Several things contribute to what makes a perfect turf installation. Choosing the right infill material and installing the right quantity of the material is undoubtedly a critical element to achieving the right look and feel of your turf as well as ensuring its longevity.
What is Turf Infill?
Professional installers will sprinkle bits of material between artificial grass blades. This material is the turf infill, and it serves a critical purpose. That turf infill is so important is why you may need to top it up at least once a year as part of your maintenance routine. Check out our other blog post 6 Top Reasons to Add Sand Infill to Your Artificial Grass.
Why Infill is Important
Infill keeps the artificial grass blades standing straight up. This support gives your turf that natural look, without which the grass will lay down and, over time, look matted. Matted turf doesn’t look appealing, and it is undoubtedly a good time to replace your artificial grass when your turf mats and flattens.
The infill also helps to weigh down your turf. With enough infill, you don’t ever have to worry about your synthetic turf getting moved around, even on the windiest days or when subjected to heavy foot traffic.
Turf infill also helps to protect the artificial grass blades, as well as the fabric mesh anchoring the blades. Without the infill, the blades would get easily get damaged over time, causing them to fall out.
Additionally, infill creates a cushion in the turf, which is responsible for the feel and bounce in the grass as you walk on it.
Other benefits of turf infill include promoting proper drainage, preventing pet odour, and discouraging the growth of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Infill also helps to
What Turf Infill Options are Available?
The most common infill types are as outlined
- Rubber
- Crumb Rubber
- EPDM Rubber
- Zeolites
- Zeofill
- Zeolites Max
- Sands
- Silica Sand
- Durafill Sand
- Envirofill
How to Choose the Right Infill
Choosing from among the available options may get overwhelming as each has its pros and cons, and some options certainly check off more requirements than others. Ultimately, what may be the best choice for you may not be the right pick for someone else, depending on several factors.
The first consideration is where you are installing the artificial grass. Zeolites and durafill, for example, are great for artificial grass on pet runs. These infill options not only have great drainage properties, but they perform excellently at neutralising and eliminating the smell of pet waste. Additionally, durafill has an antimicrobial coating, which prevents the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that may cause diseases for your furry friends and kids. Again, you want to avoid infill that gets too hot in the sun, as it would be too uncomfortable for anyone, including pets, to even go near the hot turf.
Further, consider your local climate. In areas such as Perth, where summers are hot and dry, you will want to go for the coolest option. On the other hand, Zeofill, which is highly porous and has excellent drainage, is a great pick if you live in an area that receives a lot of rain.
Price also varies across the different options, and you must consider your option. Rubber infills are cheaper, while sands and zeolite are pricier. Of course, you should not consider the price in isolation but instead, think of the value for money.
Get Expert Advice
Not sure which is the best infill for your artificial grass? We are here to help. Let us know where you intend to install the synthetic turf, your goals, and your budget, and our team of experts will gladly help you narrow down your options and find the most suitable turf infill for your installation.
