Even though baseball is still considered the national pastime, football is the most popular sport in the U.S.  There is never a shortage of participation in football at all levels, from peewee football to high school and college football.  The NFL has the highest revenue and highest average attendance of any single professional sports league in the world and the Super Bowl is the most watched televised sporting event in the U.S. each year.  Clearly, football is a major part of American sports culture.

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While football is traditionally played on natural grass, more facilities, high schools, colleges, and NFL stadiums are using artificial turf for their football fields.  Artificial turf technology has come a long way since its inception in the s as it is more versatile, durable, and safer for athletes than previous versions of turf and even natural grass.  If you want to switch the football fields at your school or facility from natural grass to artificial turf, you will need to purchase football field turf that best suits your needs and budget.

Artificial football field surfaces are systems that consist of fibers that mimic grass, infill which fills in the space between the fibers like soil, and the backing system that secures the fibers and infill and allows for proper drainage.  At Kiefer USA, we provide and install artificial football field turf that offers high performance capabilities while improving athlete safety.  In this guide, we will help you learn more about the features of artificial turf as well as the football field turf products we offer.

History of Artificial Turf in Football

Artificial turf was first used in at the Houston Astrodome for Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros.  This turf, known as AstroTurf, consisted of a dense nylon carpet with short fibers and a closed-cell elastomeric foam pad installed between the surface and a compacted soil base.  While AstroTurf rose in popularity in the s and s because it was durable, consistent, and easier to maintain than natural grass, it was also a hard surface that made it difficult for athletes to make sharp turns.  Being tackled on this hard surface led to injuries for football players.

By the late s, AstroTurf was disappearing from football fields because of the high risk of injuries.  Second generation artificial turf was developed in the mid-s and featured longer fibers on the carpet surface, silica sand infill that made the fibers stand up like natural grass, and a shock-absorbing pad beneath the carpet.  However, this type of turf was not commonly used for football fields.  Third-generation turf that consists of fibers made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon and shock-absorbing rubber crumb infill appeared in the late s and has been used for football fields at all levels ever since.

Artificial Football Field Turf System

Artificial turf systems for football fields consist of three main components: fiber, infill, and backing.  When looking to purchase football field turf for your school or facility, it is important to understand what each of these elements are and how they form a safe, durable, and high-performance playing surface.

Fiber

The fibers are the part of the artificial turf surface that act as natural grass blades.  They are typically made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon and they are tufted into the backing.  These materials are chosen for the fibers to create a surface that has high resilience, superior durability, temperature stability, and low skin friction.

The following are the main types of fibers used for artificial turf surfaces:

• Monofilament: Monofilament fibers are solid, single-strand fibers made to look like real individual blades of grass. These fibers are designed to stand up straight and give natural ball-to-surface characteristics including ball roll and ball bounce.
• Slit-film: These fibers are fibrillated to create a net that helps keep the infill in place. They can also absorb heavy impacts from kicks, tackles, and slides.
• Hybrid: Hybrid systems contain both monofilament and slit-film fibers that offer the resilience of monofilament with the impact absorption and infill encapsulation of slit-film.

Infill

The infill is the layer of the turf system that acts as the dirt.  It typically consists of ground recycled rubber, polymers, or organic materials that provide a shock absorbing layer.  The purpose of the infill is to absorb impacts and help the fibers stand up straight like natural grass.  It plays a crucial role in the performance, safety, and energy restitution of the turf field.  The more infill there is on the field, the safer the surface.

The following are the three main types of infill systems:

• Three-layer: This infill system consists of three layers, a base layer of sand, middle layer mixed with sand and rubber, and a top layer with larger pieces of rubber. The interlocking properties of the rubber and sand in the middle layer create a stable surface with excellent energy restitution.
• Two-layer: This system consists of a layer of sand at the base and a top layer of rubber. Two-layer infill provides firmness and shock absorption.
• Low infill: Low infill systems consist of a pad at the base that is constructed of thatch. These systems may have a small amount of rubber infill or none at all.

