Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Basic Information Concerning Artificial Grass

By Annabelle Holman


Heavy uses such as football matches need surfaces that can withstand such demands better than what nature has to provide. Due to ever growing demand, companies developed a synthetic surface called artificial grass. The surface closely resembles natural grass in many aspects. Field managements are continuously redoing their playgrounds with the synthetic option because it can support frequent heavy uses. Maintenance costs involved are low making the commodity to be preferred by playground owners.

There are many advantages associated with this product that cannot be matched by natural turf in any way. Maintenance encompasses many activities such as irrigation, trimming, and fertilizing among others. Such requirements are eliminated by this product besides being able to be installed in stadiums that are completely or partially covered at the top. Major areas of use include all forms of playgrounds such as golf courses and football pitches. Domestic uses in backyards and lawns are also possible.

Besides the many benefits that artificial turf presents, it also has its own shortcomings. The fibers have comparatively shorter life spans. Even though they are good for supporting heavy use, the fibers last a very short time compared to natural grasses. The fibers must also be maintained through regular cleaning and disinfection to keep them clean and in healthy condition.

The use of fake turf presents some increased safety concerns. First, friction resulting from contact between the fibers and the human body causes more severe injuries that normal grass. The atmosphere and the players also come into contact with toxic chemicals released by the infill. In response, manufacturers have modified the products to exclude infill and to incorporate better forms of fibers. This has raised safety than before.

The safety measures maintained by manufacturers have led to increased use of this commodity. Billions of tons of fake turf are produced and sold in different places worldwide. Companies produce them in terms of versions with newer versions being superior to the previous ones. As a result, major sport governing authorities like FIFA have approved the installation of this commodity in playgrounds where their games are held. This does not however mean that installation of natural grass is not allowed.

Major international airstrips and airports have had fake grass replace natural turf and pavements. One of the reasons is because they offer a safe surface for stray planes and firefighting vehicles to move on without causing any threats. The commodity reduces foreign object damage and never harbors food that may attract wildlife. As such, the rate of collision between planes and wild animals has dropped sharply.

These products give runways and taxiways a clear visual difference because they maintain their deep green color even during winter seasons. Rain does not wash away runways or destabilize them due to formation of mud. Also, runways do not get scratched because of friction with the tires of planes. Low maintenances means fewer workers hence low costs and lesser demand on security personnel when carrying out security checks.

Price of these artificial products varies. Factors that affect price include size, brand, manufacturer, version, and quality. It is a safer option to invest in the expensive brands.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment