Artificial Grass
The Flooring Group is delighted to announce that it is a premium supplier & installer of artificial grass products.
Below, Desso Sports explain artificial grass products;
What different kinds of artificial grass pitches are there?
Artificial Grass
Fully synthetic pitches
- No filler (sand and/or rubber)
- Short artificial grass fibres, packed tightly together
- For hockey pitches (must be watered), football and multisport (with curled fibres)
Sand-filled fields
Artificial grass mat filled with quartz sand
Option 1: Artificial grass fibres, distributed widely, filled with sand – high degree of stability
Option 2: Artificial grass fibrs packed tightly together, with sand dressing – greener appearance due to more visible blades of grass
For tennis, hockey, football, golf and multisport
Sand-rubber fields
- Artificail turf mat with sand and rubber filler
- Longer artificial turf fibres to hold the filler firmly
- Rubber for extra shock absorption, performance and high quality technical sport properties.
- For football, rugby, American football and multisport
Will puddles stay on the artificial turf pitch?
Artificial Grass
Small holes are punched into the artificial-grass cover to allow the water to drain easily through to the underlayer. The underlayer consists of extremely permeable materials such as crushed rubble, gravel or a mix of minerals. During heavy precipitation, the base is able to store excess water and allow it to seep through slowly to the integrated drain pipes. Result: no puddle formation
Don’t the synthetic grass fibres flatten out after a while?
Artificial Grass
Synthetic grass fibres are partly held up by the support of the infill. To keep the synthetic fibres from flattening out, a technology is integrated in all Desso-fibres that improves the pile restoration capability (i.e. the ability of the fibre to spring back after being trodden on). This technology ‘memorises’ the original shape of the fibre which makes the fibre spring up again. Maintenance and regular brushing is also important to keep the fibres straight, of course.
Can artificial turf discolour in the sun? Is it resistant to UV?
Artificial Grass
Everything that finds itself in the open air experiences the influence of sunlight and, more specifically, the UV radiation. For that reason, Desso Sports equips its synthetic fibres with the Fibre Protection System (FPS), a technology that protects artificial turf from fading caused by sunlight. UV stabilisers ensure that the negative rays do not penetrate into the fibres. All Desso products fulfil the highest standards in this field.
How long will artificial turf field last?
Artificial Grass
The life expectancy of an artificial turf field naturally depends on the maintenance and how often/intensively it is played on. You can count on an average of 10 years. After that amount of time, the playing characteristics deteriorate. If this is the case and your field really needs renewing, then you have the option of only replacing the top layer. That is less expensive and you still get an artificial turf field that is as good as new.
Could moles damage artificial turf?
Artificial Grass
In principle, artificial turf mats are made in the same way as a carpet. The synthetic fibres are tufted into a canvas and subsequently reinforced with a layer of latex. That backing is so strong that even moles cannot dig though it. In some cases, an impermeable root sheet/foil is applied between the underlyer and the artificial turf mats.
Can artificial turf be used on slopes?
Artificial Grass
Yes. Artificial turf can be used on any base as long as the surface is sufficiently even for the artificial turf mats to be applied correctly.
What is ‘pile height’?
Artificial Grass
The pile height indicates how long the blades of grass are in our artificial turf carpet. There are characteristic pile heights for every sport.
Hockey, tennis, korfball, and golf driving mats have short piles (9 to 25 mm), for example. Sports like football, rugby, American football, etc., have mats with a longer pile (40 to 65 mm). Those sports fields are usually filled with rubber and need a longer fibre.
What is artificial grass made of?
Artificial Grass
Artificial grass can be made primarily out of 3 components:
- polyethylene (PE): soft, skin-friendly, and durable
- polypropylene (PP): stiffer, durable
- nylon: harder and extremely durable
Can lines, patterns or logos be integrated in a DESSO GrassMaster® field?
Hybrid Grass
For marking the lines, a special marking vehicle sprays water-soluble paint onto the DESSO GrassMaster® field. The paint is resistant to water after drying for one hour. Because the natural grass grows and is mown, the lines disappear after having been mown a couple of times. Depending on the sport, different patterns can be applied to the field. Logos of the club and sponsors are also painted. These remain visible for longer and are not replaced for every sport.
How are the lines applied?
Artificial Grass
The straight game lines on the pitch are tufted when the artificial grass mats are made. Other markings and features, such as the centre circle, are cut in on-site. Specialists cut the lines, the centre point, etc. out of the artificial turf mat and replace them with different coloured markings in the same material. These are attached with a special glue.
What is the difference between the different types of fibre?
Artificial Grass
Monofilament
- individually made fibre
- durable and resilient
- retains its shape, does not split
- can be extruded in different shapes and dimensions
Fibrillating yarn
- Wide, plate tape that is cut according to a fixed pattern
- Made to split, which gives it the natural-grass appearance
- Holds filler longer
- Will flatten more quickly
Curled fibres
- Straight fibres that are texturised by means of a special proces
- For a compact grass structure
- Can be used on its own or in combination with monofilament fibres
- For non-filled artificial turf fields (without sand and/or rubber)
Does Desso Sports Systems also sell natural grass?
Artificial Grass
Hybrid Grass
Desso Sports Systems specialises in artificial grass and DESSO GrassMaster® hybrid grass fields, a combination of natural and arificial grass. Desso Sports is responsible for the production and injection of the synthetic fibres and works closely with certified, local partners for the installation of the natural grass.
Can artificial turf be installed on an existing base?
Artificial Grass
Yes. For example, if you have a football field with good drainage that is built up of the right materials for a synthetic grass pitch (e.g. drainage sand), then you do not have to do any drastic works to install a synthetic pitch. The technical sports layer (rubber/lava or similar) will still have to be installed, however. This way of doing things is very interesting from a budgeting angle. A Desso Sports specialist will evaluate whether your field is suitable for doing this.
What is under the artificial grass carpet?
Artificial Grass
What you cannot see, but is nevertheless very important, is what is under your artificial grass carpet: the underlayer. A drainage system, permeable material (e.g. rubble or gravel), with a layer approximately 10 cm deep consisting of a mixture of lava and/or rubber.
Depending on the sport, Desso Sport may install a shock pad or e-layer (shock absorbing mat made of bound rubber) directly under the artificial turf field. Tennis courts don’t need that, rugby fields always get a shock pad.
How do I keep a water-based hockey field free form algae?
Artificial Grass
A water-based field must be sprinkled constantly. To prevent the growth of algae, hydrogen peroxide must be added to the sprinkler water at least 2 nights a week. In the autumn, that can even increase to five times a week. In addition the field must be brushed at least once a month in the direction of the pile with a rotating brush. A team of specialists from Desso Sports will visit once or twice a year for a professional maintenance in which any algae is removed under high pressure.
How long does it take to install an artificial turf pitch?
Artificial Grass
It takes an average of three to six weeks to lay an artificial turf sports pitch. If you have an existing sports field with the right foundation, you may not have to lay the entire field again. Pitch renovation is also an option.
Can the colour of the artificial turf rub off onto my clothes during the game?
Artificial Grass
Artificial turf is colour-fast; the colour will therefore not rub off onto your clothes, ball or other material.