Artificial turf fields have become more popular over the years and have slowly phased out traditional grass fields. Turf allows for year-round sports without worrying about how the weather will affect natural grass. When the weather isn't a factor, sports can be played anywhere — regardless of climate.
Other benefits of turf fields include increased play time, fewer injuries and fewer maintenance requirements.
With all the benefits turf offers, you might wonder, what is the process for building an artificial turf field?
Planning for Installation
Planning for artificial turf field installation is a detailed task. The project can take months of planning, meetings and budgeting. A school board or community may have to vote on whether or not to install the field. Understanding the planning and construction process can help ensure success regardless of whether you're building a new field or replacing an existing grass field.
The first step in installing a turf field is pre-construction. In this phase, it is crucial to commit to a plan with supporting reasons for the field's implementation. Determining your main reason for undertaking this project can help you determine other factors, including budget, location, timeline and requirements.
Location is the next factor to consider. If you plan to replace an existing turf or grass field, the location is known. However, you may not have an exact site picked out if you are considering new construction. You will need to get a soil sample from this area to see if that location is suitable for a turf field to be built.
The conditions in the area you want to build may also play a part in the planning process. When building an indoor field, the primary concern is to make sure the ground is suitable for a facility and to create a smooth, level surface for the turf to be placed on.
How Much Does a Turf Field Cost?
Budget is one of the most critical factors in building an artificial turf field. Knowing how much it costs to build an artificial turf soccer field and other sports fields can help make your purchasing decision easier.
The price of your turf field will vary depending on the size of the field you want to develop, the equipment costs, supply costs and labor costs. Replacing an existing turf field often comes with a lower price than a new installation. As an increase to the initial construction cost, you can add a pad to help absorb the impact that a field undergoes. This helps with the longevity of your field and makes future replacements less expensive.
Maintenance costs are another factor to consider when installing an artificial turf field. You'll need to account for the cost of chemical disinfectants, additional infill, drainage maintenance, repainting field lines and more.
In addition to establishing your budget, you need to figure out where the investment for the field will come from. There are few ways to offset the cost. Consider sharing the field with other teams or schools. This can spread out the financial investment and leverage the amount of use the field will receive. You can also build a multipurpose field that accommodates multiple sports.
How Do You Lay Artificial Turf Indoors?
After you have determined the facility you want to lay artificial turf in, it’s time to prepare for installation. The following steps detail the process for laying artificial turf indoors:
1. Place Subfloor
Creating a solid subfloor for placement is the first step to building a turf field. After the subfloor has undergone the curing process, it’s necessary to clean the floor to remove any remaining chemicals. The cleaning process includes sweeping, vacuuming and mopping to remove dirt, grease and oils that may prevent the shock pad or turf underside from adhering.
2. Plan Turf
Once the turf arrives, it needs to be unrolled to fall back into its original shape. At this point, you want to map out where you will place the turf and make any measurements to ensure easy installation. Once you have the turf mapped out, make any necessary cuts while leaving room for joining turf and any extra trimming that needs to be done.
3. Adhere Turf
Next, apply the adhesive to the clean subfloor. Once applied, let the adhesive air-dry for 15-30 minutes before laying the artificial turf. The dry time may vary depending on the airflow and temperature of the facility. It is essential to move slowly and only apply adhesive to an area that can effectively be worked.
After laying the turf, roll it with a weighted roller per the manufacturer’s installation specs. Use the roller in all directions to help the underside of the turf adhere to the subfloor properly.
4. Add Turf Fill
The last step in turf installation is to add the turf fill. Use a power broom to get the turf blades standing up. Then, using a drop spreader, apply the turf fill to the field. The goal is to spread the fill as evenly as possible, press it into the turf and have the blades standing straight up.
Sports You Can Play on Artificial Turf
The point of an artificial turf field is to replicate the look and feel of natural grass. It is perfect for a variety of sports, including football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball. Colleges, high schools, recreational facilities and professional sports facilities have all been turning to artificial turf as it helps to eliminate many of the problems that plague natural grass fields. Indoor turf fields are sport-ready regardless of the season or weather that may deter outdoor games.
Artificial fields can withstand the heavy use that tournaments demand, and they require little maintenance — making them the perfect transition between types of sports. As turf technology has evolved, turf is now a safer option than natural grass as it helps lessen the impact of a player hitting the ground.
Choose Grand Slam Safety for Your Indoor Artificial Turf Project
If you're looking for reliable safety instructions for your artificial turf football field or other turf sports fields, contact the experts at Grand Slam Safety. We are your go-to business for keeping your turf field safe and looking great. Including our durable netting and fencing products around your indoor turf field can help keep players and spectators safe. Check out our selection of indoor SPECTO® sports fencing today.
