The infill is a crucial part of artificial grass because it supports the grass blades, gives it its soft feel and natural look, provides drainage, and offers protection to the fabric mesh of the grass. Therefore, the infill has to be carefully selected and this choice depends on the intended use of the artificial grass.
There are three main types of material used for artificial grass infill. These are:
- Crumb rubber
- Sand/Rounded Silica Granules
- Durafil
If you haven’t heard these names before, read the guide below and learn what exactly these types are and what makes each of them better than the other alternatives.
Crumb rubber
This is one of the most common types of artificial grass infill. Crumb rubber basically refers to automotive tyres which have been crushed and shredded into tiny pieces and then their surfaces are smoothed out.
This kind of infill is popular because of how soft it is especially when compared to sand or stone. Along with the softness, crumb rubber infill also gives a very natural look to the grass. Since rubber has a bounce in it, the grass is quite permeable and has volume too. So if your main goal is to have very lush grass with its blades standing firmly upright, crumb rubber is a suitable choice of infill.
This type of infill is also commonly used because of how easy it is to install. Moreover, this is also considered very safe for children and pets.
On the other hand, some buyers might not want this infill because of how rubber absorbs heat. Artificial grass already notoriously gets very hot, and the use of a material which is known to trap heat inside isn’t the smartest idea, particularly for those residing in hot regions
Furthermore, with a crumb rubber infill, there is the risk of spreading dirt all around. It is also known that this infill traps some odor in it, which can make the grass slightly unpleasant to use after a long while. There are also chances of bacteria living on the surface of the grass. Moreover, rubber also degrades faster than the other choices on this list.
Sand/Rounded Silica Granules
With its minute size, sand is a perfect material for a variety of infills. A similar alternative is silica granules which are also very tiny and irregularly shaped particles. Since these materials have very smooth surfaces, they reduce friction between the particles and prevent the grass from becoming too hard – giving it its cushiony feel. However, over time, this type of infill can make the grass lose some of its permeability.
To cater to the colour of the infill, the sand or silica granules are painted grass-like green to give an even, smooth look to the grass.
One major benefit of this type of artificial grass infill is that it prevents bacterial growth on the grass. This is due to the antimicrobial polymer the particles are coated with. Therefore, this automatically becomes a very safe choice of infill. Therefore, if you are looking to install grass at a very children-friendly place, such as a school or a playground, this will be a wise choice.
This choice is also more durable than rubber and would not degrade quickly. Also, it improves the drainage of water as well. In addition to this, unlike rubber, the particles won’t be carried away with your skin or clothes.
On the flip side, it is a costly option. This is not only because of the prime material of the infill but the treatment it undergoes to closely resemble the look and feel of real grass. However, there are many varieties of sand or silica granules infill that are cheap, so the cost factor keeps varying depending upon the manufacturer.
Apart from this, sand or silica granules infill can trap odor from pets or waste, so this is not a very pet-friendly option.
This infill is recommended for places that aren’t heavily used. These include small, secluded spaces such as balconies, hills, or open fields that are used quite sparingly.
Durafil
This is a specialised type of infill. It essentially is made from sand but it specifically designed to be pet-friendly. This means that it neither retained odors from pets nor is it chemically treated in a way that makes it unsafe for pets. Also, it can easily carry a lot of weight, such as a heavy dog. Moreover, cleaning it would not be a hassle either. However, there is more to Durafil than simply offering benefits to pet owners.
Another benefit of this specially designed, rounded quartz infill is that it stays cool and helps keep the grass to a comfortable temperature. Besides this, this infill comes with antibacterial properties making it highly efficient at killing bacteria and keeping the grass safe. This not only makes it very safe for pets but children and generally everyone as well. Furthermore, this infill can easily be used for areas that are heavily used.
One drawback of this infill is that it does not absorb moisture. This means that too much water would runoff, which is not very environment friendly. Also, this infill will not cover as much space as silica or rubber infills do.
However, all of these benefits come with a catch: this is an expensive option but one you should definitely invest in if you really want the best grass for your pet. Additionally, this is a very beneficial option for those living in areas with very high temperatures since the grass would rarely heat up.
Conclusion
- Before making the final choice, consider factors such as your intended place of use and its size and temperature, etc.
- Also keep in mind who would be using the grass – adults, children, pets, or a combination of them?
- You should then evaluate your preferences: texture, smoothness, weather-resistance, cost, and others.
Considering all these factors will help narrow down your choices. That being said, it is possible and quite feasible to combine the different choices and enjoy the merits of all three types.