What is Turf Made Of?

Getting sick of dealing with the never-ending maintenance of your grass yard? If you’re located in the central Arizona area, one of the options available to you is installing turf. Crown and Blade Turf serves numerous areas throughout central AZ. The three types of turf Crown and Blade offers are artificial turf, putting green turf, and pet-friendly turf.

To help you choose what the best turf option is for you, it’s important to understand what turf is made of. In just a few minutes, Crown and Blade will help you navigate the ins and outs of considering turf for your Phoenix, AZ, home.

Types of Artificial Grass

Turf can be commonly found in three different types of materials: Polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Here is how these three types of turf materials differentiate themselves from each other:

1. Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a dependable turf choice with advantages and disadvantages. Choosing polyethylene is for those looking for a natural and lifelike appearance that is soft. Polyethylene is known for its ability to withstand foot traffic and heat but is less durable than nylon.

2. Polypropylene

If you think your yard is going to see minimal foot traffic, polypropylene is the turf material option for you. This material performs the best in shaded areas but it’s the least resilient between the three materials turf is known for.

3. Nylon

Nylon turf material is known for being extremely durable. It can withstand heavy loads of foot traffic, more weight, and hot temperatures. The nylon material is the perfect turf solution for sports settings such as putting greens.

What is Infill?

The other component that goes into artificial turf is infill. There are several types of infill, but they are laid out between the blades to help the turf blades stand up straight and to provide proper water drainage. Infill can also be used for an added extra layer of cushion.

Listed below are numerous types of infill and what they are made up of:

• Natural filler. This infill is composed of sticks, leaves, and straw.
• Zeofill. A natural product of infill that is popular amongst pet owners. Zeofill holds pet urine and gas odors until something washes it away.
• Silica and Acrylic sand. Silica sand is known for helping with the sun’s rays and Acrylic sand is known for its antimicrobial properties that stop the spread of bacteria.
• Crumb rubber. Crumb rubber is commonly used as an infill for playgrounds because of its soft cushion for feet and durability. The main downside of crumb rubber is that it gets hot during the summer.
• Walnut shell. Walnut shell is a natural infill known for its drainage properties. What makes the drainage properties different from walnut shells is that it doesn’t expand as water passes over.
• Pea gravel. Pea gravel is a common infill that looks good and provides functionality. The issue commonly found with pea gravel is that it doesn’t stay where it should at times.

How Artificial Turf is Made

Artificial turf is manufactured through a multiple-step process, here is how it is made:

Step 1. Materials are put into a hopper to mix them up.
Step 2. Dyes and chemicals are then added to the hopper for color and sun resistance.
Step 3. Once the mix has been colored and treated, it’s put into a steel mixer to give it its thickness.
Step 4. The thick mixture is then put into an extruder. The mixture then comes out of the extruder as long and thin strands, which are then put into a carding machine.
Step 5. The carding machine will then spin these strands into a loose rope that can be tightened and woven into large spools of yarn.
Step 6. The yarn will then be shaped and subjected to heat.
Step 7. Once the yard is shaped, it is put into a tufting machine to secure the yarn to a layer of backing.
Step 8. The artificial turf is rolled out and a latex coating is applied underneath.
Step 9. The latex used is put through a rigorous process to provide it with back layering and treatment to seal it with artificial turf.
Step 10. The turf is then put through another machine to cut off any extra length.
Step 11. The artificial turf is finally rolled into desired lengths and is packaged and ready to ship.

Many of the chemical components used early on in the manufacturing process are the same components used in plastic bottles, plastic storage bowls, plastic pipes, carpeting, and toys.

Which Artificial Turf is Best for My Phoenix, AZ Home?

This depends on what you are personally looking for and value the most. Choosing regular artificial turf backed by polyethylene material is the best middle ground for your yard. This is the best route for regular foot traffic from your family and pets.

Or, are you looking for the perfect place to refine your golfing skills? The putting green turf that is made of nylon is going to provide the best durability against higher volumes of foot traffic. If you’re just going for looks in shaded areas with minimal foot traffic, artificial turf with polypropylene material is the way to go.

No matter which route you choose, Crown and Blade’s artificial turf is going to provide your yard with these great benefits:

Low Maintenance
With artificial turf, you can enjoy one of the best benefits you could imagine: less maintenance! Artificial turf doesn’t require the immense levels of upkeep normal grass does to make it look appealing. At the end of the day, your artificial turf is going to reward you with more needed free time.

Aesthetically Appealing
Piggybacking off of artificial turf’s low maintenance, you’ll enjoy a lawn that looks lush and vibrant all year long. You can feel great every day that your lawn will look fantastic not only to you but to everyone else who lays their eyes on it.

Weather Resistance/UV-Stabilized
As you know, the weather in Arizona is pretty extreme. That’s why artificial turf is so beneficial in the summertime. Artificial turf is engineered to withstand intense heat while maintaining its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Safe & Durable
Artificial turf is also safe and durable for the whole household. Crown and Blade’s artificial turf will help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, making it a safe space for everyone. Artificial turf also provides next-level durability. No matter the level of increased foot traffic, your lawn won’t get roughed up.

Eco-friendly
Artificial turf is also an environmentally friendly choice for your lawn. Cutting down on the typical upkeep such as watering, mowing, and fertilization. This cuts back on water usage, negates air pollution from lawnmowers, and ditches the harmful fertilizers and pesticides.

Artificial turf is made up of several materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Each material has its own set of benefits, advantages, and disadvantages. Depending on what you’re looking for in a new lawn, your new artificial turf might have one of these materials or a combination.

Located in the Phoenix, AZ, area? Look to Crown and Blade for these types of artificial turf installations:

• Artificial turf
• Putting greens
• Pet-friendly
• Poolside turf

Get a free artificial turf installation quote today. Crown and Blade is also proud to offer financing options for artificial turf projects.