gasses, such as carbon monoxide, into the atmosphere. So, artificial grass can help you save the environment.
6. No more pests
With soil comes insects and with insects comes pests such as snakes and moles that eat those insects. Pests can’t survive on fake turf as they will have nothing to eat. So, there will be no pests around your home and surrounding areas.
Merits and demerits of artificial grass
Artificial grass offers several benefits, such as low maintenance, weather resistance, etc. Innovators are consistently working to provide the best experience to people on fake grass. Still, some sportsmen said that it could increase the risk of injuries. However, many studies that have been conducted to address this issue deny this thing.
Another criticism of synthetic turf is the possible harm of using chemicals such as rubber in artificial grass infill. The majority of reports from toxicologists indicate a variety of health concerns about recycled rubber. But these studies failed to find any relation between recycled rubber infill and human health risks.
Synthetic turf in a high school can be different from the one that is installed in major stadiums. It could be because of the variety of grass installed, frequency of use and level of care.
Artificial grass in Luton does not require watering, mowing, or fertilizing, but the infill must be at the right level, as it plays an essential role in keeping the turf fibre in the upright position. In the absence of the right amount of infill, the grass blades can break or matt down.
Innovation in synthetic grass
The increased use of fake grass in homes, offices and stadiums led to several innovations. Some of them are mentioned below:
Shockpads
Advanced shock pads are built by incorporating shock pads with high-quality infill (environment-friendly). They are designed to ensure safety for players, which means- no injuries on the field.
Realistic fibres
Companies are now coming up with a dual polymer fibre design( multi-layer) that can overcome the limitations of polyethene fibres ( single layer) and give them a more natural grass-like appearance.
Cooling technology
We all know that artificial grass absorbs heat from sunlight and reflects it into the atmosphere. It increases the temperature of the turf, which can be uncomfortable for players, especially on hot summer days. The cooling technology used in artificial grass can help reduce heat to a significant degree compared to traditional artificial grass.
Smart fibres
Now fake turfs are embedded with the latest technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. This system helps keep track of how long the turf has been used, the number of players playing on the field, and a few other things.
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