Frequently Asked Questions

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The latest generation of synthetic turf is a grass-like ground cover  that replicates lush natural grass in appearance and function. When used  on athletic fields, it provides a consistent year-round, all-weather  playing surface built to withstand extended use without downtime for  recovery. As a landscape cover, synthetic turf provides a low  maintenance, weed-free surface that doesn’t need to be watered or  fertilized, and is available in styles that look like the grass types  that are prevalent locally.  

 Most synthetic turf systems installed today include a drainage layer, a  multi-layered backing system, and resilient “grass” blades that are  infilled with a granular filler to resemble natural turf. “Infilled”  means that the man-made grass blades are interspersed with a top soil  created with sand and/or granulated recycled tire rubber or other infill  materials that provide the necessary stability, uniformity, and  resiliency. Each blade customarily stands above the infill material. The  typical blade length and system characteristics are determined by the  specific activity requirements. In some cases, the synthetic turf system  includes a pad or elastic layer underneath the turf, often in  combination with lower pile height and less infill. 

 Increasing demand for high quality playing surfaces and intense  competition for field accessibility has given rise to a new generation  of synthetic turf systems that replicate the look and feel of lush,  natural grass. While the first artificial turf systems used in the  1960’s and 1970’s were hard, significant advancements have been made  during the past few decades. By the 1990’s, the first synthetic turf  systems with sand and rubber infill were introduced, which dramatically  improved player performance and safety. Today’s synthetic turf, used by  many NFL franchises, as well as member associations and teams of the  Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Fédération  Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the International Rugby  Board and other international sports federations, combines the playing  characteristics, look and feel of natural turf, with the advantages of  increased frequency of usage, extra revenue generation, safety, longer  playing sessions, fewer canceled games, and lowest cost per playing day.  

Synthetic turf is  a smart solution for playing fields and landscape that have become  unsafe and unsightly from overuse or severe climatic conditions. A grass  field simply cannot remain lush and resilient if it is used more than  three to four days a week, or in the rain, or during the months when  grass doesn’t grow. This fact, coupled with an escalating need for  durable fields that accommodate multiple sports teams and activities,  the high cost of maintaining a grass sports field, and the need to  conserve water, have prompted a rising number of schools and parks to  turn to synthetic turf to meet their program needs. Today’s synthetic  turf is designed to simulate the experience of practicing and playing on  the best grass fields.

Demand  has grown to the point where more than 8,000 multi-use synthetic turf  sports fields are now enjoyed in North American schools, colleges, parks  and professional sports stadiums. About half of all NFL teams currently  play their games on synthetic turf and, since 2003, over 70 FIFA U-17  and U-20 World Cup matches have been played on synthetic turf soccer  fields.

ENVIROFILL
We use Envirofill that has anti-microbial  properties which help prevent bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. This  makes it a more hygienic option for sports fields, playgrounds, and any  synthetic turf that man and pets play on.

HYDROCHILL
Evaporating  moisture removing heat, leaving a cooler, more comfortable surface for  families and pets. The ambient temperature does not necessarily dictate  surface temperature . The solar radiation time period, sun’s angle,  cloud cover, wind, and other elements all contribute to the temperature  of the surface.

T- COOL
Cool® Infill
T°Cool® is an eco-friendly solution  that cools synthetic turf by coating the infill to combat the heat and  make the fields cooler, safer, and more playable.

 Synthetic grass for landscape, golf and other recreation is the fastest  growing segment of the synthetic turf market. Over 35 million square  feet of synthetic grass for landscape and recreation use was installed  in 2012. 

Thousands of homes, businesses, golf courses,  municipalities, parks and tourist attractions like Disneyland and Steve  Wynn’s Las Vegas resorts have turned to synthetic grass to provide a  lush, attractive landscape solution that requires minimal resources and  maintenance while saving millions of gallons of water each year. It is  also a smart way to beautify public spaces such as highway medians and  airport landing strips that would otherwise be difficult and expensive  to maintain. Synthetic grass reduces city maintenance costs, freeing tax  dollars for other purposes.

Synthetic  turf also promotes greater utilization of land, as you can do more with  the same space surface than with natural grass. Rooftops once deemed  unusable for high rises and residential buildings can now feature  inviting green area. Hotels that had to restrict the use of lawns for  parties and events can now schedule as many functions as they can book.

Synthetic turf has a measurable, positive impact on the  environment. Depending on the region of the country, a typical grass  sports field requires between 500,000 to a million gallons of water or  more each year. During 2010, between four to eight billion gallons of  water were conserved through its use. According to the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family of  four uses 400 gallons of water a day. Therefore, a savings of four to  eight billion gallons of water equates to the annual water usage of over  27,000 to 55,000 average American families of four.

Tax  credits and rebates are being offered to residential and corporate  users by an increasing number of local governments in light of the  tremendous impact on water conservation. The Southern Nevada Water  Authority estimates that every square foot of natural grass replaced  saves 55 gallons of water per year. If an average lawn is 1,800 square  feet, then Las Vegas homeowners with synthetic turf could save 99,000  gallons of water each year or about $400 annually. In Atlanta,  homeowners could save $715 a year, not including much higher sewer  charges.

