Which backing is best for artificial grass?

13 May.,2024

 

A Complete Guide to Artificial Turf Backing: | Turf Distributors

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Artificial turf has revolutionized outdoor landscapes, from residential lawns to sports fields and commercial spaces. At the heart of this transformation lies the backing, a critical component that provides stability, durability, and structural integrity to artificial turf. In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the diverse world of artificial turf backing, exploring its various types and materials, their unique properties, and their suitability for different applications.

Latex Backing

Latex backing stands as one of the most prevalent choices for artificial turf. It comprises a water-based adhesive applied to the underside of the turf, solidifying as it dries. Known for its flexibility and stability, latex backing is an excellent fit for areas with moderate foot traffic, including residential lawns and landscaping projects. Moreover, its affordability makes it a favored option for budget-conscious consumers.

Properties of Latex Backing:

  • Versatility across a range of applications.

  • Solid stability and flexibility.

  • Budget-friendly compared to alternative backings.

Suitability:

Latex backing thrives in residential lawns and landscaping projects with moderate foot traffic. However, it may not withstand heavy foot traffic or extreme weather conditions as effectively as other backing types.

Polyurethane (PU) Backing

For those seeking top-tier durability and resistance, Polyurethane (PU) backing shines as a premium choice. PU backing surpasses latex in terms of longevity and resilience, making it the go-to option for high-traffic areas and challenging weather conditions. Additionally, it boasts superior dimensional stability, ensuring minimal shrinkage or expansion with temperature variations. This makes it an ideal selection for sports fields, commercial landscapes, and any setting demanding peak performance.

Properties of Polyurethane Backing:

  • Exceptional durability and wear resistance.

  • Well-suited for high-traffic areas and extreme weather.

  • Superior dimensional stability.

Suitability:

Polyurethane (PU) backing excels in sports fields, commercial landscapes, and areas with heavy foot traffic or harsh weather conditions, prioritizing durability and stability.

Polyolefin Backing

As eco-consciousness grows, so does the popularity of Polyolefin backing. Crafted from recyclable materials, Polyolefin backing treads lightly on the environment. It offers reliable durability and stability, rendering it suitable for areas with moderate foot traffic. For environmentally aware consumers keen on reducing their carbon footprint, this backing stands as a sustainable choice.

Properties of Polyolefin Backing:

  • Eco-friendly composition from recyclable materials.

  • Offers good durability and stability.

Suitability:

Polyolefin backing shines in moderate foot traffic areas, making it an ideal option for environmentally conscious consumers championing sustainability.

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Polypropylene (PP) Backing

Polypropylene (PP) backing finds its place in the realm of artificial turf due to its outstanding dimensional stability and moisture resistance. Ideal for locales with high humidity or substantial rainfall, PP backing promises exceptional durability and stability. It serves as a reliable choice across diverse applications, encompassing sports fields, commercial landscapes, and playgrounds.

Properties of Polypropylene Backing:

  • Impressive dimensional stability and moisture resistance.
  • Suited for regions with high humidity or heavy rainfall.
  • Good durability and stability.

Suitability:

Polypropylene backing, with its remarkable flexibility and capacity to be woven into sturdy sheets, finds an ideal home in the backing of many artificial grass products. Its versatility ensures good durability and stability, making it a smart choice for areas with moderate to heavy foot traffic.

Dual Backing

Dual backing combines the strengths of latex and polyurethane, offering a powerful composite solution. The turf initially receives a latex layer for flexibility, followed by a polyurethane layer for enhanced durability. This synergy results in excellent stability, durability, and dimensional stability, making dual backing the perfect choice for high-traffic areas and extreme weather conditions.

Properties of Dual Backing:

  • Combines the advantages of latex and polyurethane backing.
  • Provides superior stability, durability, and dimensional stability.

Suitability:

Dual backing excels in areas with heavy foot traffic or challenging weather conditions, delivering the utmost in durability and stability.

Conclusion

The backing of artificial turf is a crucial component that contributes to its stability, durability, and performance. Different types of backing, including latex, polyurethane, polyolefin, and polypropylene, offer various benefits and suitability for different applications. Latex backing is a budget-friendly option for residential lawns, while polyurethane backing provides superior durability for high-traffic areas. Polyolefin backing is an eco-friendly option, and polypropylene backing offers excellent dimensional stability and moisture resistance. Consider the specific needs of your project and consult with a professional to choose the right type of artificial turf backing for your needs.

 

Artificial Turf Backing: What you need to know



What you need to know about turf backing

People often come into our showroom and ask questions about turf backing. For people unfamiliar with turf lingo, turf backing is the material that holds the blades in place. The backing is made out of several different types of material. Its main function is to filter water through the turf. Naturally, this occurs if it rains, or if your turf is near a sprinkler system, or if you have pets. In the next few paragraphs, we will explore the different types of backing.

 

Non-Permeable Backing

This type of backing does not allow water to pass through. It is very common with turf specifically designated for putting greens and bocce ball. Because the turf backing is non-permeable, water will not drain through the turf into the base. Putting green and bocce turf is very dense and requires a large amount of infill, and because of this, traditional drainage technology is very difficult.

Hole-punch backing is the industry standard, however if you were to punch holes in a putting green product, there would be visible chunks of turf missing. Because of this, golf and bocce products remain to use a non-permeable backing.

 

Hole-Punch Backing

As previously stated, hole-punch backing is the industry standard for most turf products. The holes are easy to punch through the turf, and it allows for adequate drainage in most situations. Below the turf is a layer of base rock or decomposed granite, which is where liquids go when drained. This type of backing is standard for all products expect pet turf.

Hole-punch backing is the most tried and true backing for artificial turf. It has withstood years of testing and still remains the most popular kind of backing for almost every type of turf installation

 

 

Flow-Through Backing

The most technologically advanced kind of backing on the market is flow-through. Flow-through backing, similar to MaxxFlow products, allows for 100 percent liquid permeability. The differs from hole-punch backing because instead of flowing through certain spots of the turf, flow-through allows water to drain uniformly through the turf.

Flow-through backing is essential for dog turf installations. When pets urinate, their waste drains straight through the backing and into the base rock. This allows the bacteria in their urine to not linger on the turf, which in turn prevents odors and aesthetic damage. Because of flow-through technology, the products tend to be more expensive, but are far more appropriate for certain types of installations.

 

The Final Verdict: What Kind of Backing is Best?

The truth about choosing the right turf backing is that there is no “best” backing. All of the backings have different applications, and so the best backing really depends on what you’re trying to do. As a whole, flow-through backing provides the best drainage, but if you don’t have pets, it’s not necessary.

What is your experience with the different types of backing in artificial turf? Please leave us a comment and let us know!

 

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