In the case of artificial grass one of the issues often asked is whether fill is needed or if non-infill artificial turf is a better choice. The choice between these two is based on a variety of aspects. The article below we’ll explore the advantages of the use of infill, and also situations in which the use of infill might not be necessary.
To help you to read the article, here’s the breakdown of topics that are covered:
Why should you use infill synthetic grass?
Infill can serve a number of important functions to create artificial turf. Let’s examine the primary benefits of infill:
Structure and uprightness: Infill gives structure to artificial grass fibers, assisting them stand up. Without it artificial grass is likely to lie flat. Even grass that has thatch might not be able to stand without the help of infill. Infill helps ensure that the fibers keep their natural look and prevent them from appearing matted or flat.
Resilience and Cushioning If you walk or step on the artificial turf the infill creates a cushioning effect. The cushioning helps protect the fibers’ roots and improves the resilience of the whole artificial turf. Infilling allows the turf to more effectively absorb impacts, thus decreasing the chance of injuries. In addition, it improves the playability and comfort of the turf.
UV protection: The infill guards the backing of artificial grass from UV radiation. The traditional soccer turf as well as artificial grass that has pile less than 30mm could not have a yarn that fully covers the backing. Infill serves as a barrier, protecting the backing from damaging UV radiations. This protects the life span that the synthetic grass.
To summarise In conclusion, filling is vital for artificial grass because of these reasons
- It helps to give the fibers with structure and helps them stand up.
- It provides cushioning and elasticity which improves its performance as well as the comfort field.
- It shields the backing from UV rays, thus extending the life span of artificial grass.
With the use of infill, artificial grass systems are more robust, stable and suitable for a variety of purposes, including playing fields or sports fields as well as landscaping projects.
In the images above the left picture can be seen as one of our infill-free artificial turfs. The right one requires infill. In the case of our second turf will remain flat even without infill.
What is non-infill synthetic grass?
Non-infill artificial grass is grass that has bristles (thatch) and a narrow size, along with a very high stitch rate. The fibers of thatch serve the same purpose as fillers by supporting grass and also providing a strong. The main factors that determine artificial grass that are not infill are:
- The root zone is covered with thatch.
- Small measurement (typically smaller than)
- High stitch rate
Although these aspects are crucial but there is no precise technical guidelines to decide if artificial grass is required to be infilled or not. It is important to remember that the turf used for non-filling must be strong, flexible and strong enough to stand up to the pressure of traffic.
Does artificial grass that has thatch mean artificial grass with no fill?
While most artificial grass landscape products contain thatch at their root but not all can be considered non-infill artificial turf. Some artificial grass that has thatch may not have enough density to ensure that the fibers stay upright. They tend to flatten easily when pressure is applied. In these instances it is recommended to fill your artificial turf with silica sand in order to improve stability, flexibility and longevity.
The decision is made: infill or non-infill?
The choice between non-infill and infill is based on the particular circumstances that you’re working on. Let’s take a look at some suggestions for various scenarios:
Play and landscape areas:
In areas with less traffic You can choose any of our recommended products with no infill. If the area is subject to high traffic it is advised to fill the area with silica sand. This will not only increase the life span of artificial grass, but also gives it stability. The process of infilling is easy. It is as simple as spreading sand using the help of a drop spreader or a casting spreader, then bristling it through the grass using a stiff bristle. Larger projects may require a brush machine for efficient infilling.
However, in areas with high traffic artificial grass with no infill may be considered for specific uses like:
- Yards that have steep slopes (gradual slopes are acceptable)
- Places to play for kids as well as pets
- The areas surrounding swimming pools
Artificial grass that is not infill, with its thatch, small gauge and dense it is the best choice for these types of situations. It offers a secure playground for children, stays cool in pools, is able to withstand high foot traffic, and avoids the necessity for maintenance because of infill. It’s also suitable for indoor and outdoor pool applications since it stops blocking the filters of pools and also keeps indoor areas tidy.
Football fields:
- The majority of traditional football pitches require silica sand, and crumb rubber infills. Without filler the football grass will lay flat. Rubber granules and Silica Sand work to form a sturdy as well as flexible surface for playing.
Sand and rubber infill stabilize and support the system
The fibers of a football grass naturally lay “flat” without the infill materials
Silica sand:
- Supports stability and stabilization
- Green and environmentally friendly
- The 70% figure represents 70% of the total weight of the infill
Rubber granule:
- It provides a soft playing surface, and bounce
- Refrains from floating or displacement in areas with high use
- Green and environmentally friendly
- This is 30% of the the total weight of infill
However, we also offer soccer turf that is not infill which combines unique yarn designs and tufts to make top-quality, low-maintenance soccer pitches. The turf, when placed upon a shock pad (optional but highly recommended) will eliminate the requirement for sand or rubber infill, leading to shorter installation times and lower maintenance. The blades are shorter, making it perfect for multi-sport or smaller fields.
We offer the best non-infill football grass choices available and a range of different options to pick from. For more information, please get in touch with us.
Artificial grass that is not filled with fillers will offer enough resiliency?
As we mentioned, infill can provide an effect of cushioning. The grass that is not infill serves the same purpose however, is it enough? Non-infill football grass is suitable for practice fields, and also for pool and landscape surroundings. For playgrounds or football pitches that are professional and that require extra strength and protection we suggest including the shockpad layer underneath the artificial grass that is not infill.
There are various kinds of shock pads that are available We can give more details upon request.
Conclusion
In the end, the decision between non-infill or infill artificial grass is contingent upon the particular requirements of your project. Here’s a list of the recommended practices for various applications:
Playgrounds and landscapes:
- In areas with low traffic Infills is not always necessary.
- In high-traffic areas, filling with silica sand is recommended to improve the longevity and stability.
- Our non-infill artificial grass alternatives, with the thatch and narrow gauge with high densities, are suited for areas of play that have particular considerations like steep slopes, children’s and pets play areas, as well as areas around pools. They offer safety, temperatures control, long-lasting, and simple maintenance.
Football fields:
- Traditional football grass usually requires fillers like silica sand as well as crumb rubber in order to provide an elastic and stable playing surface.
- However, we also have football turfs that are not infill and do away with the need for rubber or sand infill. These are great for smaller fields, multi-sport fields as well as projects that have less maintenance and installation needs.
It is vital to keep in mind that the options for non-filling could benefit by the introduction of a shockpad layer to increase the durability and protection, particularly for football fields used by professional teams and playgrounds.
In conclusion In conclusion, infill is suggested for landscaping and high-traffic play areas, whereas non-infill options can be utilized in certain scenarios that have less traffic. When it comes to football field surfaces, grass that is infilled is usually preferred, but alternatives that do not require infill are possible for specific projects. It is always recommended to speak with an installer, or contact us for more details and specific suggestions depending on the requirements of your project.
