What is Artificial Grass Infill and Why Do You Need It?

So, what is artificial grass infill? It’s that black pellet stuff that ends up stuck in your players’ shoes after a game, right?

Well, yes. That’s one type of artificial turf infill. The turf industry calls it crumb rubber made by grinding used tires. 

Turf infill quality is a critical differentiator between high quality and low quality athletic fields.

From enhancing player safety to ensuring optimal field performance, understanding the different types of synthetic turf infills and their benefits can make all the difference in maintaining premier sports facilities. Let’s dive into the details to help you make informed decisions for your artificial sports turf.

What Is Artificial Grass Infill?

Artificial grass infill is any product placed between the fibers of artificial grass. The traditional synthetic turf infills are sand, rubber, EDPM, and TPE. But you’ll also find materials like cork, coconut, walnut shells, and even ground-up tennis shoe soles. Artificial turf infill pound for pound is also the largest component of a turf system, further driving home its importance.

What Is Artificial Turf Infill Used For?

Think about how flexible a blade of turf is. Now, imagine standing on it. The blade will immediately bend under the weight, but you’re not standing on the backing. That’s because you’re standing on the synthetic turf infill! Without artificial turf infill, toes, cleat spikes and paws would be digging into the turf backing to gain traction to move.

Any kind of artificial turf infill plays three important roles:

1. Infill helps keep turf fibers upright, giving the turf surface a full and luscious look. Without infill to help the fibers stand up, turf is more prone to blades breaking, fraying, and matting down. Think about a shag carpet with the fibers lying down flat. This can cause an unwanted shine across your artificial grass installation. In order for those fibers to stand up, something needs to be at the base of those carpet pieces to hold up each strand of carpet upright: infill.
2. Infill protects the turf’s backing, which is what the grass-looking fibers are woven into to keep them together. A strong physical barrier between foot traffic and the backing greatly increases the turf’s life.
3. Infill keeps your surface stable. Once installed, artificial turf has the potential to move and shift based on a variety of factors, like wind or a heavy vehicle moving over it. This can cause it to bulge and wrinkle, which doesn’t look natural and can be a potential tripping hazard. Infill acts as a ballast to help keep the turf weighted in place to avoid wrinkling and lifting.

Is Artificial Grass Infill Necessary?

Does a bed frame need a mattress? You can technically lie on it, but you won’t expect a good night’s sleep. Infill is the same way. It’s like the mattress that makes your artificial grass stand up straight and offer optimal performance.

Turf infill makes synthetic turf fields look great, but perhaps most importantly, it ensures a safe playing surface for your athletes. 

By providing essential cushioning and shock absorption, the right infill material can protect your players from serious injuries during high octane parts of rough sports like football and rugby. 

This makes it an indispensable component of any high-quality athletic field.

1. Surface Damage and Bald Spots

A lack of artificial turf infill means there is no cushion or support for the fibers, increasing friction and wear. Over time, this can cause the fibers to break down and create unsightly bald spots where the turf is completely worn away. These bare patches create an uneven playing surface, causing unpredictable ball behavior, affecting the quality of play and increasing the risk of players colliding or making awkward movements to adjust to the ball’s unexpected path.

2. Pooling and Water Damage

Artificial turf infill helps with drainage by ensuring that water can percolate down through the turf. Without infill, water can pool on the surface, leading to muddy, slippery conditions and water damage to the layers below. Apart from the obvious slipping hazards of a wet field, over time, water damage can also erode the turf, exposing harder or more abrasive layers underneath. Players who fall on these areas are at risk of cuts, abrasions, and other injuries.

3. Weed Growth

Artificial grass infill acts as a barrier to weed growth. Without it, weeds can more easily penetrate the turf, leading to an overgrown and unkempt appearance, and tripping hazards. Installing synthetic turf directly over soil or other organic materials can be particularly problematic, as it can compromise the field’s integrity and require additional maintenance efforts.

4. Bacteria Growth and Unpleasant Odors

Without proper infill, unpleasant smells from organic matter, sweat, and other sources can become trapped in the fibers, persisting even after repeated cleanings. Aside from being distracting, bad odors can indicate the presence of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, which may lead to health issues and skin irritation. For this reason, antimicrobial, odor-absorbing infill, such as Envirofill, is essential in high-traffic turf zones to help keep athletes safe.

5. Fiber Matting and Flattening

Without artificial turf infill, the fibers of the artificial turf become matted and flattened. This not only looks unattractive but also makes the surface less functional for activities. The turf loses its lush, natural appearance and can start to look worn out and old much sooner than expected.

Artificial Grass Infill Types

Many options exist for artificial grass infill. Each one has its own unique qualities, pros, and cons. While choosing, bear in mind what your purpose is, your needs, and the qualities you’ll need from your turf.

Best Artificial Grass Infill For Your Field

Envirofill is a great fit for heavily used, professional-quality athletic fields.

Designed to withstand intense usage and extreme weather conditions, Envirofill maintains consistent field quality and reduces the need for frequent maintenance. Made from non-toxic, recyclable materials, it resists compaction and reduces infill migration, maintaining a stable playing surface.

Safety-wise, it’s matchless. The antimicrobial-infused coating of the granules offers consistent shock absorption, reducing the risk of injuries. Its antimicrobial properties, infused with Microban® technology, inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, ensuring a cleaner and healthier playing environment.

If having an organic product is important to you, your players, or your institution, Safeshell or Safeshell SmoothPlay are effective natural infill alternatives with evaporative cooling as an added benefit. Evaporative cooling helps keep the surface temperature of the turf lower than the average crumb rubber field. These products are low maintenance, durable, well-vetted, and thoroughly tested.

Thinking About Getting Artificial Turf Infill?

Wise choice. Safeshell and Envirofill are great, practical, and safe choices. They’ve been rigorously tested and declared non-hazardous, even exempt from Prop 65 labeling requirements. With a 16-year warranty, Envirofill will last you a long time! 

Curious if Envirofill or Safeshell is available near you? See where you can buy our artificial turf infill.