What Is the Difference Between Astro Turf & Grass?

Beginning of AstroTurf

• Synthetic turf was invented in 1964. The first installation of synthetic turf happened that same year at a school in Providence, Rhode Island. Then, in 1966, AstroTurf was put into the Houston Superdome. In 1968, the first AstroTurf facility opened in Georgia.

Maintaining Synthetic Turf

• Synthetic turf maintenance requires water during warm days. This is because during these days, the turf can reach extremely hot temperatures, sometimes as much as 70 degrees higher than the air temperature. Chemical disinfectants and anti-static sprays also need to be purchased for the maintenance of the turf.

Maintaining Grass

• To maintain a natural grass field, water needs to be used, the grass needs to be cut, lines need to be repainted on a regular basis, and grass sometimes needs to be replaced, especially in more worn-down areas of the field. Insects and other types of pests that can live in a grass field also must be maintained. Also, inclement weather can ruin a field for days, whereas synthetic turf can be played on and won’t be ruined by inclement weather.

Cost

• Because synthetic turf fields are made up of crumb rubber (taken from automobile tires), the estimated cost of disposing turf in 2008 was up to $130,000. Over the long term, the estimated cost in 2008 for a synthetic field could have run you upwards of $110,000, while a natural grass field could run up to $50,000. But, because synthetic turf is so strong, fields that have the turf can withstand more abuse, meaning more events and more money from those events.

Environmental Impact

• More water is saved by having a synthetic turf field than a natural grass field. According to the Synthetic Turf Council more than 2.2 billion gallons of water is saved nationwide as a result of synthetic turf. Synthetic turf also reuses rubber that might end up in a landfill. But, grass is always the natural choice, as it releases oxygen into the atmosphere and naturally cools the environment.