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What Are The Different Types of Synthetic Turf For Sports Fields?
When you’re cheering on your favorite team, whether on a football field, baseball field, or soccer field, you’re likely to see one thing at the center of all the action: a pristine, bright field surface. Our bet? That it’s made of synthetic turf.
Since the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, synthetic turf fields have been a popular choice for athletic fields across the country thanks to their proven track record of durability, minimal upkeep, and built-in performance and playability. Some sports even require synthetic turf surfaces for most major competitions (see: field hockey). For both stadiums and smaller sports complexes alike, though, turf is a cost-effective solution to all the maintenance needs and costs that come with managing a natural grass field.
If those are the kinds of advantages you want in on, you’re probably now wondering which type or types of artificial grass are best for sports fields. Some of that will come down to the exact needs, location, and use expectations for your sports field. But regardless of your needs and budget, there are some rules of thumb you’ll want to know when it comes to choosing between artificial turf types for your sports field.
Below, we’ll break down the difference between the main types of synthetic turf. Then, we’ll give you some pointers on finding your field’s right fit.
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The 4 Different Types of Synthetic Turf
At the highest level, artificial turf types can be categorized based on the kind of material used to make their turf fibers (or, the synthetic turf blades). There’s four main turf types, and for sports field installations, the characteristics to look for in each include low skin friction, superior durability, high resilience, and temperature stability. Let’s dig into the differences between each type:
1. Polyethylene (PE)
Made from polyethylene — a soft, flexible, and durable plastic — polyethylene turf has a soft texture and natural grass-like feel, not to mention excellent resilience and durability. A non-abrasive and comfortable turf type, it’s a favorite pick for sports field installations, especially when paired with a high-quality synthetic turf infill.
Pros:
- Realistic appearance and soft feel
- High-quality, UV-stabilized polyethylene is more heat-resistant than other turf types
- Can be used for sports fields as well as recreational areas; multi-use
- Good cost for it’s quality (FYI, your ultimate cost will be for a complete synthetic turf system — not for turf carpet alone)
Cons:
- Durable, but not as durable as nylon
2. Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a lightweight, budget-friendly plastic. While less expensive than other types of turf, polypropylene has stiff fibers that are less resilient to wear and tear, as well as lower heat resistance than other types of artificial turf. It’s best used in low-traffic, decorative areas and temporary installations.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Lighter weight for easier installation
Cons:
- Less durable; not meant for heavy usage
- Will flatten in areas with decent foot traffic
- Not as UV stable as other types of turf, and can retain heat
- Limited aesthetic appeal; resembles natural grass without the truly realistic appearance of other types of synthetic turf
3. Nylon
Nylon is the strongest and most durable synthetic turf fiber — and it’s also the priciest. It’s Extremely resilient to heavy use and high temperatures, and it can withstand a lot of foot traffic without bending or losing shape. That’s partly due to its stiffer, coarser texture.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and weather-resistant; with proper care, can last 15+ years
- Highly resistant to UV degradation
- Won’t flatten with heavy use
Cons:
- Most expensive option compared to other artificial turf types
- Less soft underfoot
- More realistic than PP but less so than PE artificial turf, which has a more natural look and mimics the randomness of natural grass blades
4. Mixed Fiber Artificial Grass
Mixed fiber artificial grass combines multiple types of synthetic fibers (often nylon and polyethylene, though mixed polypropylene options exist, too) to leverage the benefits of each. It’s designed to provide a balance of durability, realism, and comfort while maintaining a low maintenance profile.
Pros:
- Enhanced realistic appearance and resistance to matting
- Mixed fiber grass blends using PE and nylon combine the softness of PE with nylon’s strength for a balance of comfort underfoot and durability
- All-weather performance and suitable for a variety of application types
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to single-material artificial turf types
- More complex to install and repair
Of these four types of synthetic turf, we recommend polyethylene as the best artificial grass for sports fields. Beyond the material your turf carpet is made from, though, there are also variations in turf fiber types to know. We’ll cover that next, so you can pick the fiber type best suited to your PE synthetic turf field’s intended use.
The Types of Turf Fibers and Why They Matter
Generally speaking, there are three main ways synthetic turf fibers are designed, and each one can have a different impact on your sport’s field appearance and capabilities regardless of which material you’ve used.
Slit-Film Turf Fibers
These wider fibers are formed to create a net or “honeycomb” which is designed to cover and encapsulate the infill, while absorbing heavy impacts from kicks, drags, tackles and slides. This type of artificial turf is designed to be tough and deliver optimal agility for athletic performance.
Monofilament Turf Fibers
This turf fiber is arguably the most grass-like out of the three as the blades are designed to stand up straight and tall just as natural grass blades do. Synthetic turf systems that use monofilament fibers are visually appealing and mimic the playing surface of natural grass (like ball-roll and ball-bounce), making it a popular choice.
Dual Fiber
By combining monofilament fibers with a slit-film fiber, these hybrid synthetic turf systems are designed to provide fiber resilience against heavy usage. Thanks to the variety of fibers utilized, these systems deliver a full, lush look to any artificial turf field.
Questions to Answer Before Picking Artificial Turf for Sports Fields
When it comes to identifying your ideal turf system, things can get pretty granular. The type of turf material and fiber you pick will depend on many things, from the sport(s) your field will host to the climate you live in. Because of all the variables at play here, it’s a good idea to be able to answer these questions before settling on an artificial grass system for sports fields:
How will the turf field be used— for competitive play, recreational use, or training purposes? Will it be used for more than one sport?
If your sports field will be regularly used and/or used for more than one type of sport, you’ll want a turf system that’s flexible, durable, and has performance features key to each sport.
