Why is there rubber on turf fields? Turf Factory Direct

If you’ve ever been a spectator or a player in a game of soccer or another high intensity field sport like football or baseball, you may have noticed a kind of rubber dust getting kicked up. Why is there rubber on the field? How did it get there? You were most likely at an artificial turf field, and you were probably noticing crumb rubber. Read more…

Starting a lawn overhaul can be a big endeavor, so before you start, you want to make sure that the conditions are right for the replacement. Turf Factory Direct are the experts on turf and can help you navigate the complexities of replacing a lawn.

There are a number of reasons to replace a lawn:

All You Need to Know About Football Turf

Football has one of the largest fan bases countrywide. People tend to concentrate more on the players and forget the field used for playing. The field of play is a significant part of the game because players feel comfortable playing on a well-laid-out turf.

Many NFL players prefer playing on artificial turf compared to natural grass. Currently, 14 NFL stadiums use artificial turf, while the other 16 NFL stadiums use natural grass.

What Is Artificial Turf Made Of?

Artificial turf consists of yarn fibers, or artificial blades, woven through a backing. These blades are commonly made from nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers. The backing may be made of perforated felt, latex, polyester, or polyethylene.

Football turf usually consists of monofilament polyethylene-blend fibers tufted into a polypropylene backing.

What is Football Turf Made of

Below the Surface: Synthetic Turf Field Layers

Properly installing artificial turf usually consists of several layers; an attribute that makes them efficient and durable. Below is an overview of the layers:

1. Turf Sub-Base

This is the surface on which the turf sits. You can install artificial turf on various surfaces, from indoor and outdoor concrete, to soil. Before installation, it is essential to evaluate the base for drainage level, padding, and more.

2. Base of Leveled & Compacted Permeable Aggregates

A synthetic turf field has to be built using a strong foundation. Proper drainage and long-lasting effects will mostly depend on a great foundation. This brings you to permeable aggregates.
To lay a long-lasting turf, you will require a layer of permeable aggregates to fulfill two objectives: helping with the drainage of the field and ensuring that the ground is flat and stable for playing. Drainage pipes may be installed to help in the divergence of water from the field.

3. Shock Pad Technology

Its purpose is to complement and increase the resilience afforded by the turf’s fibers and infill. The pad also ensures a balance between shock absorption and consistent firmness.
The creation of a pad involves molding polypropylene in pattern-textured panels. A correctly molded pad will have channels that drain water beneath it. The interlocking of panels also allows the mitigation of shadowing through the turf and accommodates thermal expansion.

4. Turf Thatch

This is the yarn or fibers that give the artificial turf its plush “grassy” texture. The fibers provide a realistic texture of the turf and color variation for a more natural appearance, in addition to traction.

5. Turf Infill

The infill is made up of granules spread on top of the turf and between the grass blades. Its purpose is to weigh the base down and ensure that the individual blades are upright. An infill also assists in proper drainage and traction. Depending on the need, the infills come in different varieties. If the football field is an indoor facility, it may or may not use infill. Commonly used football turf infills are silica sand, crumb rubber, and acrylic coated silica granules. A part of regular turf maintenance includes adding and redistributing infill occasionally.

Which Is Best Between NFL Turf & Natural Grass?

1. Turf Requires Minimal Maintenance

One benefit of artificial turf is that it requires very minimal maintenance. The cost of tools, supplies, and labor to keep grass alive add up to a significant amount, and makes the initial cost of turf installation seem miniscule.

2. Turf has a Consistent Surface

Constant volumes of foot traffic can create unnecessary pathways on natural grass. It may also cause ruts or bare spots on this surface. Artificial turf is very resilient and readily absorbs the constant pressure of walking, running, and tackling. This is because the turf’s blades usually bounce back and remain upright with regular maintenance.
Additionally, artificial turf absorbs shock, is non-abrasive, and accords anyone using it with proper traction to help prevent injuries. Artificial turf’s versatility, durability, and texture offer an ideal sports surface for playing.