There are several options when it comes to the type of infill material for your turf system.  The following are the main types of infill materials:

• Cryogenic SBR rubber: Cryogenic styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) consists of recycled rubber that is ground in a mill. After being ground, the smooth particles are separated and frozen at a temperature of -112 degrees Fahrenheit, which creates a material similar to glass.  This material is then processed through a specialized mill that cuts it into smooth, rounded particles.  The round shape of the particles allows for consistent drainage, and it connects well with silica sand which provides excellent energy restitution.
• Ambient SBR rubber: This type of rubber is processed through a high-power mill that creates granules of inconsistent shape.
• Natural infills: This infill consists of natural or organic materials such as granulated cork, olive cores, and coconut peak. Natural infills require a shock pad underlayment to provide shock absorption.
• Post-industrial recycled rubber: Post-industrial recycled rubber is an alternative to SBR that is produced with reclaimed post-industrial materials such as shoe grind material. The performance, safety, and durability of infill is similar to that of SBR.
• Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE): TPE consists of a mix of polymers that have similar performance, safety, and durability characteristics as SBR infill.

Backing and Drainage

The backing is the base of the entire turf system that holds the fibers in place and allows for drainage beneath the turf.  The fibers are tufted into the backing which is then coated to keep the fibers in place.  There are two main types of backing:

• Perforated backing: Coating is applied to cover the entire backing and holes are punched in the coating to allow water to drain. The amount of holes punched allows for quick drainage.
• Finger-unit backing: For this type of backing, the coating is applied only to the areas where the fibers are tufted. The uncoated sections are porous and allow for faster drainage than perforated backing.

What to Consider When Buying Football Field Turf

When looking for football field turf for your facility or school, you should first have a good idea of your needs and budget.  Artificial turf that is used for football fields should provide stability, shock absorbency, and energy restitution.  You should also consider more practical things like the appearance of the turf and drainage capabilities.

When choosing football field turf, consider the following:

• Durability: It is important to consider durability and choose a turf surface that can withstand the climate and the sport of football. A good artificial turf surface should last between 8 and 10 years.
• Appearance: The appearance of the turf is another thing to consider as turf with a higher density of fibers looks lush and full. You can also customize the turf with the colors and logo of your school or facility.
• Drainage: The turf should be able to provide good drainage. If you are in a climate with a lot of rain, you must ensure that the turf has excellent drainage qualities.
• Pile height: You should consider the height of the fibers as football fields are recommended to have a pile height of about 2-3 inches.
• Regulations: If the field will be used for competition in leagues such as high school football or the NCAA, the field must meet the regulations of the league, including dimensions, pile height, performance, and safety.

Mondo Unite FTS3 Artificial Turf System from Kiefer USA

Kiefer USA along with Mondo set out to create an innovative artificial turf system that reproduces the characteristics of a well-maintained natural grass playing field to be used for football.  The result is the Mondo Unite FTS3 Turf System that provides exceptional biochemical conditions for games and practices.  This is the world’s only turf system that surpasses the benchmarks of the best natural grass fields in terms of performance and safety.

The Mondo Unite FTS3 Turf System consists of the following:

• Dual XN fibers: The Dual NX fibers combine XNOVA monofilaments with 4XN monofilaments.
• Ecofill Rebound: The patented Ecofill Rebound consists of thermoplastic rubber granules for maximum performance.
• Unite Thermo-Bonded artificial turf carpet: The multi-layer carpet fuses to the fibers through a thermo-bonding process.
• Fine Tune System shock pad: The underlayment is made from granules of post-consumer rubber that provide a uniform elastic response for excellent shock absorption and drainage.

