Purchasing artificial turf for a sports field is a significant investment. This article was created to simplify your decision-making process. We believe that after reading it, you will be able to make a more informed choice and select a surface that perfectly matches your needs, offering the right balance between quality, functionality and price.
Key Factors When Choosing Artificial Turf
When selecting artificial turf, it is important to consider standard quality parameters such as:
- Fiber height
- Tuft density per m²
- Fiber density per m²
- Yarn dtex
- Pile weight per m²
- Total weight per m²
- Tuft pull-out strength
- Water permeability
- Type of backing
In this article, we will focus on the parameters that most influence durability and environmental impact:
- Fiber height
- Tuft pull-out strength
- Fiber thickness
- Type of backing
Fiber Height
Manufacturers offer different pile heights. When making a decision, it is important to consider applicable standards, such as FIFA requirements.
Typical configurations include:
- 40–45 mm turf + thick shockpad + sand + small amount of rubber infill
- 45–50 mm turf + thin shockpad + sand + medium amount of rubber infill
- 50–60 mm turf + sand + rubber infill (without shockpad)
The last option (50–60 mm) often results in lower playing comfort and requires a large amount of rubber infill, which increases maintenance costs due to replenishment. As a result, this solution is becoming less popular.
Based on our experience, the optimal solution is turf with a height of 45–50 mm, which meets FIFA standards and offers the best balance of performance and cost. Approximately 60% of newly installed pitches in Poland use this configuration.
For multi-sport fields, shorter turf (15–25 mm) filled with quartz sand is typically used. Tennis courts usually use turf with a height of 10–18 mm, also filled with sand.
Tuft Pull-Out Strength
Tuft pull-out strength is a key parameter determining durability.
To meet FIFA standards, the minimum value is 30 N. However, this is only the minimum threshold. High-quality turf systems can reach values up to 100 N.
The higher the pull-out strength, the more durable the product. Turf with only 30 N may meet standards but can be prone to fiber loss during player use or maintenance operations.
Woven artificial turf introduces an important innovation. Instead of relying on adhesives, fibers are mechanically interwoven into the backing structure. This results in significantly higher and more stable tuft binding strength that does not degrade over time.
Fiber Thickness
The thickness of a single fiber in sports turf should exceed 2000 dtex, which corresponds to approximately 300–500 microns.
Such fibers are resilient and durable enough for long-term use. Thinner fibers are typically used in decorative turf.
Dtex measures the mass of yarn in grams per 10,000 meters. A higher dtex does not always mean stronger fibers, as it may result from a higher number of thinner filaments rather than thicker ones.
Type of Backing
The backing plays a crucial role in both durability and environmental impact.
Most artificial turfs use latex or polyurethane backing. These materials are not environmentally friendly and prevent full recycling without costly separation processes.
As a result, after the product lifecycle ends, the turf must be disposed of—typically through incineration. This is expensive; for example, disposing of a 2,000 m² field can cost over PLN 100,000 and continues to rise.
Woven turf uses polyolefin-based backing, enabling full material recycling. This not only ensures durability but also reduces long-term costs associated with replacement.
Woven Artificial Turf – Innovation from a Polish Manufacturer
We have outlined the most important factors influencing durability and environmental performance:
- Fiber height
- Tuft pull-out strength
- Fiber thickness
- Backing type
A solution that deserves special attention is woven artificial turf. It is fully compatible with all of the above parameters and offers superior performance.
If you would like to learn more about woven turf or need support in selecting the right solution for your project, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to answer your questions, provide expert advice and, if needed, send samples so you can compare different surfaces and choose the best one for your needs.