3. Artificial Turf is for Any Climate

Natural grass requires sunlight to thrive and can quickly fade and die when over or under exposed to sun, water, use, and drought. Artificial turf retains its color, texture, and length for a consistent playing surface, regardless of climate.

4. Turf is Durable

Artificial turf can last for 10-15 years with proper turf installation and regular turf maintenance. Artificial turf’s resilience also makes it last twice as long with minimal care. The longevity of these turfs is due to the incorporation of UV- directly into their resin, which keeps them from fading and degrading. This means that installing artificial turf helps save a lot of time and money.

5. Turf is Cost-Effective

What is the average installation cost of artificial turf? When looking to install artificial turf, the cost is the first thing you should consider. This will help you plan your budget correctly. Many factors may go into the overall costs of installing the artificial turf. Below are a few of them:

The Field’s Size: The installation costs will usually depend on the size of the field. A larger field will cost more in comparison to a smaller one.
Climate: Climate may be a huge factor, particularly when considering aspects of drainage and care. It may depend on the amount of rainfall an area receives or the terrain’s state. This means that you may need to put a different drainage system in place to help save time and money by preventing damages.
Materials: While it is relatively easy to calculate the costs of materials, they can vary greatly depending on location. You only need to determine the field size and proceed from there. Some significant facts to note regarding costs include:

Artificial turf costs an average of $2.00 – $5.00 per square foot. This depends on the variety and quality of the turf.
The base to be installed underneath the turf to ensure drainage costs $4.00 per square foot.

The price per square foot of infill ranges from $6.00 to $10.00.
The average artificial turf installation cost for a football field is roughly $8.00 – $20.00 per square foot.

Turf Factory Direct for Quality Football Turf

Considering turf for your football field surface? Turf Factory Direct has a massive selection of artificial turf at prices that suit your budget!

Start browsing our selection of high quality turf or contact us with any questions!

Everyone loves the idea of a lush green lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood. Well-maintained lawns increase the value of a home, and the image of children and pets frolicking through the yard is a charming one.

Understanding How They Change the Logos on Artificial Turf

While watching an NFL or NCAA game, many fans notice the logos, text, lines, or colors on the field change between games to reflect the teams that are playing. Modern-day teams are going all out with the flexibility of artificial turf sports fields to do more than mark the field. For example, it’s common to see sponsor logos, the use of loud colors to replace the traditional green tinge, or the display of specific messages to support different causes.

Many people wonder how they manage to get such clear images on the football field, and how they change between games. Keep reading to find out how field maintenance crew get football turf ready for the big game.

How Do They Change the Logos on Turf Sports Fields Between Each Game?

Let’s begin by dispelling a popular myth. The lines, colors, and images on artificial grass fields are not built-in fixtures. Rather, the turf is painted with lines, logos, and other field markings. These are then removed and repainted for the next game.

It’s easier to remove and replace logos and lines on synthetic grass than natural grass. Unlike natural grass, which has uneven length and colors, and can wilt or become easily damaged, synthetic turf is consistent and durable. This allows you to paint crisp, evenly-shaped logos, lines, numbers, and colors, remove and replace them with relative ease.

To make this possible, field maintenance crews use a water-soluble or chalk paint specifically made for painting turf. When it’s time to change the lines or logos, the turf can be treated with a chemical to loosen the paint then a scrubbing machine agitates the paint to remove it. To scrub it off, the field maintenance crew uses a scrubbing machine that goes over the painted logo several times until every trace is removed.

Next, the field is allowed to dry, the paint chips are raked out, and a new paint job begins.

How do They Paint Logos on Turf Sports Fields? - turffactorydirect.com

How do They Paint Logos on Turf Sports Fields?

There are a number of tools and methods used to paint logos, lines, and markings on turf sports fields. Below are the common methods and pro trips to how you can paint your own turf field to get it ready for game day.

Turf Paint Templates, Stencils, & Guides

The turf painters will use stencils or templates to form any number of logos, letters, numbers, shapes, lines, icons, and designs. These can be a thin sheet of cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, paper, or other material with a pattern or shapes cut out of it, and used to produce the cut design on the surface of the turf below by the application of paint through the holes. They arrange the stencils or templates in an order that reveals the paint design in the spaces between.

