Synthetic TurfBenefitsMany environmental benefits result from replacing turf grass with synthetic turf. At a typical residence (with about 750 square feet of turf) the installation of synthetic turf can conserve approximately 22,000 gallons of water per year. Synthetic turf also requires no fertilizer, no pesticides, no mowing and reduces urban runoff caused by irrigation. It also cuts down on the amount of green waste, like lawn clippings, going into landfills. Other benefits include:
HistorySynthetic turf traces it's history to the carpet industry with a process called "tufting". In the early 1950s, the tufting process was invented. A large number of needles insert filaments of fiber into a fabric backing. Then a flexible adhesive like polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride is used to bind the fibers to the backing. This is the procedure used for the majority of residential and commercial carpets. Today, Synthetic turf is manufactured using the same tufting techniques used in the manufacture of carpets. ManufacturersThere are relatively few synthetic turf manufacturers worldwide. Below is a list of the larger manufacturers. These manufacturers sell to the distributors who rename and rebrand it as their own. These distributors sell the turf to the installers. It is the installer that sells the homeowner the re-branded turf. It is important to note that the manufacturing process and materials used in this process do not vary much from one manufacturer to the next. They all use relatively the same tufting process and the same materials. So even though a synthetic turf installer tells you how wonderful and unique his turf is, remember....it's all made essentially the same way! What is most important is how it is installed. Installation processStep 1: Remove existing grass and soil and cap irrigation as neededAll organic material will be removed and hauled away. Existing native soil will be excavated to a depth of 4". Irrigations lines will be tested, capped, rerouted. Step 2: Installation of class II road base3" of class II road base will be installed and compacted to a 95% compaction rate. Grade will be 1" below edging. Step 3: Install solid edge restraintsTrenches will be dug at lateral edge of project. The trench will be filled with concrete. Pavers will be wet set to the concrete resulting in a paving stone mow strip. Step 4: Install weed barrierWeed barrier will be tacked in place with 20d nails with a 6" overlap as seams. ( at this time turf will be rolled out flat to acclimate...2 hrs prior to install) Step 5: Move turf in to placeTurf will then be moved in to place per plan specifications. Turf will be cut using a utility knife to fit snugly against solid edge restraints. Turf will be fastened with 40 d nails at perimeter 6" apart. Step 6: Seam rolls of turf togetherMany projects will need 2 rolls of turf to be seamed together. To achieve a proper seam, the 2 rolls of turf will be aligned so that their blades of grass naturally fall in the same direction. Both rolls of turf will be fastened throughout the field with 40 d nails. The rolls of turf will be stretched and nailed approaching the seam. A roll of heavy duty adhesive tape will be cut to length and placed face up at the location of the seam. The two rolls of turf will then be folded over the adhesive tape and nailed with 20 d nails 1" apart. Step 7: Install infillThe turf will be power broomed until the blades of grass are standing upright. Acrylic coated sand infill will then be applied to turf using a walk behind seed disperser. 1-2 lbs per square foot will be installed. Turf will then be hosed down and re-broomed as needed. |