The estimated amount of synthetic turf currently  installed has eliminated the need for millions of pounds of harmful  pesticides and fertilizers, which has significant health and  environmental implications. For example, according to the North Carolina  Department of Environment and Natural Resources, polluted storm water  runoff is the number one cause of water pollution in their state, with  common examples including over fertilizing lawns and excessive pesticide  use.

In addition, synthetic turf helps reduce noxious emissions  (the EPA reports that a push mower emits as much pollution in one hour  as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars) and reduces  grass clippings, which the EPA states are the third largest component of  municipal solid waste in landfills.

More than 50 independent and credible studies from groups  such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and statewide  governmental agencies such as the New York State Department of  Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Health and the  California Environmental Protection Agency, have validated the safety of  synthetic turf (see Position Statements to learn more).

Recent highlights include:

• In  October 2010, the California Office of Environmental Assessment  completed its multi-year study of air quality above crumb rubber  infilled synthetic turf, and bacteria in the turf, and reported that  there were no public health concerns.
• In July 2010, the  Connecticut Department of Public Health announced that a new study of  the risks to children and adults playing on synthetic turf fields  containing crumb rubber infill shows “no elevated health risks.”
• The  California EPA released a report dated July 2009 which indicated there  is a negligible human health risk from inhaling the air above synthetic  turf.
• Independent tests conducted by the New York State  Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department  of Health, released in May 2009, proved there were no significant health  concerns at synthetic turf fields.
• In July 2008, a U.S.  Consumer Product Safety Commission staff report approved the use of  synthetic turf by children and people of all ages.

More than 50 independent and credible studies from groups  such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and statewide  governmental agencies such as the New York State Department of  Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Health and the  California Environmental Protection Agency, have validated the safety of  synthetic turf (see Position Statements to learn more).

Recent highlights include:

• In  October 2010, the California Office of Environmental Assessment  completed its multi-year study of air quality above crumb rubber  infilled synthetic turf, and bacteria in the turf, and reported that  there were no public health concerns.
• In July 2010, the  Connecticut Department of Public Health announced that a new study of  the risks to children and adults playing on synthetic turf fields  containing crumb rubber infill shows “no elevated health risks.”
• The  California EPA released a report dated July 2009 which indicated there  is a negligible human health risk from inhaling the air above synthetic  turf.
• Independent tests conducted by the New York State  Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department  of Health, released in May 2009, proved there were no significant health  concerns at synthetic turf fields.
• In July 2008, a U.S.  Consumer Product Safety Commission staff report approved the use of  synthetic turf by children and people of all ages.

 Yes. Crumb rubber infill, made from reclaimed tires, is a popular infill  option for many synthetic turf fields. It has been safely utilized  since being introduced in 1997, and in playgrounds and tracks for much  longer. This resilient material provides enhanced durability and safety.  Its use in synthetic turf sports fields and landscape has also kept  more than 105 million used tires out of landfills. Crumb rubber has been  critically examined and studied since the late 1980’s. Science has  proven it to be safe for children and people of all ages (see Research  and Latest Thinking and Crumb Rubber FAQs to learn more). 

During the summer months on hot sunny days, when synthetic  turf is exposed to direct sunlight, some synthetic turf fields have  reported surface temperatures significantly hotter than the surface  temperature of a natural turf field. In such conditions, many coaches  will schedule practices and games for the cooler times of day, and limit  the number and duration of practices. They will also follow, as STC  advocates, the heat-acclimation guidelines published by the National  Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Some field managers might opt to  water their fields, while others advocate misting the athletes and  keeping them properly hydrated. A misting station normally needs only  five gallons of water per hour based on full use. On a typical day, when  the heat is at its peak for four to six hours, that equals 20 to 30  gallons of water.

MRSA and other staph infections strike due to poor hygiene,  regardless of type of playing surface. That’s because it is spread by  people in close contact with each other, like athletic team members,  healthcare providers and patients, children in day care centers,  military recruits, firefighters, and many other groups. Recent studies  are in agreement. A California EPA report dated July 2009 stated “it is  unlikely that the new generation of artificial turf is itself a source  of MRSA.”

A Penn State University study released in January 2009  found there was no difference in survival rates of staph on natural  grass and synthetic turf surfaces. In addition, it stated that synthetic  turf is not a hospitable environment for microbial activity such as  staph. The issue goes beyond abrasions, since athletes can get cuts on  any playing field – from the most well-manicured or dirt-compacted  natural grass to state-of-the-art synthetic turf fields that are  regularly irrigated and cleaned.

See Research and Latest Thinking to view unfiltered U.S. and  international studies, links to industry resources and new position  statements as materials are developed. 

Made with resilient materials for safety, synthetic turf sports  fields are always ready to play on. Traction, rotation and slip  resistance, surface abrasion and stability meet the rigorous  requirements of the most respected sports leagues and federations.

