Why is turf better than grass?
Artificial turf is easier to maintain, doesn't require water or fertilizer and can accommodate a variety of activities. With artificial turf, students can practice on the field in almost any weather without damaging the ground. Also, artificial turf doesn't freeze in the winter or thin out in the summer.
One of the biggest benefits of playing on grass is that it is much softer than artificial turf. This can help to reduce the risk of injuries for players. Grass also tends to be cooler than artificial turf, which can be more comfortable for players in hot weather.
Unlike grass fields, turf fields don't have to be sprayed and treated with pesticides and other chemicals to keep the grass from disease and other pest related disruptions. One of the more obvious benefits of turf is that turf doesn't require a consistent input of water.
With synthetic turf for football fields, there is little to no maintenance needed throughout its lifespan compared to a grass field. With a large majority of every year spent playing on these fields, NFL teams seem to opt for artificial turf to prevent any major maintenance issues from arising during a game or season.
Players have long said they prefer grass over artificial turf, arguing it was not only safer but also that it feels better to play on. In an essay posted to the NFLPA website Wednesday, union president J.C. Tretter noted that the injury rate on grass surfaces was lower from 2012 to 2020.
Healthy turf has the ability to absorb and conserve water, filter water and prevent run off, which is why turf is used on slopes, around parking lots and roadsides. It is an important part of storm water management.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Almost pest free | High cost to replace |
| No watering, mowing, or lawn maintenance | Can absorb heat in high summer temperatures |
| Can increase the value of a home when used in a well-designed landscape | With cheaper brands, turf sometimes doesn't feel like real grass underfoot |
Avoid laying turf from mid-spring to early autumn, as it would struggle to establish during hot weather and would need repeated watering.
It restricts access to the soil beneath for burrowing insects and to the ground above for soil dwellers such as worms. It restricts access to natural materials like leaf litter and grass clippings – essential for feeding soil organisms like worms and microscopic animals and keeping the soil healthy.
Due to the rubber crumb, artificial turf fields can be a heat hazard in summer months. On a 98 degree day, the field temperature can rise up to 120 degrees making it less comfortable to play on. Studies have shown that synthetic turf material can be up to 37 degrees higher than the air temperature.
What is the injury rate on turf vs grass?
But the difference began narrowing in 2020, and by 2021, the numbers were almost the same. Artificial surfaces had an incident rate of . 042 per 100 in 2021, while the rate for natural surfaces was . 041 per 100.
It was cheaper than grass, as it required less upkeep, and other stadiums followed. By the 1990s, about half of NFL stadiums used artificial turf. Due to the harder, springier surface, Astroturf enabled players to run faster than on grass, and speed became more highly valued.
Of the 30 NFL stadiums, 16 use natural grass, while the remaining 14 use turf. Before the 2023 season, Nissan Stadium will join the other 14 turf stadiums.
Grass will eventually give, which often releases the cleat prior to reaching an injurious load. On synthetic surfaces, there is less give, meaning our feet, ankles and knees absorb the force, which makes injury more likely to follow.
Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.”
"We evaluate our field each season and historically have replaced our playing surface every 3-4 years.
Grass will eventually give, which often releases the cleat prior to reaching an injurious load. On synthetic surfaces, there is less give, meaning our feet, ankles and knees absorb the force, which makes injury more likely to follow.”
Disadvantages of natural grass
To maintain its moisture which is an important key to natural turf maintenance. It requires a lot of water, which has a significant impact on your pocket. The costs continue, and specialized machines must be available to keep the lawn at the required height, since it is always growing.
Whether it's natural grass or artificial turf, bacteria can grow and multiply to create discoloration, odors, corrosion and other problems. There are several brands of high-quality artificial turf that have antimicrobial properties but without proper maintenance there is still risk for bacteria and infection.
- Eliminates Puddling. ...
- No Grass Stains. ...
- No Bare Spots or Ruts. ...
- Shade Isn't An Issue. ...
- Safe for Children and Pets. ...
- Doesn't Need Harsh Fertilizers. ...
- Great for Recreational Areas. ...
- Drought Resistant.
What is the life expectancy of a turf field?
After their life expectancy of 8-10 years, artificial turf fields do require to be replaced to ensure proper performance and safety.
Well, unlike real turf, artificial grass won't die when a dog pees on it. Dog urine drains away, just like rain, so you won't end up staring out at a yellow sea. Dog faeces will need to be cleaned up, just as you would on a real lawn. Simply scoop the mess up and hose the area down to remove any residual grains.
You need to wait two (2) weeks before you can regularly use your newly laid instant lawn. The roots on an instant lawn start growing at around two weeks. You also need to give it time to “stick” to the ground to avoid creating gaps.
For best results, we would recommend that turf needs to be laid onto good quality, prepared topsoil at least 15cm (6 inches) deep. If the topsoil in your garden is either too shallow or is poor quality, it is wise to bring in more soil before you lay turf.
A covering of snow, unlike complete freezing, won't affect your ability to walk on the turf. You are able to walk and play on snowy artificial grass without worrying about fibers breaking. However, you shouldn't allow the snow to pile up too much or the compacted snow will turn into ice and become dangerous.
One of the many benefits of turf, in addition to its durability, easy maintenance, and water conservation, is that it doesn't attract bugs. In fact, turf deters and mitigates the proliferation mosquitos, caterpillars, weeds, moles, and other pests, vermin, and lawn invaders.
Moles, mice, rabbits, groundhogs and other rodents often don't hang around long if a natural grass lawn is converted to artificial turf. Moles and groundhogs cannot thrive in an environment covered with artificial turf.