The idea is to spray paint over the stencil to reveal a dotted logo outline. These dots must be joined so that each portion of the logo’s distinct shape or color is clearly defined. With a clear outline, you can spray paint into the different parts before allowing it to dry. Having one person hold a board as you spray is advisable to prevent painting over one paint color with a different one.

Prep your stencils beforehand by labeling or numbering their position or color to make laying them out in the correct design easy. If the logo comes with letters, or more simple lines, the best idea is to start by measuring out the lines with a tape measure. Next, tie marking strings in a straight line from end to end to get an outline.

Once you’ve measured out the field and locations for logos and designs, secure the stencil in place with tape or a weight. Measure and section out the surface of the field with string line for perfect alignment.

Turf Paint Machines

Aerosol paint machines are often used when the logo covers a large surface area, such as the turf in football stadiums and baseball stadiums.

For lines, they use a turf paint stripe machine. Some stripe machines use an aerosol can inserted upside down in the middle, or use a striping wheel in direct contact with the surface of the turf.

There are also wands or handheld aerosol paint spray machines. Wands are often attached to a machine that contains the paint. After the outlines are marked, you need to step inside (or stand over) the logo space and fill it in by running the wand in lines until the entire area is covered.

Aerosol Paint Cans

If you’re painting a small area of turf without precise lines, an aerosol can is enough to do the trick. Start by laying out the stencils or templates and paint them over. Next, lift the stencil to reveal a dotted outline, then fill in the paint by spraying the aerosol can.

It’s a good idea to work with a helper. They can help you lift the sketch gently without spilling paint in the wrong places. They can also help hold stencils and templates against the outlines to prevent paint from spreading.

Custom Turf with Logos

Some athletics field management teams opt for custom turfs that feature permanently inlaid logos, believing they are better than painted logos. The problem is that a typical custom inlaid logo for soccer turf costs about $6 to $12 per square foot.

Suppose you’re installing an artificial turf for a football field and want to add a custom inlaid logo. If you’re having different games and different teams playing on the same field or stadium, custom turf with a logo becomes an unnecessary additive to the costs of an artificial turf for a football field.

Even if you can afford it, removing the logo would require removing the entire turf panel or securing another panel of turf on top of it, making your field uneven and more prone to damage.

Additionally, painting over the logo is not recommended, since piling paint on top of paint on any surface is not ideal. The new paint inevitably wears off, and there’s a high chance you won’t be able to cover the old logo completely.

Painting, removing paint, and repainting is more economical. You can differentiate between one team and the rest and help instill pride in the players and fans as often as needed.

Turf Factory Direct for Your Sports Turf

You have higher chances of finding shared sports fields than you would dedicated ones. If that’s the case with yours, you have to keep up with the demands of a shared field, such as differentiating your space from everyone else’s. This could mean removing and replacing logos, lines, colors, and markings between games.

Logos are unique identifiers. They have to be done right every time to keep up with the original logo shape and the color shades. An artificial turf affords you more benefits than natural grass.Turf provides an even and consistent surface, which offers easy painting for attractive lines, logos, and colors, while also helping to conserve water that is normally spent on natural grass. For high impact games like football, the components that make NFL turf make it sturdier. As long as you understand how to maintain your artificial turf field, you’ll have a much easier time applying and removing logos.

Turf Factory Direct is the go-to place for artificial turf. From turf for indoor facilities to putting green turf for your small golf course, to batting cage turf and landscaping turf, we stock high quality turf with pocket-friendly prices. Contact us to order artificial turf from Turf Factory Direct.

The match of the century has arrived—artificial grass vs. natural grass.

To the uninitiated, natural grass might sound like the right choice, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Artificial turf and grass not only successfully simulate the feeling and appearance of grass, they often outperform it in appearance, comfort, durability, and longevity.

Still skeptical? Well, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through it.

Artificial Turf Resources