Ecofill Turf Infill

The Ecofill Turf infill was created by Mondo to provide the closest performance, feel, and safety as a natural grass field.  They found that Ecofill was the best option to achieve these results. The following are the main features of the Ecofill Turf infill:

• Enhanced safety: Ecofill has consistent resiliency and efficiently absorbs impact which allows players to pivot, plant, turn, twist, and accelerate without getting stuck in the turf. The dimensional memory of the Ecofill offers excellent energy return.
• Enhanced performance: Ecofill provides a perfect energy return that allows the athlete to accelerate, plant, pivot, and turn to the best of their ability.
• Less radiant heat: Traditional black rubber granules can increase radiant heat from the field by up to 79.8%, increasing athlete fatigue and discomfort. Ecofill does not radiate nearly as much heat.
• Low migration: Ecofill is more dense than regular infill which reduces granule migration for a more uniform and stable surface.
• Environmentally green: Ecofill consists of 95% recyclable materials and is free of PAHs, heavy metals, and amine aromatics.

Classic Infill

The classic infill is the affordable, traditional rubber infill that has the following features:

• Excellent durability
• Rubber granules and sand are a size and shape that helps prevent compaction
• Granules are virtually non-abrasive to athletes
• The contaminants have been removed from this infill during the granulation process
• Conforms to ISO high production and quality standards
• Dust free
• 60% shock absorption
• 100% post-consumer recycled granules

Fine Tuned System Underlayment

The Fine Tuned System underlayment is made from ground recycled tires encapsulated in polyurethane between two polyester layers.  This underlayment has the following features:

• Uniform and controlled playing surface: The Fine-Tuned System revolutionizes turf underlayment by preventing compaction and granule migration. This ensures consistent biomechanical field characteristics over time, offering exceptional shock absorption and energy return for top athlete performance while maintaining safe impact conditions.
• Superior drainage: This underlayment has 50% more drainage capacity than traditional underlayment due to its unparalleled vertical drainage rate, lateral transmission, and water retention rate.
• Environmentally friendly: The FTS granules, coated with polyurethane and bound together, form a durable porous structure that safeguards athletes and the environment from harmful substances found in black rubber recycled tire granules.

Shaw Sports Turf

Shaw Sports Turf have developed a range of products that prioritize both performance and safety. Their turf systems have been designed specifically to cater to the needs of athletes and sports programs. From fibers and padding to infill materials, they offer various options that can be customized to meet the unique requirements of the customers. Whether you need a turf system that enhances performance or one that prioritizes safety, Shaw Sports Turf has you covered.

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Turf Nation

Turf Nation produces high-quality synthetic turf systems that are ideal for various sporting events, including football, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, and rugby. Their products are used by a wide range of users, from professional franchises (such as 13 NFL teams) to collegiate programs, major arena leagues, local high schools, and municipalities. Whether you need a synthetic turf system for intense professional matches or casual games at your local park, Turf Nation has the perfect solution for you.

Contact Kiefer USA

Kiefer USA is an industry leading supplier and installer of artificial turf for football fields at all levels, including the NCAA and NFL.  We can work with you to install our innovative Mondo Unite FTS3 Turf System at your facility for a safe, consistent, and high performing playing surface that is ideal for football.

Contact Kiefer USA at (800) 322- for more about our options for football field turf products and installation.

The Guide to Building Your First Artificial Turf Field

The Guide to Building Your First Artificial Turf Field

You’ve decided to convert your natural grass field to artificial turf? That’s great news! We applaud your decision to offer your program a surface that delivers consistent playability, player- safety and is environmentally friendly.

So, what’s next? How do you get started?

• Fundraising: To move forward, you’ll need the necessary funds to launch your project. You can raise funds through various avenues like your booster club, alumni, grants, advertising, or partnerships. Did you know you can even finance your field with our Tarkett Sports Financial program?

• Design your dream field: This guide can help you evaluate what type of field is right for you.

• Find your FieldTurf Expert: We have a team of leading experts to guide you through the process. Find your expert here.

