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For handy types, installing artificial grass shouldn’t be too difficult. Detailed instructions are available; many are specifically geared toward your specific circumstances. For instance, if you’re installing synthetic grass atop concrete, you can find directions for how to do so with ease. On the other hand, if you’re installing it over soil, you can follow instructions that are specific to that situation. If you’ve never installed synthetic grass before, it might seem a bit confusing at first; by taking your time, though, you can easily get the job done and have attractive artificial grass all set up on your own.
BY GERALD CARROLL • gcarroll@visalia.gannett.com • February 2, 2010
Visalia city officials hope a whopping 60 percent increase in water rates over the next three years — plus intensive water-conservation efforts — will slow a decades-long drain on the city’s groundwater supply.
But there’s no guarantee that California Water Service Co., which provides all of Visalia’s drinking water, will be able to raise rates that high, Visalia City Council members were told at a Monday work session.
“It all depends on what the state will allow us to charge,” said Mike Markarian, Visalia superintendent for Cal Water.
In the past, he said, the California Public Utilities Commission has allowed only a fraction of Cal Water rate-increase requests. Cal Water should learn later this year what it will be allowed to charge Visalia water customers.
As for conservation, most measures adopted by the city — including an extensive water-conservation ordinance adopted in 1989 — have simply failed, experts say. Thousands of unmetered Visalia water customers are charged a flat rate, with meter installation not due to be completed until 2012 at the earliest.
The use of water for landscaping is the main culprit for Visalia’s overdraftproblems, said Kim Loeb, Visalia’s natural resource conservation manager. Conversion of thirsty fescue lawns to rocky landscapes would help, Loeb said, and indoor water use could be curbed as well.
Toilets, which can use as much as 6 gallons per flush, use up 33 percent of Visalia’s water supply, Loeb said.
But replacing toilets in older homes with more efficient units has been a slow process, he said.
“This is a critical issue, but a sleeper,” Visalia City Councilman Mike Lane said. “This is a desert climate, with only 10 inches of rain per year. [It's] arid.”
Mayor Bob Link said schools’ water use has gone largely unmoni-tored. Federal stimulus funding will be directed at water conservation in the Visalia Unified School District, which will announce the amount involved at joint session of the council and district board at 6 p.m. today.
Loeb said Visalia officials might think of adopting policies that have worked in other dry areas. These include:
Weather-based irrigation. Much of the watering at Visalia parks is closely monitored by computer-based systems.
Incentives for use of rotating sprinkler nozzles, which can be used indoors or outdoors.
Landscape-irrigation audits.
“Cash for grass” incentives to replace natural turf with artificial surfaces.
Pool-cover incentives.
“Building green needs to include water conservation,” Loeb said.
Upgrade some or all of your lawn to a Water Smart Landscape. After you upgrade, you can qualify for a cash rebate for every square foot of lawn converted to water-smart landscaping. Make sure you check with an ArtificialTurfSupply.com specialist or your local water department for details.
Remember, every square foot of natural grass replaced with artificial grass, water-smart trees, shrubs and flowers saves an average of 55 gallons of water per year, so you’ll also save money on your monthly water bill. Go green today!
By ed@heyfairfield on January 27, 2010
On Saturday, January 23rd, The Clubhouse celebrated it’s Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and ceremonial first pitch by First Selectman Kenneth Flatto.
The Clubhouse has enlisted a full team of nationally recognized instructors and advisors who offer a wealth of experience to players and coaches. Participants can select from a menu of training options and clinics appropriate for different playing levels. During the grand opening, the public was invited to tour the 11,000 square foot facility, including its locker room, viewing and waiting areas, batting cages, and all purpose instructional area.
Head instructors include MLB veterans Mike Porzio, a 15 year professional, including three seasons pitching for the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox; and Willie Upshaw, former player with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, who had a 17-year professional coaching career and was a three-time MLB hitting coach. Rounding out the roster of lead instructors are former Minnesota Twins catcher and current scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Matt Merullo; and, Angel Echevarria, former outfielder/pinch hitter with the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, Amber Radomski, head softball coach at Manhattanville College and a former professional player will be the head softball instructor.
