Artificial Grass Infill—Why You Need It

Is artificial grass infill necessary? Some people make the mistake of thinking infill isn’t necessary because artificial grass blades are designed to stay upright. Additional support is not the only reason to install artificial grass infill. Protecting your lawn from UV rays as well as wear and tear is another. That is why Watersavers Turf offers quality artificial grass infills like ZeoFill and WonderFill. Before we dive into all the benefits from infill and why you need it, here are the types of infill we carry:

Types of Artificial Grass Infill

There are a few types of turf infill you can install. One of the more common types of turf infill is silica sand. This gets the job done, and it does not cost a lot of money. You could also use sand that is green in color and coated with an antimicrobial such as WonderFill. WonderFill is environmentally friendly and less abrasive than sand. We also stock ZeoFill which is great for pet areas because it helps eliminate pet odors. Please speak with one of our turf experts to find out which one of our infills is best for your application:

Wonderfill:

• Less Abrasive: This infill is rounded sand that has been coated and colored green. This makes it less abrasive than natural sand and encapsulates dust.
• Antibacterial: This product has an environmentally-friendly antibacterial coating (Arch Biocide). This helps prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria from growing. 

ZeoFill:

• Organic: ZeoFill is actually Zeolite which is a mineral from mother earth. This means it is 100% organic.
• Reduces Odors: ZeoFill stops pet odors before they start by breaking down the ammonia in urine before it turns into a gas. The gas is what causes the foul odor. That is why this product is also used in no-clump cat litter.
• Reduces Temperature: ZeoFill has cooling properties! The natural mineral Zeolite has the ability to absorb water vapors over long periods of time. This in turn cools down turf fibers immediately due to the effect of evapotranspiration resulting in cooler synthetic turf fibers.

Silica Sand:

• Economical: This is a budget-friendly infill that gives stability to your artificial turf fibers.
• Natural: This product is 100% natural, and therefore non-toxic.
• Prevent static electricity build up: Silica sand not only gives stability to your artificial turf fibers, but it also helps avoid the formation of static electricity. Static electricity naturally occurs in products with poor conductivity.

Infill Protects Artificial Turf from UV Exposure

Our synthetic turf products are tested to ensure that they will stand up to UV rays. You can view our certifications and learn all about our testing process. That said, infill protects synthetic turf from UV exposure by adding extra protection to its backing. Since infill protects artificial turf from UV exposure; it extends its longevity. Without it, the lifespan of your turf will be a lot shorter if you leave it out in the sun.

• Why Infill Increases Turf Lifespan: A high-quality weed barrier that is designed to last 20 years would last closer to five years if you just left it out in the sun without additional protection like mulch or ground cover. Turf backing is similar in that it needs additional protection to extend its lifespan. Turf blades are already designed for reducing exposure to UV rays. However, infill adds yet another layer of protection from the sun.
• Fire Safety: Through processes like the smoke density chamber test and radiant floor panel test, we are able to confirm that our products are safe, even when exposed to open flames. Adding an infill further boosts the turf’s fire safety rating. This makes it safer for outdoor and indoor use.
• How Much: One pound of infill sand or sand-like material such as ZeoFill per square foot of turf is usually enough to protect the backing from UV rays.

Infill Adds Weight to Synthetic Turf

Infill adds weight to synthetic turf. This helps it maintain a uniform size and shape. Like carpet, plastic grass naturally contracts and expands in response to changing temperatures. In certain conditions, even high-quality turf that has not been properly weighted with infill will look more like carpeting that needs to be stretched out. Since infill adds weight to synthetic turf, it prevents this from happening. This added stability makes the turf less responsive to temperature shifts. The following are key points to understand about how infill adds weight to synthetic turf:

• Ideal Uses: When you install plastic grass over a permeable surface, like soil, you can decrease contraction or expansion further by adding infill on top of a grid pattern of nails. Adding infill is even more important when installing the turf over concrete or a similar surface where nails cannot be used. You need to add weight to keep the overall size and shape of your turf consistent.
• How Much: We recommend 1.5 pounds of infill per square foot of turf. This will add sufficient weight to keep your artificial grass uniform.

Infill Adds Support to Artificial Grass Blades

It is also important to know that infill adds more support to artificial grass blades. Even though we test our products to ensure they remain durable and upright, a lot of foot traffic can mat down the blades over time. When you add infill to support artificial grass blades, this happens less often. That means you do not have to spend as much time brushing or brooming them back into place. Since infill adds support to artificial grass blades, using it reduces the amount of lawn maintenance.

• Adding Ballast: When you add “ballast” or support to your lawn, the fibers “remember” their original, upright positions more reliably. This makes them less vulnerable to wear patterns.
• Key Uses: Any lawn people spend time on benefits from extra support. That said, it is especially important to add extra support to other areas such as sports fields. Sports fields get a lot of wear and tear. However, so do commercial properties that receive heavy foot traffic. Infill is great for these of areas as well.

Artificial Turf Infill Applications

When it comes to adding support to a lawn, different types of surfaces require different turf infill applications. You must account for a wide range of factors. A lawn that gets constant foot traffic will need a different turf infill application than one that people rarely walk on. The following guide to turf infill applications offers some helpful basic tips:

• Home Lawns: Your backyard will not get as much traffic as a football field. It only needs 1.5 pounds per square foot of turf to add the needed support.
• Sports Fields: Athletic fields need anywhere from 3 to 12 pounds of infill per square foot based on the type of turf product installed. This helps the blades stand up to intense game play.
• Playgrounds: Playgrounds get a lot of foot traffic, but children will exert less force over your blades than a football player. That is why 1.5 to 3 pounds per square foot is a good general rule for playgrounds.
• Rule of Thumb: Again, you have to account for many factors when choosing the proper amount of infill for a high-traffic area. In general, you should install enough so only ½” to ¾” of the turf fiber is exposed. That is why it pays to discuss your plans with our team. They will help you calculate the right amount based on the type of infill you are using and the type of turf you are installing.

To learn more about the benefits of artificial grass infill, head to one of our SF Bay Area locations. Our team will gladly answer your questions. They will also be happy to offer free 1’ x 1’ turf samples.

If you are not from the area, just call us at 844-974-8873 with your questions and ask about our free estimates and delivery options. If you have any questions about installing artificial grass, we have a detailed online guide.