So, what type of field is right for you? Most would think all artificial turf is the same, “green-side up, please,” but that’s the furthest from the truth. There are numerous manufacturers that each deliver a variety of different systems. Let’s start with the basics: fiber, infill, and backing:

Want more information on Recycled Football Field Turf? Feel free to contact us.

TIP: Take note of “KEY QUESTIONS” to ask throughout the guide.

Fiber

Primarily made from polyethylene, the fibers act as the individual grass blades found in a natural grass field. These fibers are tufted (“stitched”) into a carpet or backingt. The carpet is packaged in rolls, and delivered on-site for assembly of the field.

The ideal fiber should showcase low skin friction, superior durability, high resilience, and temperature stability.

KEY QUESTION: Ask your supplier if they manufacture their own fiber and if they have test reports attesting to the fibers’ quality/durability.

Simple enough? But wait, there are several different types of fibers.

• Monofilament: “Mono,” a prefix that means “one, only, single,” relates toone individual fiber blade. It’s the most grass-like as it’s designed to stand up straight. These types of systems are visually appealing and deliver natural ball-to-surface characteristics (ball-roll, ball-bounce), making them a popular choice for sports like soccer, lacrosse, and even football.
• Slit-Film: These wider fibers are fibrillated to create a net or “honeycomb” which is designed to lie over and encapsulate the infill, while absorbing heavy use from kicks, drags, tackles and slides. These systems are designed to be tough and deliver optimal agility.
• Hybrid: With a combination of monofilament fibers and a slit-film fiber, hybrid systems are designed to provide fiber resilience while encapsulating the infill. It’s the best of both worlds. Due to the variety of fibers, these systems deliver a full, lush look.

KEY QUESTION: Ask if the two fibers are tufted in the same stitch. This new method is preferred for long-term aesthetics. If they’re tufted separately, the slit-film fiber can lay over while the monofilament will stand straight creating a visual of unevenness and waving in the field.

Did you know that by using the SmartBuy Cooperative Purchasing Program, the procurement process is simplified to a quick four-step process rather than the traditional method, which takes thirteen (or more) steps? Ask us about cooperative purchasing.

infill

If the fiber replicates the blades of grass, the infill acts as the…? You guessed it, the soil or dirt. Why is there a need for infill? Like in a natural grass system, you play in the soil and not on the grass. Infill is the cushioninglayer of the turf system which absorbs the impact of falls. More infill will lead to better shock absorption.

Infill plays a vital part in performance, safety, and energy restitution. Selecting an infill system that is heavy and stable is critical in giving your athletes long-term and consistent safety. Extensive research and studies have proven that a minimum of 3 lbs. of sand + 3 lbs. of rubber, for a total of 6lbs. per square foot, is required to ensure that your field meets the safety threshold. Do your research.

The recipe is simple: More infill = Increased safety. There are three popular types of infill systems:

• The three-layer: The system is built with a base layer of sand, a middle layer of sand and rubber, and a top layer of larger rubber. As the material properties of the rubber and sand in the middle layer interlock, the system offers added stability and energy restitution. Traditionally the heaviest system per square foot, the three-layer constructionoffers leading safety prevention. A proven system over the past 20 years, the three-layer system hasproven experience.
• The two-layer: This homogeneous infill system consists of a base layer of sand and a top layer of rubber to provide the optimal firmness required for athletic performance while providing proper shock absorption. A proven system over the past 20 years, the two-layer system has a dependable track record.
• The low infill: These systems are built on a pad and utilize a simple design, re-engineered with new age technology to offer an alternative surface solution constructed with thatch and either little rubber or completely rubber-free. This option can be the right choice for a variety of facilities depending on needs.

Here are the guidelines to follow to build a safe field:

1. Demand infill weights from every turf company.
2. Establish your infill weight minimums and have them written in the specifications. Make sure it’s at least 6 lbs of infill per square foot.
3. Don’t just list volume or weight ratios – you don’t want companies cutting corners. Make sure the actual weight of sand and rubber is specified.

