Your Guide to the Types and Uses of Artificial Grass Infill

If you have questions about what artificial grass infill is and how it can enhance the look and feel of synthetic lawns, we’ve got the answers.

Simply put, grass infill is a necessary component of both synthetic residential lawns and athletic fields. It supports the blade fibers and helps them stand up even after pressure has been applied to them.

Without infill, artificial grass would become flat—and it would more quickly succumb to the damage of foot traffic and the elements.

What Is Infill For Artificial Grass?

Essentially, infill refers to any material spread over the surface of synthetic turf to support the grass blades, assist with drainage, and provide cushioning, in effect mimicking the role of soil in natural grass. Virtually any durable, non-toxic substance can be used as infill for artificial grass, but the most common in residential and commercial applications are slag, sand, Durafill, and specialized rubbers such as EPDM and TPE.

Artificial Turf Infill Serves Multiple Purposes

Infill is placed in between the fibers of artificial grass to help maintain the look of the faux turf and give a more natural feel to it.

Its purpose is to mimic the natural impact absorption capabilities of soil under real grass, so walking across your artificial lawn would feel like walking on real grass.

An added advantage of infill is that it helps to weigh down the artificial turf, protecting it from ripples, buckles, and wrinkles caused by continuous movement. It also helps with water drainage in case of rain, so you won’t have to worry about water pooling around in your lawn or your faux grass exposed to precipitation for prolonged periods.

If you are planning to install artificial grass in an area with a massive potential for foot traffic and pressure in other forms, you must purchase the right infill for the job.

Where Is It Applied in The Artificial Turf Installation Process?

Whether it is a commercial or residential application, the installation process for artificial grass remains the same.

Once the property is prepped and the turf has been laid and fitted, the filler is added last. Our technicians use a power brush to make the grass stand so the infill can be applied. Once it has been added evenly, we double-check to ensure that it is doing its job of holding the turf down.

Then the final step of brushing begins, where we again check the infill and force it onto the base of the grass to ensure that it’s well-settled and primed.

Commonly Used Artificial Turf Infill Options

You have a range of artificial grass infill types available at your disposal. Here’s a quick look at the different infill materials we use when installing artificial grass.

Slag

The smooth-sided copper slag is an entirely inert, dark grey/black infill product that’s perfect if you have pets at home and are concerned about odor.

You can even ask your suppliers for special pellets that can refresh and disinfect your artificial turf, also inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the grass.

Another advantage of this product is its color, which makes it virtually invisible compared to white sand used for artificial grass systems. Also, slag has a higher density, making it a better ballast for your turf.

Sand

Silica sand is mostly made up of quartz that has been eroded into different-sized granules by water and wind. It works well as an artificial grass infill keeping the blades in an upright position while also improving drainage.

There is a downside to this product, namely its angular appearance and susceptibility to hardening up over time. It is also known to trap odor, so there might be better choices for people with pets at home.

In other words, sand infill works excellently in areas that don’t get a lot of footfall, such as hillsides, commercial lawns, or open fields that aren’t often visited.

EPDM and TPE

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) are both polymers that make excellent infills because they are long-lasting, safe materials that are known to withstand even the harshest climates. Both are available in natural-looking colors, such as green, black, and tan, and both are remarkably fade-resistant. They are known for stable, long-term performance.

Durafill

Durafill is an artificial turf infill option that’s made from rounded quartz core, i.e., acrylic-coated sand that has been made non-abrasive and anti-microbial.

Durafill sand doesn’t absorb liquids which makes it pet-friendly. It’s coated in green acrylic, and the color helps it blend into grass blades – as such, it’s often used in spaces that get a lot of traffic, such as play spaces, etc.

How Much Infill Is Typically Required?

The answer to “how much artificial turf infill for synthetic grass” is needed depends on three factors; the type of infill, the kind of turf, and the expected footfall.

It’s safe to install up to 2 lbs. of infill per square foot on residential properties—however, this is just a ballpark figure since most home lawns require just enough infill to reach the base of the thatch fiber.

If you need clarification on the right amount of artificial turf infill, we are here to help.

Get in touch with us at Arizona Luxury Lawns for artificial turf installation services. We are just a phone call away at 480-991-0196.