I remember during my teaching days when the headteacher announced that parts of the physical education area/field would be resurfaced with Astro Turf. That was the first time I was hearing about astro turf but since then, my eyes have been opened.
Are you also perplexed by the several names for artificial grass? It’s understandable if you are—many other names have been used through the years.
Although the terms “Astro Turf” and “artificial grass” are often used interchangeably, each phrase refers to a different type of synthetic grass. Turf is a term used to designate shorter sporting grass. Landscape grass, which is longer and fluffier, is formally referred to as artificial grass.
Artificial grass
Nowadays, artificial grass is the most commonly used ‘umbrella’ phrase to describe all types of created grass. However, it is also interchangeable with other terms such as:
- synthetic grass
- fake grass
- artificial turf
Artificial grass is the “great looks” side of the equation, where artificial turf is action-oriented. That isn’t to say that these lengthier, softer items aren’t just as robust; they’re also meant to be as attractive as possible. We call it “grass,” but it’s actually made up of three parts.
The first important thing to remember is that not all synthetic grass is created equal. The quality and worth of the finished product are determined by the materials and workmanship employed in the manufacture. Professional installation ensures the longest possible life and performance.
Astro Turf
One of the most prevalent terms for Artificial Grass is ‘Astro Turf.’ It is a corporation based in the United States that distributes artificial grass and specializes in huge sports fields and training facilities. This includes school playing fields and other recreational areas.
However, Astro Turf has absolutely little presence in the United Kingdom, and the name Astro Turf has altered slightly since the 1990s. Astro Turf is now commonly used as an umbrella term for sand-filled Artificial Grass football and hockey fields.
Sports-specific Astro Turf is tough, tough, tough. It must be to resist the volume of running feet, cleats, and grinding plant-and-turn motions made by players during a fast-paced game. It is also far safer than natural grass, decreasing injuries in all conditions and allowing play to continue even when the ground is wet.
When we think of sports and grass, we think of large play fields and teams of players. We’re talking about specialized installations like putting greens in the backyard, bocce ball courts, and even tennis courts.
Comparison to natural grass
As you can see, from a distance, it seems almost identical to genuine grass, but it is not. Artificial grass is a rougher surface than natural grass. This means that if you fall, your body will have more contact with the surface, increasing your chances of being scraped or burned.
Where else can I use artificial grass?
Artificial grass is ideal for keeping gardens, fields, and playgrounds green all year, but it may also be used in a variety of other places. Have you thought about installing fake grass in your home? Artificial grass can help you bring the outdoors in and give a pleasant splash of color to any home, whether you install it as a full carpet for an outside feature/football-inspired area or simply utilize a couple of patches as accent pieces.
We use artificial grass to mark off a little area of our garden. It allows us a little spot where we don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn. We find that this is a frugal thing to do. It is ok for us to use it all year round and we even use our lawn chairs and table and chairs there. It serves us well and we love it, especially when we have the sunshine to enjoy.
So what has been your experience with using any form of Astro Turf or other artificial grass? Let us know in the comment section below.
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