KEY QUESTION: Ask for independent safety research to validate the system’s safety. Do your research, trust the science, and don’t sacrifice on safety*

infill Options

When selecting your infill material, there are many options and categories, all with their own distinct benefits and drawbacks. The standard choice of infill material is styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which is primarily obtained through recycling the rubber in car tires. Two types of SBR rubber are created through unique processes:

• Cryogenic SBR Rubber: The premier option of the two solutions, cryogenic SBR rubber is first ground through a mill, and then the smooth particles are separated from the rougher particles. Once separated, the rubber is first frozen to a temperature of below -80 degrees Celsius (-112 degrees Fahrenheit,) creating a glass-like material which is processed again, this time through a specialized mill that cuts the frozen rubber into small, smooth and rounded particles. Cryogenic SBR rubber offers numerous benefits. Due to its round shape, the infill facilitates a consistent flow of water through the system, limiting the risk of infill migration caused by air bubbles in the system. Cryogenic SBR rubber connects effectively with silica sand to deliver premier energy restitution back to the athlete..

• Ambient SBR Rubber: During the grinding phase, ambient rubber is simply processed through a high-powered rubber mill. The result is granules that may be inconsistent in shape, with some appearing more jagged than others. Both cryogenic and ambient SBR rubber offer customers a quality system that has been tested, proven, and utilized in thousands of installations around the world.

Alternative & Natural Infill Options

There is a wide array of infills for programs interested in alternative solutions to styrenebutadiene rubber (SBR). Before exploring options, it’s essential to review the key questions to ask when researching “alternative solutions”:

• Does the infill require additional irrigation?
• Does the system require the installation of an underlayment “shock pad”?
• Does the infill require additional maintenance?
• What's the lead time for the delivery of the material?
• What's the increased cost vs styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)?

Let’s explore alternative solutions:

Natural Infills: These systems are produced using natural or organic materials, often helping divert waste from landfills. All natural infills will require the installation of an underlayment “shock pad” under the system to provide the proper shock absorption. Natural infills can be made from granulated olive cores, corn, coconut peat, cork, and more.

Post-Industrial Recycled Rubber: The systems are produced using reclaimed post-industrial materials from various sources to create an alternative solution to SBR. A popular option is shoe grind material, created using excess/waste materials from leading shoe manufacturers. These infills will deliver similar performance, safety, and durability characteristics to the traditional styrene-butadiene rubber infill.

TPE - Thermoplastic Elastomer: TPE is made from a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers and will also deliver similar performance, safety, and durability characteristics to the traditional styrenebutadiene rubber infill. Selecting a high-quality TPE can come at an expense but is crucial to ensure it can withstand rigorous mechanical wear and weathering.

Backing and Drainage

Why is the choice of backing so important? As the rows of fibers are tufted in the backing, they need to be coated to secure them in place. Your choice of coating application can lead to improved drainage results.

There exists two types of coating / backing systems:

• Perforated Backing: The coating is applied across the entire backing and then holes are punched to let water out drain through when it rains. The thousands of hole allow for quick drainage.
• Finger-Unit Backing: The coating is only applied on the rows where fibers are tufted, leaving the rest of the backing completely porous for drainage. This method allows for ultra-quick drainage.

Depending on your budget, the region you’re in, and the use that you’re aiming to get out of your field, it may be worthwhile to invest in a superior drainage system. The right drainage system will ensure that your field can be used at all times—allowing you to maximize your investment. You don’t want to convert from a natural grass field that doesn’t drain to a turf field that doesn’t drain.

The recipe is simple: Better drainage = More field use

Remember, when you’re building your field, you’re in control. Set the proper minimums to ensure every supplier adheres to your guidelines. Plan for long-term durability and don’t sacrifice on safety.

For more information, please visit Artificial Grass For Gyms.