Astroturf Alternatives

Natural Grass

• Although AstroTurf has been designed to mimic the look and feel of natural grass, it can't duplicate the real thing. Natural grass is easier on players' knees, joints and backs, which can prolong careers. Often, players with knee and back issues are given a day off for games that are on artificial turf. Plus, natural grass is synonymous with outdoor sporting events. There's the smell of freshly cut clippings and the designs that the maintenance crew mows for different events. However, unlike artificial surfaces, natural grass fields require watering, mowing and additional maintenance.

FieldTurf

• FieldTurf Synthetic is an artificial grass surface that uses monofilament fibers and a layered infill system to make up the turf. Its bottom layer is made up of sand and is mixed with cryogenic rubber to create a surface that has some "give." Many NFL teams have made the transition to FieldTurf; players generally prefer it to AstroTurf, which was unforgiving on knees, joints and backs. The first NFL game on FieldTurf was played August 10, 2000, at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Additionally, the turf is designed to be wear-resistant. According to the company, a sample of 500 FieldTurf fields showed that the turf still performs as well as it originally did eight years after installation.

A-Turf Titan

• A-Turf Titan is an artificial surface material that focuses on athlete safety. For this reason, it's designed with a ShockPad that's intended to reduce the risk of concussions from potential surface contact. Its ShockPad technology is designed to last up to 25 years, which differs from safety measures of competing artificial surfaces that typically last for shorter periods. It's manufactured in rows of polyethylene fibers.

PetPRO Turf

• Artificial turf isn't just limited to sports stadiums. Companies such as Artificial Turf Supply also provide home options for synthetic turf. Its PetPRO material is designed with specially treated polyethylene, so it won't stain or discolor from pet waste. It contains non-toxic sand and rubber infills, which allows urine to drain through the turf and into the ground below. Plus, it's durable enough that dogs can't dig or chew through it.