Artificial turf FAQ-knowledge Guide

What is Artificial Grass?

Artificial turf is a type of artificial grass made from environmentally friendly synthetic fibers. By mimicking the shape and color of natural grass, combined with an underlying cushioning and drainage system, it forms a durable and realistic ground cover material. Originally used in sports, it is now widely integrated into everyday life scenarios such as courtyards, landscaping, and commercial spaces, providing a year-round green visual effect and practical functionality.

Why Choose Artificial Grass?

Artificial turf is chosen primarily because of its low maintenance and high adaptability. It requires no watering or fertilization, saving time and resources in the long run; it also boasts excellent durability, withstanding sun and rain, maintaining its appearance even with frequent use. Furthermore, it is water-saving and environmentally friendly, suitable for various climates and terrains, and can be flexibly laid from home gardens to sports fields, providing a beautiful, practical, and sustainable ground solution for modern life.

Basic knowledge of artificial turf

1. How is artificial turf made?

Artificial turf is made by melting plastic granules, drawing them into grass fibers, weaving them onto a base fabric using a tufting machine, then applying adhesive to fix them, drying and trimming them, and finally rolling them into rolls.

2. What are the suitable applications for artificial turf?

Artificial turf has a wide range of applications, from professional sports fields such as football and rugby, to residential courtyards and balcony gardens, and even public and commercial spaces such as shopping mall greening, school playgrounds, and exhibition setups. Due to its durability and evergreen nature, it can also be used in special areas where traditional turf is difficult to grow, such as rooftop terraces, indoor stadiums, and regions with extreme climates.

3. What are the categories of artificial turf?

Artificial turf can be categorized by use into sports turf and landscaping turf; by grass fiber type into straight grass, curved grass, and a combination of both (straight and curved); and further, by infill method into infill and non-infill types.

How to choose artificial grass?

1. What are the materials used for artificial turf fibers?

The core materials of artificial turf are mainly divided into three types:

• PE material: The fibers are soft and elastic, highly wear-resistant, and feel similar to natural grass, making it the preferred material for sports fields. However, it has relatively low hardness and is prone to flattening when used alone, so it is often mixed with other materials for weaving.

• PP material: The fibers are highly rigid, not easily deformed, and relatively inexpensive, making it suitable for landscaping. However, it has poor elasticity and a firm feel underfoot, making it unsuitable for sports fields.

• Nylon material: Extremely durable, with outstanding UV resistance and abrasion resistance, and a lifespan of over 15 years. However, it is expensive, and the fibers are relatively stiff, generally used in professional sports fields or high-frequency public areas.

 2. Is higher grass fiber always better?

Higher grass fiber height is not necessarily better. Typical grass fiber heights are 10/20/25/30/40 mm. For landscaped areas, 40 mm is generally chosen, while for sports areas, 20 or 25 mm is usually preferred.

3. How to judge the quality of artificial turf? What parameters should you look at?

Check the grass fiber weight, fiber density, backing adhesive process, and certifications. Thicker grass fibers mean greater durability. Higher fiber density results in a fuller turf that is less likely to show through the backing fabric. High-quality turf uses styrene-butadiene latex or PU backing adhesive, which is less prone to peeling. Check for authoritative certifications such as SGS and CE to ensure safety, especially for families with children and pets.

How is artificial turf installed?

1. How should the foundation be treated?

First of all, the foundation treatment needs to be adapted to local conditions. The degree of foundation treatment, how much garbage is transported away, and how much sand and gravel are backfilled are directly related to the quality of the project, and the water content is very high;

2. Do artificial turf need infill?

Not all turf needs infill; it depends. Sports turf must be infilled with silica sand to hold the grass fibers in place and prevent them from flattening; it also needs rubber granules to increase cushioning, reduce injury during exercise, and improve foot feel. Landscape turf requires no infill or only a small amount of silica sand.

3. How to avoid weeds growing on the edge as much as possible?

During construction, a layer of quick-setting concrete can be sprinkled on the edge. After the cement hardens, plant growth will be restricted, and weed growth can be controlled to the greatest extent.

4. Why do some lawns have weeds everywhere in the middle?

If the construction is guaranteed, under normal circumstances, there will not be a large number of weeds in the middle, but it is inevitable that there will be occasional weeds.

5. Can weed control mats be used to prevent weed growth?

Weed control mats are not omnipotent. If it is a shoddy project, weed control mats will not work, and weeds will grow sooner or later. And weed control mats will affect the drainage of the site to a certain extent.

How to clean and maintain artificial grass?

1. How to clean artificial turf daily?

Clean promptly and regularly. Use a broom or hair dryer to remove small amounts of fallen leaves and rinse away dust with water. Remove solid feces promptly, rinse the stains with water, and then spray with a special artificial turf cleaner. For stubborn stains, wipe with a diluted neutral detergent, then rinse thoroughly with water. Never use strong acid or alkaline cleaners.

2. Do artificial turf need regular cleaning?

Yes, it must be cleaned regularly. Landscape turf should be cleaned monthly; sports turf weekly; and pet-friendly turf recommended every 3 days.

3. What's the best tool for cleaning artificial turf?

Use a dedicated artificial turf cleaning machine. Its soft, flexible bristles can both comb through flattened grass fibers and deeply clean dust from the roots. If a dedicated machine isn't available, a stiff-bristled broom can be used, but it's less efficient.

4. What to do if artificial turf grass fibers flatten or fade?

Use a scrubbing machine to reverse the grass fibers to restore their upright position. If the flattening is severe, a small amount of silica sand can be added to strengthen the fibers. Fading is mainly caused by poor UV resistance or prolonged exposure to sunlight. If the fading is localized, you can cut turf of the same material for repair; if the fading is widespread, it is recommended to replace the turf. When purchasing, look for turf with UV protection certification, which can effectively delay fading.

5. How long is the lifespan of artificial turf? How to extend its lifespan?

High-quality sports artificial turf has a lifespan of 8-12 years, and landscaping artificial turf has a lifespan of 10-15 years. To extend its lifespan, avoid using sharp objects on the turf. If you find problems such as broken grass fibers or cracked backing, repair them promptly with special glue and repair materials. Regularly check the drainage to ensure smooth drainage and avoid long-term water accumulation.

Is artificial turf really safe and environmentally friendly?

1. Does artificial turf contain formaldehyde? Is it safe for children and pets?

High-quality artificial turf is safe and environmentally friendly, meeting national environmental standards, and contains no formaldehyde or heavy metals. However, low-priced, inferior turf may contain harmful substances, have a strong odor, and pose health risks to children and pets. When purchasing, be sure to check the environmental certification report and smell the turf to see if it has a pungent odor.

2. Will artificial turf absorb heat and become hot in summer?

Artificial turf does absorb heat in summer, but as long as proper cooling measures are taken, it will not affect its use at all. In hot weather, spray the turf surface with clean water. Choose light-colored turf, as it absorbs less heat and has a lower surface temperature. Build a sunshade or plant shade plants above the turf to reduce direct sunlight.

What should you consider first before buying artificial turf?

Before purchasing artificial turf, you must first clarify your core usage scenario and specific needs. This is the foundation for determining all technical parameters. For example, professional fields used for high-frequency sports require focus on grass fiber material, resilience, and abrasion resistance, while home gardens prioritize aesthetics, safety, environmental friendliness, and drainage performance. Only by determining the intended use can you selectively choose grass fiber material, grass density, infill type, and installation site requirements, thereby achieving the best performance within your budget.