Field Systems and Services
Synthetic Turf vs Natural Grass
Synthetic Turf vs Natural Grass
Constructing an athletic field requires thorough research to select a surface that meets the program’s goals and budget. Key factors include preferences, sports played, usage, maintenance, budget, climate, and installation costs.
Let’s examine the pros and cons of Natural Grass and Synthetic Turf.
GRASS FIELD
Pros
- Less Expensive - start-up costs are less as compared to synthetic turf.
- Environmental Benefits - reduces excess stormwater runoff and improves air quality.
- Cooler – stays cooler in hot weather as compared to synthetic turf.
- Professional and high-level college players prefer playing on grass.
Cons
- Usage Limits -overuse and excessive traffic lead to compaction and bare spots.
- Weather – can be unplayable due to weather, resulting in game cancellations..
- Water - requires irrigation system to keep in good shape.
- Maintenance - requires regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reseeding.
SYNTHETIC TURF
Pros
- Less maintenance – requires less daily, weekly, and monthly attention.
- Durability –able to handle heavy usage with a grass-like look
- Good drainage – base design under the synthetic turf allows excellent drainage.
- No rainouts.
- Permanent lines and school logos – no more painting lines and logos,
- Weather - in most cases, if it’s not storming, weather isn’t a factor.
- Consistency – provides a uniform playing surface.
Cons
- Heat – in direct sunlight, hotter than grass.
- Maintenance – requires much less maintenance than grass. See recommended daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance requirements.
- Initial Cost – higher installation costs as compared to grass.
- Synthetic Material – doesn’t filter air or water pollutants like grass.
Budgetary constraints often play a key role in choosing between natural and synthetic turf for an athletic field. Natural turf fields have a lower initial cost but demand extensive maintenance to remain in playable condition, which can become costly. In contrast, synthetic turf fields have a higher installation cost but require minimal maintenance, offer a consistently uniform surface, and are not subject to the usage limitations of natural turf fields.
Here are some basic budget numbers comparing grass and synthetic fields:
This is how FieldTurf provides the best value:
| Natural Grass | FieldTurf | |
| Base Preperation | $150,000 | $320,000 |
| Materials | $2.75 per sq foot = $220,000 | $4.75 per sq foot = $380,000 |
| Maintenance | $20,000 x 10 years = $200,000 | $5,000 x 10 years = $50,000 |
| Total | $570,000 | $750,000 |
| Scheduling Possibilities | 25 hours x 25 weeks x 10 years = 6.250 hours | 68 hours x 44 weeks x 10 years = 29.920 hours |
| Average Cost Per Hour of Use | $91.20 | $25.07 |
Figures based on 80,000 square foot fields and average costs and usage rates across North America
