What is Synthetic Grass?
Synthetic grass is a type of surface designed to resemble natural grass. Although it is meant to have a natural appearance, it is manufactured using solely synthetic materials. Synthetic grass also tends to be harder than natural grass.
Traditionally, synthetic grass has been used in sports arenas where natural grass is difficult to maintain, particularly indoor arenas. The first wide-known use of synthetic grass was to cover the ground of the Astrodome located in Houston, Texas in 1965. Synthetic grass has, however, increasingly gained popularity for private lawns as well.
In the 1970s, AstroTurf and other synthetic grass composites exploded onto the scene for both indoor and outdoor stadiums. Despite its convenience, players and spectators still often preferred using natural grass instead of synthetic grass. This is largely because the original synthetic grass did not respond in the same way as natural grass, and because the relative stiffness of this synthetic grass caused more injuries to occur.
Today, advances in the development of synthetic grass have made it a more desirable alternative to natural grass. Infusing the synthetic material with materials such as sand and rubber has helped synthetic grass gain a more natural appearance and has also made it safer for sports. In fact, synthetic grass is now considered to be a safer alternative to natural grass when playing in cold weather.
Many sports arenas ultimately decided to remove their synthetic grass after the poor response from fans and players. With improved synthetic grass formulas, however, many of those that removed their synthetic grass are using it once again. Similarly, those arenas that kept their synthetic grass are replacing it with the new and improved modern synthetic grass.
The improvement in the look and feel of synthetic grass has contributed largely to its increased use for residential lawns. By using synthetic grass, homeowners can enjoy the look of a healthy, green, perfectly maintained lawn throughout the entire year. In addition, synthetic grass requires minimal maintenance, making it far more convenient and less costly to maintain than natural grass.
Written by Shannon Kietzman