The Clubhouse features a professional playing surface of synthetic grass by ArtificialTurfSupply.com with full length batting tunnels for live hitting, and the same state-of-the-art motion analysis system used by Major League Baseball. In addition to coaching instruction, the Clubhouse provides expertise in strength, conditioning and sport’s medicine, as well as clinics on college placement.
Clubhouse attendees
The Clubhouse is located at 2215 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield.
The ribbon is cut at the Grand Opening of the Clubhouse. L-R:Amber Radomski, Mike Porzio, Dennis Morgan, Hans Hanson, Fairfield First Selectman Kenneth Flatto, Angel Echevarria, Willie Upshaw
Alex Almeida Outfielder for the Trinity College Baseball team takes batting practice during the grand opening of The Clubhouse
Fairfield First Selectman and Former Toronto Blue Jays Willie Upshaw get ready for the ceremonial first pitch at The Clubhouse Grand Opening
Throughout 2010, there will be continued and increasing emphasis on the need for water conservation as imported water supplies remain at least 12 percent lower for SCWD due to continued, severe water shortages throughout the State caused by years of drought and regulatory restrictions on the transfers of water. Promotion will increase for Water-Saver Rebate Programs that encourage removal of grass turf and replacement with California-friendly plants or synthetic turf.
By ERIC WOLFF - ewolff@nctimes.com | Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009 1:20 pm
A water conservation rebate program aimed at businesses is out of money early, but there’s plenty left for homeowners, the San Diego County Water Authority announced Wednesday.
The $4.6 million commercial program, which was run by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, allowed businesses to get money back after purchasing water-efficient equipment and appliances. The program was so popular that it ran out of money on Dec. 26, six months before the end of the fiscal year.
The $6 million residential program allows homeowners to get rebates on everything from cooling towers to drought-friendly toilets, but it’s barely been tapped —- the program still has $5.4 million left to distribute before June 30.
“The commercial program is a little more organized. A lot of plumbing contractors took advantage of it,” said Bill Rose, Water Conservation Program Executive for the San Diego County Water Authority.
Some local water providers are offering their own incentives to pick up where Metropolitan left off, including the Western Municipal Water District (which serves Southwest Riverside County), Escondido, Oceanside, Poway, and the Valley Center Municipal Water District, but Rose said that before businesses make a purchase, they should check Met’s conservation Web site, socalwatersmart.com, to make sure a given product is eligible for a rebate.
Western has been matching Met’s rebate on synthetic turf and high-efficiency and waterless urinals. It has budgeted $100,000 for 500 urinals and $65,000 for 5 acres of synthetic turf.
Residential customers looking to get rebates should visit 20gallonchallenge.com or socalwatersmart.com to find out what products they can get money back on, and exactly how to go about getting their money.
Metropolitan’s conservation division has been ordered to stay on budget this year, after it spent $54 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year, well more than the $20 million allocation.
“The board was quite direct they would not exceed $19.1 million,” Rose said. Much of that money goes to other programs and administrative costs.
But $19.1 million is a tiny sliver of Metro’s $1.65 billion two-year budget.
“Conservation is a very inexpensive way to offset demand,” said Tim Barr, Water Efficiency Manager for Western. “I’d like to see more money used to water conservation measures.”
Call staff writer Eric Wolff at 760-740-5412.
Pile Weight
You will often see a term called pile weight, also referred to as tufted face weight or sewn face weight. This measures how much the yarn weighs per square yard, excluding backing or infill, and is measured in ounces per square yard or grams per square meter. If you only want one measure of your carpet, pile weight is the best as it takes into account both the height and density measurements listed below. Generally speaking, the higher the pile weight the better quality and higher durability the turf. At the low end of the spectrum you will see pile weights of 28 oz per square yard or less. At the higher end of the spectrum you will see pile weights of 106 oz per square yard or greater. And there is a quite a large range in between.
