Turf Systems

Craftmanship vs Salesmanship

Turf United Project Managers are your contact from start to finish. This means we are dedicated to our craft of building great fields, we are not a perfecting the art of sales. When you discuss product it becomes obvious who knows the whole construction process in design-build.

Is All Turf Created Equal?

We take product and system selection to a whole new level. Why? Because you are dealing with professional turf builders who are trained to build, not sale a pre-packaged system. Our trademark proTIPS selection chart helps us specifically design systems based on your sport specific facilities, budget costs,

Use Your Head!

The ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials) does not have sport specific Head Impact Criteria -H.I.C. and it is imperative to use your head when selecting a turf surface.

 

  • Football Helmet
  • Baseball Helmet
  • Soccer
  • Field Sports

Use Your Feet

Traction is our first priority to eliminate lower body injuries. Pick your cleats based on sport and whether your opponent has access to same (be nice!)

 

  • Rubber Knobs
  • Steel Spikes
  • Turf Shoes
  • High Tops

Sports Specific Governing Bodies

FIFA and FIH have the most specific criteria for ball roll, and ball bounce but there is nothing like talking to the ones that use them day in and day out. We grant you access to many coaches from various sports to hear it for yourself.

RockyTop with Rubber/Sand Infill

The world’s most common turf field system because it is also the most economical where aggregate is under $30.00 per ton.

 

Pros

  • Long Lasting over multiple cycles graphic
  • Best Traction with high infill levels

Cons

  • Expensive to convert back to natural
  • Crumb Rubber at center of safety debates

ShockTop with Rubber/Sand Infill

Quickly becoming the system of choice all over the world. FIFA 2 star testing got the ball rolling and now NFL concussion data. Thus proving a shock pad is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

 

Pros

  • Most safe and durable, therefore best R.O.I. graphic
  • Allows surface to play firm on top and safe underneath
  • Organic/Sand Infills can be used in this system

 

Cons

  • Adds Initial costs but is returned on 2nd cycle at resurfacing

SandTop with Rubber/Sand Infill

Most desired surface for existing stadiums converting from a sand-based natural grass to synthetic. FiberSoils® used as a stabilizer to allow for a conversion with the least amount of long term commitment.

 

Pros

  • Convertible back to natural
  • Most natural surface when used with a Shockwave drainpad
  • Cost advantage in regions with aggregates over $30 per ton

 

Cons

  • Highly technical installation, no novices!

Flat Top with no Infill

The original “Astro” type turf field system. New versions are softer and more natural looking and surface of choice for indoor training and field sports.

 

Pros

  • Consistent ball roll
  • No infill splash
  • Portable with Velcro Seams

 

Cons

  • Expensive if concrete is needed
  • Not recommended for football
  • Risk of Lower extremity type injuries

INFILL SYSTEMS

 

High area of innovation which also leads to risky trials with unproven infills. Three main varieties of turf with multiple fiber combinations. Basis of design of each is pile height dictated by infill and sport desired.

 

RUBBER/SAND

  • SBR Rubber is most affordable and proven

 

EPDM/Virgin Polymers

  • Expensive and deemed all around safe but not widely used
  • Often must add a Shockpad

 

Coated Sands

  • Popular with low contact sports used with a ShockPad
  • Polymer coatings make sand less abrasive

 

Organic Infills

  • Expensive and must remain moist at all times
  • Cooling effect from evaporation

 

HydroChill® by Shaw Sports®

  • Coated sand and rubber
  • Cooling effect from evaporation
  • Can be added post or pre installation

TURF VARIETIES

 

Three main varieties of turf with multiple fiber combinations. Basis of design of each is pile height dictated by infill and sport desired.

 

TALL PILE  (2” plus)                  

  • Most used for rubber infill Football/Soccer field

 

MID RANGE (1 ¼ ”-2”)

  • Used in conjunction with a pad for Football/Soccer
  • Added with Rootzone for steel spikes used in Baseball

 

SHORT PILE (7/8”-1”)

  • Used in conjunction with a E-layer for Field Sports
  • Most commonly non-infill or sand only

PAD VARIETIES

 

Three main reasons for a underlayment system:

Improved Drainage – Shock Absorption – Impervious Retention.

 

Enplast ShockWave®

  • All in one system makes cost effective conversions
  • Impervious or Pervious with weep holes
  • ShockWave Channels water and impact G-Forces

 

Ecore®

  • Recycled SBR Rubber with 30 year life span
  • ShockPad is available in 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm.

 

Brock Powerbase®

  • Industry Leader
  • Cradle to Cradle Recycled
  • FreeFlow™ Channels water and impact G-Force

SUB-BASE SYSTEMS

 

We name our systems on the foundation. A field is only as good as its sub-base. Basis of design of each is determined by costs, safety and sport specific designs.

 

RockyTop

  • Typically 6”-8” of crushed limestone in layers
  • Costs effective and easy to access
  • Drains nicely

 

SandTop

  • Typically 12”-18” of existing sand based natural grass field
  • Costs effective and convertible back to natural
  • Use existing drains and/or add ShockWave®

 

ShockTop

  • Typically only 3” of aggregate with ShockWave
  • Costs effective way to get a safe system
  • Use existing drains and/or add Aco® system

 

HardTop

  • Typically used for Indoor Soccer or Field Hockey
  • Asphalt or Concrete
  • Expensive but built to last multiple life cycles
  • E-Layer or Pad a necessity to lower G-Max