When artificial grass, that is, Astroturf, the kind that was used in stadia, first came into the market, the infill of choice was rubber crumb. Today, synthetic turf is used in different applications, including lining very beautiful front and backyards in residential areas, and no one uses rubber crumb anymore.
Instead, professional artificial grass installers use sand infill. Some installers may advise you against it, just so they can quote a lower installation price and have the edge over the competition. Don’t fall for it, because using sand infill will be well worth the investment.
In this post, we will highlight some of the advantages of using sand infill in your artificial grass installation.
Holding the Grass in Position
The sand infill weighs down your artificial grass, and this extra weight keeps the turf in position. Your lawn will not easily be shifted around or lifted. It helps to avoid folds and wrinkles throughout the length of your synthetic turf.
For this reason, you may not require to install any additional edging around the turf. You only have to lay the grass to follow the contours of your lawn and the edges set out by the concrete, gravel, or fence boards surrounding your lawn. That sand infill holds the grass down makes it a must-have for when you are installing artificial grass in contoured, or uneven surfaces.
Added Security
Another advantage to the extra weight of the sand infill is that your artificial grass will be more secure. Artificial grass, in and of itself, is not too heavy. But when you factor in the added weight of the infill, a burglar trying to steal your artificial turf will have to sweat it out a little to lift and carry away your turf.
An artificial lawn looks very attractive, and many would be happy to have the same on their own yards. Don’t put it past a dishonest person to want to steal yours. The sand infill will not make it an easy job for someone trying to steal your synthetic turf.
A Cooler Lawn
One of the biggest drawbacks of crumb rubber infill and older generation artificial grass in general, was that it would get hot rather quickly. Fortunately, this is nothing to worry about with sand infill as it does, in fact, resolve this problem.
Sand infill reflects sunlight, instead of absorbing it. This helps to keep your artificial grass cool, even on those hot summer days. Couple this with premier-quality artificial grass made with technology to dissipate heat and you can enjoy a cool lawn all year round.
Keep the Fibres Upright
Sand infill adds stability to your artificial grass fibres. Improved stability helps the fibres to stay upright, giving your lawn a neat and presentable natural look. Using infill helps to adjust the bending point of the grass blades, reducing the fatigue effect where the blades lay down more.
Without the infill, the fibres will not be able to remain vertical, and your lawn may look like it’s old and worn out even right after it has been installed.
Improved Drainage
On the backing layer of your artificial grass are drainage holes that allow water to sip and drain through your synthetic turf. Add the sand infill, and it acts as a filter, helping to regulate how water flows through your turf.
The sand infill slows down the water flowing through the backing layer. A slower drain rate ensures that the soil beneath your artificial grass installation can better cope with the water flowing into it.
Increased Fire Resistance
Before buying artificial grass, ascertain that it is tested and certified as fire-resistant. At Perth Artificial Grass, we carry a wide range of synthetic grass varieties that have been certified as fire-resistant. To ensure fire safety, we also recommend that you avoid using a BBQ near your artificial lawn, and don’t throw away your cigarette blunts on the artificial grass lawn.
That being said, sand infill helps to improve your synthetic grass’s fire-resistance. The sand does not burn, which means that, in case of a fire incident, the infill will reduce the fire’s effects on the artificial grass fibers and will not aid in spreading the fire.
Bottom Line
While you can go ahead and have artificial grass installed and not add infill, it is a mistake that will cost you. As outlined, sand infill impacts your artificial grass installation’s aesthetics, drainage properties, fire-resistance, and more. Our team at Perth Artificial Grass will add the right amount of sand infill for the best results.