Pile Height
The Pile Height is the height of the turf’s blades and is typically 1.50 to 1.75 inches, although much shorter (e.g. 0.31 inch) and taller (e.g. 2.625 inch) varieties exist. Often you will see a measurement for both the grass zone and the thatch zone, with the thatch zone a bit shorter. Generally speaking, unless you have a specific turf application requiring shorter blades (e.g., golf putting greens), be wary of shorter, generally cheaper pile heights of less than 1.50 inches.
Gauge
You may want to also consider the turf’s gauge. Carpet is formed by stitching together the individual blades of grass in rows on a backing at pre-set widths. Gauge is the distance or width between those rows. In the United States this is measured in fractions of an inch with typically gauges of 5/16″, 3/8″, 1/2″ and 3/4″. The gauge you select is partially based on preference and partially based on function. For example, closer gauges mean tighter-packed grass blades and might be used for, e.g., a golf putting green. Wider gauges may be better for athletic fields. For standard artificial lawns, most gauges seem to fall in the 3/8″ to 3/4″ range and, generally speaking, a closer gauge means a heavier artificial lawn which is generally considered higher quality.
Stitch Rate / Stitch Count
A final consideration is the stitch rate or count. This measures the number of blades or tufts per square inch and, similar to gauge, is a measure of the density of the grass blades on the carpet. Stitch rate is typically measured in the number of stitches in a 3 inch by 3 inch piece of turf. Generally speaking, the higher the stitch rate, the heavier and higher quality the grass.
Artificial turf surface materials, infill, seaming tapes and glues or tacks, soil stabilizing fabrics, base materials, rodent control barriers (where needed), cups and other trim materials called for in the design specification are all costs associated with artificial turf grass for lawns, pet areas and putting green installations.
Surface styling, fiber quality, stitch count, backing materials, even UV protection and warranty are always reflected in the cost of these materials. Lower costs are generally a sign of a compromise in one of the factors just mentioned, just as it is normally found in the world of carpeting.
Where You Can Buy Artificial Turf www.ArtificialTurfSupply.com
In the world of artificial turf there are only a handful of skilled tufting companies that focus on manufacturing artificial turf surface materials. Lawn, landscape and leisure sports uses all have “styles” of artificial turf manufactured to optimize look, feel and performance.
Higher-end, professional quality, branded solutions are generally sold through experienced, artificial turf installers; licensed builders and value added dealers, such as professional construction landscape materials and building supply centers.
How Do You Determine Quality
Unless you are willing to replace materials every few years, you should consider the purchase of your new artificial turf installation as a long-term investment. The difference in pricing between products and contractors may be as dramatic as the quality, durability, look and feel of professionally installed veneered flooring to hand-rubbed oak; and for those differences, expect to pay more for better quality, service and building standards.
Artificial Turf Warranty www.artificialturfsupply.com/PDFs/warranty.pdf
Many styles of artificial turf are warranted to resist fading, stains, blade and backing failure for 8 years or more; and with low traffic, well cared for artificial turf could last even longer.
The type of surface materials you choose only make up half the installation expense. Properly planned and executed site preparation, appropriate drainage, base and surface installation are keys to having your project remain structurally sound, for years.
To overcome issues of wear-and-tear and blades matting down, plan to design a walkway through high-traffic areas; use concrete, paver or stone patios for out-door dining that can be easily cleaned if you have food or beverage spills, and your artificial turf, like any natural lawn, will provide you with a beautiful and lush green area to offset the hardscape and rock you use elsewhere.
Artificial Turf Wholesale www.artificialturfsupply.com/quote.aspx
Artificial turf wholesale pricing for surface materials can be found from the low-end at $2 to over $5 per square foot for professional quality materials. Expect to pay another $2 to $3 dollars per square foot for other job materials, if you are doing the work yourself.
