About Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is a form of synthetic grass. Early versions of artificial turf bore more of a resemblance to a green carpet, but advances have made artificial turf more realistic. The driving force behind the introduction of artificial turf was to make playing fields for sporting teams more manageable. Artificial turf is more resilient and easier to maintain than natural grass playing fields.
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History
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Artificial turf was first developed in the 1960s in North Carolina, at the Research Triangle Park. This research led to the introduction of AstroTurf, the brand name for the first widely used type of artificial turf. AstroTurf came into greater recognition when it was used as the playing surface in the Houston Astrodome, which was completed in 1965. The success of the Astrodome led to more brands of artificial turf and wider use. The success of artificial turf also led to more indoor stadiums, in which natural grass playing fields was impractical.
An improvement in artificial turf came in the late 1990s via FieldTurf, which uses a mixture of smooth rounded silica and cryogenically frozen and smashed rubber particles. It's supposedly more like real grass and has more "give," which can reduce injuries. The University of Nebraska was the first Division I-A football team to use it, in 1999. It was introduced in Major League Baseball and the National Football League the following year.
Significance
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Artificial turf is a primary factor for designers of sports stadiums and practice fields. No longer did factors such as climate control play a significant role. Whereas natural turf required the amount of sunlight, watering and soil quality to be considered, natural turf could be applied anywhere. Now, practice fields could be put down anywhere. Smaller indoor stadiums could be constructed, allowing greater fan enjoyment from outdoor fields in colder climates. The introduction of artificial turf has led to a significantly higher number of indoor playing fields.
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Considerations
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Although fields constructed with artificial turf are much easier to maintain than natural grass fields, there are other considerations. Fields constructed with artificial turf are more likely to result in injuries for players--especially "turf toe" injuries--because of the harder surface underneath. FieldTurf has improved this situation.
Also, some sports purists believe that sporting events should be played in the elements, which should have an effect on the playing surface. Many of football's greatest games were played in muddy fields, which would not happen with artificial turf. However, the advantages to the fans of watching events in enclosed stadiums are also strong considerations.
Misconceptions
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When AstroTurf was first introduced, many people believed that artificial turf and AstroTurf were the same. AstroTurf is actually a brand name for one type of artificial turf. There are many brand names, and each has variations of color and texture. Another misconception is that artificial turf is only used for playing fields for sports. Artificial turf is becoming more common in home lawn applications, and it is becoming more widely accepted. A lawn with artificial turf is more environmentally friendly because it does not require pesticides and fertilizer.
Benefits
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The benefits of artificial turf when compared to natural grass are the same, whether placed in a sports arena or adorning the front lawn of a home. There is no need for watering. The grass does not need cutting. Weeds do not grow in a field of artificial turf. The color of artificial turf is often very appealing and constant, not turning a shade of brown by lack of water. Although the initial cost of artificial turf can be higher than natural grass, the costs will be recouped because natural grass will require higher maintenance.
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