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