Natural Grass and Pests
Natural grass lawns tend to attract certain bugs and insects like ticks, mosquitos, and fleas. These pests can ruin any outdoor activity that you are partaking in and even cause serious illness to those exposed to them.
In our expert opinion, artificial grass is a smart investment that's worth the money every time. In the long run, a synthetic lawn will cost less money and time than a natural grass lawn. It can stand up to wear and tear from pets, foot traffic, and kids and will look gorgeous for years to come.
Turf is used to describe sports grass, which is shorter. Artificial grass is the officially correct term for landscape grass, which is longer and fluffier.
Do any NFL stadiums have turf?
NFL Stadiums have featured artificial turf over the years, with more than half the franchises still using it. But where can you find real grass? As of 2022, there are 14 NFL fields out of 30 that do not use real grass, meaning half of all teams in the NFL compete and practice on artificial turf.
Turf burn is a kind of damage caused by friction instead of heat. Friction may cause skin layers to peel away, possibly resulting in an open wound. Depending on how you fall, turf burn may cover a big or small region of your skin.
Normal studs (bigger ones) have been suggested to put significantly more pressure on the ACL when played on artificial turf. Artificial turf puts more general load through the knees, making the knee bend in more (valgus load and internal rotation). These are risk factors associated with knee injuries.
They found athletes were 58 percent more likely to sustain an injury during athletic activity on artificial turf. Injury rates were significantly higher for football, girls and boys soccer, and rugby athletes.
"The State Farm Stadium field surface met the required standards for the maintenance of natural surfaces, as per NFL policy," the league said in a statement the day after the game. "The natural grass surface was tested throughout Super Bowl week and was in compliance with all mandatory NFL practices."
Louis Rams replaced the field at the Edwards Jones Dome after the 2004 season, the NFL at last was cleansed of first-generation artificial turf. Some franchises embraced a return to natural grass.
Keep the Soil from Freezing – They keep the soil temperature high enough that it doesn't freeze with a complex system of anti-freeze piping that pumps extremely hot water through it. This warms the soil temperature tricking the plants into thinking it is the middle of the the growing season.
Soldier Field, Chicago Bears
Soldier Field's grass surface has been considered among the worst in the NFL for years.
The “frozen tundra” is a myth. The ground at Lambeau Field, legendary home of the Green Bay Packers, is heated. It has not been frozen during a football game since it was dubbed the “frozen tundra” more than 40 years ago.
As of 2022, there are 14 NFL fields out of 30 that do not use real grass, meaning half of all teams in the NFL compete and practice on artificial turf.
What is the most common injury on artificial turf?
They found that posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears occurred almost 3 times as often on turf than on grass. Athletes playing at lower levels experienced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears 1.6 times more often on turf than they did on the grass.
Turf burn can cover a large section of your skin or a small area, depending on how you fall. These abrasions can be extremely painful and may lead to complications. It's important that you know the symptoms of turf burn, as well as how to treat it.
In short, it seems that the answer is YES. Studies looking at the risk of ACL injuries in collegiate and professional football and soccer players have found an increased risk of ACL injury in practice and competition when play occurs on artificial turf compared to natural grass.
Out of 30 NFL stadiums, 16 have a natural grass playing surface, which NFL players also favor. Out of these 16, 1 stadium has various grass combinations, 2 of them have Desso Grassmaster, 4 stadiums consists of Kentucky Bluegrass, and the remaining 9 prefer Bermuda Grass.
"Lower extremity, upper extremity, and torso injuries were also found to occur with a higher incidence on artificial turf." Authors of previous studies found an increased rate of ACL injury in football athletes playing on artificial turf compared with natural grass, the study added.
There are 30 total NFL fields across the country, 16 of which have real grass, while the remaining 14 have turf.
Artificial turf football field cost usually falls between $750,000 to $1,350,000, depending on the size of the field and the features of the sports facility. The cost will vary depending on the product quality and the factors mentioned above.
The 2-inch-thick playing surface then went through the NFL's field certification process in the days before Super Bowl 50 to make sure it was ready for the event.
MAINTENANCE of SYNTHETIC TURF INCLUDES:
Regular cleaning to get rid of debris. Sanitation and disinfection to protect the health of the players. Upkeep to keep the field from wearing out more quickly.
- Cost. ...
- It is not as soft as you think. ...
- Surface Heat. ...
- Forgetting about weed growth. ...
- You will still need to maintain it. ...
- Drainage issues. ...
- Lifting Edges. ...
- Materials used.
What is the disadvantage of turf grass?
Not as Long-Lasting as Natural Grass
For some, a disadvantage of artificial grass is that it will not last for the same time as natural grass will. On average, artificial grass has an expected lifespan of 7-15 years. This is still a long time and will provide the customer with many years of easy maintenance.
Grass will eventually give, which often releases the cleat prior to reaching an injurious load. On synthetic surfaces, there is less give, meaning our feet, ankles and knees absorb the force, which makes injury more likely to follow.
One of the many benefits of turf, in addition to its durability, easy maintenance, and water conservation, is that it doesn't attract bugs. In fact, turf deters and mitigates the proliferation mosquitos, caterpillars, weeds, moles, and other pests, vermin, and lawn invaders.
Since grass leaves release water vapor (or transpire) and the evaporation of that water vapor leads to cooling, grass fields rarely get above 100° F. Turf fields, in comparison, regularly rise well above 100° F.
Turf fields are clearly far more durable than natural grass fields. They handle foot traffic better. If the turf is well-maintained, it can last for up to 20 years or more if you use the proper artificial turf care maintenance. Turf fields are much easier to clean than are natural grass fields.