What are the expected levels of foot traffic or activity on the field?
Again, heavy use signals a need for turf fiber (and infill!) options that are optimized for durability.
What are the average temperatures, humidity levels, precipitation levels, and amount of sun exposure the field will see year-round?
Some turf and infill types respond differently to different climates. For example, if your field is in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll want to pay attention to how your system’s materials play when wet.
How much time and budget are allocated for field maintenance?
Synthetic turf is much lower maintenance than natural grass, but there are still varying levels of upkeep required. Choosing durable turf and infill materials from the start can save you time and money in the long run. When it is time for upkeep, calling in turf care experts — like the Motz365 team, on call for both full-service turf maintenance and day-of critical play repairs — will help maximize your turf system’s performance and longevity.
What kind of performance features are most important to my field (e.g. shock absorption, traction, ball response)?
We’ll go into more detail about turf performance features specific to different types of sports soon.
How important is it that my field appears natural and realistic?
As we broke down earlier, there are some notable differences in how realistic each type of synthetic turf material appears, and the same is true for your options in individual turf fibers.
What kind of drainage does my field currently experience?
Knowledge of your field’s existing conditions counts for a lot. Is it in a low-lying area? And is your chosen synthetic turf material compatible with existing field drainage systems or other pre-existing infrastructure?
Does the local supplier of my chosen turf type offer warranties, technical support, or replacement options? What are their reviews and track record?
Even the highest-quality turf and infill can be impacted by a poor, rushed installation. Be sure to vet your synthetic turf installer.
How quickly can the turf be sourced and installed after purchase?
Knowing this will help you set your timeline accordingly!
What else will I need to complete my turf system?
When you’ve picked out your turf material and fiber type, what you’ve really done is chosen your turf carpet. A turf system involves layered components, and you’ll want to understand whether your choice in turf material and fiber type influences what other component types you need. Here’s a peek at the inside of a turf system, with all its parts:
Not sure how to answer any of the above questions? Motz’s team of turf and infill experts are always glad to help and make sure you have the right guidance. Feel free to reach out! And speaking of guidance from the Motz team…
Choosing the Right Synthetic Turf for Your Field
Now that you know a bit more about the different types of artificial turf materials and fibers, we’re going to walk you through the four types of synthetic turf systems we offer here at Motz. For all, we recommend polyethylene artificial grass for the best combination of competitive playability and a natural look and feel.
Our customized, proprietary synthetic turf systems feature the most advanced products on the market and adhere to the highest standards for quality, safety, and durability. Let’s dive in, with a special focus on turf fiber types.
Slit-Film Turf Fibers for Multipurpose Synthetic Turf Fields
Twenty-Four/Seven is ideal for multi-use or all-purpose artificial turf sports fields. It’s a slit-film fiber and is crosshatched to minimize infill fly-out reduction, keeping your turf field looking its best and performing at the top of its game.
Slit-film is a true workhorse, prepared to sustain significant activity with great durability, making it ideal for a multi-purpose field for sports such as football, lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey.
The most common application of Twenty-Four/Seven is within artificial turf football fields. Fields with any inconsistencies in stability, density, or evenness can put football players at risk, so with our Twenty-Four/Seven synthetic turf system, you can feel at ease knowing your players are protected.
For a field hockey/lacrosse application, a slit film fiber is preferred for a dependable and accurate ball speed. As the field gets broken in, slit-film fibers will crosshatch and create a C-cup shape, creating a surface that supports optimal performance. It also has the benefit of encapsulating the infill, which reduces maintenance hours and costs.
Monofilament Turf Fibers for a Synthetic Turf Soccer Field or Football Field
PerformanceBlade, known for mimicking the appearance of natural grass, is a monofilament fiber system recommended and preferred for soccer specific synthetic turf fields or lighter-use facilities. A key reason monofilament turf fibers are preferred for soccer fields is the performance of the turf blades. Monofilament fibers tend to stand vertically longer, which in turn, translates to a slower ball roll and more natural ball-to-surface interaction.
PerformanceBlade systems perform similarly to how a ball interacts on a natural, high-performance bluegrass or ryegrass field. However, a potential drawback to not having a cross-hatched fiber, like the Twenty-Four/Seven option, is that you may experience more infill flyout.
While monofilament fibers are preferred for soccer fields, they can also be used in synthetic turf football or lacrosse fields when a natural grass aesthetic is preferred.
Dual-Fiber for Lacrosse and Field Hockey Turf or Multipurpose Synthetic Turf Fields
CrossFlex is commonly used in multipurpose athletic fields with sports such as lacrosse, field hockey, football, and soccer. CrossFlex is a dual-fiber turf, meaning it is a mix of both slit-film and monofilament to provide a unique fiber blend and performance characteristics of both systems.
Dual-fiber turf is built with a strong backing and tight fibers to create the perfect surface with long-lasting durability and optimal performance.
You might be asking yourself, when or why should I choose a CrossFlex field over Twenty-Four/Seven? The answer is based on what field sport you are prioritizing. If lacrosse and field hockey are most commonly played, CrossFlex will provide your synthetic turf athletic field with the desired performance and aesthetic.
Artificial Turf for Baseball and Softball Fields
TriplePlay is a synthetic turf system designed specifically for artificial turf baseball and softball fields. We work with you to customize the field based on your performance needs. Tailored to hit a homerun, TriplePlay provides stability, speed, and exceptional playability, reducing maintenance hours and protecting your team from having rained-out games.
As you can see, there’s truly no one type of field that fits all sports, so the type of turf, infill, and pad needed for your field will be a combination unique to your goals. To learn more about what option will best fit your needs, contact us anytime.
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