Made  with resilient materials for safety, synthetic turf sports fields are  always ready to play on. Traction, rotation and slip resistance, surface  abrasion and stability meet the rigorous requirements of the most  respected sports leagues and federations.

Made with resilient materials for safety, synthetic turf sports  fields are always ready to play on. Traction, rotation and slip  resistance, surface abrasion and stability meet the rigorous  requirements of the most respected sports leagues and federations.

So  it’s no surprise that recent studies indicate that the injury risk of  playing on synthetic turf is no greater than natural grass:

Three  2010 long-term studies published by researchers from Norway and Sweden  compared acute injuries on synthetic turf and natural grass. The studies  examined the type, location and severity of injuries sustained by  hundreds of players during thousands of hours of matches and training  over a four to five year period. Many types of acute injuries to men and  women soccer players, particularly knee injury, ankle sprain, muscle  strains, concussions, MCL tears, and fractures were evaluated. The  researchers concluded that the injury risk of playing on artificial turf  is no greater than playing on natural grass;

An analysis by  FIFA’s Medical Assessment and Research Centre of the incidence and  severity of injuries sustained on grass and synthetic turf during two  FIFA U-17 World Championships. According to FIFA, “The research showed  that there was very little difference in the incidence, nature and  causes of injuries observed during games played on artificial turf  compared with those played on grass.”

A 2004 NCAA study among  schools nationwide comparing injury rates between natural and synthetic  turf found that the injury rate during practice was 4.4% on natural  turf, and 3.5% on synthetic turf.

The STC recommends that you hire a team of professional contractors who  are STC members and, if possible, STC Certified members, that you select  with the help of a landscape architect and engineer or independent  consultant. Visit the Buyers’ Guide and Member Directory to help with  your search. 

Synthetic turf sports fields are typically warranted for eight years,  but their life expectancy will depend to a great extent on the amount  and type of usage and the maintenance it receives. When it comes to  landscape uses, synthetic turf can last much longer than fields. 

A synthetic turf field usually has a higher upfront cost, but the  field often pays for itself over 3-4 years, proving to be a highly  cost-effective investment. Synthetic turf fields are typically utilized  for about 3,000 hours of play per year, with no “rest” required, the  equivalent of three to four well-maintained natural turf fields. In  addition, synthetic turf maintenance costs are two to three times less  than natural turf, since no mowing, irrigation or chemicals are needed.  Because of its consistent availability, a synthetic turf field is also a  reliable source of rental revenue for schools and communities.

According  to Cory Jenner, a landscape architecture professional in Syracuse,  N.Y., the cost of installing and maintaining a synthetic turf sports  field over a 20-year period (including one replacement field) is over  three times less expensive per event than the cost of a grass field over  the same period of time. This is because many more events can be held  on a synthetic turf sports field. “Financially speaking, artificial turf  is more cost-effective over time,” Jenner said. This cost per event  advantage is validated by other authorities and field owners.

No, there are a variety of different types of synthetic turf products  and systems. Visit the Buyers’ Guide & Member Directory to browse  synthetic turf manufacturers and system builders. 

 Yes, one of the important advantages of synthetic turf is its ability to  hold up under very heavy use. While natural turf shouldn’t be played on  during or immediately after a rain storm, after the use of pesticides  and fertilizers, or during the months when grass doesn’t grow, synthetic  turf is always ready for play. Regular maintenance is important to  enable synthetic turf to withstand the heavy use that it is often  subjected to. 

 Synthetic turf is U.V. stabilized to provide colorfastness, and the  warranty typically includes a guarantee against fading for a certain  number of years. Be aware of the relative impact that ultra violet rays  can have on the life of your field – the greater the intensity of the  sunlight, the shorter the lifespan of the fiber. Ask the turf vendor for  this information. A field in Texas will not last as long as the same  field in Maine. 

 The STC recommends that you hire a team of professional contractors that  you select with the help of a landscape architect and engineer or  independent consultant. Visit the Buyers’ Guide and Member Directory to  help with your search. 

 While much less time and money is required to maintain a synthetic turf  sports field than a natural grass field, synthetic turf needs to be  maintained to maximize playability and the life of the product. The  STC’s Guidelines for Maintenance of Infilled Synthetic Turf Sports  Fields (available in English and Spanish) provides essential guidance on  proper maintenance techniques and frequency. The Buyers’ Guide and  Member Directory will also guide you to specific service providers. 

 The STC’s member companies are the best source of technical guidance.  Organizations are listed according to the product or service they  provide in the Buyers’ Guide and Member Directory. The STC Resource  Center provides technical guidelines, suggestions for funding a field,  marketing brochures and lots more information – all available for  download without charge. Our website also offers latest research,  position statements and white papers. 

 If you still have questions or require additional information, please  contact us at (443) 640-1067 or office@syntheticturfcouncil.org or use  our online submission form and we will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.