Professionally Installed Artificial Turf www.artificialturfsupply.com/findinstaller.aspx
Professional installations of lawn and landscape projects can cost from $8.00 to well over $20 per square foot. Required equipment, job materials, site preparation needs and other factors, such as access to the area and local labor and fuel costs will all have an impact on your final estimate.
Artificial Turf Price Savings www.artificialturfsupply.com/PDFs/ATS_installpack.pdf
If you’re trying to stretch your budget by buying materials and then installing the job yourself, guidance is priceless!
Contact Information: Dale Kemery 202-564-7839 202-564-4355
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released results of a limited field monitoring study of artificial-turf playing fields and playgrounds constructed with recycled tire material or tire crumb. The study was intended to gain experience conducting field monitoring of recreational surfaces that contain tire crumb. EPA will use the information to help determine possible next steps to address questions regarding the safety of tire crumb infill in recreational fields.
“The limited data EPA collected during this study, which do not point to a concern, represent an important addition to the information gathered by various government agencies,” said Peter Grevatt, director of EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection. “The study will help set the stage for a meeting this spring, where EPA will bring together officials from states and federal agencies to evaluate the existing body of science on this topic and determine what additional steps should be taken to ensure the safety of kids who play on these surfaces.”
Recycled tire material, or “tire crumb,” is used in many applications, including as a component in synthetic turf fields and playground installations. In response to concerns raised by the public, EPA conducted a limited “scoping study” of tire crumb, which consisted of collecting air and wipe samples at three locations near EPA laboratories at Raleigh, N.C., Athens, Ga., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Sampling also was conducted in the Washington, D.C. area.
The limited study, conducted in August through October 2008, found that the concentrations of materials that made up tire crumb were below levels considered harmful. However, given the limited nature of the study (limited number of constituents monitored, sample sites, and samples taken at each site) and the wide diversity of tire crumb material, it is not possible, without additional data, to extend the results beyond the four study sites to reach more comprehensive conclusions.
Bloodsport movie The study confirmed that most of the methods tested were accurate, reproducible and appropriate for measuring concentrations of tire crumb constituents and therefore can be used in future studies.
Study findings
download Snake Eyes * Particulate matter, metals and volatile organic compound concentrations were measured in the air samples and compared with areas away from the turf fields (background levels). The levels found in air samples from the artificial turf were similar to background levels.
* No tire-related fibers were observed in the air samples.
* All air concentrations of particulate matter and lead were well below levels of concern.
* More than 90 percent of the lead in the tire crumb material was tightly bound and unavailable for absorption by users of the turf fields.
* Zinc, which is a known additive in tires, was found in tire crumb samples. However, air and surface wipe monitoring levels of zinc were found to be below levels of concern.
EPA is aware that studies by other agencies were undertaken or completed while this survey was under way. EPA is planning a 2010 meeting with federal and state agencies to review all new study data and determine next steps.
More information on artificial turf: http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html
The growth and acceptance of the artificial grass market is amazing, especially in the past years, and yet the amount of artificial grass projects being installed annually, represents only 5% of all carpet produced and used in the United States each year.
The artificial turf market is the fastest-growing segment the carpet market. The Artificial turf market has seen healthy growth of combined market share of roughly 20 +% * per year.
download Who Framed Roger Rabbit dvd The Casino Job The Karate Kid download The number of annual field installation contracts has almost doubled since early 2000, and the applications and use in the landscape and recreational sports markets keep expanding into new niche markets, Community golf, bowling, games and multi-purpose sports area, day care, aviation, kennels and gray water run-off and erosion control.
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Artificial Grass Market Size
Roughly 100,000,000 SF of Artificial Turf is installed in North America each year, which only accounts for roughly 0.02% of the Total SF of natural grass Installed & Maintained each year.
Artificial Market Used *
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+ / – 90% are Sports Field Projects while + / – 10% are Residential/Commercial Landscape & Leisure Sports Projects.
*Market Research from AMI Research (Artificial Grass Market Study – 2005)