What Is Artificial Turf Backing and Why Is It Important?

When you imagine a lawn or sports field, you think of the vibrant grass blades. The color blend and the shape of the grass are what you notice with the naked eye. In truth, though, the soil and roots play just as big a role. Grass can’t thrive without what’s beneath it. It’s the same with artificial turf. The surface level looks like real grass, but it is the artificial turf backing that provides stability and holds everything together.   

In fact, innovative technology is behind the design of artificial turf backing. The top layer provides a distinct look and feel. What is below the surface is key to making sure it is safe and durable. Both parts make the product work as it should.  

How Artificial Turf Backing Works

Synthetic turf has dual-layered backing. The primary layer consists of polyester or polypropylene fabric mesh that holds the tuft of grass blades together. The secondary layer is an adhesive backing coated with urethane or latex. This makes the synthetic turf stable and resilient to foot traffic.

The backing also makes the surface of the turf easy to maintain. While a grass field gets messy after rain, a synthetic turf field stays in good shape because the backing provides superior drainage. Most artificial turf products have perforated backings with ample weep holes for water to pass very quickly. Permeability (rate of drainage) can range from 50 inches an hour to over 1000 inches per hour! The other option is a fully permeable backing where liquid drains from any area, making it ideal for pets. 

The Natural Look of Artificial Grass

While artificial turf backing does not need to resemble soil, synthetic grass is useful because it looks like healthy natural grass. The green color and the texture of the blades make it a perfect match for a thriving lawn. The tufts of blades themselves can be a blend of nylon, polyethylene, and related materials. They are available in various shape designs like diamond, W, and U. The painted blades also offer a realistic color and reduce glare. 

The backing holds the blades in place for a uniform surface. A high density of these blades results in a lush and full surface. To find the density level, measure the face weight of the turf. This is the total weight of a square yard of turf minus the weight of its backing. Top quality artificial grass leans towards 80 or more ounces per square yard. 

Another factor of appearance is durability. A heavy-duty surface maintains its original look for a longer time. The degree of durability depends on the type of artificial turf backing. The synthetic grass you choose will often be based on how strong you need it to be. Sports turf, for example, is reinforced for the heaviest wear. Unlike other options, it needs to stand up to impact and traffic. Polyurethane and/or polypropylene make up the strong backing, which is perfect for sports. On the other hand, if you are putting in a lounge area in a yard, you will not need the kind of backing that can stand up to intense gameplay. 

Synthetic Turf Safety Steps

Artificial turf backing not only creates a stable and strong surface, but it also enables that surface to be flame resistant. Two main measurements allow us to assess the fire safety of synthetic turf. One is the flash point. This is the heat at which it will ignite. The other is the fire point. This temperature is higher and indicates the degree at which the fiber would need to remain to continue to burn once ignited. The flash point for polyethylene yarn is above 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This high-temperature rating is why the fire hazard of artificial turf has been rated as minimal by the San Francisco Parks and Recreation department.  

These days, there are no reasons to worry about the safety of synthetic grass. Combined with padding for cushioning falls, it’s even safer than real grass. You can confidently design backyards, playgrounds, and pools with artificial turf to add color and texture to your projects. For more ideas, check out our landscaping trends post. 

On top of that, we at Watersavers Turf only carry the safest products. Stop by one of our SF Bay Area locations to get your hands on free turf samples. You can also give us a call at 844-974-8873 to get more info about what we have to offer. If you would like a better idea of what it would cost you to install fake turf on your property, we also offer free estimates. We don’t just make sure our customers stay safe—we also make sure they stay satisfied!