Benefits of Installing Synthetic Turf for Football Fields
Artificial grass has been a growing trend in recent years for its many benefits in contrast to real grass. People started using it in their yards because it reduces their water bills and gives their outdoor spaces a better look, but now this synthetic turf has grown so much in popularity that big corporations are trying it out on larger surface areas.
Football fields are the newest sport to pick up this unique ground covering and it seems to be going well. Read below to discover the top benefits of transitioning football fields from real grass to synthetic turf.
Longevity
One of the top benefits of installing synthetic turf in large spaces like football fields is that it will last much longer than grass that has to be regrown or repaired after each season or even each match. Because artificial grass takes much longer to wear down, there is no need to worry about replacing it any time soon.
No matter the weather conditions or climate in which synthetic turf is installed, it will last for years and years because it is made out of high-quality material. The longevity of synthetic turf has appealed to many in the sports industry and is the reason why astro turf on football pitches has become the norm. Many artificial grass companies have mastered the art of making the turf feel exactly like real grass without the constant re-soiling and damage control that real grass requires.
Low Maintenance
After installing synthetic turf, you can sit back and relax because there is no mowing required. As opposed to normal grass, artificial grass does not grow or need to be maintained besides removing debris that may be left behind by players. The only thing that you have to do regularly is give the turf a little bit of a brush-up in high-traffic areas so that it stays sticking up straight instead of lying flat.
Due to the process of installing artificial grass, fields are much less likely to have invasive species like weeds pushing through the surface. This significantly reduces the amount of maintenance needed. This reduction in maintenance allows owners and leagues to spend considerably less on maintenance fees and allocate money to other important projects.
Less Wear and Tear
Along the lines of artificial grass having less maintenance, synthetic turf is resistant to all of the wear and tear that real grass endures every single game. Grassfield sports are costly because the upkeep of the fields is so constant. Like with more permanent playing areas like basketball and tennis courts, artificial grass can be painted or custom-designed with likes and logos that will last for several seasons.
On basketball courts, the team logo and boundary lines are often installed with white or black colored panels of wood that are basically permanent once installed. The same goes for astroturf as you can special order white “grass” lines and any other colorful elements to customize your field. On normal grass fields, this is usually spray-painted and wears off after one match. This means that there has to be a huge investment in paint and labor.
Eliminating the need to re-decorate fields for every single game is appealing to teams who want to show pride in their colors and their logo. It also keeps designs looking fresh and brand new for a long time. Many sports teams from the high school level to professional national teams have decided to make the switch to synthetic turf because of this very reason. A better-looking field gives a good reputation to any team, no matter how big or small.
Less Water Usage
Artificial grass requires no watering in order to stay bright and green all year long. Unlike regular grass, which needs to be watered almost every day depending on the climate, synthetic turf stays the same. The only time that water needs to be applied to synthetic turf is if you want to clean it after a season of use, and even then it is optional. This transition from real grass to artificial grass will significantly reduce water bills on fields that would normally require hundreds of gallons of water to stay alive.
Better Playing Conditions
This is an element of artificial grass that not many people consider when thinking about switching, but if you are thinking about putting down turf on a football field, it is extremely important. Because synthetic turf is a man-made substance, it can be manipulated in ways that natural grass never could be. An artificial football field has so many features that soil and grass do not have.
Most artificial fields have drainage systems, meaning that there is less risk of slipping which can cause injuries. It also means that you will never have to deal with muddy fields and weather cancellations or delays ever again. This is important, especially in fields where professional games are played regularly. In the long term, games and matches will be more consistent and safe with artificial grass.
Free of Pesticides and Other Chemicals
In order to keep grass green and free of bugs and weeds, it must be treated with pesticides and other chemicals to keep it looking good. This can cause skin irritation and long-term health issues for the players along with many other problems. Luckily, with artificial grass, none of these chemicals are necessary because it is not an organic surface.
Coupled with cutting water usage, eliminating the need for all of these chemicals makes artificial fields much more environmentally friendly than natural grass fields.
Deciding to install synthetic turf is a big undertaking, but the long-term savings will completely outweigh any initial costs. Among the many reasons listed above for switching from natural grass to artificial grass, it is also important to consider that so many teams, both amateur and professional, are making the switch. This means that if you want to be a part of the wave of the future, it is time to start considering the switch for your own field or fields.